Page 132 of A Second Chance

Derick clears his throat and pulls himself together. "I'm, uh...going to check on my wife." He wipes his face and walks over to the side of Scar's bed. He leans in, kisses her forehead, and whispers something I can't hear.

"I'll be back," he mutters and leaves the room, shutting the door behind him.

I glance at Scar and notice she's getting some color back in her face. I lift myself from the chair and lean in, kissing her on the lips. "I love you. Please come back to me, Tinkerbelle."

FIFTY-EIGHT

SCAR

Where the hell am I?

When I open my eyes, I am hit by a bright yellow light glimmering in the sky behind tall trees. Birds are singing in the distance and flying in the air. The grass is dark green, and the dirt path is as brown as mud. The colors are so vibrant, like they are in 4K resolution.

My heart rate picks up when I realize where I am. I'm standing in front of our old cabin. Dirt bikes are lined up in the driveway, and the screen in front of the door is cracked open. My feet move on their own until a familiar voice halts me in place.

"Hey, Skittles."

Slowly, I turn around, and my breath catches in my lungs, rendering me speechless.

Am I dreaming?

"Looks like you’re lost, Scar." Seth beams at me.

His voice sounds the same and he looks the same as before he died. I need to wake up. I'm losing it again. The freaking hallucinations are back.

Seth's deep laughter warms my heart. "Always doubting." He shakes his head in amusement. "And to answer your question, you are not dreaming."

"How...how is this possible?" I take a step forward.

Seth closes the distance between us, his smile never faltering. He reaches out and tugs on one of my pink curls. "I like this look. It suits you."

"Seth?" I croak, not wanting this to be a dream.

"We don't have much time," he tells me.

I narrow my eyes in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"You don't belong here, and I'm going to get you back home."

I shake my head stubbornly. "No, I don't want to go back. I want to stay with you."

He pulls me into a hug, and I hold onto him, grasping the back of his shirt, not wanting to let go. He still smells the same—like clean linen.

"You don't mean that." He pulls me away, and I want to cry. "Shaun needs you. Mom and Dad need you." He pauses for a second before he speaks again. "AndMavneeds you."

The tears break through the dam, and I fall apart in his arms. My body shakes as I sob and hold onto my brother.

"I miss you so much," I cry against his chest.

"I miss you too, Skittles."

"You broke my heart, Seth."

"I know."

"I never got a chance to say goodbye."

"I know."

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