Chapter 10 – Beautiful Oblivion: Part III

I'm not going to waste your time with my ramblings this time. Stop reading this and read the chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Suite Life series or any characters from the shows.

Zack found himself meandering a dimly-lit corridor in search of something. He didn't know what he was looking for, but somehow, again, he knew it was a dream. A sense of purpose and meaning was roused within his chest.

I have to find it.

He looked the walls up and down. They were painted black. In some places blotches of browns or dark grays seeped through, but for the most part the walls were black. The ceiling was a stark white. In the glow of the grimy lights that lined the corridors the ceiling looked a shade of gray. Down, dark brown hardwood floors were covered slightly with a thin, burgundy carpet. The carpet didn't cover every bit of floor, it would turn and stop in places.

Zack let his instincts take over and he found himself walking along the carpet, leading him to his destination. It wasn't far before he reached a dark, wooden door.

He reached for the knob and opened the door cautiously. Instead of a room inside there was a swirling vortex of colors and shapes. He had never seen anything like it.

From inside the vortex he could hear voices. There were voices of Moseby, who Zack realized was more to a father to him than Kurt was. Zack had never realized how much he truly liked Moseby. Despite Moseby getting him in trouble and Zack's wisecracks at the short man, there were mutual feelings of respect and even some kind of bond on a deeper level. Zack knew that maybe he took advantage of Moseby always being there for him. He couldn't count the number of times when Moseby had offered him helpful advice or stopped him from doing something absolutely ridiculous.

Suddenly a form stepped out of the vortex. It was Moseby.

"Moseby? What are you doing in my dream?"

Moseby laughed, "Oh Zack. This isn't your dream. In fact this really isn't a dream, by any sense of the word." He motioned down another corridor, "Come."

Zack had endless questions for the man in front of him, but for some reason – or blind faith – he kept his mouth shut and followed. Moseby had never guided him in the wrong direction before. He'd know where to go, and how to get out of this place.

"Do you know where we are Zack?"

Zack looked around, noticing the same creepy, dark features of the halls. "No. Some creepy house or castle?"

Again Moseby laughed. He stopped and bent down to pull up his socks, "No, Zack. This is your mind." He continued his brisk walk, briefly leaving Zack behind.

Zack ran to catch up with him, "What do you mean this is my mind?"

"I mean exactly what I said, Zack."

Zack opened his mouth to reply but didn't get the chance, "Zack you must carry on from here. I cannot go any further. Continue walking straight for a few hundred feet and you'll come to another door." Then Moseby was gone.

Zack didn't realize that his mouth was still hanging open and he closed it, slightly embarrassed. He took a step, surprised when the carpet changed from burgundy to bright pink.

Zack had a good idea who resided in this domain of his mind but any suspicion was cleared when he opened the door.

"Ugh. I got out! Yay me! That dusty, little closet was making me Santa-Claus-tra-phobic."

Zack smiled. Seeing London suddenly made him happy. "I think you mean claustrophobic, London."

She nodded, "Well I meant I was scared of Santa, but that too. Come on, follow me!" She nearly ran down the brightly lit hallway.

Zack followed, holding back a laugh. London may as well have been his big sister. For most of his life he had spent his time learning from her – and probably more time teaching her. He felt bad for all those times when he did things only for her money. He knew that on some level he had betrayed her.

Zack looked up at the walls noticing how they sparkled. "London, are these walls covered in diamonds?"

She waved a hand, "Oh these little pebbles? They're hardly diamonds."

Zack shook his head, "So what are you doing in my dream?"

She thought for a long while, "You know, I'm not sure. Oh! I was supposed to tell you that this isn't a dream it's a… What was the word?"

"London, what is this if it's not a dream?"

"Oh, I can't remember. Just go ahead and ask Cody. He's right up there." She pointed into the empty, diamond-lined hallway that was ahead of them.

"Cody's here?" Zack's heart started beating faster. When he looked back at London she was gone.

He took another step and the hallway changed again. This time they weren't in a hallway at all. In front of him, behind him, underneath and above him was a beautiful forest clearing.

The soft grass and pine needles underfoot muffled his footsteps as he continued forward. Above him, the clean air served to clear his head of any worries. The sun beat down on him with happy rays. Around him were trees upon beautiful rows of vivacious trees. Ahead of him was a small, yet crystal clear pond.

A boy crouched near the edge of the pond. He was staring into the crystal waters, looking for something. Then suddenly his hand shot out and grabbed a fish. He laughed at his barehanded catch and threw it back in the pond. He turned around and looked at Zack.

"Cody!"

"Hi Zack." A goofy smile overtook his face.

"Cody, how did you learn how to do that?"

Cody shrugged, "This is your mind, Zack. You tell me."

Zack opened his mouth, but no words came. He frowned, noticing how often this happened. "London said you could explain what this dream was. If it's not really a dream what is it?"

"Zack before I tell you, you have to promise me something."

Zack shrugged, eager to find out the answer to his questions. "Anything."

Cody paused for a minute, fishing in his facial expression for confirmation. He nodded, "Okay. You have to promise me that you won't try to change anything. Promise me that you understand that not everything is going to be the same."

"Cody, what are you talking about?"

"Just promise me Zack."

"But I don't know what you mean!"

"You will, Zack. Just promise."

Zack nodded enthusiastically, "Okay, I promise. Just tell me, please."

"This dream is to make you realize what all your other dreams were."

"That's it? What were my other dreams? What about you, the Tipton, Moseby? What about my life?"

Cody smiled, "They weren't dreams, Zack. All that you experienced wasn't a dream."

"Cody, answer me! What was it?"

Cody reached out to him, "It was a prediction. An outcome. It's what's to be, Zack." He touched Zack's shoulder.

Zack was surprised by how cold his brother's touch was. Then, his mind began swimming, his vision blurring. Everything started fading, and then it disappeared altogether.

Zack woke up with a jolt. He found himself lying in a bed in a hospital room. He was connected to various machines creating a rhythmic, chanting beeping and whirring hums. He could feel a bandage taped to his neck.

Did I really try to kill myself? Or was that a dream? I don't even know what's real anymore! How can I be sure what's a dream and what's reality? What did Cody say? My dream wasn't a dream, it was a prediction. An outcome? What does that mean?

The door opened and a boy no older than Zack entered the room. He brushed aside his blonde hair, revealing stunning blue eyes and walked to the edge of the bed, "Oh, good. You're awake. I need you to take these pills." The boy smiled at Zack.

Zack's eyes widened and his pulse skyrocketed, turning the calm beeping to the sound of an erratic siren. "Cody!"

Then Zack understood.

What'd you guys think? This should answer quite a few important questions you may have had, but now there's also some new questions. I had a lot of fun writing this three-parter. I actually missed dinner last night working on the first/second part, this just couldn't wait.