Falling Awake

Part 23

This is where I take over again, this is Jory, back again, no more journals. After that point we were too sick to write any more. We had all gotten to the point that we didn't care if we lived or died, we were too sick to care about anything. We lay together on the master bed, the three of us, unable to move. Things got really bad. Denny was refusing to accept that his dad was dead, the first stage of grief is denial after all, but I think that deep down he knew. When your parent dies, it leaves a hole. The second my mom didn't arrive home, I knew something was wrong. I knew she was dead before the police did. I think Denny knew, deep down inside, before I even told him. He just refuses to admit it.

I don't know how long we lay on that master bed together, it could've been day, weeks, or even just hours for all I know. We were at rock bottom.

"We need to get out of here" Cassie whispered

"I think we all know that" I sighed "It's a question of how"

"Can't a boy die in peace these days" Denny chuckled weakly

"Hey, no one is dying here" I announced as certainly as I could make my voice sound

"Yeah right" Cassie snorted "I guess Will doesn't count then" she and Denny exploded into meaningless laughter, which turned into violent coughing fits. My brain started to turn it's gears, desperately grasping for a solution, but coming up empty. No matter how much I fought it, I fell into a deep slumber

"NO" i heard the familiar voice of my dad "THERE IS NO WAY YOU'RE PULLING THE PLUG ON MY KIDS. MIRACLES HAPPEN"

"Sir" replied a kindly voice "I'm afraid that keeping them on life support for much longer will bankrupt you"

"WELL THEN I'LL GO BANKRUPT." Dad yelled "SOME THINGS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN MONEY" I kicked and screamed and fought to break free of my shell. I was there. I kept kicking and shouting until I realised the one thing I hadn't tried. Opening my eyes. There was only one problem, what if it worked? I realised then what I had to do. I made myself completely still and felt myself awakening back on the master bed with Cass and Den.

"GUYS" I screamed with a sudden rush of adrenaline "I KNOW WHAT WE HAVE TO DO" they awakened abruptly, both managing to sit up slightly, and looked at my inquisitively.

"We have to fall asleep, right, and then we're going to open our eyes from the dream. We've kicked and screamed as much as we can, but the thing is, our bodies are paralysed in sleep. We just have to open our eyes, I really think we can do that, then we'll get the rest of our motion back, and we can survive!" I announced, completely confident in my plan. Cassie and Denny looked at each other, unsure what to think.

"I mean it's worth a try..." Cassie sighed, I think she really had faith in me just didn't want to admit it because i'm her sister. Denny, however, was not buying it

"Jory, I don't wanna waste the last hour or so of my life trying to fall asleep" Denny sighed "we're gonna die, can't you just let us already"

"Den-Den" Cassie choked, holding back tears, "You don't have to die, you can't die, please Den, don't give up yet..."

"Cass, you guys can live, but I honestly just want this to be over." Denny lamented, tears in his eyes

"No, Denny, come on, live, for me..." Cassie sobbed, her voice breaking

"Cassie, you can be happy without me, find some guy and get married and have kids and all that..." Denny smiled

"I already found that guy Denny, it's you, it has to be you" Cassie cried

"Jory, look after your sister for me, will you?" Denny asked, I could see a faint smile on his lips. I nodded quietly, tears streaming down my face