Song: Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas
If you haven't read The Fiery Heart and you don't want a spoiler, don't read this!
Adrian chucked the bottle into the corner or the room and sighed.
The spirit was getting to him again. He missed Sydney, so much.
And with every bottle he drank, he felt worse and worse. He was breaking their deal. But she wasn't here to know, was she?
That thought prompted him to open another bottle of beer.
Part of him felt bad because he was smothering the spirit; without it, he couldn't link to her dreams. But with it, he felt like his head was going to explode.
Poor Jill was probably going to wake up extremely hungover and it was going to be all his fault. Well, this way she didn't have to get all his grief.
He spent every day worrying about Sydney and spent every night staying awake, trying to communicate through spirit dreams.
So far, nothing. He wasn't sure if she was in so deep a sleep that she wasn't dreaming or they weren't letting her sleep.
"Or she's dead," a voice whispered in his mind.
He immediately quashed the thought. No, they had come too far and had been through too much for her to be dead. If she was dead, then he might as well be dead too.
Where are you, Sydney? He thought miserably. I need you.
He summoned the spirit, reaching for it through the fog caused by the alcohol.
He closed his eyes. Sydney, where are you...
Miles away, Sydney, asleep, felt the brush of his mind against hers. Adrian?
Sydney? Thank God... He faded in and out. Where are you? I miss you so much...
Don't know. I've been put in a center for reeducation...
Sydney, we're coming for you, I swear...
I know. Are you alright? The connection's fuzzy...
He paused. I haven't slept in days.
Adrian, you need to sleep!
Don't worry about me, Sydney. I'll be fine.
The fuzziness threatened to break up the connection.
You need to rest. You're weary. Lay down and sleep.
He wanted so badly to listen. I'm not leaving you, Sydney.
Adrian, it's ok. You need to sleep. Just... Carry on. Sleep. I know you'll find me.
I love you. His voice murmured in her head.
I love you, too... Her voice trailed off in his head, until he could sense her no more.
Aww, a little Sydrian angst! Shaking it up! And my dear Mori Belicov Hathaway THANK YOU FOR THE FIRST REVIEW! Keep them coming, people! I love your feedback!