Breaking Point: Darkness Within

The Shadowing Prior to Lucas' Short Absence

         "Don't leave me, Lucas..." she mumbled.

         "Zana, are you awake? Did you hear that call or something?" he got no response, signaling that he was wrong and that she was just talking in her sleep.

         A few minutes passed and then she broke the silence again. "Protect the ones you love for the entirety of your life."

         Lucas was unsure how to feel, having heard her say something so odd and almost, in a way, prophetic. "I'm not going to lose her, am I? Is there a way that I can and must protect her more than I am?" he was beginning to worry to himself and did not say anything aloud as he was afraid that if he did, he would worry her. He wanted anything but that. He held her close to him for a few minutes. He then decided, given it was getting late, that she would be better off getting real rest. He took her in his arms, supporting her like a child and set her on the guest bed. He got her actual bed all set up and carried her once again, laying her this time on the bed she used to sleep and tucked her in, sitting on the bed but giving her some space. He began to hear her talk in her sleep once more.

          "Where are you now, dear? Please, don't leave me alone." great stress and upset came in her voice.

          "Hey, love, it's okay. I'm here and I'll protect you till the end of time itself," he had a calm tone and rubbed her face.

          She seemed to calm herself more. "Lukey," continued, did her mumbling. "I love you." She grasped his hand in hers and pulled very lightly, rather guiding it. Holding it against her chest in cuddling, protecting it in a sense, she seemed to get more comfortable. "I'll protect you eternally, sweetheart. Never shall the world separate us, not in death nor life itself. We are an unbreakable bond."

          "I can protect myself and it's my duty to keep you safe."

          "But to protect you is my job alone," she said clearly, hard to believe it was a mumble spoken in her sleep, given the shock of her answering him wasn't enough. Zana then woke up, her eyes opening to the sight of Lucas. An expression of shock filled her face.

          "Are you alright?"

          "You kept your promise," the tone was unreadable but didn't seem to be pained. "Lukey," she began to break to slight tears. "You guarded me."

          "Of course, Zana. Anything for the one I cherish most."

          "I'm so happy to hear that." She grabbed Lucas around his shoulders gently and tugged him down to lay in front of her, atop the covers. She then wrapped one arm over him, holding him close. The other arm she held between the two of them.

          "Zana, please do enjoy tonight as I won't be able to spend time with you for a little as I'm moving closer to the school. Are you going to be okay?" he tried to stay calm, making it seem like not a big deal, so she wouldn't get upset.

          "Yes. How long will you be gone for?" she was a bit upset, and it was clear to him.

          "Maybe a week."

          "When can I at soonest contact you, given I have any problem?"

          "Four days from now would probably be okay but my time will be very limited."

          She cuddled him close and with the arm that was over him, she stroked his right cheek. She sat up for a second and crawled lightly over his side, enough to see his face when she turned around. She smiled lightly and with one hand caressed his cheek and leaned in to kiss him. She was met halfway, an effort to not make her over-strain her back from the twisting. Him and she spent time together for a while longer until Lucas' mother arrived. She said her goodbye to him and hugged him before she saw him leave. She then went to her computer, unplugging it and sitting on her bed with it upon her lap. She began to type; write her alternate reality. It was a harsher world there, she knew. In that world, she was not fortunate enough to date Lucas but in a way was better as her parents had never discovered her single attempt in that reality. "But was that actually better? No, it could not have been as I may have faced great strife to forgive myself while everyone else knew nothing. If only I could see both results of the paths that existed. I'd then know what yielded the least pain for others and the most growth for me. If only they noticed hints lightly in a way and were not upset, knowing how safe I am now having learned a crucial fact. The only way to not bring pain to others or to at least have the ability to relieve it, that is to live."

          Words, these were all that she set as questions in this differing existence for herself. She wondered vastly, "What if it turned out differently?" but she knew one fact and that was that Lucas' love for her was real, and she would protect it with her life. Zana would live for it and the everyday miracles she faced, shown by the world to only those who pay attention. She welcomed each into her heart.