Roommates
The girl sat quietly beside the tree as Dei explained bits and pieces of the story to her. She figured, because of how well she knew him, that he’d finally actually gone off the wall and landed upside-down. But she listened attentively and made mental notes of things to ask him when he was done. Her roommate, what a guy.
Catie knew Dei to be one of the sanest patients there, but then, what was “sanity?” What was “normal?” Other than something the ignorant masses pushed on free-thinking individuals who they deemed “crazy” or “weird.” Ah, but she was waxing philosophical. She was here because she’d attempted to kill her eleventh grade History teacher. The man had tried to seduce her several times to no avail. The final time she had jammed a pencil into his forearm and tried to cut his throat with scissors. The teacher denied trying to take advantage of her, and with no witnesses, Catie plead insanity. She did put up a convincing case, but hadn’t expected to end up here. That had been three years ago. She smoked her Virginia Slim, listening to the only person she got on with go truly mad, and sighed. Dei stopped.
”Catie, I need your help.” He said. “Right now.”
”What can
I do?”
Dei explained his theories on bringing things in and out of the dream realm, and how he wanted to test it first with paper, and work his way up He told her if he could a note in with him, he might be able to bring
something out. Or
someone in.
She looked at him, trying to see how serious he was, if he was pulling her leg, but he seemed sincere and that scared her. That really made her uneasy.
Dei scanned Catie’s face for any signs of emotion – she was so good at masking it – but this time was surprised to find what looked like fear. He reached over to touch her face, to reassure her. Her long black hair fell in her face, an he lent in to fix it for her.
”Catie, I’m not lying.” He said.
”I… I know.” She replied. “That’s the problem, I believe you but its so strange…”
”Catie,” He smiled. “Its not so bad. Hey. I tell ya what… If it works, I’ll show you, I’ll take you there.”
Catie felt her face flush, and looked into Dei’s eyes; his smile was so comforting, so friendly. She kissed him, quick, and then looked away. Why had she done that? Why had she given to sudden emotion like that?
Dei’s eyes widened as she kissed him; this wasn’t what he had been expecting. He looked at her, seeing that she seemed embarrassed, ashamed. He took her hand to reassure her he wasn’t upset.
”Will you help me, then?” He asked.
She nodded, her eyes darting quickly to look on his quite briefly. “Tell me how…” She whispered.
Dei bowed his head and stood up, Catie standing with him. Silently they made their way out of the courtyard and up the stairs; the hall was so dim, so closed. Patients and staff wandered about, seemingly aimless. They both showed no signs of outward emotion towards anyone, looking instead both angry and tired. People left them be.
When they got into their room and closed the door she threw herself onto Dei, hugging him fiercely. He wrapped his arms around her waist, not understanding, but glad for the contact.
”How do we do this?” She asked. “What do I do?”
”Keep an eye on me… Look for changes,” he paused, “and see if I’m still physically
here or not.” He leant over his nightstand and scribbled a note to himself and Anianka quickly. He knew she wouldn’t be there right now, but if this worked, he could keep the note until later. Catie’s help was very much appreciated, and he’d have to tell her so, afterwards.
She must have truly lost it herself to believe the young man leant over the small table before her. But there was no harm in indulging him in his own insanity, was there? She could always claim that, should staff choose to ask… But why would they?
Silly Catie… They don’t care! She thought. Dei stood straight and turned, a grin on his pale, slender face. He looked beautiful just then.
”I’m going to take two pieces.” He told her. “A note, and one that has nothing but the word ‘destroy me’ on it. When I do destroy it, it should be gone when I wake up. Tell me what happens.”
Catie nodded and sat down in the chair next to Dei’s bed. She watched him take off his glasses and lay down, the notes clutched tightly in his hands. He used a technique he’d taught himself to overcome insomnia, and after a while everything faded away.
He opened his eyes to a large blue moon and golden stars in the maroon sky. It was mesmerizing, and he had to stop himself from getting fully entranced. Paper, in his hands. He read the two pieces over, and one simply said "destroy me". He ripped it in half, then in half again and again. Then he let the breeze carry the pieces away. Then he froze. The snake… Where was it? It was close by, but… No, he had to get away now…
Now!
Catie’s eyes widened as the notes vanished from his grip, and he now seemed transparent…
But no! Trick of the eyes, has to be… She stood up and leant over him. His breath was warm on her skin.
“Dei..?” She whispered. “Are you there?”
No response, of course, the albino was asleep. She sat back down and watched his body. His breathing picked up and he twitched. She stared, her breath caught in her throat. He was gone for a second… Just a second, and then he was back, sitting bolt-straight, panting, and with only one piece of paper in his hand.
”What?!” She was frightened, he was acting weird.
”S-Starblaze…” He whispered. He shook his head, unsure of reality even still. But… He had remembered to destroy the paper! Yes, because there was only one in his hand, which means it worked… He could, in fact, take things into Maroque.
Catie waited for a coherent response, but she was on edge. This entire situation was ridiculous, but it was happening… She’d finally gone over the edge into the black oblivion of true insanity.
”The snake is close to our campsite.” He said, finally calm enough to form a coherent sentence. “Starblaze has found Kyonsei, she was gone.”
”Ah…” She couldn’t think, couldn’t speak. Dei made perfect sense, and she was terrified.
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