The next few days were a dream for Lance. He finally made a friend, and he enjoyed her presence. Though he would have enjoyed the sight of the girl, not just her eyes and shape.

Lance only saw her exact form that one time and tried many times to see it again, but to no avail.

Lance was just glad she was willing to deal with his routine of leaving school. Well, at least, Alice was until after the second day. She grew impatient and said she would come up with a plan to help him.

Her plan was bold, to say the least. Alice decided he should stop hiding altogether. So, very reluctantly, Lance agreed to her plan.

Lance’s heart was pumping a thousand beats per second. He wanted to throw up and just wait and not be seen by all these shadows. He wanted to run, but his legs continued the forward march toward the gate, where Alice was waiting.

Lance made slow work of the distance between them. Lance could feel the stares on me. The people around Lance could of at least tried it hide their distaste.

“That’s him right?”

“He’s gots balls to come out now.”

“I forgot he was even at this school.”

Okay, Lance thought. That last one was just mean. Granted, I did leave after everyone else, but still. Lance didn't need to hear this. The instinct to run was acting up, and he was sweating profusely.

Just as Lance made it to Alice. He saw a movement and turned to see a can thrown at him. Lance’s threw up his arms in defense, but nothing hit him. He looked through up his arms and saw the can on the ground while the contest was sprayed over an invisible wall that was defending him. Alice grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the gate.

“Do you like my barrier?” She poked at Lance with a playful voice. Lance, having very few chances to witness magic, was in awe of it. Even if he hated this world and the people he was mysteriously drawn to magic, but it was a pipe dream, now and then.

“Yeah. Thanks for the save back there.” He managed a weak smile. Lance hated himself for not being able to smile right.

“It not a problem. I mean I don't want these pieces of TRASH to hurt you.” Alarms were going off in Lance's mind. The volume of it was deafening, and Lance was sure many people could hear it. He could practically taste the hate in the air.

He felt holes burning into his back. Alice, either had the greatest poker face than he imagined or was just dense, as she kept a straight face and was unaffected by them. She just kept on walking.

Lance wanted to leave the school in a hurry, but Alice kept her normal pace, and they went slowly.  However, this was lowering years of Lance’s life.

“Ca….Can we take a break I need to rest?” Lance held his heart as the stress was building in him. He felt like his legs would give any second.

They sat a nearby bench. Lance laid back and let his eyes look into the sky. However it’s gray luster did nothing for him, except make the situation even worse. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a vending machine.

He rose and flashed a single finger for one minute. He then continued to the machine. He searched his pockets and found the right change.

He pressed the button and popped the can open. Drinking the orange liquid with great vigor. He coughed as some of it went down the wrong pipe. Man, I don't want this anymore. I hate this. Maybe I should just run now he thought. A sudden barrage of raindrops brought him back to his senses.

He cursed and ran back to the beach, but when he got there it was vacant, and Alice was nowhere to be seen. Did she leave? No, she wouldn't do that.....Right? She wouldn't leave him behind.

A barking broke his negative thoughts. He searched for it, but couldn’t find the source. He looked his left and saw the bridge. Maybe over there

He moved quickly and looked around. Then he saw Alice’s shadow in the river. What the heck was she doing? Upon closer inspection, he saw a bundle of fur clinging to a rock in the middle of the river.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

The river at normal was waist deep, but with the rain, it would undoubtedly be rising, and it would only get harder over time. He needed to move., so he ran down the side and jumped over the edge of the ridge. He hit the slope at a severe angle and tumbled down like a log.

It happens so fast Lance needed time to gain his bearings. He felt the warm blood on his hands, and his knee was bruised.

He rose from his position and without regard to his clothes.Lance went right into the dark river.

The river was like a gale force wind. It was difficult just to stand up, let alone move and try to save a dog. Nonetheless, Lance moved slowly toward the Alice and the dog.

He got to the rock, with a lot of difficult. Lance heard the tree swaying and thunder and lightning dancing in the sky. The river echoed loud in his ears. As he had guessed, he was up to his shoulders in water.

Lance held on the to the rock, but it was very slick and hard to get a good grip on it. “What are....” Before Lance could finish, a wave of water smack into him and go down his mouth.

Lance coughed violently, and when he hopped his eyes, his mind was filled with a dream.

Alice, holding the dog, had lost her grip. She was barely holding onto a branch from a nearby tree farther down. She wore a pained expression. Her grunts of pain were audible from where she was.

Why doesn’t she just let go of the dog? Is one dog worth your life? Lance's mental thoughts, apparently, wouldn't reach her, but he couldn’t help it. Nothing she was doing made any sense to Lance.

He found a good grip on the rock and moved to help them, but his foot found no ground that he could stand on, he was stuck there. Meanwhile, Alice’s body was out of arm's reach, but then an idea struck him.

He moved on the rock and extended his hand “Here!! Take my hand!” Lance tried his best to scream. He felt the immense strain on his arms. He cursed himself for not keeping in shape.

The water smacked his arm and made his grip loosen. “Hurry! I can't hold on much longer” Lance shouted again, but still no response. Through his barely opened eyes. He saw her move.

Yes! She moved and extended her arm.

Lance could have jumped for joy, His plan was working, but his joy and hope were dashed almost immediately.

Why!? Lance mind raced. Instead of a hand touch his he felt wet fur. Surprise Lance forced one eye open and saw that instead of her hand Alice put the dog first.

Lance’s horror filled eyes looked at Alice's face. She didn’t look scared. Her shadow just smiled. The smile crushed his heart. Stop smiling like you don’t have a care in the world!

Lance found his voice and his anger rose “Idiot give me your hand, not the dog!” Again she only smiled and nodded no to him. Lance's heart was shattering, and he felt the sting of tears.

Lance had to choose now. Take the dog and go free or hope that Alice would see the error and give up.

Lance knew the second would never happen. She was too headstrong and held saving others more important than saving herself. His only evidence was himself. She had extended it to him after all.

Lance, against what his mind screamed, Took the dog by the fur and nodded to her. He gritted his teeth and knew all too well he had no strength for a return trip. So he went with her wishes even if they would leave him with pain.

Lance struggled and used all his remains strength to battle the coming waves. He lost his footing and nearly went under the water. He caught himself. He breathing hard, and his legs ached from all the water that was coming in. Small low pitched whines kept him up.

Lance found solid ground and threw himself onto his. He landed with a hard thud. His back hit the solid dirt, and all the air in his lungs came out.

He wanted to scream, but he couldn’t do anything. His body refused to move. He urged it many times but could do nothing else. He let the dog run out his arms and managed to look at it. All he saw were sad eyes. Was it urging him to go back to his savior?

What do you want me to do? I can't move anymore. It is better if I just give up....Yeah giving up is what I do best. He looked at Alice, but now she back to begin just a shadow like all the rest. No brown hair, that held a cinnamon scent. No eyes that would look straight through him, Nor hands that would hold his.

Lance felt something go down his cheek. He moved his hands and wiped away the tears,

Why am I crying? I gave up. There is no point in saving her. I can’t do it! He screamed at himself. His body was starting to move. His memories together ran through his mind. It was short, but for some reason, he found new strength. He was able to stand.

Yeah, now I can leave this place. Lance was heard a snap and watch in horror as Alice went under and away with the current.

See, it was pointless to worry. I should've never gotten involved with her. He felt his heart go cold. All his feelings left him, and he felt nothing. He was finally back to normal.

He turned to go, but the”world” that waited for him was cold and colorless. That’s right This is my world. It is about time I went back.

All it would take was one step forward, and his life would go back to normal. Free of warmth, or a shred of human dignity. And that was okay by him.

Like hell it is! His mind screamed, and his body listened. He plugged in the cold river water.

I can’t go back! I need her!