Eli

Just wanted to say I'm sorry it took so long for this to come about, and I can only hope that you enjoy it. And a big thank you to anyone who reads this all the way through.

~~David~~

“Must fall asleep…must fall asleep…”

He mumbled the words quietly over and over to himself, but to no avail.

“Please, just let me fall asleep, just let me return, I don’t belong here.” He continued.

He pleaded with whatever higher power would listen, but still nothing. He could only lie there, feeling completely lost.

The lights turned on, and a candlelight glow filled the room. It bathed him in an unsavory light, and gave notice to his present weakness.

“What are you mumbling about?” She woke from her dreams, and propped herself up on the bed to better see his face.

“Huh? Oh nothing; must have been a bad dream or something.” His voice faded as he tried to actually pass it off as nothing. He rolled over to look at her. His eyes traced her curves, and he marveled at her beauty. Long golden hair, the kind that seemed to create its own light, flowed over her body. Staring at her straight on now, it was as if her hair was jealous of the beauty of her face because it attempted to cover her face. It tried to contain her beauty all to itself, but it was no use as she swept it out of her striking green eyes and back around her ears. She took in a breath, and he couldn’t help thinking she was damn near perfect. It was a shame she only existed here, he thought.

“Well, if you’re done,” she yawned, “I suggest you get some sleep. We have a long drive tomorrow Eli.” He apologized, and rolled over to try and go back to sleep. His eyes closed, and his mind departed, but never got to where it was going. She curled up next to him, and he felt the warmth of her body against his. “I just want you to be well rested when you meet my sister.” He did away with falling asleep for a moment as he responded in a soft and tired voice.

“I’m sure Aimee will love me, so no need to worry.”

“You’re probably right.”

“I am Alli.”

She leaned over and turned off the light, and then returned to her same position next to him. Again Eli tried to fall asleep, but still nothing. He was stuck, and he feared how long this was going to last. For the past four months he had been unable to sleep properly. With a feeling that something or someone wasn’t allowing him to reach his destination of sleep he became an unwilling insomniac. He would doze off, but never reach his deepest sleep. It was this sleep that was necessary, it was this sleep that he needed, and it was this sleep that he could no longer get.

She sat there with her book in hand, and she read quietly to him,

“…but if each day, each hour, you feel that you are destined for me with implacable sweetness, if each day a flower climbs up to your lips to seek me, ah my love, ah my own, in me all that fire is repeated, in me nothing is extinguished or forgotten, my love feeds on your love, beloved, and as long as you live it will be in your arms without leaving mine.”

She closed her book and sighed discouraged.

“Damn it Felix, will you ever wake up?” She sat in silence, as the medical equipment beeped on. It was comforting for her to hear as it reminded her that he was still indeed alive.

Aimee gazed out the window, and watched the clouds move across the sky. She imagined that one day Felix would wake. Lost in the day dream she began to doze off.

She soared up towards the clouds and past them, flying over a field, the greenest she had ever seen. The wind was blowing across her face as she soared and was overtaken by pure serenity. The clouds quickly faded, and ahead she saw what looked like waves rising and crashing, all contained within invisible spheres. As she neared one flying ocean, she entered it and was swept up in the waves. Feeling as if she were about to drown, but knowing no fear of it, she surfaced upon a vast beach. It was here he saw her.

“Aimee!” He shouted, and his voice echoed in the air.

She heard him and turned to look.

“Oh Felix, so glad you’re here.”

He quickly made is way towards her.

“Aimee, how did you get here?”

“I swam I think,” she replied, a bit confused.

“I don’t care, I’m just so happy to see you. I thought you were lost forever.” They stood watching the waves calmly lose motivation as they reached the shore, only to drift back listlessly to the massive ocean.

They stood for what felt like hours to Felix and then it happened; his heart sank as she disappeared.

“Aimee, wake up. Your big sister is here.” Alli had found the hospital room and was now nudging her sleeping sister awake. Her eyes slowly opened. Alli knelt down to pick up her book.

“Here, you must have dropped this when you dozed off.” Handing it to her Aimee stood up and gave Alli a hug.

“You seemed pretty out of it, so what were you dreaming about?” she asked.

“I-I don’t remember.” She replied.

“Well then, it must not have been very important then huh?”

“I guess not.” Aimee rubbed her eyes, and yawned a bit, still waking up.

“I have someone I’d like you to meet Aimee.” Extending her hand, she pointed at Eli. “This is Eli.”

“Hello.” He said.

“Derek?” Aimee mumbled questioningly. No, she thought, it couldn’t be. Staring at Eli’s face for a bit she couldn’t help but notice his resemblance to Derek was remarkable.

“Huh?” Alli was a bit confused, but continued on thinking it was nothing. “We’ve been seeing each other for about three months now, right Eli?” She looked to him for an answer, but Eli was too busy staring at Felix as he lied in his hospital bed. He snapped back to reality.

“Oh, yeah, yeah, about three months now” he answered.

“Well that’s nice for the two of you.” Aimee said, but with no real enthusiasm.

Eli’s attention was once again back on Felix. He had never visited anyone in a hospital before, or seen anyone in a coma, but that wasn’t the reason he was so transfixed. Watching this unconscious soul before him filled him with an unease that he couldn’t quite explain. He was immediately filled with a sense of fear, as if someone was watching him from a distance. There was no one, but it was like a dream where you simply know someone is there regardless of whether you ever see them or not.

He knew she was watching, watching Felix lie there. He knew she was talking to him in that other world, and would soon be manipulating him, and he knew above all else he had to return home.

“Aimee,” Eli started, “What’s wrong with your friend?” Feigning ignorance, he took a seat next to the bed, while Alli and Aimee joined him. It grew quiet in the room, and then Aimee answered him as best she could.

“I wish I knew Eli. All I know is that he went into a coma roughly four months ago and has yet to wake up.” She stopped talking and went quiet. In the corner of her eyes tears began to fall.

“Oh don’t do that Aimee, it’s all right.” Alli leaned over and embraced her sister. She had never seen her quite so sad, at least not enough to be moved to tears. This was a first for Alli to see her sister actually crying, she knew then that Aimee was in pain.

The three of them sat there for a while and tried to consol Aimee while she stared off at Felix. Eli stood over Felix’s bed now and wondered what must be going on inside his head. He was asleep, but what could he be dreaming. Eli envied him a bit for his ability to sleep, but he would never admit that to Alli or especially Aimee. All he knew was he had to find a way to return home. Home to his reality, away from this dream he was now trapped within.

“Hey! Felix! What the hell are you doing?” Derek yelled to him but there was no response. He and Haley walked over to Felix. He remained in a state of shock almost, on his knees in the sand. With each crashing wave, another tear streamed down his face. He had her, he saw her, if only for a moment, but now she was gone.

“Felix, what’s wrong?” Derek had now joined him and he knelt down beside him.

“I saw her Derek.”

“Saw who?” asked Haley.

“Aimee.” He paused to look at Derek, and then he gazed out at the sea.

“So she was here then.” Derek looked to Haley as if to confirm that she was still there and that she would not be going anywhere. She looked back with a glow about her, but her eyes told a different story; they were distant and lost in a colder thought.

“Yes, but then she disappeared.”

“I told you; people don’t typically hang around here for too long. I thought you would be one of them, but then you’re still here.” He put his arm around Felix. “All we can hope is that when she woke she remembered you too, and the moments in the dream.” His voice faded away as he spoke and his tone was becoming less confident. It was as if Derek had no hope for Aimee ever remembering what happened here. “Get up Felix; I want to show you something.”

Felix stood up and wiped the tears from his eyes. The three of them turned and began walking down the length of the beach.

“Felix, have you ever felt darkness?” Derek asked in a quiet voice. In an instant a dark rushing wind enveloped the three of them, and nothing could be seen. Holding his hand in front of his face, Felix was helpless to see a single one of his fingers. Panicking a bit he yelled for Derek.

“What have you done?! What’s going on?!”

“Don’t worry Felix.” He heard Derek’s voice. “Once you get used to it, it’s not too bad. Just embrace your fear and let it simply motivate you. It’s quite invigorating I think!”

“Stop it! Just stop!”

And just like that, the darkness faded and they were now hovering over a sea of stars that radiated green. Among the stars were several thousand planets. Each buzzing with life as far as Felix could tell. The galaxy they saw was ebbing and flowing with the most beautiful of colors and life. Every now and then a comet bearing a striking red flame would soar past as if to say hello only to disappear in a moment. Then, the comet would fly past again, this time in the opposite direction. As it passed them, it illuminated their faces and the warmth was felt in waves of refreshing intensity.

“How’s that then?” asked Derek.

“It’s amazing,” replied Felix, “but what’s the point of it all?”

“Don’t worry, we’ll get there.” said Derek.

“How are you doing all this?”

Derek looked over at Haley with a smile.

“Haley taught me. This world has a power all its own, and she’s enlightened me as to the gravity of my abilities here.”

Felix met eyes with Haley and a chill overtook him. Passing it off as just a random occurrence, he proceeded to give star gazing a new meaning. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder how it was she fit in so nicely here. So many questions plagued his mind at the moment: How did she communicate with Derek in the first place, and who was she really? His thoughts and questions faded though as the same comet flew by once again, this time engulfing the three of them in an abundance of light. When it became too much to look at, Felix closed his eyes. He felt the light fade on his closed eyelids and decided it was safe to open them.

“Wait, I remember this place,” said Felix, “but somehow it’s different to me.”

Upon opening his eyes he was now seeing the house he grew up in. As a child he would play in the vast woods behind the house. Despite their immensity however he never ended up getting lost. He was quite the little explorer in his youth.

“Ah, I know what’s different.” He stared intently for a short while before figuring it out. “There,” he pointed to a pathway through the trees, “that didn’t used to be there. Someone removed all the trees there.” As they drifted closer he noticed that more of the trees in his childhood woods had now been removed. The place they now looked upon was barren, but he remembered the spot exactly. There were lilac petals covering the ground, but something felt off about the place, he noticed an odd difference that he couldn’t quite place.

“There used to be the most magnificent lilac bush here Felix, do you remember it?” Derek asked. Felix looked closer trying to visualize it.

“I guess I never noticed it.” He said.

“Exactly,” said Derek, “it was beautiful and you passed it everyday you came out here to play. You don’t really notice these things until they’re gone Felix.”

“This has gone on long enough,” said Felix impatiently, “What’s your point?”

The woods disappeared and they were once again back on the beach staring off in the bluest ocean. The sun was setting but the waves remained like they always did, calm and peaceful.

“My point is this Felix: When Aimee was here a while back she noticed you. In this world, that means a lot. When so many visitors ignore you as another dream they can’t piece together, you start to feel a bit detached from it all. You start longing for someone to see you and interact with you. On occasion it will happen, but even then we probably don’t leave a lasting memory with them. They will forget us when they wake.”

Derek put his hands on Felix’s shoulders and looked him dead in the eyes.

“Felix. She noticed you, which means you’re not detached from it all yet, you’re not gone.” Derek gazed off into the ocean, rather despondent.

“What am I supposed to do though?”

Derek was quiet for a moment. Then he answered.

“You get into her head, like she’s in yours.”

Derek put his arm around Haley and the two began walking together down the length of the beach.

“But how?” Felix shouted out to Derek as he was almost out of earshot.

“You’ll figure it out!” Derek yelled back.

And with that Derek and Haley disappeared. Felix sat on the beach for what felt like eternity. He watched the sun rise and fall, and still he sat contemplating. And then he fell asleep, right there on the beach.

Slipping fully into the dream, Felix opened his eyes to see the hallway of a hospital wing before him. Curious, he walked down the hall. As he passed the rooms, noticed that all the patients were sleeping. The lights were dim, except for those in the hallway. As he approached the end of the hall, he saw that the room at the end had a light on. Standing at the doorway of the room he looked in to see yet another patient sleeping. Looking to the side of his bed, he saw a girl curled up in a chair. As he neared, he realized it was Aimee. He tried desperately to wake her up. It was no use; it was as if he didn’t exist. Looking at the bed he saw none other than himself lying there. A gripping feeling pulled at his heart and his chest grew tight. He tried to get closer, but something was pulling him away, or at least pushing him back. Lashing out he swung his arm and struck the medical equipment. It immediately started beeping much louder and suddenly there were nurses rushing into the room. Surprised at the interaction, he was now being pulled away faster out the door by an unknown force. Past the nurses trying to fix the equipment and make sure that he, in that room, was all right. In the commotion Aimee had woken, and looked around the room startled. One of the nurses tried to escort her outside of the room.

“You’ll have to come with me miss, we need to make sure he’s all right and you’re in the way.”

“No!” She yelled, “I have to stay with him! I told him I would!”

Being removed by force, she sat in the hallway now on the floor she sobbed. Felix was still being pulled away down the hallway struggling to remain with her to no avail.

“Aimee!” He shouted, but there was no response. “AIMEE!”

Looking up, Aimee dried her eyes to see, she was sure she just heard her name. She stared down the hall and then she saw him. As he clung to the walls he was clearly fighting to stay there.

“Felix!” She yelled. She ran to try and help him, but it was as if the moment he said his name, he was gone. All that remained was a golden light that quickly dimmed into a green flash. He was gone, and she was unsure of what she had just seen. Not having slept outside of the hospital in a number of days, she was sure she was losing her mind, but she would never admit it. Not if it meant she could see Felix again.

Felix woke on the vast beach and the sun was in the middle of the sky shining down. Or it would have if there hadn’t been a silhouette blocking it from his gaze.

“And where did you think you were going?”

Her voice was sharp, but he couldn’t see her, and then something struck against his head. He was out cold again, but this time not by choice.

“I know what I saw!” insisted Aimee. “He was right there at the end of the hallway being pulled away from me.” She pointed towards the end of the hall, but there was nothing.

“Aimee, you’ve been here for quite awhile now, maybe you should go home and get some real rest.” Said Alli.

“No—”

“Aimee, it wasn’t a question,” she interrupted, “you need to sleep in a real bed, if only for a while, Eli and I can stay here and look after him. Come on, you can trust me.” Aimee looked into her eyes and she knew her sister was right. Packing up her things, Alli walked her out of the hospital while Eli waited in the room with Felix and a couple other nurses.

“Your friend’s a little nuts you know. Poor thing probably hasn’t really slept in days.”

“Better than a few months.” Eli responded under his breath.

“What’s that?” asked the nurse.

“Nothing. Don’t mind me. And she’s not really my friend.”

“Well you visited her right? I’d say that makes you a friend.”

Eli turned away from the conversation; small talk was never his strong suit. The nurse picked up on his silence quickly and sensing a bit of unease went to leave the room.

“You know it wouldn’t kill you to be a little more comforting to the two of them.”

“Yeah, but why risk it?” He retorted.

The nurse left a bit flustered, but at two o’clock in the morning she just didn’t care anymore either regardless of whether or not it was her job to.

Alli had returned to the room now, and the two of them sat there with Felix.

“I told her I would watch over him.” Said Alli.

“You’re a very good sister aren’t you?” He asked jokingly.

“I am, and you’re a very good man, to wait with me.”

He avoided her longing eyes, trying not to start anything in that hospital room. He wasn’t in the mood for anything physical between them this early and he wasn’t really in the mood for her at that moment either. Eli walked over and sat by Felix’s bedside.

“So, Aimee said that she saw him at the end of the hall right after the nurses came into check on the equipment. It was like they just started going haywire or something. But she said that he was calling out to her, and at the same time being pulled away by something.”

“Odd.” Eli replied. “I can’t really say what that’s all about.” He could though; he just felt it best that Alli not be told.

The night, or now early morning, went on, and their conversation was light at best. Soon Alli started dozing off, but Eli was not so lucky. As his eyes closed he saw nothing, no dreams. He was still unable to sleep. He got up to take a walk around the hospital. With his head still no less clear, or ready for sleep he returned to Felix’s room. Alli was awake now, and she had her hand on Felix’s.

“What are you doing Alli?”

“Huh? Oh, I dunno, thought I would hold his hand right? To keep him company, but then I did and they were ice cold. So now I’m just trying to warm ‘em up I guess.” Both of her hands were clasped around one of Felix’s as she tried her best to warm it. “You should feel,” she motioned to Eli, “It’s like he’s frozen, almost dead, but he still has a pulse and he’s still breathing so I guess he’s okay.” He walked over slowly, not really wanting to touch Felix’s hand.

“Hey,” said Alli, “Stay here while I go find something to eat okay?” By that time it was early morning, and Alli figured she could get something from the hospital cafeteria, or at least a vending machine.

“Yeah, no problem. I’ll look after him.” Said Eli.

She left the room, and it was just Felix, Eli, and the machines continuing to beep.

“You know, I envy you.” Said Eli looking down over Felix. “You’re where I want to be right now. Well, aside from the being trapped part.” He smiled a bit to himself. He felt he could make little jokes like that around here as he had very little attachment to this world. Taking a seat next to his bed, Eli reached down and took Felix’s hand. His hands truly were quite cold, but the feeling was quickly forgotten by the fact that Eli was now asleep; for so long he had longed for true sleep, and he was well on his way to getting it.

As dreams started to form in his head, he could feel the reality of his world coming back again. He was returning home, and he couldn’t be happier. Forgetting the hospital room, Felix, Aimee, and even Alli, he was focused on merely getting home. He was soaring through a fast changing landscape of time and space, and his feeling of freedom became more and more abundant.

But at that moment a wall materialized in front of Eli. As he turned to double back and move away from it, another appeared behind him. Suddenly he was surrounded and trapped within a cell of pure metal. Standing now on its floor, no longer soaring, he looked around for a way out, but found none. That’s when he saw a man lying on the floor of the cell. He hurried over to check and see if he was all right. Rolling him over it was none other than Felix himself; Felix began waking up, a little shaken at first, he opened his eyes.

“Derek?”

Eli sat him up right and Felix rubbed his eyes a bit.

“No, I’m not.” Replied Eli.

His voice is different, thought Felix, but the resemblance is uncanny.

“Are you all right Felix? Where are we?”

He strained to see in the dimly lit cell and struggled to stand up.

“Who are you? How do you know my name?” Felix questioned.

“Aimee told it to me. I’ve been traveling and we bumped into each other.”

“So she came to visit you too I take it?”

“No Felix, kind of the opposite.”

Felix didn’t quite understand, but his head was suddenly throbbing in pain, and he couldn’t tell where he was.

“What did she say?” He asked hastily. “Is she all right?”

Eli sighed, “She’s fine.” He was preoccupied with getting out of the cell. “Now if you don’t mind, we need to get out of here before she get’s back.”

“Who? Aimee?”

“No,” he replied hurriedly, “would you just help me already?”

But by that time it was too late. A magnificent golden light had appeared near the top of the cell.

“Ah, Eli, how nice of you to visit us again,” She snarled sarcastically, “Apparently I have yet to succeed at getting rid of you.” She chuckled a bit and the sharpness of her laughter struck at Eli’s core. He couldn’t see her, but he was seething with anger.

“Damn it, let me out of here!!” He shouted, “I can explain!” Almost pleading.

“No no, I don’t think I’ll be doing that. Such a pity you found your way back. No matter, I’ll close it off for good now that I know what you’re trying to do.”

“Haley, is that you?” Asked Felix, still unable to see her.

Her voice immediately changed to the sweet, serene tone Felix was used to.

“Oh don’t worry Felix, I would never let anything happen to you, you’re Derek’s best friend. Have to keep you safe now don’t we.” She laughed under her breath, and while he believed her words, Eli did not.

~~~ “…Wake up Eli…” ~~~

“Damn. Not now, I’m so close.” Eli struggled, but he couldn’t fight the dreams from coming back. He was being pulled out of his reality. He tried to think quickly, he didn’t have much time at all. “Felix, listen—”

“I can’t have you filling his head with lies now can I?” Haley interrupted and instantly Eli was being pushed away in a golden light.

“Felix!” He yelled as he grew further and further away. “I can’t return this way again. Please, help me…you’re the only one with the power to let me return home…” his voice faded off as Eli was pushed out of the cell by some unseen force.

“How the hell am I supposed to do that?!” Yelled Felix.

“…You’ll figure it out…” And then there was nothing.

Looking around, Felix was alone in the cell. A golden light was radiating from a window-like hole near the top of the cell, but it was quickly fading to darkness.

“You know what the nice thing about this world is Felix?” Her voice was again shrill with just a hint of evil brooding in it. “Your little friend Derek will never realize you’re gone because he’ll be too busy reveling in the ‘dream’ of it all.” She laughed manically, “It’s just too easy.” She said walking away and taking with her the golden aura providing what little light Felix had.

“Good luck Mr. Biggs.”

Her voice faded, and Felix was alone.

~~~ “…Wake up Eli…” ~~~

Eli came to in the hospital room, and he was lying on the floor.

“What are you doing down here? I was only gone for a second. I mean I know you’ve been up for some time now, but you probably shouldn’t fall asleep on the floor.” She smiled.

Eli felt sleep deprived again, but hopeful as he had now returned to his own world. If he could do it once, he could do it again. His return relied solely on Felix now.

“Sorry Alli, I don’t know what happened.”

“It’s all right. I brought you some coffee.”

“No thanks.” He replied. He wanted nothing to do with staying awake right now.

“All right then. Aimee will probably be back in a few hours, and then we can go home if you like.” Alli moved towards him and leaned against him. Resting her head upon his chest he held her close. Alli was so much like her, he thought; but in so many ways she was different. For the better he thought. He continued to hold her though. At least here, he thought, he hadn’t messed things up yet. Still, he had to make sure not to get too close to Alli as his only goal now was to get home, and make Haley understand.

Alone in the cell, surrounded in darkness, Felix had no idea what to do. Both Derek and Eli’s words floated around in his head.

“…You’ll figure it out…”

Yeah right, he thought, but how. As far as he could tell, there was no way out of his entrapment, and most likely no way in either. Haley was gone distracting Derek, and his options were being swept away one after the other. Felix sat there and thought for what felt like forever. Then it came to him. The last time he had fallen asleep here he was able to see Aimee outside. Without a second to waste, he attempted to sleep. Falling asleep was no easy feat however, as he was too focused on the act and couldn’t actually achieve sleep. Eventually, he stopped thinking, and his mind started slipping. Drifting off, he was unaware he was falling asleep. In a sort of a blank stage before dreaming, he waited. Finally he was aware of himself walking down an empty street. It was evening, but the sun was coming up at a quick pace, much faster than he was used to. As it shone down on the street, he saw off in the distance a silhouette walking towards him. As he got closer he noticed the flowing crimson lochs of a girl he knew all too well. He started to run; not noticing the sun had finally risen and was overhead. Only a few feet away from her, he stopped dead in his tracks. Immediately the ethereal chord that had not long ago plagued his dreams struck him. Mashing his hands upon his pain stricken ears he fell to the ground. It soon became aware to him that the sun had become far brighter than he was used to. Looking up, it was golden and magnificent. Suddenly beams of light began to envelop Felix.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t really let you do that.”

Despite the chord drowning out his thoughts he could hear her voice, and he knew exactly who it was.

“Haley—” He struggled to speak, but before he could finish, the light consumed him and he awoke again in the confines of his cell.

“Seriously now,” she said, “Please try to stay put. It’s for you own good.” Stopping to think she paused. “Actually, no, I take that back. It’s not for your own good, it’s really just for mine.” She laughed a bit, and began to leave him.

“I’ll get out of here!” he yelled in agony at her, “just you watch!”

Haley broke stride for a moment as if she were worried. No, she thought, there’s no way. I’ve made sure of that. Reassuring herself that she had all the control here in this world, she proceeded onward to look again for Derek. The light faded as she left, and Felix was again surrounded by pitch black.

Becoming aggravated he knew he had to keep trying. Even just for that glimpse of Aimee, he would do anything.

“Haley.”

“Yes my love?”

“Have you seen Felix?”

“You know what, I haven’t” she lied.

The waves crashed as Derek and Haley lied next to each other on a sandy island. Watching the waves going back and forth was almost hypnotic. As Derek held her close, he had no idea of her previous actions. All he knew was that to be in this moment, with her, was heavenly to say the least.

“That’s odd,” Derek replied “I haven’t seen him around in a while either.”

Haley leaned over to look Derek in the face.

“Maybe he was finally able to leave.”

Still knowing nothing of what happened to Derek, but no less confused, Derek accepted what Haley was saying. She gazed into his eyes, and his soul was at peace. As he kissed her she kissed back passionately. His head started to go blank focusing on only the kiss. He quickly began to forget all about where Felix might have run off. Her soft lips released his and she stood up.

“Derek, let’s go somewhere amazing.” She said to him. He stood next to her and began to think of where they could go. “Just dream up a place for us, I know you can.” She stared into his eyes and made him believe he alone was the most important being in this world. That he alone had all the power it had to offer. She knew the truth however, that he was merely a pawn in this world.

He took her hand and they began to fly. As Derek thought about where to go, the places he imagined materialized beneath and around them. At one moment they were gazing upon an ice covered tundra. As they flew over the ground, the land below blossomed and bloomed with a lush green coating that cut through the ice and snow. As they neared a frozen mountain, the winds struck their faces. Hovering over the summit of the peak, all the snow that covered it began melting as before. Soon the spot below them was dry and rocky. Then Derek snapped his finger, and in an instant the massive mountain crumbled and was eaten up by an on coming tidal wave. As the pristine, blue wave crashed over them as well, they swam up to the surface. Breaking through the water, they were now in fact, looking down from a sky of the same color. Peering out of the sky and down onto the earth, they began plummeting head first towards the ground. Passing through clouds and past birds each with its own wonderful color, they were free falling. Haley was basking in the intensity of it all, all the while still keeping a firm hold on Derek’s hand.

It was this hold that she required for it was this hold that enabled him to live out his wildest imaginations. She allowed him to be what he was in this world, that which bordered on a god, but still grounded in the flesh of a human. She allowed him to forget anything and everything in this world, all with that firm hold.

As they were about to hit the ground, Derek jerked them both upward and they soon began flying again; over the land that whipped by them and through the air that rushed across their faces. As they flew higher and higher, they began to pick up speed. Quickly leaving the atmosphere and the earth that wanted nothing more than to pull them down and ground them, they began passing planets and stars alike. Fading off into the darkness illuminated by the flurry of stars that covered the atmosphere like snowflakes, Derek no longer had a thought of Felix’s whereabouts whatsoever.

Felix continued to contemplate the world he was now trapped in. Locked in a metal cell that he could find no exit or entrance to. As he pondered, he thought about his hunger. In fact, since Felix had arrived in this world, he could not remember eating anything. Surely he had been here a while he thought, and yet no hunger, or thirst for that matter. His thoughts then once again fell on Derek and Eli’s words. They were under the impression that he would figure out a way to leave this place and get back to Aimee. He thought about Eli, and how exactly he knew his name. How did Eli know Haley too, he thought, and was this place really his home. Felix passed it all off as confusing nature of this world, but believed that there was something he was not being told. Something he was missing, if he, a harmless visitor, was to be locked up in a cell. Knowing very little about Eli, Felix was more inclined to listen to him, as he was also a prisoner when he appeared in the cell. Time passed for Felix, or so he imagined. Having no real concept of time, he merely assumed that it was passing, but given the nature of the world he was now in, he thought he could in fact be mistaken.

Then Felix stood up and began pacing the small cell. He was no longer here to be a helpless victim; and if he was a visitor, then it was time to leave. If there were another way out of here, he would surely figure it out. Knowing that he couldn’t dream his way out, he had to get a little more creative. Then it hit him, if these were his dreams he should be able to manipulate them to some degree. As a lucid dreamer, being fully aware of himself in this dream and of those around him in this world, he must be able to. It was then that Felix put his hands on one of the walls of the cell and closed his eyes. He started to think inwardly to himself, and then it grew into a soft mumbling.

“…mind over matter, mind over matter…”

He didn’t actually expect anything to happen, but he thought he would try it nonetheless. Focusing his thoughts and pressing his hands against the wall, nothing happened. He pushed harder and harder against the wall, all the while his eyes closed, but still he was unable to press through the wall. Giving up on the mind over matter philosophy, he opened his eyes. Turning around to look at the cell again the most peculiar thing had happened. Apparently through his pushing against the wall and focusing on the wall mentally, he had actually pushed the wall out effectively making the room much larger. He was now hopeful, but realized this would take a lot more work.

In his second attempt to escape from the cell he began pacing faster around the cell. Focusing on how he could get out, he walked the metal floor of the cell in a circle. As he walked, he paid no attention to the rectangular room he was pacing in, he just thought of how he could get out. As he continued, his pace quickened. Faster and faster he paced, until he realized he was running. Running even faster now, he looked out upon the walls of the cell and realized that he was not moving at all. Looking at the walls, he saw that they were simply spinning around him as he continued to move in place. As they picked up speed, their rectangular corners and straight edges were blurring together creating a circular room.

Seeing what effect he was having on the cell, Felix wondered what would happen if he jumped from where he was. Quickly leaping up into the air, he hovered for a bit kind of floating momentarily, and all the while the room was still spinning. He felt himself beginning to fall, and braced himself to hit the ground. Surprised that it was not a harder impact, given the height to which he jumped, he landed and the floor began to sink. As the room was still spinning, and the floor was sinking, a kind of whirlpool look overtook the formerly solid cell. He jumped again, and again, lingered in the air. Every time he landed the whirlpool became more and more violent until there was nowhere for him to jump, or land. At that moment, he began falling. Felix fell into the downward spiral he had created in his cell, and was now being flung around in the room that continued spinning.

Gathering in intensity, it was as if he could feel his body being torn apart at the seams. Fearing he was going to lose his mind, as he could no longer feel his body, he tried to cling to anything he could. Finding nothing, and not being able to feel his hands of feet anyway, he had to succumb to the intensity. It was at that moment that his fear changed. No longer feeling it, he was enveloped by a tranquil and freeing sensation. Knowing no body, he lingered in darkness with his mind and soul. And then there was a light. Faint at first, it flickered and bounced across his vision. Then it grew and continued growing into the most beautiful ruby red he had ever seen. Following it, he moved closer and closer, until he saw her.

Breaking free Felix flew out of his bed and sat up right.

“FELIX!!” Aimee yelled.

Clutching him, tightly, he was still slightly unaware of what had happened and where he was. As it flooded back to him about the hospital and every wonderful thing about Aimee, he felt at peace again, and at home. He grabbed her and hugged her back just as tightly as she had him. No words were necessary, he just held her there. They relaxed a bit, while Eli and Alli looked on in relief. Felix closed his eyes and took in the feeling of pure peace.

“NO! I won’t let you!” She yelled inside his head, and Felix knew in an instant that it was Haley. Realizing his potential now, he silenced her. With his eyes still closed he could now see her as clear as day. Physically, Felix was in his reality, but mentally, he was in both worlds.

“I’m no longer yours to control and manipulate Haley” Felix stated with authority.
He spoke to her with his thoughts, but was unaware that he was speaking physically as well. This came as quite a surprise to those in the room listening to him. Aimee backed away a bit and loosened her hold on him. Somewhat afraid of what was happening she tried to talk to Felix.

“Felix, what’s going on? Who are you talking to?” Aimee was confused, and looked around the room to Eli and Alli for help but found little. Alli was clearly shocked at what she was seeing. Felix had just flung himself out of his coma, and was now conversing with someone who wasn’t even in the room. Surely he must be crazy she thought. Eli held a look of sheer determination. He knew Felix had succeeded and was beginning to understand his true abilities as a lucid. Felix continued however, despite everyone in the room.

“I am aware of what you’ve been doing now, and I’m not pleased to say the least.” Giving her no time to retort he felt his hold on the conversation slipping as he was quickly becoming mentally quite exhausted. He therefore made his last words to Haley concise.

“I don’t know what Eli did to you, but he wants to go home. I intend to help him.”

“NO! I won’t let you—” she tried to argue, but Felix cut her off. And with his last ounce of strength he continued.

“And Haley, I’m coming for Derek.” And with that, Felix again collapsed on the bed. Fearing the worst, everyone in the room, Aimee, Eli, and Alli, rushed to help him at his bedside. However, in an instant Felix had opened his eyes and began to prop himself up in the bed as if nothing were wrong with him. Looking to Aimee, he assured her he was back for good now. He hugged her as if he hadn’t seen her in years. He looked to Eli who nodded to him signifying that they were now in this together. And then he met eyes with Alli, and a shiver ran down his spine.

“HALEY!!” yelled Felix in surprise.

“Who?” She replied immediately in shock, “I’m Alli, not Haley.”

Still not entirely sure Eli quickly confirmed her identity.

“Don’t worry Felix,” he said, “She isn’t Haley, but I understand your confusion, they are almost identical.”

Relieved, Felix slumped back into bed, and tried to relax.

“Felix, this is my sister, Alli.” Said Aimee. Aimee thought to herself, so Derek was chasing after a double of Alli. Despite Felix’s anger towards this Haley, she couldn’t help thinking that Derek had a good eye. Then Alli thought about what Felix had said a moment before when speaking to what she thought was no one.

“Hey,” said Alli looking to Eli, “So what did he mean you want to go home?”

Eli paused, and then sighed. Finally he had to come clean and tell her what was going on.

“I’m sorry Alli, I haven’t been completely honest with you. Take a seat, there’s a lot I should explain to you.”

Felix was back now, free of his dreams, and Haley, but for how long he thought. It was only a matter of time before he would once again need to sleep. He had to start thinking of what must be done. He had to save Derek. Regardless of what might come, he was no longer afraid to face it; he looked at Aimee and held her close. In this moment, she was all he needed; whatever happened in the future, he knew she would be there.