?.?.?
Carter Kane
There was a sudden sharp blue light cutting through my irises. Then nothing – not darkness, not even pitch black. It was like I had fallen into a void, filled with static. I was falling or swimming or flying? If I was flying, it was upside down. But I was the right way up. So I was flying towards something under me.
There was nothing under me. Purple orbs began pulsing and every pulse felt like a hammer to my brain. The orbs exploded into a field, filled with wildflowers. One of them grew taller, morphed into a sunflower and slowly turned its huge cartoonish eyes toward me. We stood staring at each other.
The sunflower grinned like that cat from Alice. "I'm drunk off ketchup. You shouldn't eat while on the toilet at two in the morning."
Water soaked in my shoes and began rising till my lungs felt like bubblegum. The water was hot, why was the water hot? Like I was swimming in a lake of fire.
I couldn't feel my body, but I knew it was hurting. A strong blood-like smell filled my sinuses.
"Can't drink the sarcophagus juice, can't eat the tomb cheese." I shook my head. "What even is the point of archeology?"
Then nothing again.
It was comfortable. A sense of calmness and content washed over me. What was Osiris's favorite musical? I had no idea what was going on or why but I knew it was almost over. Almost over. I could relax.
I'll get to hug mom again.
I could let go.
And I was about to, when a voice rang. It was distorted by the waves it travelled through, yet somehow perfectly clear.
Carter…
Wait, what? Was this Sadie? Of course, it was right up my sister's alley to appear when I was about to rest.
What is your secret name?
Like hell I'll tell you! It's mine! Plus, random fire-river voice, how do I know you are even really Sadie?
You can do this. You're my brother.
You could be that rude sunflower that was trying to tell me what to do!
I love you.
Sadie.
All the embarrassing bits, all the annoying bits, which I imagine is most of you-
Wow, thank you.
A thousand Zias might run away from you if they knew the truth. But I won't. I'll still be here. So you're not allowed to leave me either, understood? Carter don't leave me.
"Sadie, ."
Driftwood. Wildflowers. Lilies. Melting chocolate. Blood. Old books. A bang. A bag. Flip-flops. A bark. Jazz. Static. Flowing. Sinking. Fire. Ice. Breath.
"I love you."
A lightning, striking right through my head.
My heart restarted so quickly, I nearly chocked on the deep breath I took. My eyes opened to a white ceiling. My surroundings were posh and luxurious, but also looked enough like a hotel room for my brain to just not care about the interior. I'd seen so many hotels at that point, they all looked the same.
I spotted a relieved sigh through the ringing in my ears and turned to look at Sadie.
"Right. You can thank me now."
"Hi," I croaked, sitting up on the coach. "Did you just-"
A miracle happened that day – my sister hugged me.
"Don't ever ride another bloody snake monster again." she whispered.
"I'm sorry." I whispered back. "Thank you."
Bes came over with what looked like a chocolate head tucked in the crook of his arm. For a moment I got scared that this was just another part of my weird fever dream. Then Sadie sat down next to me and, exhausted and probably magically drained, leaned her head on my shoulder. She was real enough.
"Good work, Sadie!" Bes broke off the head's nose and offered it to me. "Here, boy. You've earned this."
I frowned. "Does chocolate have magic healing properties?"
Bes snorted. "If it did, I'd be the healthiest dwarf in the world. Nah. It just tastes good."
"And you'll need your strength," Sadie yawned. "We have a lot to talk about."