Prologue: The Icy Grasp and the Warm Embrace

“Chris.”

My body froze under the blankets. There was a chill in the air, and there was not a sound, save for my breathing. The moonlight shone softly through my window, casting eerie shadows about my room. “Talk to me,” the voice pleaded, seeming a little closer than it was but a few moments before. A slight breeze ruffled the curtains, my room becoming a scene from a horror movie.

The cold crept up my legs, and the breath that was drawn into my lungs seemed to ice them over. My vision blurred, and for the briefest moment, I saw a wavering in the air, as though something was trying to make itself seen. Even though I was literally scared stiff, I had a feeling that I shouldn't be afraid. There was a click, and my fear dissipated completely.

“Michael,” I asked, voice quivering. The voice was familiar; one that I had heard for years. My vision hazed again, but this time it was from tears. They stung my face as they ran down my cheeks, splashing on the blanket below.

Memories flooded my head as I closed my eyes tightly. Brilliantly piercing blue eyes, deep red hair, and pale skin forced their way into my mind's eye. Recalling a dazzling smile and a gently placed kiss almost made me forget everything.

The frigid air I was breathing threw me back into reality, my blankets clutched up to my chest. I felt the atmosphere lighten, something which I could only assume was because my fear had faltered. I was slightly more at ease, but the cold still hung in the air. Despite this, it seemed to be warming slightly, trying to return to the temperature of an average summer night.

“Michael,” I called again, my voice now unwavering. I sat there for what seemed like forever, waiting for a response. I wasn't frightened anymore, but more worried than anything. Finally, the breeze rolling in from the window was the warm, humid wind it was supposed to be. Reluctantly, I slid back down, wrapping myself in my blanket again. My eyes filled with tears again as I thought of him.

For someone like me, supernatural happenings were common. It was not rare for me to hear a voice, feel a prescence, or even see a person who had been long dead. I had always believed in spirits, ever since I was young. In a way, I suppose that is what drew them to me. There was something different now, about the experience I just had.

Not one time since I had begun to see and hear them had I ever run across a spirit that I had know in when they were alive. It was easy to help those spirits move on, because there was no reason for me to tell them to stay. My words would encourage them to move on to where they were happy, and never had I wanted to do anything different.

Now, it was like my world was being turned upside down. This was Michael that I was dealing with. What could I do? How could I tell him to move on when I myself wasn't ready for him to? I had never had to make such an impossible decision in my life. On one hand, I could do what I had always done by telling him to keep going; not to bind himself to this world. And on the other hand, how could I do such a thing when I felt like he was coming back to comfort me. It was selfish, but it was my human nature kicking in.

As my eyelids became heavy, I felt myself drifting off to sleep. My thoughts were simply too much to sort out now. “Sleep on it,” I muttered to myself, almost fully asleep. Suddenly, I felt the cold again, like a hand wrapping around my wrist. I tried to jump up or open my eyes, but it was no use. I couldn't move, and it seemed like I was being sucked into a dream.

I opened my eyes to the bright sunlight surrounding me. It was humid and warm, and I was under the shade of a large tree. I felt the bark against my back, and I sighed contently as I looked around. This place seemed endless, the field stretching on for what seemed like forever beyond the hill that I sat on. I felt a light tug on my hair, which seemed to be tied back neatly into a ponytail.

“Hello, Chris.”

My heart stopped as his voice reached my ears. I stood slowly, and turned around, fighting back the red hot tears again. He stood there, seeming very much alive. His red hair was wavy and flowed down to his shoulders. From under the shadow his bangs cast upon his face, those unbelieveably bright, azure eyes stared back at me. His face was as kind as ever, lips curved into a smile, and his pale skin almost making him look fragile.

“I'm not a dream,” he said, answering the question that was formulating in my mind.

“You have to be,” I said, still trying to hide the tears. “I saw you die.” It was pointless to hold them back anymore, so I let the tears streak my face.

“All that matters is that I am right here, right now.” He smiled and stepped toward me. I looked to my feet, ashamed of my tears. I felt his arms wrap around me, pulling my head against his chest. “Oh, Chris,” he said, as if comforting a small child.

I felt dread as the ground began to disappear around me, and I began to feel the cottons of my bed. I knew that I was waking, though I tried to hold on with every ounce of willpower I could muster. We were separated once already, was life so cruel as to do it a second time? “Then again,” I thought to myself, “This is a dream.”

“I'm not going away.” His voice was like a ward against the dismay that I was feeling. I held on strong to the warmth that was coming off of his body, not ready to let go and face the real world. “Go ahead,” he urged. “I am still with you, dream or not.”

I opened my eyes only to see my room, the sun streaking in through my window. Though I couldn't feel his arms around me, the warmth of that embrace lingered as I awoke. I laid there without moving, waiting for the feeling to pass, not willing to interrupt it.

Author's Note

Let me know if you find any errors. Also, please let me know if you want me to continue.

Reviews

[Katie Wan]

I say continue. The story immediately grabbed my attention from the first word and held it until the end. I would love to read what happens next.

[Sseoni]

You definitely need to continue this book! It's great! I feel so bad for Chris because he's having to deal with so many things. Wonderful imagery! Very vivid and clear details and descriptions. I wonder what will happen next and if you'll continue this! I hope you do! :D