To sleep, perchance to dream (Part III)
It was like water; he was drowning in ice. It was like fire, and burned him like acid from the inside. It was like the grave; it smothered him in oily shadows. It hurt. He was dying. It was, at long last, Justice. The poison choked his throat. It trickled from his nostrils and clouded his eyes. He could not stop. He had to keep drinking.
He heard his name. A hand grasped his, and cupped his neck. He looked up. Through the haze of pain, he saw her eyes. Sweetness flooded his veins, quenching the inferno within. His vision cleared. She leaned above him, her life-blood pulsing from a wound over her heart, into his cup and his mouth. As he rose up, he was the boy he had been, the last time they had spoken. Their eyes met. Finally, he could speak the words he could not have spoken, would not have spoken, so many years ago.
"I understand now. I'm sorry. I will change for you."
She smiled. "You already have."
Yes, that was in the past. She was no longer that girl; he was no longer that boy. He spoke again, this time as the man he was to the woman she had been.
"I've killed you and your family. Forgive me."
Another mysterious smile. "I already have. We all have."
She pointed. The classroom was empty, the students were gone, the door finally open. Silver light streamed in from the outside, so bright it clarified all corners of the dungeon. But of course! The students had already graduated, why would they be there? He had somewhere to go too, something to do.
He stepped forward, then paused and turned back to her.
"I loved you," he said. "I still do."
"I know, my friend. I have always known." Sorrow rose up within him, but it was no longer that bitter and wrathful sorrow, but sweet and light. He met her smile with his own. Perhaps that was all he had ever wanted or could have hoped for.
"I have to go. Good luck with your son. And - and - give my regards to James."
He stepped through the door, and woke up.