Part VI

Will awoke a few hours later to the cold that was left when Sydney wasn't there. He sat up slowly and squinted at the sunlight that came through the window feeling that his hands were curiously wet. He brought his left hand up and saw that it was covered in blood. It was thick and gritty against his skin, but worst of all, it was cold. Terrified, Will jumped off the bed and wiped his hands vigorously against his sides as if the blood was acid eating slowly through his skin. His heart raced and sweat began to form on his brow as he looked at the bloody area where Sydney had been. Will forced himself to swallow the horrible lump in his throat and forced himself to walk. His eyes traveled to the heavy blood stains on the carpet and he followed them into the bathroom. His eyes soon found the shower curtain where a single sanguine handprint was left. Will's hands shook and he clenched his fists until his knuckles were white. His heart refused to slow down and he desperately tried to calm his breathing. He forced back his tears, expecting the worst and pulled back the curtain.

"Will!" he heard a voice yell in the distance. "Will! Wake up!" A hand shook him gently calling him out of his sleep. Will opened his eyes to see Sydney's face. He couldn't portray his relief to know that what he just saw was a dream. He let out a long relieved sigh.

"Will, are you okay? You were mumbling in your sleep." Sydney asked concerned. She tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear. She always did that.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. It was just a bad dream." Sydney wasn't convinced.

"Are you sure? You kind of worried me." He sat up realizing it was morning.

"No, no I'm fine. Really," he excused. Sydney got up from the bed and gave him a cautious smile.

"So what's for breakfast?" he asked changing the subject. He didn't want to dwell on the image.

"I hadn't made any yet. I was thinking that we could do that together, like we used to," she replied. Will got up from the bed and briskly rubbed his head. Yes, he remembered. Saturday mornings were always filled with coffee, Will's articles and the comics and chocolate chip pancakes.

"Yeah, yeah. That sounds great." They had walked into the kitchen before Will realized that he was no longer wearing what he came in the night before. Instead he was wearing a pair of flannel pajama pants and one of his old t-shirts. He stopped dead in his tracks.

"Whoa. Now I know I wasn't wearing these when I came," he stated. Sydney laughed at him and smiled.

"No you weren't," she proceeded to the kitchen. "You looked so uncomfortable. I tried not to laugh to loud." Will followed her to the stove.

"Shut up," he quipped with a smile. Soon they were cooking like the used to with laughter, pancake batter and a whole lot of chocolate chips. They had burnt the first few and laughed when Sydney tried to taste the charred mess only to spit it out in the garbage. It wasn't long before Nadia came out of her room and into the kitchen.

"Do I smell pancakes?" she asked out loud. Sydney turned to her and placed a plate of pancakes in front of her.

"Compliments of Chef Will." Will poured himself a cup of coffee and leaned against the countertop and watched Sydney and Nadia eat. He smiled inwardly. Nadia wasn't exactly Francie, but he would take anyone as long as this Sydney was included.

"Wow, these are really great Will." Nadia complimented.

"Why, thank you. But I say it's all in the inspiration." He glanced over at Sydney. Soon the kitchen was filled with laughter and the feeling that Will had missed out on for five years. A little after 10:30, the three heard the door click and crease open. The laughter died and Will's senses heightened. The smiles on the girls' faces faded away as the steady click of a heeled shoe became louder and closer. The person entered the kitchen and Will was about ready to throw his hot cup of coffee if the need arose. The man stopped with his hands down at his sides. Will had not expected him.

TBC...

Thank you everyone for being so patient. Right now I'm not feeling as confident about these next parts because I've been searching for the best way to write my ending,...it may be coming soon...watch out! Thanks for all your reviews. They're great. Stayed tuned! There's more to come!

taintedvision