Disclaimer: still don't own them…need I continue?
Authors Note: Finally! I updated! And I had to wait a while to get inspiration back. Without inspiration my writing is crap…
Please Read and Review!
P.S.-MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! And, I think writing a Christmas story in this chapter would be too much and that is where the saying 'that's another story' comes into play. Although I did mention Christmas happening in this chapter.
Chapter 12
1 year after the dream serum…
For once in his life, Trent felt perfectly at ease. Ever since he escaped the life-threatening nightmare with the help of his adoptive father Anton Mercer, he was freed from unpleasant dreams, mostly.
He occasionally had a bad dream about the fateful day that claimed his mom and dad's lives, but they were never as bad as the one he had the previous year. Of course, thanks to the successfulness of the dream serum, Trent had in fact no memory of the nightmare that nearly claimed his life.
He was currently sitting on a bench in the park. School got out about half an hour ago. Trent didn't have very many friends and the few that he did were all busy doing last minute Christmas shopping. His father instructed him to wait for him at the park until he came to pick him up because the school bus system never went anywhere near his house because of the remote location.
His father had business to take care of at his company. It seemed that as time went by his father became more and more busy. In fact, it had been a couple of weeks since he and his father had a real conversation apart from the occasional 'hello', 'how are you?', or 'good-night'.
Trent sighed. He was seriously getting bored sitting on a bench in an almost abandoned park in the freezing cold. But what else could he do? His father's instructions were never to be questioned. He learned this very quickly in the short amount of time that he lived with Mercer. Although Anton could be very stern, Trent knew it was out of the goodness of the man's heart. After all, he was looking out for Trent's well being 24/7. Sometimes Anton's over-protectiveness got on his nerves though. He remembered his parents being a little more flexible and certainly, more relaxed.
Now that Trent had mostly come to terms with the deaths of his parents, he could think about them more freely without as much heartache or pain. Many times though, Trent felt an overwhelming sadness and loneliness. A loneliness that ached so deeply that it felt as if he were the last living being on the planet.
Clear laughter rang through the air catching Trent's attention and snapping him out of his reverie. A few yards ahead of him a little boy of about five or six ran ahead of his parents giggling madly. The boy ran for the playground not too far from the bench where Trent was currently sitting, carrying a small orange ball.
Trent watched the interaction between son and parents and couldn't help but feel a little envious. Life just wasn't fair! The boy had no idea how fortunate he was to have both parents alive.
That was when Trent realized the importance of avoiding taking things for granted. After further thought, he realized that once, as a twelve year old boy that is exactly what he had done. Never once had he thought that his parents might one day be gone forever.
Trent sighed and stood up preparing to go for a short walk before his father showed up. His father…that stopped him and got him thinking all over again. He realized that he would be sure to never make the same mistake of taking a parent for granted ever again.
Before his thoughts could continue any further a small thump against his foot brought him back to the present. He looked down to see what it was that bumped him. It was the little orange ball the little boy had been carrying. Trent stooped down to retrieve it. An innocent, smiling face met his halfway down.
"I'm assuming this is yours right?"
The boy nodded energetically, his dazzling blue eyes twinkling. His smile soon turned into curiousness and then puzzlement. After further scrutiny, the small voice asked, "Why are you sad?"
Trent jumped, a little startled. That was the last question on earth that he had been expecting. Trent sighed, trying to block the unwanted, surfacing emotions that were beginning to choke him. How could he answer that?
Trent stammered, "How do you know I'm sad?"
"I just know. You look sad, but I can kind of feel that you are sad," the little child responded thoughtfully.
The sensitivity and innocence of the child shocked Trent to the core.
"If only he knew…," Trent sadly thought.
"Well, my mommy and daddy had to go far away. I haven't seen them in a long, long time," Trent tried to explain.
"But they will come back, right?"
"No, I don't think they will," Sadness finally succeeding in creeping through Trent's voice.
The boy shuffled his feet, unsure of what to say. He took the ball back from Trent's proffered hands. Instead of immediately running off to play, the little boy continued to stare at him. This was beginning to make Trent feel uncomfortable. Then as if someone had backhanded him, he knew what he had to do. It was the perfect opportunity and probably the only chance in a lifetime.
"Listen, I will feel happier if you promise me something kid."
The little boy's face brightened once more, the prospect of cheering up the sad stranger in front of him making him feel a little better.
"See your mommy and daddy over there?"
The boy looked over his shoulder and then back at Trent bobbing his little head in the affirmative.
"Love them as if there is no tomorrow. Love them and spend time with them as if you will never see them again. But most of all enjoy every moment that you are with them."
The boy's eyes went wide like saucers. He nodded before whispering, "I promise."
Trent smiled and waved as the little boy ran off to be with his parents once more. Trent turned and his stomach did a somersault when he saw his father parked by the side of the road waiting for him. Anton was casually leaning on the side of the car apparently watching him. How long had he been there?
He approached cautiously, unsure of his father's mood. Anton smiled and relief washed over him. Good, another good day at work. It was beginning to worry Trent on the days that Anton appeared extremely stressed and moody. Thankfully, today was not that day. 'Of course', Trent thought, 'doing a crap load of paperwork all day would be enough to make anyone cranky.'
Later that night…
"Trent, I need to talk to you."
"About what?"
"I just purchased a new house in Reefside, CA. We will be moving sometime next summer."
"What! But, why!"
"My business requires this move, Trent. Please try and understand. I assure you, it's not as bad as you think. I believe you will grow to like it there."
"I can't believe it! I just moved here!"
"I know. And believe me, if I could change things and prolong this move, I would do it for your sake."
"Really? You would do that for me?"
"Yes. If it were possible. I thought you of all people would know that Trent."
"Well, I did. It's just, you've been so busy lately and well…" Trent trailed off unsure if he should continue.
"I know what you are trying to say. And frankly, you are right. I'm sorry. There are some things I wish I could explain to you, but I can't. I hope that you will learn to trust me and realize that I have your best interest at heart.
"I know dad. Thank you."
"Well, it's getting late. I think I'll head to bed."
"Yeah, I think I will too. Good-night dad."
"Good-night son and pleasant dreams."
Later that night…
The same dreaded dream that Trent usually dreamt about on occasion resurfaced. He tried saving his parents again, only to watch them die before his eyes again. Only this time, instead of repeating like it usually did, something different happened. He was still kneeling at the mouth of the cave, sobbing when the scenery completely changed.
This was enough to confuse Trent to the point that his despair was momentarily forgotten. The dream never changed. It always repeated over and over until he woke up.
Some nights, he would try new ways to save his parents. Other nights, he would simply sit or stand at the mouth of the cave and do nothing already knowing the outcome. In other words, he had given up trying to save them because he knew that he could not.
Instead of a gray landscape, a brilliant light surrounded him. In the back of Trent's mind, he found this extremely familiar. Almost deja-vu like. The feeling quickly vanished when a beautiful landscape came into view. What was going on? Was this heaven? If this was indeed heaven, then he had died in his sleep! Instead of feeling panic, he felt calm and a deep peace he never knew existed.
He saw a crystal sea, sparkling like diamonds in the brightest of days. He saw lands filled with the greenest and richest grass that he had ever set eyes upon. And he also saw winding roads gleaming like gold across the country, stretching into the distance.
The air was vibrant and rich with song and laughter. Happiness and joy washed over him from every inch of the place he now found himself in. He swallowed a lump in his throat when he saw two figures below him. One was a man and the other a woman. They were his parents. They appeared to be glowing. They were clothed in the whitest and richest looking garments ever imaginable. They were laughing and looked so happy and more vibrant than Trent ever remembered.
Before he knew it, tears were streaming down his face. This had to be heaven. He looked down at himself but instead of the same attire his parents wore, he saw his night-clothes, looking very dull and pathetic in such a majestic and awe-striking place.
He tried calling out to them to get their attention but it appeared that they couldn't see or hear him. Then a powerful, but gentle voice spoke to him. He could not see who was speaking but he had a pretty good idea.
He timidly questioned, "Why God? Why did you have to take them from me?"
The kind, gentle voice responded, "My son, it was their time to come home. Everything that happens is part of my master plan. In due time, you will see why these things have come to pass. Can't you see how happy they are? I assure you, they are and always will be well cared for in this place. I grant you your Christmas wish my son."
Then the voice was gone as was the beautiful place he had been standing in only moments before. He once again stood in a white void where neither time nor space existed.
"Trent, son."
He gasped at the voice. He slowly turned around wondering if his ears were playing a cruel trick on him. But when he looked he couldn't believe his eyes.
"Mom? Dad? Is it really you?" Tears streamed down his face once more.
They were clothed in what he had seen them in before leaving the other place. They both looked radiant, happy, and at peace.
"Son, we love you and would never intentionally leave you. We promise you, we are very happy in this place," the warm, loving voice of his mother filled his ears.
"I know. But I've missed you so much! I thought you were gone forever."
Trent flung himself in his parent's arms. They felt so real. They both held him close before releasing him.
"Don't worry about us, Trent. We know how hard it was for you to endure what happened, and we know that you tried saving us. Although you were unable to save us, your path in life will involve what your heart has desired during your grief stricken times. Your destiny will be that of a hero. You will be given a chance to save others," the firm but kind voice of his father intoned.
"All that we have told you will be forgotten upon your awakening in the real world."
"What do you mean? That I will forget, everything that you just said?" Trent cried alarmed.
"Yes."
"Then what was the point in telling me what my destiny is if I'm just going to forget it?"
"In the hopes that you will remember. Bury what we have said deep within your heart and you will remember when the time is right."
"Now is the time to say farewell my son."
Tears flowed more freely at that statement.
He hugged his father and mother and clung to them as a swimmer would cling to a life-saver.
The last thing he heard that filled his heart with peace and with hope resonated throughout his mind.
"Good-byes are never forever...one day, we will meet again."
He woke up almost instantly after that. The final words still ringing around in his head. He smiled as fresh tears welled in his eyes. A Christmas wish that he had once thought was impossible had been mercifully and lovingly granted. A chance to say good-bye to mom and dad.
Prologue coming soon...