Nosedive awoke early the next morning. He was hugging his pillow, which was soaked with tears, and he was lying on his stomach. He climbed down from his bed and looked at the clock, it read seven thirty am. He shook his head in amazement and looked over at the candle. He watched the flame flicker and go out. While he slept the candle had burned itself down. Dive went to the radio and turned it on.
When I woke up this morning
And wiped the sleep from my eyes
I found a new day dawning
And suddenly I realize
You're gone.
Tell me I was dreaming
That you didn't leave me here to cry
You didn't say
You don't love me anymore
It was just my imagination telling lies
Tell me that you didn't say goodbye
I'm in a state of confusion
I hope things aren't what they seem
If this is really happening
Just let me go back to dream
You're home
Tell me I was dreaming
That you didn't leave me here to cry
You didn't say
You don't love me anymore
It was just my imagination telling lies
Tell me that you didn't say goodbye
Tell me I was dreaming
That you didn't leave me here to cry
You didn't say
You don't love me anymore
It was just my imagination telling lies
Tell me that you didn't say goodbye
Don't tell me you didn't say goodbye.
Nosedive suppressed a cry of grief and quickly turned the radio off. He left the room and sulked down the hall. He didn't know where he was going and he really didn't care. All he knew was that he didn't want to be alone in his room. His room? What a peculiar phrase. His room. It was his now. It was no longer his and Wing's, but his and only his. He had always wanted his own room, but now all he wanted to was to share it with Wing. Nosedive stopped walking and leaned against the wall. When he looked up he found himself in front of the infirmary. Dive went in and found the room empty and dark. He walked over to the bed where Wildwing had died and turned on the overhead light. The light shimmered onto the bed and revealed the flat white cotton sheets and white pillow. There were no wrinkles on the bed. Everything was in its place, nice and neat. Nosedive touched the sheet and rubbed the blanket with his hand. He quickly turned away and choked back tears. He left the infirmary to compose himself. His stomach rumbled and he headed to the kitchen.
Nosedive strolled into the kitchen to find Duke and Mallory at the kitchen table. Duke was drinking his traditional cup of coffee and Mallory was reading the newspaper. She looked up and gave the young blond a confused look. He ignored the stares and headed to the sink to help wash the dishes that had piled up over the last few days. Everyone stopped and watched him complete the mundane task. He never noticed the inactivity in the room. All he could think about was keeping himself busy and right now the dishes were the best thing to keep his mind occupied.
"Are you okay Dive?"
"Yeah."
"Are you sure?"
Dive turned to the speaker, who had placed his hand on his forehead checking for a fever. Nosedive looked him in the eye before throwing himself into his arms.
"Promise me you'll never leave me," Dive mumbled into his chest.
"What are you talking about," He said in half a laugh.
"Promise me, Wing."
"Dive?"
"Promise me that you'll never leave me," Dive sobbed.
"Okay, I promise, but why are you so upset?"
"I'm not upset," Nosedive protested as he pulled away.
"Then why all the emotion?"
"No reason. I just wanted to know that you'll always be there," Dive said in an offhanded manner as he walked away and out the door.
Wildwing looked at the others who stood up to follow their leader and youngest team member. They found Dive in the rec room watching cartoons. Wildwing snatched the remote control out of Dive's hand and switched the television off.
"Hey I was watching that!"
"And now you're going to talk about what's up."
"The sky and it's purple."
"Seriously Nosedive, what's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong."
"Kid don't lie. We know something's up."
"Duke nothing's wrong. Why can't you guys get it?"
"Nosedive, please tell us what's wrong," Mallory insisted.
"Nothing. I just had a nightmare that's all. It's passed. I'm fine."
"It must have been some nightmare to have waken you up this early," Mallory commented.
"You can say that," Dive said as he looked back at Wildwing, who was now on Dive's left side.
"Want to talk about it?"
"Not really," Dive said. Wildwing gave Dive a hard look, "but I guess you want me to huh?"
"Spill."
Nosedive told Wildwing his dream' about the fight, the drive by shooting, and the funeral. By the time he was finished he was emotionally and physically drained. Wildwing could tell that his brothers' current state was unhealthy to participate in any physically demanding activities (hence no practice). Instead they sat together silently enjoying each other's company. Since Dive was exhausted it did not take long for him to fall asleep against his brother.
