1. Denial
He tries to go back. There is no back. The path they took doesn't belong to this realm of reality, suspended somewhere between the here and there. He knows, they all know, there is nothing to go back to. But he refuses to believe it. Of course he does. She is there. She is there. He is here and she is there and there has to still exist. She has to still exist. He knows it. He knows it.
Why?
He is not sure who asks the question. He doesn't see their faces. Only hers. He can only see her face.
Why?
He closes his eyes. He only sees her face.
Why?
They will not leave him alone. He only hears her voice.
Barbie.
His name never sounded as precious as when it danced off her lips. It wasn't his anymore. It was hers. He was hers.
Why?
Red. She is still there. He knows it.
Why?
Because he can still breathe.