I’m floating.
I recognize the place, but can’t for the life of me remember why I’m here again, or how. I don’t remember anything but the darkness, and for some reason I welcome it. Neither hot nor cold, neither movement nor stillness, simply existing. It just is.
I just am.
Who are you? I ask.
But it doesn’t matter, I respond. It no longer matters. You’re here now, here to stay.
I tussle with that idea. I’m certain there’s something of consequence I should be doing. The darkness embraces me, muffling these treacherous thoughts.
This is what you’re supposed to be doing, it seems to tell me as it soothes me into a soft, gentle oblivion. This is a great improvement over what awaits you outside.
Outside?
I glance about, searching for a source of light. There should be light somewhere. I remember that from… before. I’ve been here before. I’ve…
The darkness deepens and weighs down on my senses. Perhaps it’s correct after all. Perhaps I’ll just stay here a little longer and…
“Beatrice?”
What’s she doing here? And what’s her name?
A young woman with bright blue eyes hovers nearby, a light shining from her skin, hurting me, chasing away the magnificent darkness.
There’s something I want to tell her, that I need to tell her, something about this place, but I can’t remember what anymore, which means it’s really not that crucial.
“Beatrice,” another voice calls to me, disturbing the silence and stillness.
Go away.
“No, Beatrice,” it perseveres. A second light source appears, chasing away more of that beautiful darkness.
You’re not supposed to be here, I tell them. This place isn’t yours.
Then again, I’m sure it’s not mine either. Whose is it? Does it matter?
“Beatrice,” the second voice says, insisting.
I look to it, wanting to tell the handsome man to shut up and leave me alone, but I can’t.
I know him. What is his name?
Who are you people?
“It’s me. Gideon,” the man says. “You need to leave this place. They’re waiting for you.”
Gideon.
That name is so familiar.
“You hate me,” I say, and the noise of my voice startles me.
“No,” Gideon says, his eyes radiating a light that reminds me of an emotion.
Love? No, that can’t be right.
“Yes it is,” he insists. “I could never hate you, Bee. How could I when I cherish you so?”
His words ease a sorrow I didn’t know I carried.
“It was an accident,” I murmur. At least, I think it was. I can’t remember what transpired, as the memory exists outside of this space. But I know it wasn’t my fault.
“I know,” Gideon says, his eyes fixed on me.
“You need to leave, Bee,” the woman speaks. She’s pretty and I see another energy nestled within hers. “They need you outside. They’re waiting for you.”
It’s too comfortable here, and as attractive as those two bright orbs of light are, I don’t want to go. I sink away from them. The darkness comforts, blocks pain, erases memory and other inconveniences of life. I continue to drop into the depths, and I will continue to do so.
Except there’s a wolf following me.
It’s pure energy, brighter than the other two, and it won’t leave me alone.
It bites into my shoulder and drags me up, up, up into a world of light and pain and…
I faint away.