Michelle's Perspective
Meeting Place — Under the Tree
A cold, damp cloth pressed gently against my forehead, its softness like a whisper against my skin. I could feel the steady trickle of water running down my face, mingling with the tears I didn't even realize I was shedding.
My eyelids felt heavy, weighed down by exhaustion and confusion. I wanted to open my eyes but the world remained a blur, muted and distant. The ache in my head was persistent, dull but relentless. I closed my eyes again and gave in to the pull of sleep.
Minutes or maybe hours later, the gentle touch stopped. His presence slipped away, leaving me with an aching emptiness. Slowly, I summoned the strength to open my eyes and was met by the softest, most familiar smile.
He kissed my forehead lightly. It was him Chris.
"I know you're awake now," he said, his voice a soothing balm to my frazzled senses. "Open your eyes. Get up… you've been sleeping for too long."
I blinked slowly, adjusting to the light, and sat up with effort. The world swayed, but I clung to him, pulling him close in a desperate hug. Tears escaped despite my efforts to hold them back. I was terrified though I didn't know what I feared. My whole being trembled with a mixture of relief and dread.
"I'm sorry, Chris," I whispered brokenly.
He wiped my cheeks gently. "It's okay now, Michelle. What happened well, that was a long time ago."
I frowned, confused. "Long ago? But… it felt like just moments ago."
His smile was tinged with sadness. "It's been five years, Michelle. You've been trapped in your dream for five years."
Five years. The words echoed in my mind, refusing to settle. How could that be? I should've graduated by now… I should've moved on with my life. Was this real? Was I still… dreaming?
"You're lying, Chris!" I cried, pushing him away. "That was just now! Just moments ago!"
"I wish it were different," he said softly, tears glistening in his eyes. "But it's true. Your soul has been struggling to return because it's locked in a dream."
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding wildly. Memories flooded back the guy who I saw before I closed my eyes. Mysterious and haunting.
"Who was that?" I asked, voice trembling. The pain was almost unbearable.
"He gave his life for you," Chris said quietly. "He was a dream traveler."
My breath hitched. That wasn't what I wanted to hear. I wanted to know him why would someone sacrifice himself for me?
"Who is he?" I pleaded, tears spilling freely.
Chris hesitated, then whispered, "Carl. Your youngest brother."
The world seemed to tilt on its axis. Carl? My Carl? How was that possible? I knew he was a lucid dreamer, someone trapped in the dream world but a traveler? How had he crossed over?
"Your brother has passed away," Chris said gently.
I clung to him, memories crashing over me. I wanted so badly to wake up, to be with my family again. To see my mother, waiting and worried. To feel real again.
"Chris, I have to wake up," I whispered, wiping tears and trying to steady myself. "I need to know what's really happening."
I closed my eyes tightly, willing myself to awaken. But sleep held me captive. Dizzy and overwhelmed, I collapsed, sobbing helplessly.
Chris wrapped his arms around me, holding me like he'd never let go. "I love you, Michelle. Always remember that."
His voice cracked with emotion as he whispered, "I'm the only man you'll ever love, but one you can never truly have."
"Look at me," I urged, turning his face toward mine. I searched his eyes for hope.
"We will meet again. I promise you that," he said, voice trembling. "In the real world, we'll find each other. We'll talk, be together forever. We'll get married. Have children. Watch them grow up. We'll tell them our love story a fairy tale come true."
Tears streamed down both our faces.
"I love you, Chris. I've already loved you. I can't lose you again."
"Come with me," he pleaded. "Find me in real life. Please… wake up."
I reached for him, but he pulled away, his gaze distant and heavy.
"Why?" I whispered, heart breaking.
He hugged me once more, his breath warm against my cheek. Then, the words I dreaded most.
"I love you, Michelle. But I'm dead. I can't be with you anymore."
I felt like my heart shattered. Tears poured uncontrollably.
"We can't be together in this life. Please… stay with me here."
His voice was a whisper of longing. I wanted to stay wanted forever to be with him. But what about my family? My mother, alone and waiting? The guilt clawed at me.
"I'm sorry. I can't. I have to go back to her," I whispered. "But I'll visit you when I sleep. I promise, you'll always be the one I love."
He shook his head sadly, brushing tears from my cheeks.
"You can't wake up while my soul is trapped here. I must disappear. Surrender my soul like your brother did."
This cruel fate was too much to bear. Two men I loved, gone from my life.
"My love," he said softly, "promise me you will love again. Live. Have children. Tell them about me."
He smiled a smile burned deep into my soul.
"I will never love another. Only you."
I held him tightly one last time and pressed my lips to his, pouring every ounce of love and sorrow into the kiss. I would miss his sweetness, his smiles.
"Until we meet again," I whispered. "Though not this time, I pray for another life where we can be together."
Slowly, he faded, swallowed by a radiant white light.
I couldn't hold back my tears.
The tree where we met where we said goodbye began to dissolve. From here, I saw my mansion crumbling, the home I once knew.
Only the tree remained, my sole refuge.
Suddenly, dizziness swept over me, and I drifted back into the depths of sleep.