Thorns

555

This black emptiness is becoming Vik's third home (after his home Star and the hospital room). He comes here almost nightly. Or whenever JJ is willing to put Vik here.

The healer watched as a football match played out in front of him. There is a mass of people and two goals within endless grassy hills. Vik comes closer so he can see it better. He spots Harry. Happiness bubbles inside him but the bubbles are suddenly popped by sadness.

Poor Harry is struggling. And badly too. Vik watches in pain as the ball rolls toward Harry but he can't kick it. Someone else steals the ball prompting Harry to chase after him but he can't even run properly. It's almost as if he's running in slow motion.

The pain on his sweet face resonates with Vik. He must help him. That's his job. His passion.

"Harry! Kick the ball! Go on, you can do it." Vik tries not to stick out. Although he was the only one in the crowd who picked Harry out using his name.

Harry stops trying to run and searches for the guy who just called his name.

"Wait? Haven't I seen you before in other places?" Harry recognizes him from previous dreams. It makes Vik a little nervous because he's supposed to be lowkey about his existence.

"Maybe. But we're not talking about me, we're talking about your football skills." Vik changes the subject. "It's okay if football isn't your thing, there are lots of other sports you can play."

"But I want to be a famous football star. How am I supposed to be a footballer if I cant kick a ball. I can barely even run." His eyes look defeated. Vik isn't sure why but the younger's eyes don't seem as blue.

"What are you talking about. You sort of kicked it. Just slowly breath in and take your time. You're not going to get better right away, it takes progress." Vik comforts him with an assuring tone.

He feels like this dream could have a deeper meaning but he would need to consult JJ on that.

"Thanks." he smiles. "I just wish someone would at least help. Look at them all playing without me." Then the smile shrank.

"I'm here." Vik speaks up. He wants to give Harry the hope he's losing. Something almost slipped out of his mouth that's meant to stay a secret. But Harry, "I'm..." really seemed to need a support system. "I'm your 'angel'."

"Huh?"

"I'll always help you. Both here and out there. It's my job to watch over and protect you. If you want to be a footballer, I'll make you one." Vik smiles. There's guilt for a spilt second since he just broke a promise with JJ, but the look on Harry's face erased it all.

Vik came back into the real world.

Harry unexpectedly gasps, waking himself up. He sits up looking around all dazed as he tries to recall what he saw in the night.

"That dream... Vik! He's real!"
~
It down poured. The rain started in the middle of the night and it hasn't stopped yet. Ethan hates groggy weather. It just ruins everyone's mood. It's cold and wet, and not the cool kind of rain either with big puffy clouds and warm air.

The weather doesn't affect Tobi's mood. He's actually been feeling better the last week. He was just starting to think he'll fail his mission and be stuck on his Star for the rest of his life. But then, Ethan ran into those boys in the bathroom. If it wasn't for Tobi, Ethan would have missed out on such a great opportunity.

They are going to be Ethan's friends. Tobi could not feel prouder of himself. Whenever they pass each other in the hallways they'll exchange hellos. If they catch each other in the bathroom they'll engage in small talk. Sometimes, after school, Tobi will watch the four as they magically breathe smoke together. Doing all the cool stuff with the cool kids.

Two of the boys are even in some of Ethan's classes. How crazy is that?!

Tobi now just has to wait until Ethan gets a little bit closer to them and then he will wake up one day back at home, symbolizing he has passed. He can't wait.

Ethan's life will be so much better with friends in it. Whenever he starts crying, Tobi won't have to sit there and try to comfort him - a real person who he can see will!

Friends never let you down. That's what Tobi was taught.

Right now, Tobi is watching Ethan eat lunch with them. They all laugh as Ethan quietly sits there and listens. He doesn't really engage in the conversation but at least he's not eating lunch by himself.