Part 1
He knew that he was dreaming. Hands stroked his face gently. Kisses were rained down upon him, upon his forehead, his cheeks, his jaw, his neck and shoulders and chest.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," was whispered over and over with such crushing agony and misery and sorrow, more than he would wish anyone to bear, more than anyone deserved to bear.
And the sobs, the silent, body-wracking sobs that caused her to tremble beside him, were worse. Her tears fell hot on his skin, heart-wrenching and innumerable.
"I'm so sorry, Odion."
He jerked awake, eyes frantically searching for her form, and when he found nothing his hands fell to the space she had been occupying in his dream.
The sheets were still warm.