Page 38 of Fragile Kiss (Fragile 2)
The end of the bridge was just ahead and she gingerly stepped forward, placing her feet directly in front of each other, until her toes were almost hanging off the edge.
“Now what?”
Now, said the voice, and she could tell whoever was speaking was smiling, jump.
“That doesn’t sound very peaceful.”
Look down.
“I thought looking down before you jump is the opposite of what you’re supposed to do.”
Tell me what you see.
Anxious, Lillian dared to look down into the water below her. At first it was only millions of glittering light fractals dancing on the undulating water.
“I don’t see—” she started, but suddenly an odd shape caught her eye. It looked like a window.
That doesn’t make any sense, she thought, leaning forward. How is there a window down there?
It was a window, and now she could see the outline of curtains, too. The gentle waves eased to a stop and the water became like a thin sheet of glass. Even the glimmers of light disappeared gradually until what was the ocean—or some mysterious, similar beautiful body of water—became more like a mirror.
“Is that my hotel room?” she asked, incredulous but also intrigued.
Yes, it is.
“I think I see. Is that my bed? Is that me lying on my bed?”
Yes, it is.
“Is that Cayden?” She already knew it was, but the question came out nonetheless. He was on his side, one hand on her hip and the other curled around her head, making himself into a sort of human fortress. Even though she wasn’t feeling herself sleep, seeing the two of them sleeping so soundly next to each other still gave her the same sensation of safety.
“So, what happens if I jump?”
Do you want to wake up?
She had to think about it for a moment. “I guess I do.”
Then jump.
Her eyes remained locked on the watery mirror. She wondered if she was ready to wake up. Being able to see herself, like an out of body experience, was amazing. But she knew the view would stay the same and nothing else interesting would happen unless she jumped back into herself.
“Thank you,” she told the voice. “The gardens were beautiful. Don’t trim them anymore. They’re perfect just as they are.”
Wake well, said the voice. Lillian smiled. Of course this wasn’t a “sleep well” moment. She was asleep already.
Wake well, she thought. I wish I could start saying that more often.
She looked around one last time, enjoying the sunlight. Nothing in her felt anxious or stressed. She had no pains in her stomach or body from her illness. Everything was perfect.
I guess that’s the beauty of a dream. Brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, she jumped forward with everything she had and splashed into the water. It wasn’t wet.
The world turned dark, and she was lost for only a second. Suddenly she began to feel her chest rise and fall and the softness of the pillow. A familiar scent tickled her nose, and she took a deep breath. Reaching her arm up, she rubbed her eye and turned on her side, listening to the gentle rustling of the sheets as she moved. It sounded just a little bit like the ocean’s waves in her dream.
“Wake well,” she whispered, but so softly she only felt her voice breathe against her lips. Cayden’s sleeping face was only inches from hers.
This may be the last time I see his face this close and this peaceful, she realized, sliding back into reality. She wasn’t awake enough to think any negative thoughts yet. The only feelings that came to her were those of heartache.
“I don’t want you to go,” she mouthed, making sure not to let her voice through this time.
