Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ A Second Chance ❯ A Dream ( Chapter 8 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Authors Note: I've moved into my new home and settled down now. I can't gaurentee that the speed of chapters will improve tons though. I'll work on it as much as possible, but I find that I do my best writing when I'm in the mood or interested. Not to mention college and the obvious work related issues. Sorry folks.


People were staring in awe as Ryan blazed by in an all out full speed run. Exhaustion was tearing its way through the muscles in his legs. His lungs were all so deteriorating in performance. They were stinging bad, you could tell because Ryan was holding his chest with his right hand pressing firmly against it. One of his eyes was squinting from the pain.

“Not good… My chest is hurting like crazy. I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up. The drinking I did before this isn’t helping either. My head feels like it’s about to burst open.”

Ryan spins his left arm out in front of him, quick glances the watch then returns to swinging it augmenting his running balance.

“It’s already eight forty-five… THAT ONLY LEAVES FIFTEEN MORE MINUTES!”

His face was beat red and he was perspiring profusely. The road in front of him was hazy and blurry. Exhaustion was starting to take its toll on Ryan’s vision.

“The hospital is only four more blocks away. If there’s anything left in me, please this is the time for you to come out. This is the home stretch! I’ve made it this far and with 5 minutes left you better believe I’m not about to give up now.”

Every last bit of energy was brought out for this final run. He even let go of his chest to enhance the balance and speed with his right arm now swinging in complete opposite unison with his left. The hospital was in clear view. Turning the corner to the parking lot, Ryan saw the doctor leaning against the front entrance door waiting for him. His running ceased as he neared the doctor and began walking towards him. The legs beneath him were wobbling violently as he approached Dr. Crespin.

“I see you made it just in time. She’s been waiting patiently for you. Say… You don’t look too good.”

Ryan stops just in front of the doctor.

“I’m… I’m… …”

Unable to finish his sentence, Ryan dropped to the floor sideways in front of Crespin. His body had exceeded its limit and now it was punishing him. Ryan’s consciousness faded rapidly.

“Ryan! Ryan! Are you ok?! Say something! Nurse… out… Ryan… help… …”

A rich white light was encompassing Ryan’s gaze. It was vibrant and blinding. As the light subsided, a park came into view. Kids were playing and having a good time while their parents were gossiping up a storm on the benches and walkways. This was all clear to the eye but for some reason there was no audio. Nothing at all could be heard.

“Where am I? What’s going on?”

The kids in the park were rampant and cheerful, all except two of them. Alone, they sat in the sand box playing calmly. A boy and a girl, didn’t seem any older then five. The girl had glimmering purple hair that was swaying in the breeze. Her eyes were a dim red just like Ryan’s. The boy had dark bloodshot eyes as if he was unhealthy or lacking sleep. His hair however was a lustrous purple just like the girls. A small sand castle was forming in the middle as they both pushed and pressed against it shaping it to perfection.

As Ryan closed in on the sand box he realized neither of them were people he knew or thought he knew. Leaning over he asked for the boys name but there was no response. The boy didn’t even acknowledge his presence. He tried asking the girl but received the same reaction. Giving up, Ryan decided to explore a bit. The park had a significant feeling to it. Almost as if he had been there before. The tree’s leaves and the flowers were in full bloom signaling spring. For some reason the area surrounding the park was nothing but an endless stream of light. It scared him into retracing his steps back to the sand box which was now had 3 kids present.

The third kid was attending to the sand castle which was still being built. He was all so engaging in conversation with the two of them. Unfortunately Ryan couldn’t hear a word of it. Upon further inspection the new kid kind of resembled Ryan. His short black hair and red eyes were too perfect of a match to his.

“That’s me! What am I doing here,” said Ryan in his mind completely dumbfounded.

“It’s true that I recognize this park a little… Maybe it was a place I played at in the past. Come to think of it, I rarely sit down and try to uncover my own past. When I was little, something happened; I lost a lot of my memory. I can’t even remember what it was that caused it.”

Looking up he noticed the castle was now complete. All three of the kids were smiling and laughing while dancing around the castle. Their enjoyment was short lived however. A few adults had came over, picked them up, and hauled them off down the walkway into the endless stream of white. The third kid sat there in awe as they were being taken away. The girl made somewhat of an effort to say goodbye to the kid that was left behind. She fought around in the adult’s hands until she was able to wave to him. She all so spoke a few words. What good was it to Ryan though being unable to hear it?

“This has to be some kind of dream. I don’t care about this place. I want to know how serenity is. This dream means nothing to me, all I care about right now is Serenity! WHERE ARE YOUUUU!?”

“Ryan… RYAN, “ yelled Dr. Crespin trying desperately to bring Ryan to his senses.

“…ehh..? What happened? Where am I? Where’s Serenity,” was Ryan’s dazed response.

“Take it easy. Looks like you overworked your body a bit. Smells like you’ve been drinking too, you trying to kill yourself?”

“No I was in a hurry… Didn’t have much time,” said Ryan while looking around figuring out where he was.

“Yep, you’re in her room and she WAS sleeping in that bed beside you but she heard you screaming in your sleep and was terrified. What on earth were you dreaming about?!”

“It wasn’t a nightmare, I was just alone and no one would acknowledge my presence. It was frightening, more over it was… lonely. Then I started thinking about Serenity.”

Spontaneously he looked over to see Serenity cramped up in the corner of her bed holding the sheets tight over her knees and shoulders staring into space while trembling and shaking in fear.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry Serenity,“ said Ryan as he walked over to her bed, leaned over, and hugged her tight. Her head rested gently on his shoulder after she realized who it was.

“I’m sorry… Everything’s going to be ok now. I shouldn’t have been so late, I’ll make it up to you I promise.”

“Well you lucked out Ryan. You collapsed right in front of me, so the nurse and I brought you here. You can use the second bed here beside hers. I’m breaking lots of rules here so don’t do anything stupid… all right?”

Without even waiting for a response the doctor had left the room as quickly as his sentence ended. Ryan had released Serenity from his grasp and was now staring deep into her eyes resting both hands on her shoulders. For a moment there was bitter silence. Ryan was bewildered by her dim red eyes and purple hair. It shocked him to the realization that she might have been the girl in his dream. Even so, who were the other two boys in her dream then? It’s true that the one boy that resembled him could have actually been him but still, it was quite a mystery.

He had now completely released her and proceeded over to the bed designated to him. Slipping into the covers completely lost in thought and turned away from her, his mind was spinning wildly. The life he once had, so simple yet so dull was now full of wonder and mystery upon looking back on it. His past held many secrets and only now did it begin to interest him. Turning over now facing the ceiling he gave out a small yawn and closed his eyes.

“There’s no reason to think about all of this right now. Even If I did, I wouldn’t be able to uncover anything from what I know as of now. There are too many pieces of the puzzle still missing. All that matters right now is helping Serenity.”

His eyes opened spasmodically as the covers on his bed shifted without notice. A warm soft object pressed against his chest. Looking down without movement he saw silky purple hair. Serenity had walked over and laid down against him while he was lost in thought. Her ear was pressed against his chest collecting the vibrant heart beats dispersed from him. That was enough to calm and sooth her to a state of sleep.

“Tomorrow we begin a new life together. Perhaps it was fate that we met the way we did? Who knows what tomorrow holds for us. Together were going to uncover our pasts and open up you mind. Good night… Serenity…”