Thing Number 6: Watching a Sunrise

I had another nightmare.

It wasn't about my past, this time.

It was pathetic, really.

But in the middle of the night it was unnerving regardless.

I dreamed that somehow there were a million Charlottes all over the house, and all trying to lick me.

It sounds stupid, I know, but whenever I'd race out of one room and into another, there'd be a whole new Charlotte staring me down.

I'd say I'm afraid of dogs, but I doubt that's true.

I guess I'm just overtired.

Maybe I'm more insane than I originally thought…

--X--

"Jason! Wake up!"

I groaned, mumbling something I could only pray was coherent, and rolled away from the offending voice.

The voice wasn't going to be defeated that easily, however. It grew louder, pushed its way into my ear, defeating all hope of an escape back to sleep.

"Come on, sleeping beauty, it's time to get up!"

I was silent for a moment, my ability to process information somewhat mired by drowsiness. I eventually managed to remember what speech was and that I was able to use it. "Do I have to?" My voice was soft, reluctant, a reminder to the one invading my sleep that it wasn't appreciated.

The subsequent laugh brought me farther into the realm of consciousness, enough for me to place the interloping voice as Marie's. She kissed my shoulder, leaning over me. "Most certainly."

I cracked one eye, stole a glance at the room and the clock next to the bed. 6:08 AM.

I closed my eyes once more. "You're insane, Marie."

"I am not! It's six in the morning! That's not so early!"

"It is when you didn't sleep half the night. Besides, it's not like we've got anything to do, so why get up early?"

"That's where you're wrong…" I could hear the devilish smile in her voice without even looking.

"Oh, gosh…" I pried my eyelids apart, reluctant to shake the sleep off them entirely, and stared up at her. "Do I even want to know what you mean by that?"

She laughed, crossing the room to the dresser. "Probably not…" She threw a t-shirt and shorts at me. "Here, put these on."

I remained silent but obeyed, sitting at the foot of the bed and stroking the still asleep Charlotte when I had finished. "Are you planning to tell me what this is all about?"

"You'll see."

"Not that again! You're so ambiguous…"

"I believe you hold the record in that area, my darling…"

I grinned. "At least I never said, 'I don't know who I am, but don't worry, we'll see.'"

"True." She stroked my hair as I had stroked Charlotte's, smiling softly and holding out her other hand. "Come on."

I sighed, slipped my hand in hers.

Resistance was futile…

--X--

Beautiful is the only way I can describe the other world Marie showed me.

I would try for something more profound, something worthier of the sight I saw this morning at 6:12, but I don't think any words from my mouth could do it justice.

I don't think any words created by humankind could do it justice...

"Sit."

I sat, blinking emptily at the ocean in front of us. I was doing an awful lot of order following lately. Uncharacteristically, but willingly, nonetheless.

Marie settled herself beside me, fingers intertwined with mine, head on my shoulder.

"What exactly am I looking for?" There was anticipation in my voice, curiosity. Marie was beginning to get the better of me. Marie could get the better of any man on earth.

"Just be patient. You'll get your answer in-" She glanced at my watch, "-two minutes."

I sighed, stealing a look at her. She was gazing out at the drowsy waters, her face the epitome of innocence and peace.

It was that same innocence and peace, that same passion for life that had salvaged my life, my future.

I had been thrown into a world of chaos and hatred, of racing towards nothings and living in constant fear or unknowns against my will, and without a link to clarity, to safety. Without roots in the past, and subsequent paths to the future.

Marie was my past, my future. She filled in the blanks and soothed away the uncertainties.

Sitting there with her, staring out at gray waters and misty skies, I felt the anxiety ease from my mind. There wasn't anywhere I'd rather be, anything I wouldn't give up to stay with her, protect her. To me, she was life itself. And I loved her more than anything.

Gradually I was becoming aware of changes on the horizon, around us. The sky was growing lighter by the second, and as I looked on streaks of pink and red seeped through the originally colorless clouds, using the sky and ocean as a sort of canvas to display their brilliance.

The sun climbed laboriously through the sky, mostly blocked by clouds, but then, suddenly, breathtakingly, its light broke through and a million tiny, twinkling stars appeared at the crest of each wave bobbing its way towards shore.

I was riveted. It seemed to me that the sky and the ocean never ended, never separated. Water and air were one, existing in perfect harmony.

Flawless beauty.

Marie was observing my reaction silently, the awe I felt reflected in her eyes. "Like it?"

"Like it?" I grinned, meeting her gaze. "Are you kidding? It's amazing!"

"Worth getting up at 6 am for?" She cocked her eyebrow, teasing and reprimanding me simultaneously.

I turned my attention back to the blazing colors that seemed to envelop the entire world in their wonder. "Most certainly…"

(A/N: I have never actually seen a sunrise, so if anyone happens to be a sunrise specialist and notices fantastically exaggerated mistakes, chalk it up to inexperience. I knew the exact time for sunrise in Goa today, what more can you ask? Hope you all enjoyed it regardless!)