What Dreams May Come

Chapter 32: just change your mind

Levi was already awake when they came to get him. His greatest fear was that Dylan wouldn't wake up in time, or even refuse to see him. He didn't have long, and he had to somehow tell her about the book on her nightstand. He needed to tell her that this wasn't her fault, and he hadn't meant it when they had fought over ridiculous things. Levi was certain he wouldn't have time to say everything needed, but he'd try nevertheless.

O'Keefe stopped in the doorway, staring for longer than necessary.

"I haven't changed my mind," Levi told him.

"Non, I didn't imagine so," the older man replied. "Taylor is waiting for you."

"What?"

Levi rose from his seat and followed the other down the hall. He wondered if the captain would make good his threat if Levi ran off again, but honestly, where could Levi go? He wouldn't survive trekking out to the Aeneid. He got lost in the base as it was, never mind running at any speed. And while he didn't eat food now, eventually he'd feel tired and hungry, and he would not drag Dylan into his stubbornness.

"Levi!"

Dylan's mother embraced him and then looked him over with a frown, as if worried that O'Keefe might have hurt him.

"The boy is fine, Taylor," O'Keefe grumbled.

"Just give up the codes, let them forget this ship," Taylor pleaded with Levi. "Dylan is devastated, and I want to tell her that it was misunderstanding, don't you?"

This wasn't fair. He knew he could stand up to Walsh and O'Keefe's fury, but Taylor's pleading begged him to reconsider. But he couldn't. If he gave up now, then the Canary would be lost.

It was ridiculous how much agony a ship four years into his future was causing this base. O'Keefe behaved as if the ship's arrival was eminent. They were all behaving like he was going to be the base's demise by breathing.

"I can't, Taylor," he said with a heavy heart. "This is why my father kept me in cryo so long; this is my parents both died without seeing me again; I'm not going to let that man be the judge and jury on hundreds of people who have done nothing wrong. I won't be a part of it."

Taylor sighed, but didn't look surprised. "I don't suppose I can change your mind at all?"

"Not unless you can change O'Keefe's mind," he answered.

She embraced Levi again, but released him quickly. He wished that he had better news for her, and wished that his disagreement with Walsh and the captain hadn't had such dire consequences.

"I'm going to wake Dylan now, we'll meet you there, I guess."

"I'm sorry," he told her.

She nodded and left the room. O'Keefe had a half smile on his face that Levi felt was sorely out of place.

"I don't know where cryo is from here," Levi said. "Sir."

"Rainier will take you," the captain said. "Rainier!"

Another man who Levi vaguely remembered popped into the room, gesturing at Levi to follow him. They didn't speak. Levi didn't know how much the other man knew, and he didn't want anyone else to get in trouble with him.

The cryo bay gave him the shivers, and he realized how much he was dreading going back into the coffin-like box. Levi wasn't claustrophobic, or at least, he didn't think he was, but the very thought of getting back into the box was enough to make him wish he could reconsider.

"We'll put you in a new cryo box this time," Rainier said, unaware of Levi's discomfort. "No suit, so you won't have to strip down. Just wait here."

Levi nodded as the other man walked off. He looked at the wall of chambers, wondering how many people were in these walls. How many collective years they had waited to be resurrected and how many more years they would have to wait. Levi had no idea if they would bring him back in five, ten or a thousand years. The thought terrified him.

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 I'm glad you have joined me on this journey. One more chapter to go!