The Truth and What Remains: An Adrienette story

Chapter 23: The Dream Chronicles: Awakening

Hey guys SnivyLord here! I am SO SORRY, this didn't come out sooner but I have been busy with applications and same crazy school drama that involved the administration. But don't worry because I am working steadily on getting these chapters out. I took a lot of influences for this chapter and I really hope you'll like it. I'll see you guys in the next chapter: A Father Again.

What do I want? It's to get out of here, to wake up and fight once again for the cause I believe in, but I can't do that. Does that ultimately mean that I must remain here? I can feel that I have seen these shores before, my memories slowly washing away here. It must be such a sad and lonely place, nobody to love and nobody to turn to. This is a fitting place for memories to disappear. However, I'll wait here... I know someone will find me, and these waters will carry me far far away from here. Into the light.

Louis wandered through the endless darkness, hearing his own footsteps pounding away at the floor for what seemed like ages. Finally, his eyes caught a difference in the different shades of darkness he was seeing and he could actually make out hints of light. Louis then covered his eyes as he made it out onto what seemed like a clearing with a beach. He could hear the sounds of the lapping water and the moon shined its ephemeral light on the waters.

"Where..... am I?" Louis carefully stepped out into the light, noticing the full moon and its oddly weird size. It seemed bigger than the moons he'd seen, but this was a dream, so what difference did it make, "another random place of the day I see.... damn it. I really thought that was a way out of here." Louis sighed as he walked up to the water and tried to see the bottom, but it was a dark and murky depth that he couldn't see. Suddenly, he felt like he was being watched and he turned around to find a woman in a long beige coat sitting on a rock, watching him.

"So you've found your way here too? It's not often I get visitors," the woman spoke as Louis slowly let down his guard and walked up to her and sat on the sand, watching her carefully. She seemed familiar and he's sure he's seen her somewhere before.

"Well, a pit of darkness and a beach at night wasn't exactly what I thought in mind. But... do I know you from somewhere?" Louis asked, looking up at her as she stared out over the waters.

"I don't think we've ever met, but you have heard of me. My name is Emilie," the woman answered as Louis suddenly realized who she was.

"Wait, Emilie? As in, Dad's mom Emilie? Grandma?" Louis asked incredulously as Emilie laughed nervously and nodded.

"Well I don't think I'm old enough to be your grandma but technically I am. It's nice to finally meet you Louis," Emilie pulled a warm smile that Louis returned and they stared out over the ocean together.

"So? Why are you here? Did you get blown up by Gabriel too?" Louis mumbled ruefully as he felt her stiffen next to him and he realized how rude he was, "Oh Emilie I am so sorry, I didn't know what I was"

"No it's fine, it's just... I can't help but think you're right. Ever since I went into that coma some almost 20 years ago, I feel like everyone's lives were uprooted by him." Emilie explained as Louis nodded and thought about what she said, contemplating how 20 long years has passed for her.

"Well, Dad told me your condition was a permanent vegetative state and Gabriel paid huge amounts of money to keep you alive for this long," Louis fiddled with his thumbs as he heard her sigh.

"Sometimes I wished things didn't have to escalate this far. But Louis, understand that none of this is your fault. If it's anyone's, it's mine," Emilie folded her hands together and looked down in her lap as if she was ashamed.

Louis glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and sighed, "I wish I could blame you for what happened, but I know that I can't. Because it really isn't your fault." He lowered his head to his knees and continued looking out over the water.