Prologue: Shadows of the Mind
Riley
I need you
Come to me
The world flashes, and I find myself in a vast marble hall. It's empty, for the most part. Except, standing at the other end, by a pedestal adorned by a floating triange, is Colt. But, though I recognize him, he's not the Colt I used to know. He's older, for one, and seems, for the most part, to be completely unaware that he's naked. The Colt I remember from Elementary School would not have been so completely comfortable with his exposure. But it's him, all the same. I want to run to him, embrace him, just touch him, if only for a little while... But my limbs won't respond.
"Riley, is that you?" His voice sounds strange, echoing oddly in the cavernous hall. Even from across the room, I can tell he's fighting back the tears. My heart cries out to him, but... there's nothing I can do. He darts across the room, clearing the distance in less time than I would have thought possible. He really has changed. I smile at him weakly. It's been far too long.
"I cannot stay long." My voice surprises me, as does the fact that I know exactly what to say. "I am here to answer your question. No more, no less. Ask."
"But... Riley..." He steps towards me, trying to embrace me, but I must move away. I am not offered a choice. Whatever force controls my mouth controls my limbs, too. But it doesn't control my heart. My eyes, in a pale parody of Colt's, begin to tear.
"Ask." I hate this, and it's killing me that I can't help him, hold him, and stop the tears, but there it is...
He nods, his resolve firming again. The unshed tears dry behind his eyes, and I can't help but regret that he's changed so much. He is no longer the sweet boy with the shy smile, inseparable from Lance, except when he was with me. Speaking of Lance... Where is he?
"How do I get home?" Colt watches me intently, and I pause. It was not the question I expected. It takes me a moment, but the answer is already on my lips.
"The way from this prison is not easy. Do not let your judgment be clouded by emotion. You must find the wisdom to separate reality and illusion. Trust yourself. You know what needs to be done." I pause, and feel the tears burning rivulets down my cheeks. I turn away, so he can't see my weakness, my pain. But I can't let it go at that. "I miss you, Colt. Come home soon, okay?" No longer a puppet, my voice is an unspoken plea. Come home, and come back to me. I love you. But I can't say all I want to.
"Wait! Riley! Please!" His voice comes from behind me, and I hear his bare feet slap against the marble, as he tries to reach me. But it's too late, I've already reached the glowing arches, and I am gone.
*~*~*~*~*~*
I awoke, sweating. The dream... But how? How could it have been a dream? I haven't seen Colt since the seventh grade... How could I know what he looks like now? It's been more than five years. Something was not right. Colt was in trouble... And he had needed MY help. I've got to help him, somehow... I've got to... But I was asleep again before I could finish the thought.
Riley
I need you
Come to me
The world flashes, and I find myself in a vast marble hall. It's empty, for the most part. Except, standing at the other end, by a pedestal adorned by a floating triange, is Colt. But, though I recognize him, he's not the Colt I used to know. He's older, for one, and seems, for the most part, to be completely unaware that he's naked. The Colt I remember from Elementary School would not have been so completely comfortable with his exposure. But it's him, all the same. I want to run to him, embrace him, just touch him, if only for a little while... But my limbs won't respond.
"Riley, is that you?" His voice sounds strange, echoing oddly in the cavernous hall. Even from across the room, I can tell he's fighting back the tears. My heart cries out to him, but... there's nothing I can do. He darts across the room, clearing the distance in less time than I would have thought possible. He really has changed. I smile at him weakly. It's been far too long.
"I cannot stay long." My voice surprises me, as does the fact that I know exactly what to say. "I am here to answer your question. No more, no less. Ask."
"But... Riley..." He steps towards me, trying to embrace me, but I must move away. I am not offered a choice. Whatever force controls my mouth controls my limbs, too. But it doesn't control my heart. My eyes, in a pale parody of Colt's, begin to tear.
"Ask." I hate this, and it's killing me that I can't help him, hold him, and stop the tears, but there it is...
He nods, his resolve firming again. The unshed tears dry behind his eyes, and I can't help but regret that he's changed so much. He is no longer the sweet boy with the shy smile, inseparable from Lance, except when he was with me. Speaking of Lance... Where is he?
"How do I get home?" Colt watches me intently, and I pause. It was not the question I expected. It takes me a moment, but the answer is already on my lips.
"The way from this prison is not easy. Do not let your judgment be clouded by emotion. You must find the wisdom to separate reality and illusion. Trust yourself. You know what needs to be done." I pause, and feel the tears burning rivulets down my cheeks. I turn away, so he can't see my weakness, my pain. But I can't let it go at that. "I miss you, Colt. Come home soon, okay?" No longer a puppet, my voice is an unspoken plea. Come home, and come back to me. I love you. But I can't say all I want to.
"Wait! Riley! Please!" His voice comes from behind me, and I hear his bare feet slap against the marble, as he tries to reach me. But it's too late, I've already reached the glowing arches, and I am gone.
*~*~*~*~*~*
I awoke, sweating. The dream... But how? How could it have been a dream? I haven't seen Colt since the seventh grade... How could I know what he looks like now? It's been more than five years. Something was not right. Colt was in trouble... And he had needed MY help. I've got to help him, somehow... I've got to... But I was asleep again before I could finish the thought.