Chapter 2 - The Dream
Lili sank deeper into the subconscious realm, leaving the material world farther and farther behind. A silver mist clouded her vision, swirling around her. After a moment, it parted, drawing its tendrils back to reveal what it hid. She found herself in Da'an's office. And sure enough, there he was, lying as still as a marble statue. His death sent shock waves reeling through her body.
She clapped her hand against her mouth as the reality of vicious memories began to surface. Vivid memories. She could see the funeral parlour scene playing in front her, over and over, in full blown colour, as though she were watching her own. Tears sprang from her eyes, flooding her cheeks in a matter of seconds. The pain of it made her feel like she was being torn apart.
Why am I being made to go through this again?! She screamed in her mind. Adrenaline seared through her body and her heart beat soared to twice the normal rate. She never felt such fear as when she was faced with death, despite her strength in doing so.
Her knees turned to jelly and she could barely stand. When she was able, she tore her gaze away from the seemingly lifeless body of her friend. She peered out of the window, and saw only the silver mist that restricted her vision. She didn't strain to see through it, though. She hadn't the strength to do so.
Drawing her attention back to the virtual glass of the window, she became aware of a soft groan. Lili froze. The only other person in the room had been… Slowly, she turned. What she saw brought a fresh well of tears to her eyes. She was so overcome with emotion that her legs gave way beneath her, and she sank to the ground. The tears flowing more freely than before, Lili wanted desperately to look away, but she found that she couldn't. She simply had to watch the scene unfold in front of her eyes.
For a few moments, Lili couldn't believe what she was seeing, but no matter how many times she told herself it wasn't real, it was still happening. She watched in disbelief as Da'an turned his head and slowly sat up. Lili gasped as he turned to face her.
"Lili; do not be afraid. Keep your faith and be strong. It is not the end." He assured her. All of a sudden, the room appeared to expand. Da'an seemed to be getting farther and farther away from her, yet he wasn't physically moving. It was odd. As she realised what was happening, the silver mist began to cloak the room again. In a last desperate effort to stay in this realm a moment longer, Lili thrust her hand out, reaching to Da'an.
"NO! DON'T LEAVE ME!" She screamed, with a heart-breaking note of desperation in her voice. But it was futile. The mist had become a dark grey smoke cloud that was thick and impenetrable. A few seconds later, everything was black.