Chapter 4
He holds me in his arms while I cry an ocean of tears. Time seems to blur, the passing minutes merging into an endless cascade of grief. I bury my face against his chest, seeking solace in the warmth of his embrace, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat a comforting lullaby in the midst of my turmoil.
I have no idea how long it takes, but when I have nothing left to give, my eyes finally close, exhaustion weighing heavy upon my soul. The world around us fades into obscurity, replaced by a sense of calm, of peace and tranquility, that washes over me like a soothing wave. It’s an eerie sensation, being suspended in this ethereal realm, neither here nor there, yet somehow everywhere all at once.
I’m dead.
But I’m not alone.
My heart breaks for the professor, to see him here in the afterlife with me. His presence is a bittersweet reminder of the life left behind, the battles fought, and the sacrifices made. But amidst the sorrow, there’s a glimmer of gratitude, knowing that in this strange afterlife, we’re not condemned to face our trials alone. I am glad that this is a storm I don’t have to weather alone – even though that’s incredibly selfish of me.
We lie there in silence, wrapped in each other’s arms, the weight of our shared grief hanging heavy in the air. The world around us fades into insignificance as we cling to each other, seeking solace in the familiarity of our embrace. It’s a fragile moment, suspended in time, where past and present converge in a delicate dance of emotions.
My mind races with questions and doubts, but I push them all aside for now, choosing to focus on the warmth of Vance’s embrace and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my cheek. In this strange, otherworldly place, there’s no room for uncertainty or fear. All that matters is the here and now, the connection we share, and the love that binds us together.
“Is this the afterlife?” I eventually whisper to Vance.
“I don’t think so,” he replies softly.
“Why not?” I ask, pulling back slightly so that I can look him in the eye. His expression is unreadable.
“Because I never did anything worthy enough in my lifetime to justify an eternity here, with you.”
Warmth spreads from my chest through my entire body at his words and all I can do is nod, all other questions dying on my tongue. Instead, I hold Vance tight and try to pour all of my gratitude and love into my embrace.
As the initial shock of our situation begins to subside, a new sense of determination wells up inside me. If we’re not dead, then there’s a chance. We may be lost in this unknown place, but I refuse to give up hope. There must be a way back, a way to set things right and return to our world. With every fibre of my being, I cling to the belief that our journey is far from over, that there’s still a chance for redemption and reconciliation.
With a deep breath, I pull back slightly to meet Vance’s gaze once again, seeing the same resolve mirrored in his eyes. Without speaking a word, we share an unspoken vow – we will find a way out of this limbo, together. Our love may be new and tested by trials, but here in this strange afterlife-type place, it remains unbroken and unwavering.
Hand in hand, we rise to our feet, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead. The path before us may be shrouded in mystery and uncertainty, but as long as we have each other, I know we can overcome anything in our way.
With Vance by my side, I am no longer afraid.