Picking Petals:

Chapter 25: A world so Lost

   Berella and I made it to my old bedroom where Gregory was safely sleeping. I was hoping he'd be up by now but he was still sleeping, his eyes racing behind his shut lids. Oden was standing beside Musho, who looked worse for the wear. "You should really get out of here and get some rest," I told Musho who seemed to have a hard time hanging onto my words.

   "Yes, I probably should," Musho said trying to get up from the low sofa he sat on. Surprisingly Orion leaned forward to help Musho up, simply by guiding Musho forward by his arm. "Thank you," Musho said slowly to Orion as he shifted to me. "Let me know as soon as Gregory is up, take care of yourself child, Valkri is with you," Musho bowed his head and laid a heavy dark hand on my shoulder, a sign of respect in the Trax, honer.

   "I am with you," I said mirroring his actions, a part of me worried for Musho but I knew he hated my pestering so I let him walk out.

   Orion frowned down at Gregory, his brown curly hair falling above his brow, "What do you think he's dreaming about? Whats haunting him maybe?"

   "I dont know," I said as I sat down beside Gregory, I reached for his hand, studying the dried up blood under his finger nails. I hadn't the slightest idea of what I was going to say to Gregory, welcome back? Berella just sat on the old wicker chair beside me, glaring at Orion uneasily.

   "You could,"Orion said. When I frowned, confused by his riddled speech he went on, "Just like you were able to cross over into Gregory's dreams, you can do the same right now, you can speak to him in his head space."

   "I didn't even realize I was doing that, all I knew was I needed to talk to him-" My voice trailed off as if finally clicked. Also Orion was staring at me blankly his plump lip curled, like I was a complete idiot. "You'd think it would be much harder, to invade someone mind like that."

   "You are the creator, you do as you please," Orion said simply.

   "How is that fair?" I asked, because it wasnt.

   "It's not supposed to be fair, that's just how it is, would you like some privacy?"

   I shook my head, "No I'll be only a minute," I said looking over at Berella who nodded at me encouragingly.

I stared at Gregory imagining his dark eyes, the darkest pair I had ever laid eyes on. I imagined his smile, he didnt smile much but when he did it was beautiful, his eyes would crinkle, his matching dimples on his cheeks. His midnight black hair had seemed to grow a few inches, his features could have been molded from granite. Closing my eyes, I willed to speak to Gregory, I held his hand so tight, patiently waiting. Even though I had visited Gregory in my sleep, I had no doubt I could do it awake.

   Unlike the many times I've used glamour, Feta, even my light, it was never painful. This was like being forced outside of my body, detached, slowly ripping bind by bind. I could even feel myself drift away, everything turning black, no light, no path, just darkness. I couldn't move, I couldn't see, was I even still here? Suddenly it was like I was falling, hands frantically reaching for nothing but air, my screams drowned out by the rushing wind in my ears.

   When I landed their was no pain, when I landed I knew I was in Gregory's head. He had always talked about making a hike to the humans mountains, a tale told from the humans. Nothing but waterfalls, secrete swimming holes, endless adventure all hidden by mountains in the shape of circle. I was in a blanket of soft grass, so soft i rolled over it a few times, laughing to myself. I stared up at the sky, the sky was everything I'd ever imagined it. Endless patterns of blue, clouds of every shape and size moving together, gliding effortlessly. I dont know how I could feel the warmth of the sun, or the silkiness of the grass, but it was everything I needed, everything I needed to bring back the hope.