I went to bed that night still in disbelief, Jason's words still echoing in my mind like a haunting whisper I couldn't silence. This Life isn't real. it's an illusion. No matter how, I tried to forget it, the thought clung to me like a shadow. I tossed and turned under my blanket, desperate to fall asleep and push it all away. How could this not be real?. My family, Julie, my childhood, college-my entire life. it couldn't all be fake. I refused to believe it.
But the doubt crept in anyway, like a Crack forming in glass. what if it's fake? what if everything I know is about to collapse-my world, my memories, my own existence?.
Fear wrapped around my chest like a vice tightening with each breath. My hands trembled beneath the covers. would I lose everything? everyone I love?
"No....no.it's real" I whispered into the darkness, trying to steady my voice. I clenched my eyes shut, willing the fear to disappear.. it has to be real.
I finally drifted into sleep, but the fear and doubt still clung tightly to my heart like heavy chains.
"Serena.....please come back home" he said again his eyes pleading, his voice soft but desperate.
But I'd had enough.
"Who are you !? what do you want from me!? I shouted, the frustration and the fear boiling over.
"I just want you to come back he said," he pleaded stepping toward me.
"No! this is my home!" I screamed backing away. "I belong here and I'm not leaving, stay away from me!"
He froze, clearly shocked by my resistance.
"Serena," he started, voice trembling.
But I didn't let him finish. "My name is Clara! Clara! And this is my life! I don't care what you say- I'm not leaving!.
He reached out again, as if trying to take my hand. I shoved him away with all the strength I had. "Stay away!" I cried.
His face twisted with pain, his silver eyes darkening with sorrow. "I'm trying to save you..."
"No! I don't want to be saved! leave me alone!just stay away from me! I screamed over and over the words tearing from my throat like they were fighting for their own survival. "Stay away! Stay away!."
"Clara! Clara!"
I jolted awake drenched in sweat. My mother stood over me, concern written all over her face
"Mom..." I whispered, heart pounding.
"You were screaming in your sleep," she said gently. "You were screaming 'stay away'..... Who were you talking to
I blinked at her, my mind still tangled in the dream. "I.... I don't know"
But I did
And he'd looked hurt.
I got dressed and went downstairs for breakfast. Mom had made pancakes for me.
I sat down and began to eat, trying to act normal, trying to convince myself that everything was fine.
But then I remembered.
Every morning, Lucien would make pancakes for me. He'd tease me, call me his little princess, and make me laugh until I couldn't breathe. The memory hit me like a wave, and before I could stop it, tears welled up in my eyes and slipped down my cheeks. I quickly wiped then away, forcing myself to swallow both the pain and the pancakes.
After breakfast, I picked my bag and headed to the door. But as I reached the handle, something in me hesitated. I turned back and looked at my mom.
"Mom..." I said softly. "Do you really not really remember anyone named lucien?
She blinked, confused "who?"
The hope that had briefly flickered in my heart died just as fast.
"it's nothing, Mom. see you later," I mumbled, forcing a smile as I stepped out the door.
I didn't know it then but that was the last time I would ever see her again.
I went to college and spent the entire day searching for Lucien and Jason, but they were no where to be found. I sat all through my lectures, alone and distracted, the silence in their absence growing heavier with every passing hour.
As the day ended, I walked home, my heart sinking lower with each step. But then it happened.
The pain hit me like a lightning bolt. No... worse. It was like being set on fire from the inside out. I screamed louder than I ever had in my life, my voice was tearing through the air, the agony was unbearable.
The ground beneath me began to tremble violently. Cracks split the concrete. The sky darkened into a swirling void, then fractured like glass. Buildings trembled, some collapsing entirely. The world-the illusion-was breaking.
And I was breaking with it.
I screamed again as the pain consumed me, my body collapsing under the weight of it. Then, through the chaos I saw him.
The man from my dreams.
He was running toward me, his silver hair whipping in the wind, his eyes glowing with desperation. As my vision began to blur he reached me. He knelt beside me and wrapped his arms around me, cradling me like something fragile, something precious.
"it's okay, Serena," he whispered, his voice barely audible through the noise and pain.
His face- so beautiful, so farmiliar- was the last thing I saw before darkness claimed me and my world crumbled into nothing.
When I opened my eyes, I found myself in an unfamiliar room- ornate, grand and fit for royalty. Golden Light spilled through high arched windows, and the sheets beneath were softer than anything I'd ever felt.
Where...was I?
I turned to my side and froze.
He was there- the man from my dreams. He sat in a carved chair by my bedside, his head resting against the edge of the bed. His silver hair shimmered in the light, and for a moment, I just stared at him trying to peice together what was real.
Then he stirred.
His eyes met mine instantly, glowing with relief and longing. "You're awake...." he whispered, and before I could react, he wrapped his arms around me tightly.
"My love," he breathed, pulling me closer. " I was so worried"
He looked at me with such firece intensity that my heart skipped a beat. Then, gently but deeply, he pressed his lips to mine.
The kiss was passionate- warm and consuming, as if he'd been waiting forever for this moment. I was frozen, breathless lost in the sensation, I couldn't think straight what was going on? the man from my dreams.....why was he kissing me so passionately? was this a dream? no it couldn't be. I could feel his lips on mine, warm and firm, his tongue dancing with mine, igniting something deep inside me. It felt too real. Too intense. My heart was racing, not just from the shock but from something else I didn't understand. Everything about this moment confused me-the kiss the man the way my body responded despite the panic swirling in my mind. When he finally pulled back, he kissed my forehead softly.
"I'm so glad your back home" he said.
"Back home? I asked my voice, trembling with confusion. "What are you talking about?"
He looked at me for a long time moment, then turned his gaze away, as If ashamed of what he had to say. "Serena..... the illusion is gone now. You're back where you belong"
His words slammed into me like ice water.
No
A cold dread filled my chest as memories of my world- my real world- cracking and collapsing before my eyes came flooding back.
"No!" I screamed, my voice raw. "Take me back! I want to go home!"
"I can't," he said softly. "That place....it's gone now"
His voice was full of sorrow but I didn't matter. The words shattered something inside of me.
"It was an illusion, Serena" he whispered. None of it was real I'm sorry"
"Liar!" I cried, shoving him away with all the strength I had. "it was real. My mom- my life my friends- Lucien they were all real"
Tears streamed down my cheeks, blinding me.
He steeped toward me, hands raised gently. "Serena, please-"
"I'll find a way on my own then," I snapped turning and bolting for the door.
"Serena,wait!"
I didn't wait, I didn't care. I ran through unfamiliar halls, my breath catching in my throat, my feet slamming against cold marble floors. I didn't know where I was or where I was going but that didn't matter.
All I could hear was the pounding of my heart and the voice in my head screaming it was real. It was real. It was real.
And I would do anything to get back to it.