It's a Wonderful Double Life~ Part Two~ "Red and Green"

I'm trying to sleep but no avail. We had finished decorating the tree and Francie blew out the candles, Will went home, and we went to bed.

"Christmas Day tomorrow," Francie had said. "I'm keeping the restaurant open in the morning for 'X-Mas Morning Special" and closing at noon. Gotta get a good night's sleep."

I'd said goodnight and buried myself under my covers, wondering if I could disappear if I hid far enough underneath.

That didn't work either.

The green iridescent numbers on my clock read 2:54. It doesn't seem as if sleep is going to happen tonight.

Thank God Sloane gave me time of for Christmas.

I kick off my sheets in frustration, sitting straight up in bed. I cross the room over to my window and stare out. Across the street I can see green and red lights blinking around the door frame.

On and off. On and off. Emerald and ruby. Crimson and jade.

Staring at them, I begin to feel a little dizzy.

I go back to my bed and try lying down again. Finally, I feel myself drift off.

As I swirl slowly into dream land, my mind becomes a jig saw puzzle of thoughts and pictures.

FLASH

"Badenweiler…"

FLASH

"I was not that agent. Your mother was…"

FLASH

"Will's been kidnapped…"

FLASH

"I killed Noah…"

"He was an assassin…"

FLASH

"Vaughn's developed symptoms…"

FLASH

"I'm Michael's girlfriend…"

FLASH

"You killed the man I love."

"No, Agent Bristow. You did."

My eyes snap open. I sit up straight again, gasping. My pillow is damp with sweat.

My clock now reads 4:17. This night is going to drag on forever.

I can't stand this anymore. I need to escape.

I change into a jogging outfit and pull on my sneakers. I scribble a note and leave it on the counter.

Fran,

Went for early morning drive. Good luck with the restaurant!

~Syd

I climb into my car and drive off to the one place that can calm me down.

I reach my destination and stand on the rickety wooden boards, watching the ocean under the black sky.

The waves are hypnotizing. I stand here in the quiet night. The only sound is the ebony waves pulling back into the distance and then crashing onto shore.

Swish, grow, curl, crash. The life of a wave. So short yet meaningful to some. People like me who choose to use them as a lullaby. Though I doubt anyone else comes here to cure their insomnia as the night brightens to Christmas morning.

It must be around five thirty now. The sky has begun to fade from raven black to smoky gray, preparing to welcome the morning sun.

Soon people will begin to wake up to greet the day. Smiling parents will embrace their bouncing children, nodding as they exclaim, "It's Christmas!"

Christmas. Project Christmas. And another reason I hate my life.

Suddenly, I see a darker dot moving amidst the waves. Wait… that's not a dot; it's a person! And it looks like they need help.

So much for relaxation.

I pull my sneakers off and climb swiftly down the edge of the pier railing. My feet hit the sand and I run towards the shore line and without so much as a second thought, plunge into the water.

My heart is pounding as I swim as quickly as I can toward the bobbing figure.

Finally, I reach the person. It's a girl. Her eyes are closed but she seems to be breathing. I pull her gently onto shore.

She looks very young, maybe only 15 or 16. Damp, chestnut brown hair frames her face and hangs below her shoulders.

Her eye lids flutter open to reveal sapphire blue eyes.

"Are you alright?" I ask.

She nods.

"What were you doing out here alone so late?"

She groans softly and sits up, sand clinging to her hair and back. "Couldn't sleep. Hit my head on a rock while I was swimming."

"You really shouldn't go swimming out here so late alone."

"I know. But I'm okay now thanks to you, Sydney Bristow."

I immediately become alert. My adrenaline kicks in, preparing for a fight if needs be. "Who the hell are you?" I demand, shocked.

Her sopping wet t-shirt and shorts are suddenly transformed into a long white, flowing dress. I rub my eyes and blink hard. I did not just see that.

"What the hell are you?"

She extends a hand which I hesitantly shake. "My name is Katherine," she says. "I've been sent here by… an anonymous boss."

"How'd you do that… with your clothes?" I stammer out.

"Oh, that? Just a little trick of the angels."

"Angel?" My voice is weak.

"Let's get to business. I was sent here to show you that you matter; how much you matter at that. I mean, seriously. Had I been able to die and you hadn't been there… well, I'd be dead."

"Umm… this is… you're an angel?"

She looks at me as though I'm a moron. "Yes, Spy Girl. An angel. I thought you were a genius. Now tell me something: did that stunt you just pulled to save me make you realize how much you matter?"

I stare, then slowly shake my head. "This has got to be a dream. This is a freaking dream. But since I'm dreaming anyway, no. I still believe this world would be better off without Sydney Bristow."

"You honestly think that?"

"Yes, Angel Girl. I believe that."

"Damnit," the figment of my imagination states.

"What?"

"I was hoping you'd come around before. But I guess not. Now I have to take up time that I could be using to… er.. "watch over" Hayden Christianson."

I scoff. "And why would my knowledge of the truth take time out from your busy schedule?"

"Because now I have to let you see for yourself. I'm going to show you what this world would be like had you never been born into it."

***

A/N: Well? Like it? Hate it? Part three will come up soon. Lol.