no more dreaming
As Alexander walked home, the late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the quiet streets, a stark contrast to the turmoil stirring within him. He felt an urgent need to find a bathroom, the remnants of his earlier encounter in the classroom weighing heavily on his mind.
He stepped into the bathroom, the familiar tiled walls offering little comfort. As he glanced into the mirror, he was met with a shocking sight. Staring back at him was a version of himself that was covered in blood, battle scars etched into his skin, a haunting reminder of a life he thought he had left behind. His heart raced, and a cold chill ran down his spine.
But instead of confronting the vision, he turned away, shaking his head as if to dispel the image. "Just a trick of the light," he muttered to himself, splashing water on his face before exiting the bathroom.
The comforting aroma of dinner wafted through the house as he made his way to the dining room. His family was gathered around the table, laughter and chatter filling the air as they discussed plans for an upcoming trip.
"Maybe we should go to the beach this summer!" his father suggested, a smile lighting up his face. "It's been too long since we had a family vacation."
"Yeah, that would be awesome!" his little brother chimed in, eyes sparkling with excitement. "We could build sandcastles and go swimming!"
As they talked, Alexander felt a warmth in his heart, the love and laughter of his family wrapping around him like a comforting blanket. He picked at his food, the savory flavors almost grounding him in the moment.
But suddenly, a wave of emotion washed over him, and he paused, the smile fading from his lips. "I'm going to miss you all," he blurted out, the words spilling from his mouth before he could stop himself.
His mother looked up, concern flickering in her eyes. "Now, why would you say something like that, sweetheart?" she asked gently, her brow furrowing.
"I just… I don't know. I have a weird feeling," he replied, his voice shaking slightly.
Without waiting for a response, he moved around the table and enveloped his family in a tight embrace. Tears brimmed in his eyes as he held them close, overwhelmed by a sense of urgency and fear that he couldn't fully understand.
"I have to go now," he whispered, his heart aching.
His family exchanged puzzled glances, but they held him tightly, not letting go.
"Alexander, what are you talking about?" his father asked, a note of confusion in his voice.
But Alexander didn't answer. Instead, he simply squeezed them tighter, the warmth of their love mingling with the cold dread settling in his chest.
The moment hung in the air, suspended in time, filled with unspoken fears and deep-rooted connections.
As he finally released them, Alexander felt a sense of finality. The warmth of home contrasted sharply with the chaos brewing in the back of his mind, a reminder that something was coming, and he wasn't sure he could stay.
As Alexander embraced his family, the warmth of their love enveloping him, the scene around him began to flicker and distort. The image of his mother, full of life and affection, started to glitch, shifting into the face of Ty, her words echoing through the chaos of his mind.
"You know, your strength is what makes you truly special," Ty said, her voice steady but tinged with a haunting urgency.
"Remember," she continued, "the strongest souls are often sent to the darkest places."
Suddenly, the comforting surroundings of his home warped into a gruesome battlefield, filled with blood and the lifeless bodies of fallen warriors. Alexander's childlike form morphed into that of a battle-hardened warrior, his body covered in scars, a sword gripped tightly in his hand.
"It's in the dark where you become the strongest version of yourself," Ty's voice echoed, a reminder of the trials he had faced and the darkness he had endured.
"But," she warned, "you might lose yourself; you might turn into something else, something worse. Just remember, when you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back at you."
The battlefield around him was a cacophony of chaos, a stark reminder of the horrors he had experienced.
"Promise me this," Ty urged, her gaze fierce yet compassionate. "When you're ready to move on from your past trauma, become a warrior of your own right. Push forward with all your might."
As the vision of Ty flickered, her voice turned faint, almost drowned out by the surrounding chaos. "Had to… keep you safe," she whispered, her words filled with sorrow and resolve.
The pain of her loss surged through Alexander like a tidal wave, igniting a fire within him. He stood amidst the carnage, anger and determination coursing through his veins. The memories of his childhood, the warmth of his family, the wisdom of Ty—all converged into a single moment of wrath.
"I'M DONE!" he roared, his voice booming across the battlefield, cutting through the din of despair. "NO MORE DREAMING!"