I walked alone through a serene forest. There was nothing living but trees and grass in sight. It was very peaceful, despite being so deafeningly quiet. I soon became a bit lonely, and with a wave of my hand, I quickly summoned my best friend, Serena. At the sight of me, she smiled. "What are you doing around here alone?" She laughed. Even here she had a sense of humor. I rolled my eyes. "Well I can't just sleep, can I?" "Sometimes it's worth not wearing yourself out every night." She scoffed. I turned to her. How many times do I have to explain it?! "It doesn't wear me out. I'm still sleeping! My mind and body are resting, it's just, my unconscious mind is not." "Ha! Well give it a rest then!" I stare at her. "Says you. You are just a figment of my imagination." I smile at her until she can't help but smile back. "That is based on your best friend! Come on." She holds out her hand. It is crazy how realistic she is. "Gosh dangit Serena." I take her hand. I feel a jolt of excitement as I think about what to do. And then I realize my mistake. The world starts to blur and I begin to lose my grasp of my perfect world. How could a make such a beginner's mistake?! Excitement is the first step to waking up when you don't want to. I close my eyes tightly to end it all quickly. Darkness. Silence. I begin to regain consciousness into reality.
Indra Ebony is a normal girl in a normal school. She has the gift of being able to realize when she's dreaming, and can control them. Everyone including her best friend Serena doesn't believe her, until one day everyone learns that she was right all along, while she learns that she is not the only one with her talent.
Elliot's partner was his whole world, but after Allan's death, his ghost haunts Elliot's dreams. Everyone tells Elliot to move on, but he isn't sure he can.
*****
It's been a year since the love of Elliot's life, Allan, passed away. Everyone thinks he should have recovered after that much time, but Allan still haunts Elliot every night. He struggles to maintain relationships with his family, and despite a coworkers interest he can't summon up the courage to date. Elliot is living for the past, because to live for the present means he'll have to live with a hole in his heart. But the question Elliot has to face chases him through his monotonous days: is mourning Allan with everything he has truly living?
[[word count: 40,000-50,000 words]]