Disclaimer: I Don't Own The Invisible.
He was inches away.
Just inches.
And he couldn't do it.
There would be no point in it anyway. It wasn't like she would be able to feel him. He was just a ghost to her. A lurking shadow. A constant reminder of an irreversible mistake.
Having him in her head was probably torture enough. Hearing the voice of her victim probably caused more pain than she would admit. Even so, Nick couldn't help but feel the need to at least try and comfort her aching soul.
Nick had already opened his heart to forgive her, but he wondered if she would ever forgive herself. Watching her drown in her own sorrow proved to be painful.
Annie rolled over from her left side to her right, shifting her position on the gym mat uncomfortably. Nick moved his hand out of her way, still unsure whether or not it would be worth his attempt at comforting her to begin with. Hardly a second passed before he finally decided to place his hand on her arm.
It was unexpectedly warm.
He hadn't really felt anything before during his time in limbo, so it was odd being able to feel again.
But he liked it.
It was...nice, to say the least.
Annie's eyes flitted open, and he could've sworn she was looking right at him, though he was sure that wasn't possible.
...Or was it?
Maybe she could feel his touch, he decided, even if she couldn't see him. Though he would give practically anything for her to be able to see him now. At least then he could let her know that he was alright. That he was there.
A single tear slipped down her face, and she managed to shut her eyes once again, allowing sleep to claim her.
Nick stared at her for the longest moment, until his own eyelids became heavy, and he let sleep claim him as well.
Soon enough, he drifted off into a sea of blackness.
Awaiting the sunrise.