24 Dreams Of You And Me

18) Conflicts

"The goal of resolving conflict in a relationship is not victory or defeat. It's reaching understanding and letting go of our need to be right."

***

Levi was sitting in the chapel of the hospital. Alyssa came and sat down beside him.

"Are you alright?" She asked.

"No. I won't be until I'm out of here." He replied, nonchalantly.

"Levi.. I'm sorry." She grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze.

"Me too."

"I didn't know that's how he.." She bit her lip.

"I did. I lived it twice." His expressions were cold.

"It wasn't real, Levi. You were young."

"I know, Lisa. But I can't shake it out of me again." He closed his eyes and hung his head low.

The scenes played back in his mind, no matter how much he wanted to stop them.

"We were returning from Iowa. He had come to pick me up from my football summer camp. I had told him not to bother and pick me, that I'd come with my friend. But he didn't listen." A tear rolled down his cheek. "He should've listened."

"What happened to the other driver?"

"He was drunk." Levi wiped his eyes. "He ran away, I couldn't get myself to do anything. How I called the police, I-" he stopped and took deep breaths.

"Hey, it's okay. That was all years ago. We'll be out of here soon."

"How? We need that bark of the tree in Cheyenne. We're in Chicago. We were supposed to be there by this time and perform that spell tonight."

"Okay so we're away from our original destination. But that doesn't-"

"It's been three days, Alyssa." Levi looked straight into her eyes. "I feel like I'm trapped in a nightmare and you know what's worse? The realisation that I actually am."

Alyssa was taken aback by the lost expression on his face. His tired eyes seemed dead.

"Levi, three days and we have one ingredient and a way to procure the next one. We're moving forward, slowly but surely."

"So by that time you're okay with reliving your pain?"

"No, of course not. But I know I have no other way. It's frustrating, I know. Talking to Justin, Mom, my aunt.. I know."

"I just-" he stopped and looked away. "Can't get that image out."

Alyssa understood his pain. She hated their family but witnessing something like that at 16, when you're alone and it's dark.. she wouldn't wish it upon on her worst enemy.

"It'll pass, Levi. You will be okay." She whispered softly.

"Let's talk about something else, please?" He shook his head and exhaled deeply.

"Sure, distractions are good."

"What do you think we should do now?"

"Head to Cheyenne, I guess. We'll need a new car."

"We can get mine."

"Aren't we in the year 1996?" Alyssa titled her head, wrapping her head around the concept of time travel.

"Yes, but we should still have our belongings. It's just our age that seems to be altered in their minds."

"So we can get more cash too." Alyssa smiled.