The Memoriam Files: Dreams ✔

prologue.

prologue.

2 years ago
8:30 a.m

In the dimly lit room he watched her sleep. Her hair spread on her pillow, surrounding her face. Her chest rose and sank with a steady beat. She looked so peaceful, so innocent. Such a contrast to her determined, steady gaze when she was awake.

A sad smile appeared on his face, as though a thousand memories were going through his mind, reminding him of both better and worse times. Though, he couldn't even begin to imagine a time worse than this. In a few hours he would have to go into the Box. It would bring him into the Maze and most likely kill him.

This was his last hour spent in freedom and he wanted to spend it with her. But he couldn't bring himself to wake her. He didn't see her this peaceful often and if this was the last time he would see her, then this is how he wanted to remember her.

The knot in his stomach seemed to grow even tighter when the thought of losing her crossed his mind. He wouldn't survive it. He couldn't live without her.

A deep sigh escaped his lips and he hung his head in his hands. Where did it all go so wrong?

Suddenly she groaned, as if she was in pain and when he turned to look at her he saw her eyes moving behind her eyelids. And with a sudden movement she sat up straight, gasping for air. Immediately he jumped on the bed and took her in his arms. He rubbed circles on her back while kissing her forehead.

'It's okay. You're safe,' he whispered.

Slowly she calmed, her breath became steady. Still he kept on rubbing circles, holding her close in his arms. He couldn't let go, ever.

'You can't leave,' she whispered, her voice so vulnerable it broke his heart. 'You can't leave me, I can't lose you.' Tears started to roll down her cheeks. 'You'll die,' she mumbled, desperately trying to hide her tears.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay strong for her. Carefully he took her face in his hands and wiped away her tears. 'It's okay,' he told her again, although both of them knew it wasn't. 'I'm never gonna leave you. I'll keep fighting for you. I won't give up. We'll see each other again, that's a promise.' He gave her a kiss on her forehead.

She took a shaky breath. 'I'm not afraid of that.'

He frowned and took her hands. They were cold. For the first time she looked at him. Her beautiful eyes were so broken. The usual sparks of joy had died and it made his heart clench in pain.

'I don't doubt the fact that you'll fight for me,' she added with a whisper.

His frown deepened. 'Then what is it?'

'I'm scared you will give up fighting for yourself,' she mumbled, almost as if she was afraid to say it.

At her words a burning pain flashed behind his eyes. He bit his lip but a tear rolled down his cheek anyway.

A weak smile appeared on her face and she wiped his tear away with her thumb. She knew him. She knew him all too well. She knew about his struggles, about how he gave up so many times. She knew that once he found her, she was the reason he kept going. But if he would go up there all alone, without any memory of her, he might end up hurting himself...badly.

Another tear rolled down his cheek and now it was her turn to take his face in her hands. She kissed his tears away and pressed her forehead against his.
'I love you,' she whispered and suddenly all the weakness in her voice was gone. She spoke with a new kind of confidence. Because she believed in what she said. It was a silent promise.

He nodded and smiled a little, knowing he would always hold on to that promise. 'I love you too.'

'When you're up there,' she said. 'You have to find something that can trigger your memory. When you feel lost and alone, search for something that makes you feel comfortable.'

He looked at her, knowing it wasn't possible but he would try, for her he would always try.

'Can you do that? Remember that?' She asked, her voice kind but her eyes stern.

And he nodded. 'I promise.'

She smiled. 'I knew you would.' She leaned forward and kissed him. Warmth spread through his chest at her touch and he so desperately wanted to capture that feeling and never let go.

Suddenly the door was thrown open, startling the two teens. They broke away from each other and looked at the three W.I.C.K.E.D guards that had stormed inside. All three of them were wearing black uniforms and holding heavy rifles.

'Time to go,' one of them scowled.

Their faces were invisible behind the masks they were wearing, making his voice sound muffled.

He turned to her and gave her a kiss. 'I'll be fine,' he whispered to her, 'I promise.'

'Now!' The guards shouted and two of them came inside the room.

'Be careful!' She yelled, while taking his hand and then added softly, 'please.'

'Come on kid!' The guard scowled again. They took by his arm and pulled him off the bed.

'No!' She screamed, a sudden panic taking over. Now that he had to leave, it really hit her how long they wouldn't see each other. That they might never see each other again...

The guards kept on dragging him along while he kept struggling to stay with her. They pushed him out of the door while her sobs were a pain in his ears, slowly breaking his heart. In one little second he managed to break loose from the firm grip of the guards. He looked around the corner of the door. Saw her sitting on the bed with her head in her hands.

'I love you!' He screamed.

She looked up, a weak smile appearing on her face. The guards grabbed him again, dragging him away from the door. Away from her...

'I'll find you again!'

And then he stopped struggling, letting the guards take him. He had no other choice. He was going into the Maze and she was staying behind.

| 𝙰𝚄𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚁'𝚂 𝙽𝙾𝚃𝙴 |

Hi guys! So I really hope you all enjoyed the prologue of this book. Please share your thoughts and ideas about what's happening in the comments :)

xx nelly