It had been a long time since she had thought about him.it had been what. 5 years now? Or had it been longer? She wasn't even sure anymore. Her heart was heavy with regret and memories. If only she had chosen differently back then. If only they had let her make that sacrifice so long ago. Then she wouldn't be here. waiting. The waiting was killing her. She had been in several failed relationships since then. Mainly because she was always mentally comparing them to him, and truth be told in her mind no one could ever compare to him.

He was the one that she let get away. He was the one that promised to return. But in 5 years he still hadn't come back. She tried to do as he had asked. She tried to be happy without him but it just wasn't going to happen. She had never felt so free or more alive than she had when she had been in his arms. He was her balance. She was light to his dark and he was the darkness to her ever-burning twilight.

Yes, it was 5 years to the day now. That explained it. It was the anniversary of the day that he had left her here all alone. That was why she was lost in remembering. There was a part of her that longed to forget. Ached to be able to move on with her life and be happy without him. But that part was small, nearly non-existent, because she would never truly be happy without him in her life again. It wasn't something that she had consciously decided. It was something that had kind of snuck up on her over the years. She wanted to be happy. she wanted to move on. but how could she when her heart had already made its choice and refused to let him go.

Five years ago she had chosen him. Five years ago he had left her, promising to return in five years. Well it was five years now and he was nowhere to be found. She had never asked him where he was going. Had never asked why he was leaving. Only that he keep in contact so she would know that he was still alive. He had done that, but barely. Though she would more than likely know even without someone telling her. Because ever since that day so long ago when they had first met, they had been connected.

So what was delaying him from keeping his promise? She couldn't know, there was no way to tell. It had to be something serious though. He had always found a way through the most dire of circumstances in order to keep his promises to her. Why was this time to be different? Why wasn't he here now? True there was a point in time where she might have not wanted him to show up. But even then there was always a part of her that craved his contact. That wanted to see him, be near him, even to figure out his riddles and play his games.

She shook her head and sighed. She had to let all of this go. There was no use holding out for her dark hero when it was obvious that he wasn't going to show. She put her journal away. Put her art books aside. and cleared the pillows from her bed. She pulled down the covers and turned off her bedside light. She would try to sleep. That would help. After all, it was just now the start of the 5th year; maybe he'd still show up. There was almost a full 24 hours for him to appear and still manage to keep his promise. So she wouldn't dwell on it for now, she'd let it come later when the disappointment could really set in.

Her sleep was merely a blank canvas at first. as she drifted deeper and deeper into the dark realm of dreams. But slowly, something began to take shape, began to take form in the dark recesses of her mind. It started as a dim blue light blossoming in some corner of her dream. And there she saw him. She had often done this. had often dreamt of him. But this time it seemed somehow different. more real if that was possible.

"Hello my dear." He said his voice like liquid velvet.

"It's been five years." She said softly.as if the words pained her.

"I know. I am truly sorry for that, but it could not be avoided."

"Five years is a really long time."

"And yet here you are still waiting for me, why is that?"

"There is no one else. There will never be anyone else. not anymore." She said her voice filled with something. maybe sadness, maybe longing. or maybe she was just tired. She looked up into his eyes and fell all over again. Those eyes, so deep, so rich, and so intense. She would know those eyes for the rest of eternity. Those eyes were forever burned into her memory and soul. Impossible eyes - no boy or man should have eyes like those.

"I'm sorry." He said looking away from her gaze.

"For what?"

"Nothing. everything. For hurting you like this. It was never my intention despite what your friends may think."

"There's nothing to be sorry for. And they are no longer a part of my life. Like you they all left me. They just couldn't handle the real me I guess. Sometimes I wonder if even I can. I just get by one day at a time. I have a few new friends. but nothing is the same. Nothing is as it should be. My world is dull and gray without you to put color into it." She sighs and turns her back to him so he cannot see her tears. But he doesn't need to see them, he can feel them, smell them, and it pains him all the more.

"Please my dear one. Don't cry."

"Will you be keeping your promise?" She asks like a lost little girl.

"I will try to."

"But it's already the day."

"Maybe I am already with you my dear."

"I would feel you. Wouldn't I? And if this dream is all you meant by you would come back to me in 5 years then I'm sorry but I'd rather have you here with me in the flesh."

"Would you?" He asks sounding slightly amused.

"Yes. Why does that come as a surprise to you?"

"Maybe I had not realized fully what I was leaving behind."

"Would you have stayed if you had?"

"My dear, you know that I had no choice in the matter."

"I know." She sighs again. She looks so small and so fragile right now. As if she might break if he were to even touch her. Oh how he wants to touch her. He has missed the sight of her, the smell of her, the touch of her, the taste of her. He has missed everything about her for these past five years. These lonely 5 years. He was most certainly going to try to keep his promise to her. He only hoped that time would not run out and leave her sad and disappointed.