Beyond The Sea Blue Light

But I Need You More Than Night And Day

When I open my eyes, I'm standing in a glowing hallway. Golden and white light is radiating off of every surface, seeping through the cracks in the floor. I throw up my hand, shielding my eyes from glare. In the polished walls and floor, I see myself reflected from every angle, my eyes wide, my dark hair a mess. As I move forward, my reflections do too, following me as I walk down the hall, avoiding the bright cracks on the floor.

A dark doorway hovers at the end of the hall, a black square seemingly suspended in midair. I walk toward it, apprehensively, trying to see through it, but there's nothing. I gingerly put my hand through, feeling a blast of freezing cold air. There's a whisper of something else, of warmth and light though, calling me forward.

I take a deep breath before I step through. The cold clings to my skin, goosebumps prickling up my arms. I shiver, my teeth chattering as I walk forward. The air whistles against my skin, blowing me forward until I step out into the gray.

Vic's sitting on his bed, leaning against the wall. My mind flashes back to the last dream, how he was lying, deathly pale in the familiar-looking room. He looks healthier now, more alive. I can see the edges of bandages peeking out from under his shirt. His eyes are closed and he looks peaceful for once, his whole body relaxed. He's whispering something to himself, something that I can't quite catch.

For a moment, I just stand there, staring at him. This isn't a memory, right? It's too real to be one. I'm too present. He doesn't react when I walk approach him. I reach out gingerly, touching his shoulder lightly. He jolts up in alarm, his eyes meeting mine.

"What are you doing back here?" he asks, his voice ringing through the room.

"I wanted to see you," I reply, sitting down in front of him.

"You can't be here," he says. "Kells, I'm sorry, but you need to leave."

I shake my head. "No way."

"You have to leave before they come back," Vic says. "Please."

My blood runs cold as I look at him. "Who? Where are you?"

Vic just shakes his head. "Go. Please."

"You can't make me," I say, crossing my arms. It's a complete guess, but if this is real, there is no way he can shake me awake.

He sighs, running his hand over his face. "When did you get so stubborn?" he mutters.

I just shrug, crossing the room to sit beside him. Even from here, I can feel the heat radiating off of him. I lean closer, taking his hand in mine.

"I miss you," I whisper. "I miss you so much."

"I miss you too," Vic says. "You don't know how much I miss you."

"Then let me stay," I beg. "I need you."

"I need you too," Vic whispers. "But it's dangerous. You can't stay here for long."

"What do you mean?" I ask. "Why not?"

"You'll be trapped," he says simply. "If you don't go back."

"Go back where?" I ask. "Is this the afterlife? Are you—" I can't say the last word, my throat closing up. Maybe some part of me, some stupid, foolish part still clings on to the hope that he's still alive, somewhere. Otherwise, how do I explain these dreams? He has to be, he just has to. I won't believe it if he's not. The little voice whispers in my mind, telling me I'm still in denial, and yes, I probably am, but it feels so real. I can feel the warmth of his skin against mine, see his chest rising and falling. He has to be alive. Right?

Vic doesn't respond, just watches me. "You have to go," he whispers. "I don't want to let you, but you have to."

I'm jolted awake in an instant, sitting up in my bed. The sky is lightening outside. It's dawn; I must have slept for longer than I thought I was going to. The bed beside me is warm, as if someone was sleeping there, but there's no one else in the room, Oli's gone already.