Always Chasing Stars

Prologue

  🙃TW: cutting

  ??? POV

  Take a moment to remind yourself

  To, take a moment and find yourself

  Take a moment and ask yourself

  If this is how we fall apart

  I listened to the song as I walked out of the trait complex. I had my  knife with me, as usual. This knife was mine, and only mine. It tethered me to the reality of Thomas's mind. That I was me, and that I will always be me.

  The Black and Orange handle driving me into a trance. The silver metal of the seven-inched blade reflecting my orange eyes and the black and orange streaks in my hair. I sighed as I walked into the subconscious.

  The quiet and serenity was sickening, but created a perfect condition for meditating. The night time was the best, as Thomas was asleep, meaning.......   I wasn't doing my job.

  I walked for another two minutes as I reached the center of the subconscious. My music stopped playing. As usual, technology that exist only in the mindscape doesn't work in here. I pulled out my earbuds and took off my leather jacket revealing my black shirt with "mantra" written in white. I removed my socks and shoes as well, leaving my pale feet against the cold ground.

  I sat in a criss-cross position and straightened my back so my position was a little more comfortable. I placed my hands on the white, soft, shallow floor of the subconscious, feeling the vibrations of Thomas's dream. It was the only good dream he's had in a while, to my luck.

  I began moving my hands in a more fluid circular motion and raised them until they were eventually sitting on my lap and closed my eyes. I took in a deep breathe, and exhaled. Inhaled. Exhaled. As my body relaxed I began to sink slowly into the ground of the subconscious. Slowly feeling myself enter Thomas's dream.

  I opened my eyes slowly to a soft sunset. From further inspection I realized this was one of Thomas's reoccurring dreams that I've always enjoyed observing. Thomas had this dream very rarely, but I made sure to never miss it.

  In this dream, Thomas is having a double date with Joan and Talyn. But, as Thomas is currently single, there is only a white cloud figure where his love interest would be. Something I enjoy calling "the Absence".

  I stood up and began walking towards the north end of the park, where there was a small lake. Here Thomas was sitting on a picnic blanket with Joan and Talyn. They were gasping at the different shapes the clouds were forming into, changing, every four to five minutes. As usual.

  I walked right up to Thomas, as he could never see me in this state. Remy did his job correctly this time. I reached out to touch Thomas, my hand waving right through him. He stopped smiling and shivered, then went back to the dream as if nothing had happened. Perfect.

  I walked up to the Absence and placed my hand on the back of it's head. The white cloud it was made of began to turn orange and black. I smirked as the Absence grabbed Thomas's hand and slowly stood the two of them up. The Absence then began to speak, but nothing could be heard except for the sound of rushing water from its mouth.

  Only Thomas understood the Absence, as he told Talyn and Joan he'd be right back, and allowed the Absence to drag him away into the center of the park. This part of the dream never happened, I have always been able to alter Thomas's dreams, but have never taken the initiative.

  This time will be different. I had momentarily taken control of the Absence so I could create an alternate to this dream. Eventually Thomas will wake up from this dream, so I must be quick.