Beyond The Sea Blue Light

Dying Is A Gift So Close Your Eyes And Rest In Peace

I'm shaken awake violently in an instant, jolted back into the real world.

"Kellin," the voice hisses. "Kellin, wake up." Oli's standing over my bed, shaking me, his eyes wide with fear. I can hear the shrill wail of the alarm in the background, Vic's words coming back to me. We're coming for you. How is that possible?

"What's going on?" I ask groggily, sitting up.

"They're here," he says.

I'm wide awake in a moment, pulling on my shoes as I run to the window, peering outside. Smoke is rising through the trees around the house, curling toward the lightening sky. I can see the small shapes of men moving through the trees in the distance.

"Holy shit," I mutter.

The Facility flashes through my mind, the image like a knife. The panic builds in my chest until I can't breathe, my heart pounding against my rib cage, threatening to break free. I need to get out of here. There's too much going on. It's too loud in here, too loud with the thoughts churning in my mind. I stumble backward, trying to get away. I need to—I need to—

"Breathe." I feel hands grabbing my arms, forcing me to stay still. "Take a deep breath."

I shake my head, struggling to inhale, my throat tightening.

"Think about here. Focus on me and what I'm saying. You're going to be okay."

My vision slowly starts to clear as I take a gasping breath, then another.

"Are you okay now?" Oli asks. He's still holding onto me, keeping me grounded, which I'm thankful for.

I nod. "Yeah," I rasp. "I'm okay." Oli nods, grabbing my hand as the two of us rush downstairs. The only thought flashing through my mind is my dream. It can't be a coincidence, right? It's too perfect. He warned me that they were attacking, no he said we. We are coming. Does that mean—

Gerard looks up as we near, relief flashing across his face. Everyone's gathered, around a frighteningly large amount of weapons piled on the table. Frank's standing next to the door, keeping an eye out.

"What's the game plan?" Alex asks from where he's pacing across the floor. But I brush right past them, heading for the door. I can hear the others yelling, but all I can do is stare. The smell of smoke is so familiar, I'm transported back to the gray cell. There's only one person I've ever known who can do that.

I see the familiar shape moving across the yard, his hands outstretched, fires blazing in them. The realization makes me go weak at the knees as I grasp the door frame for support, unable to tear my eyes away. Pain burns in my heart, so strong I lift my hand to see if I've been shot or not, but my hand comes away unmarred. There's no way—no way that this is true. Emotions tear their way through me, joy at the sight of him, anger at myself for not believing, guilt about Oli, but mainly shock fills my whole body, making me go numb. Because in all the minutes, hours, I spent in my grief, in every single waking moment, never in my whole life, in any universe could I imagine my wish coming true.

Vic's alive.