Since band camp is this week, my posts are probably going to be early in the morning before I leave, or late at night after I get home and shower. Just thought I'd let you know in advance. So, this is one of my favorite chapters, and if any of you out there are Avatar fans, I bet you can guess where I got the title. It fits pretty well too. And, this is not in Max's part of view…you probably would have guessed that though. Anyway, enjoy!
Disclaimer: Sigh.
Chapter 34: Nightmares and Daydreams
Emrys P.O.V
I didn't want to wake up. I wanted to float in the black recesses of sleep forever. I didn't want to wake up because I knew where I was. And I did not want to be here. This place had spawned my nightmares, ruined my childhood. This place was Baez Corp. and it was my own personal Hell.
I refused to open my eyes, but that didn't stop me from smelling, hearing, from feeling. And everything I smelled, heard, and felt just confirmed the one thing I had hoped with all my soul wasn't true. I could smell the chemicals, the sterile plastic, the metal. I could feel the solid iron encasing my hands to the middle of my forearm, and my feet all the way to my shins. I could feel the strong restraints holding my spread wings in place. I could hear the zap and pop of the electric cage bars. They were being extra cautious. They wanted me back badly. If that was the case, there was no hope.
I was tired and sore from the fight last night. Even at my full strength I wouldn't be able to get out of this. Not without help. I wouldn't have been able to get out the first time if I hadn't had help from him. But he couldn't do it again. It would raise too much suspicion. I didn't think the League would be coming for me either. They had too much to worry about. The super hi-tech robot army and the – the dragon.
I would die here eventually. Soon they wouldn't have a use for me. They had already replaced me with a pureblood dragon. The only thought that reassured me was the hope that I would get to see him one more time before the eternal darkness came. If he cared for me as much as he let on, he would do everything in his power to keep me safe. But he could only do so much. After all, he was only sixteen.
My hair was tickling my face, but I didn't care. Maybe if I kept my eyes closed and didn't move I would fall back asleep, or daydream about how life was at the Watchtower. My mind drifted to a surprising array of memories. Memories of him. His blue-grey eyes sparkling with concern. His hand running through his short smoky-brown hair. His hair looked too much like his father's, but I had never seen those eyes before. He must've gotten them from his mother. I always wondered who she was, if she was as kind as her son, or if she had been just as much of a demon as her tyrannical husband.
The door slammed open, but I didn't react. I didn't want them to know I was awake. I didn't want to be awake. There were two pairs of footsteps. One sounded familiar.
"I told you Simon," said a male voice.
I had heard it before. But where? Why couldn't I recognize it?
"She's asleep just like I said she would be."
I guess my sleeping act was pretty convincing.
"Now I'm sure you have more to do. You best go tend to it."
The other pair of feet – Simon – began their journey back through the door. The one who had spoke still remained.
"Emrys?"
It was that voice. Why couldn't I place it!? I could feel the memories buried deep inside, and my heart was telling me they were fond memories.
"Emrys," the voice repeated.
The zapping and popping stopped. What happened to the electric cage?
The voice was closer this time, "Emrys I know you're awake." It almost sounded pleading. "Please open your eyes."
A hand held my cheek. I knew that hand. It had held me so many times. I didn't want to open my eyes. If I did the hand would disappear. I was just getting my hopes up.
"Emrys," the sweet scent of his breath entered my nostrils. I couldn't keep my eyes closed anymore. This was too vivid to be a figment of my imagination.
I lifted my head, and opened my eyes. He was standing there, his thumb wiping away my tears.