Beautiful

Chapter 8

Dan's POV:

A voice echoed in the black room again. It was Phil, the Phil from the outside.

"It's ok, Dan. I'm here. I'm not angry."

"Not angry? But...why wouldn't he be?"

"Can you go one minute without being a dummy? He is! He's lying to you!"

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I hope you can hear this next part. I love you, Dan. I love you more than the stars in the sky. In fact, I am in love with you. Please, please come back to me."

I felt the sense of arms hugging me again, even though I was witnessing Phil standing in front of me while I was huddled on the floor. This time, it felt tighter, like the outside Phil was going to lose me. Could he really be in my room, comforting me now? And hold on. Wait hold on. In love with me? I've loved Phil for awhile, but I never though he'd choose me. Not ever. I was ecstatic.

"Phil, if you can hear me, is that true?" I shouted into the abyss.

"Don't be a dingus. Of course it isn't."

At first, there was silence. Then-

"Yes! It is! I love you with all my heart!"

"Phil!"

"Dan!"

My fringe had the feeling it was being stroked, and my hand became warm. My heart was doing backflips.

"Give the dorky smile a break, already."

"Phil, I can't believe I'm saying this to you but, can it! The Phil out there loves me, and I'm gonna find a way back to him."

"I didn't want to have to do this, Howell."

"What?" What was he going to- "Ahh!" I groaned, clutching my face. He punched me. Phil punched me.

"If words can't convince you, maybe fighting will."

He continued to kick me in the abdomen. Man, that hurt.

"How's that for you?" he taunted. I couldn't hit him back. He was my best friend. He continued to do this until I appeared battered enough to him, breathing harshly with bruises all over.

"Ow..."

"That's what hope gets you. Don't you get it? There's no way out. There never will be."