Chapter 8.5: Goodbye
This was my world, and I was its master. With an application of my will this dream halted and started to reverse until that woman was at the gates, about to depart my city of dreams. There time halted, freezing her and the rest of the city’s inhabitants.
I approached her cautiously willing her hazy incorporeal form to become solid. I paused a moment to just observe her. She was beautiful. The absolutely serene expression on her face was captivating. I then gently hugged her as she had hugged me so long ago. She was so much taller than me in this childish form of mine.
‘I forgive you’
I did not have the courage to say those words out loud. Not with the thing still shadowing my steps. I then willed time to return to normal and waved goodbye to her as she departed, as though to a loved one going on a long journey.
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I turned around to find the entity staring at me with its head cocked to the side, in a pose which reminded me of a child’s idle curiosity.
“Would you like to know what became of her?” It repeated its question.
I thought about its query before deciding to accept its wisdom at least in part.
“There is no need. She went onto find her closure” I told it with conviction. I found my heart to be a little less burdened now. At least some of my darkest fears hadn’t come to pass. That she was somewhere out there living her life on her own terms was enough for me.
“So, you can still learn. Good, then I'm not wasting my time on you.”
With that it quickly robbed me of the peace I'd experienced for a few short moments. The spike of irritation I felt would have been more pronounced if it hadn’t just reinforced what I’d already known, it’s aid had strings attached. Far be it for the divine to do something kind without expecting something in return.
“Our time together grows short for now. Rest assured, next time you dream I will guide you to this memory palace and continue helping you unravel the source of your malady”
Before I could respond I felt a pulling sensation on my navel area and found my vision start to fade.
With a start I opened my eyes in the waking world, only to find them to be a bit damp.
Not having the will to start my day just yet I continued to lay in bed using my arms to shield my eyes from the sun.