Gale awoke suddenly in the breaking sunlight. He hissed at it like a vampire, turning over hastily, trying to cling onto that fading world. Yet the never ceasing onslaught from the waking world tore it away ferociously. He opened his eyes glaring at the opposing wall. Life had great timing.
It didn't take him much long after to ready himself. He was eager to set off. Eager to get the job done, seams as the time had been taken from him oh so quickly. He sent a faint prayer to the City, stay alive. One more day.
He would've made it straight for the car, had he not noticed the unusual looks on the patrons of the service station. All who were not rushing watched a suspended TV screen high on the wall. He followed their gaze.
The headline was a shock. It stunned him to say the least, and the pessimist in him had doubts of it, just like many others.
Yet as it was for fact, he knew it was true.
"We are awaiting a statement from both the lead scientist behind the project, as well as the owner of the Mayfair Corporation. Should be happening anytime now." On hearing of his own name, even in the guise of Alban himself made him ask questions. He reread the headline; 'Alternate Dimension Found?'
"Good morning. I would like to begin by saying thank you for attending at such short notice at this ungodly hour." his son looked bedraggled, his eyes bloodshot, his hair a mess. It made Gale sigh, yet out of bitterness seeing him in a state felt good. "As I'm sure you are all aware, my company released an utter ludicrous statement last night. Yet it was one that has been confirmed by our top researchers and those that are at the head of their field." He gestured to one side at a group of assembled scientists.
"It was a statement that I myself refused to believe, until I realised that, on some level, we all knew it was true. Our dimension is one of many. We have uncovered irrefutable proof of a structure, unbound by our laws of physics that exists outside of not only our observable universe, but beyond our dimension of space itself. This structure appears to have been made by the very fringes of mankind's consciousness, since early man gained sentience. So not only have we discovered an alternate space, but the oldest artificial structure in all of history... and the evidence of a world beyond this dimension, is this."
Gale's jaw bounced off the floor. He looked upon the crystal that awoke in his hand. It was so cracked and fractured at first, yet after moments of appearing on screen in front of so many it became whole again. It even began to glow with a glorious resonance. People saw it, people believed it. Images came up of drawings, evident from children although a few images from prestigious artists appeared too. Towers, spires, a glorious cityscape of a thousand colours...
"We believe that this is concrete evidence of the construct outside our own space-time. One that came into existence long ago and to this day, still stands despite being in a ruined state. To repeat and embellish the facts; This structure, this… City… seems to exist by laws similar, yet different from our own. It is made, and dependent entirely on the power of unconscious thought… and belief, alone. It exists in what can be called a zero-energy state until such a time as a human recognises its existence as fact." Alban took a deep breath, a chart appeared onscreen beside him, quickly followed by several more drawings of the City of Dreams. "What gets even more outrageous, is that so far under query, it seems that something close to eighty percent of those interviewed last night, some sixteen thousand people of all ethnicities and age groups all recalled the existence of this city in their dreams…"
The words following the statement faded into a haze. One that caused Gale to look away aghast, shocked, and close to having his roots pulled out from beneath him...
"...now many people are rightfully criticising the Mayfair Corporation for putting out such a statement, even after peer review. What doesn't help their new findings is it is apparent from internal sources that this was personally requested for public release by Alban Mayfair himself, who allegedly disowned..." The 'studio expert' prattled on with words, meaningless criticism outright, yet each one knocked Gale back.
Gale hurried to leave as quickly as he could, pulling his collar up to obscure the remains of bruises as he got stares from several onlookers. With the final words he heard being ones he knew so well by now, yet spoken by someone he thought would say them: "...do you remember it?"
Gale broke free of the building and took a deep breath. His senses slowly came back to him. He took another deep inhale of the morning air, and an equally deep one through his cigarette.
"Alban..." He whispered, looking out across the carpark, then further up into the heavens above. He smiled. It was probably the warmest smile he'd ever had. He walked, almost drunk in shock and ecstasy, back to the car, dropping into the driver's seat, still gobsmacked. "What have you done?"
He thought carefully through the connotations of such an event. It may yet work in his favour, but part of him doubted how it would engineer into his plan, at the least it would give the City much needed time.
He set off with the end of his cigarette still burning. The sharp morning sun was piercing and overwhelming, with only the glint off the other cars betrayed their presence. Gale was indeed quite relieved when he turned off the motorway once again, outbound along a country road that looked almost forgotten by the world in comparison to the super highway. The trees and bushes encroached close to the road and the cars upon it, the only relief of their presence was the shade they cast upon his journey.
From here on out the road wound across the countryside, drawn upon it like a child with a marker. The road drifted around villages and rolled over hills. The route took at least an hour, maybe even more. It was a diversion that was needed, he hoped it was at least…
And as the signs began to countdown the approach to his destination it was like time had begun to slow. Every turn of the wheels became drawn out. The pressure began to mount.
Using the indicator became hard, turning the wheel was strenuous, and pulling into the hospital car park was nigh on traumatic. He stared at the entrance like it was an edifice to every piece of suffering he had experienced. Gale had every flashback hit him one after another. If he didn't have a reason not to now, he would've quite happily upended every bottle he owned.
The remaining cigarettes were smoked and the sun had crept past the trees by the time he even opened the door. Why did the sun have to shine on this day?
He lowered his sun visor before he'd undone his seatbelt. Gale caught himself adjusting his clothes and hair, sprucing himself up for the occasion. To see her one last time.
His feet felt like air as he rose to his full height, shoulder back, chin up just like they taught him. But it was a loose facade. His hands shook, his steps were more like stumbles. He knew he had to do this, yet his movements were alien even to himself. He was being pulled into the hospital doors by an invisible rope. He was ensnared.
"Mr Mayfair." The receptionist greeted him with a courteous nod. Gale looked behind him, to his sides, not even recognising his own name for a moment.
"Do I have a name badge?" He asked, a vain attempt at humour. His weak grin said it all, one that had clearly been seen a thousand times walking through those doors alone.
"Your son rang ahead to say you'd be here." they explained, their expression turned solemn briefly. "Dr Malcolm should be here in just a moment."
Gale nodded, placing his hands in his pockets. He shifted around the lobby restlessly, awkwardly. Every bone, every nerve screamed for a relief from this torment. He could feel his heartbeat quicken once again. The stress alone could've made him a patient. The noise was ear shattering
"Hello again Gale, it's been a long time." The deep bassy voice cut through the impressing sounds of the bustling hospital. Gale turned to meet a familiar, if not withered face. A warm, well practiced smile lit up the room. It was pleasant. It made everything a little better. "You look worn out."
"You look like shit." Gale deadpanned. He flashed the man a wink, one met with an open hand. Gale shook it firmly, Malcolm the same. "Good to see you again Nathan."
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
"If I look like shit you look far worse. Been a while hasn't it? Nearly five years I believe." Dr Malcolm gestured up the hall. The two matched step perfectly.
"Awkward to keep touch when your former squaddie is your wife's doctor." Gale's voice still held a monotone crawl, it lacked the flavour of humour from before, there was no faint smirk either. So little was left. "There's been a lot happening."
"How's the drinking?" The question shocked Gale to the point he stopped dead, he gave Malcolm a questioning look.
"Manageable…"
"Alban talks about you alot. Often to Tala. What did you think of that announce-"
"How is she?" Gale stopped again, grasping onto Malcolm's sleeve. He pleaded, he begged. "Is she awake?"
"Gale this is not something we should discuss out here." He looked Gale up and down briefly. Malcolm frowned, lowering his tone to a more understanding one. "I can understand the nerves, Gale. You have every right to be scared, but speaking to you as a friend: You know this has to be done."
Gale blinked, slightly stunned. He kept his eyes locked onto his friends, unsure whether to lash him for his words or thank him. The doctor smiled at him.
"I've known you for a long time, Gale. You've never changed." He held out his hand, gesturing for him to continue. Gale nodded, and set off. For the first time in years without a word or remark. They walked side by side for a short while in silence. Dr Malcolm straightened his shirt, finally opening to small talk. "I must say I'm surprised you were able to give up drinking so quickly."
"Subject to requirements of service, Nathan. Earliest opportunity I'm gonna drink straight out a beer pump." Gale growled. He was uncomfortable with someone being able to understand him, it felt like someone had a periscope into his mind. Like they could speak a language even he at times struggled to understand. Yet if Malcolm knew what really was going on he'd no doubt be concerned, or worse, intervene.
Finally they came to the ward. Dr Malcolm sent his greetings around, aiming for a room kept subtly out the way. He stopped just short of the door, turning to his companion.
"Take a moment. Compose your thoughts." He instructed, Gale cocked his head.
"She's that bad?" He struggled to keep his voice from cracking. The Doctor took pity on him.
"She was never even good to begin with, Gale." He took a deep breath, it was hard, even for him. He opened the door. "I must warn you, she doesn't look the best."
Gale's eyes followed the tubes and cables attached to her. The beep of her heartbeat monitor showed a very shallow throb… the last essence of her life. The gentle quivering of her chest... the only sign of breathing.
There was nothing else.
Yet in one go the pressure had all vanished. The sheer sight of her alone undid the wealth of fear and anxiety that had crept into and tainted his mind. Tala's presence alone, it meant the world.
"You must be blind Nathan… She's just as beautiful as she always was." He stepped forward, seemingly oblivious to her fearful condition. Gale just saw her, there was nothing else. "Hey Angel, it's me. I'm here."
"She can't hear you Gale," Dr Malcolm felt uncomfortable but he had to at least say it. The realisation would come in time. "I'm sorry but you've missed a lot. She's been this way for over four years now, She's not there anymore."
"Of course she is…" Gale said, his voice so much softer, he pushed a strand of wispy dark hair off of her face. He could see her smile. She was just sleeping. "She's always there."
His attention was solely on her. She tilted her head at his touch, seeming to stir. "I know I've been gone awhile but I couldn't let you see me like that. I didn't want you to think you did anything wrong."
"How about I give you some time?" Dr Malcolm looked between the two, he felt so much pity. "Both of you?"
"Think that's best, thankyou Nathan." His hand brushed down her arm, taking her hand. He gave it a squeeze and she squeezed right back. "So much has happened I don't know where to begin… Our boy has grown up massively, he's got a beard now y'know, doesn't fit him very well. Still a bit prepubescent for my liking, It's nothing like the one I had at your Mum's wedding."
He chuckled, he heard her snort lightly. "His business worked though, told you he was a genius. Your parents still have that farm, although last I spoke to them the shed roof came down on your dad's tractor. Write off I believe, but still in better condition than our flat."
"Your City is…" He trailed off, he leaned closer to the bed, his eyes slowly ran down her form. It was almost clinical in detail, it gave answers just as so. She was still.
"Tala, please..." He took her hand gently, giving it a firm squeeze. His thumb twisted her wedding ring just as she used to whenever she got nervous. He stopped when he felt how loose it was... He squeezed her frail hand again… She didn't squeeze his back.
"...Please wake up." He hated those words, he ran a caressing finger along the perimeter of her cheekbone, she didn't smile... Her face was gaunt, lacking the life she'd had when- "Tala?"
That hand found its way to her shoulder. He gave another firm squeeze and a bit of a shake. She didn't move... she was as still as she was when he- "Tala are you there?"
Gale clasped both hands around hers, rubbing them together, trying to warm her hand. That most basic of touch, he tried. They were cold. They didn't squeeze his... "Can't you feel me anymore?"
She wasn't sleeping…
Gale jumped when he felt the tear land in his lap. He focused on her.
Her face had withered away. Her fingers were boney and thin. Her hair loose, her form was gone… Part of her had died long ago, and Gale now realised which part. That presence, it wasn't there. She was only a body being kept alive now...
Merely the ache of a memory that lived only in the past.
More tears fell, and more. The wave of loneliness struck first, then the images of those memories. Happy memories. The ones he clung to, the one he had since they made them. Not one of them was without her there, even the worse times. The laughs, the fights, the fun, the tears. Even the simple mornings.
They all came, and then they were gone. In the blink of an eye, as it ever were. There could only be memories now. Ones so precious that, like an old memory, one would be fearful of replaying incase they faded.
"I thought of so much to say, but now I'm here…" Gale's voice crackled as he spoke. His tough careless façade had been shattered, but he didn't break down and weep. No, he laughed. "Do you remember when we used to steal your dad's cigarettes and watch the cars from the overpass?"
He wiped the tears from his eyes, ones that changed form. For this moment, they were from joy. How long ago had he felt joy? "If the traffic was bad we'd aim to get the stubs into car's with their roof down…"
Gale's expression of joy began to slip. He looked everywhere but at her. He could feel those memories now. The wonders of the mind overlaid them upon his world. For these moments, she was there. She smiled in the spring breeze, she jammed that air guitar in the summer, she kissed him first under the maple tree lit by moonlight...
The memories unfurled around him like a museum of their life, every moment. Happy and sad. Even the arguments played out, at least she was happy… At Least she was there… at least she was...
Just don't look…
Yet time still moved on, and like with everything, he knew in his heart the time had come… "I can't lay you to rest Tala… I just can't."
He held her hand ever tighter, yet with no less care. He could feel her joints click and crack as he pulled her hand closer to him. He caught the faint silhouette of himself upon the faded gold wedding band, sitting so loosely where it always was. He reached for his own, running his fingers across them both. "We promised each other so much, but you never made me make that one. I can't let go of you. Do it for me, please."
Tears long awaiting their time ran down his face. He gripped her fingers tightly, falling to one knee like he had done so long ago, like he had when he placed the golden ring on her finger. He finally looked at her again. "Please... die for me, Tala..." Gale's voice croaked as he spoke. With several swallows he regained enough composure to continue.
"I don't want you to suffer being stuck between here and there because I don't have the stones to call it. You lived a good life. So much has happened that I want to…" His voice trailed off as his sorrow and anguish crashed into him. His tears ran like rain. The man had long broken, only now did the final defenses fail. His walls crumbled like the temple they'd failed to protect. He locked his eyes with Tala's closed ones. He couldn't feel the love and fire she once held in them. They were cold. They were soulless.
"Please smile for me…"
He sobbed on for a long time. Doctors and nurses came and went, but he paid them no heed. His sobs let out stumbling words and begs for any amount of life to come back to her. Life was cruel. He felt every emotion come and go, all under the shadow of misery caused by being the last half of a bigger whole. Everything was tainted now. As the silence surrounded him and the feeling of the void left by the numbness of emotion filled him, he did find some semblance of peace. Peace brought through acceptance. There was nothing else he could do. All that was left was…
"The City is dying…" His voice was hoarse now, and quiet. He spoke of it to her in the hushed tones they always had. "Something happened to it. Something hurt it, something beyond human hands… I can't explain it… But it's given me an opportunity to save it. Make the dream the reality… Like we always wanted…"
Gale trailed off as he heard familiar footsteps. He dried his face on his shirt, standing awkwardly. He still held her hand. "What do you want me to do Nathan?"
"There is no easy way to say this Gale." The man looked like he was in pain, gale looked up at him. It made what needed to be said harder. "In your absence Alban has been refusing to let her… go."
"He loved his Mum more than anything else, you can't blame him." Gale saw flashes of them together, the images came so fast and with such force they made his legs weak.
"You're her next of kin. Now you are here the decision is yours." Dr Malcolm straightened his coat, taking a keen interest in some fraid threading. He didn't need to look up to feel his friend's stare. When he did, the anger in it demanded only further explanation. "Her parents died nearly two years ago Gale, we've tried reaching out to her sister but we've had no luck… She's been this way for years, Gale. If there was going to be any improvement it would've happened by now. It's delaying the inevitable, we could take action but my superiors aren't too keen on going up against-"
"How long will it take?" Dr Malcolm sighed.
"Couple of days maybe. She won't feel a thing."
"Tell your superiors if they don't have a pair of bollocks between them they shouldn't be running a bloody hospital." Gale growled. That was his farewell to his oldest friend…
Their relationship was another casualty of this war...