Children of Diezor

Chapter 7

That night, I have one of the strangest dreams I've ever had in my life. Most of all because nothing extraordinary or worrying actually happens. And still I worry the whole dream long. Which is what makes this dream so strange; the strong emotions I feel while experiencing it.

Knowing it was a dream while I dreamt it is without a doubt the only thing that kept me sane.

In my dream I'm walking around in the city. The streets I walk through are deserted. I think nothing of that though, because it's dark and very quiet; it must be night.

I do nothing else than walk in my dream. From beginning till end. My movements don't change one bit all through the dream. Nor do my surroundings alter. It's almost like I'm walking in circles. It's like I'm following the same path over and over again.

Nothing changes, except... That in the beginning of the dream I'm happy. Laughing out loud and almost skipping with joy. And at the end I'm feeling the opposite. I've turned very sad and I'm almost scared to death.

But that's not the only thing that's strange. As I keep walking it feels like much more time passes than would be normal. Like my walk takes months instead of hours.

But the most striking things in my dream are the emotions. They are the ones I remember the clearest. They feel so foreign, it's almost like they're not my own.

Rory

I see my name pass me by. Like a cloud floating overhead, through the air. Even though it's night and clouds are not supposed to be visible. The letters move slowly. But unlike a cloud, it moves in circles. Coming back around every time I think it's about to fly away completely.

"Rory,'' it suddenly sounds in my head. Like the cloud has become audible as well as visible.

I recognize that sound though. It's from a voice I know. At least... I think it is. I know I recognize its sound. I just don't know where from.

"Rory."

It doesn't just sound familiar, it also sounds particular. Like there's some kind of strong emotion hiding behind it. Or maybe an urgency. Maybe it's panic I'm hearing.

"Rory."

Yes, it's definitely panic. And the voice is getting louder. Not just in volume, but also in its urgency. I think it's yelling.

"Rory!"

I feel hands grabbing hold of me. They shake my body furiously. The voice screams my name again and again, trying desperately to reach my consciousness. And I can feel it almost succeeding. Just not quite yet.

But I do recognize the voice now. The familiarity of a voice that's too deep to be woman's but too high to be an adult man's reaches me and I figure it out. I understand who it is.

And with recognition comes control. Over my mind and body. I take a deep breath and blink open my eyes. I have to squint first; the light in my room is much brighter than I expected. But luckily my eyes adjust quickly.

"Rory," the teenage boy hovering over me calls out again.

"Marcus," I breathe.

There's no relieve on his face in reaction. He just continues in the same panicked voice. "Rory, you have to get up," he urges right away. "Something has happened."

"What – " I stammer.

"Get up, Rory!"

I take a few deep breaths and sit up from my bed. When my head feels completely clear I move to look into Marcus's eyes. "What's happened?" I ask him, my voice loud and clear.

"They're – " he begins and then stops; looking lost for words. He looks at me with a horrified expression. My worry peaks then. I know Marcus well enough to know that there's not much that can horrify him.

I reach out my hand to touch his cheek. My fingers press his skin softly at first, but after his gaze has dropped to the floor I use the pressure to force his eyes back to mine. ''Marcus? What is it?''

It takes him one endless second, but finally his gaze does rise to meet mine. In the moment our eyes meet I can see him letting go. I can see him stop struggling and finally giving in. ''They're all gone,'' he says – and though quiet, his voice cuts right through every fiber of my being.

''Who are gone?'' I ask automatically, but I already know the answer.

''Everyone.''