I'm sorry about the last page. I don't know what came over me, I swear. Let's just pretend I said I liked the drawing and Bandy was happy and everything turned out okay. Okay? Okay.

I had another dream last night. I was swimming in an ocean of darkness. Everything was pitch-black. At least I could see the stars. But then I ended up homesick. I want to go back. I want to go back. But I don't. Then I saw the figure again.

Dark Matter.

"Do you know what Eigengrau means?" it said to me. I shook my head in confusion. "What you can see in full darkness." I mean, I was in pitch-black darkness after all. Okay, so maybe not pitch-black. But now I was getting tired of swimming. And before I knew it, it was giving me a ride. I tried to get off, but it wouldn't let me. So I didn't bother.

"Where am I?"

"In Eigengrau."

"You didn't exactly answer my question."

"I did."

And I sighed.

"I'm scared."

"Of course you are. But you'll learn."

"Learn what?"

"Learn not to be scared anymore."

"Oh."

Silence. Painful, numbing, mind-breaking nothingness. I felt numb myself. I heard the faint wind and the splashing of the not quite black sea. Then I realized something. I was actually talking! Speaking words! I squealed. This felt amazing! Which was weird. It's not like talking would get me anywhere. Right?

"Dark Matter, do you ever get lonely?"

"Huh?"

"I don't really see you with anyone other than me..."

It didn't answer.

"Do you mind being called an 'it' or a 'he'?"

"...He."

Oops. Guess I've called him an it after all this time and I didn't know. Sorry, I guess.

"What will happen to me?"

"You'll find out yourself."

I pouted. "Why won't you just tell me?"

"And ruin the surprise? Hah." Silence.

"...But I know you'll get used to it." He went higher into the air, up to the stars. I went out to touch them, and I felt a burning sensation. I miss home.

"Hot." I mumbled, sensing my slightly reddened nub. As weird as it was, this dream actually turned out kinda nice. Dark Matter didn't want to kill me at all. Maybe he wasn't a monster. Maybe he's...

NO. REMEMBER WHAT BANDY SAID. HE IS BAD. STOP TRYING TO BE NICE TO HIM. STOP.

Without a second thought, I let go of him and made myself fall into the inky blue sea, letting myself fall to the dark, dark bottom. I felt empty inside. I almost regretted letting go. Almost.

Then I woke up.

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