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Chapter Eight

Sebastian's favorite thing to do is sleep. Especially when he dreams. It's the only time when he can completely remember how things look. He's glad when Lindsey sends up to his room to rest, because as soon as he lays down he falls asleep.

He can see a building on fire, but of course, he doesn't recognize it. The fire is blazing, and he can't help but stare at the orange and red and yellow and blue colors that dance across the roof of the building. It's the most beautiful thing he's ever seen, and he finds it strange how something so colorful turns things into black ash. He tries to walk towards it, but it disappears and he sees only darkness.

He opens his eyes again, and he sees two blue eyes staring back. The person is extremely close to him and all he sees is their eyes. If he remembers correctly, they're the color of the ocean. He wants to look at them longer, but the scene changes again.

He sees a girl he doesn't recognize. Her hair is in a braid; it's dark but the sun shines on it, revealing colors of red and blonde, and then more red. After a moment of staring, Sebastian realizes her hair is surrounded by red, and she's lying on the ground. Her skin is pale, and he doesn't think it's supposed to be that color. He tries to walk towards her, to help her, but the scene changes again.

He sees a boy with dark skin being wheeled away on a hospital stretcher, struggling to breath as paramedics attach things to his face. The boy’s legs are both turned in odd positions and Sebastian wants to turn away but he can't.

There's a girl standing in the corner of the room, staring at him, covering her mouth with both hands. Her black hair is falling in her face and her brown eyes are wide. She looks like she may throw up.

  

Sebastian's eyes flicker open and he sits up instantly. Someone is knocking on his bedroom door.

“Come in,” he says, reaching for his glasses on his night stand and carefully sliding them on his face.

They open the door and walk inside; Sebastian recognizes Lindsey's footsteps.

“You left your cane at school,” she says, and he feels her sit on the edge of his bed. “A boy from your class came by and dropped it off.”

She takes his hand and places the cane in it.

“What boy?” He asks.

“He said his name was Zack. He was wearing a football uniform. Isn't he the one you threw the coffee at?”

Sebastian nods.

“He seems nice, he took the trouble to find out where you live and bring it all the way here. I thought you said he was a jerk?”

“He is.”

“He doesn't seem that bad. He asked how you were feeling and everything. Maybe you should get to know him more.”

“Maybe.”

“Anyways,” she says as he feels her stand up. “Get up. You slept through the whole day, you have to get ready for school.”

He lets himself fall backwards onto his back.

“Do I have to?” He asks.

“Yes. Now hurry up. I have something to work on and Jack offered to drive you so you have to leave early. You better stay for more than one class today, too.”

With that, she walks away and he hears the door shut.

Jack sits in his running car, idling outside the Sander's house. Or office. He isn't sure what to call it now.