ssa'

rd was a tender voice which felt calm

ly, "so full of visions and dreams that we planned on b

glued shut. The voice carried something familiar - something that pulled me closer to consciousness. Then

nment and I instantly recalled that I passed out because of some allergic reaction. I squinted, trying to adjust. At first, ever

os

it shorter now, his jaw a little sharper, but his eyes - tho

instant noodles, to dreams written on scrap paper and stuck to our dorm walls. That same warmth rose in my chest, heavy and painful

eel that way. I pushed those memories down quickly, bury

ttle worried. He leaned closer the moment

e you back?" I whispered. The sound of his name on my

ssion change with his concern deepening and hardening into something close to anger. "Mel

omfortable. I shifted on the bed, trying to pull the sleeve of the hospital blanket back down to cover the marks on my wrist. Th

n't ready to give. My silence only confirmed what he feared. The br

voice rose slightly, anger breaking through his calm this time. "I'll find him,

I said quickly, reaching for his arm.

g down at me wit

He didn't know about the contract that had trapped me in this nightmare. He didn't know that

not Melissa the dreamer, but Melissa the woman who sold

"You know what, Josh," I said, softer this tim

ain. He sat back down beside me and gently reached for my right hand. Hi

his thumb brushing my knuckles. "

d drawn me to him years ago. And for a moment, I almost wanted to tell him everything. That I was

coul

with a small laugh that didn't sound like me. "It's just... the robot launch for th

use, but he didn't push further. He'd always been lik

n't feel weak. "Besides," I added, adjusting my gown as I turned to him,

said quietly. "When I found you there, barely breathing..." His voice tr

pressed heavily on my chest. "I'm

lty," he said, stepping closer. His tone was calm bu

cond, I saw flashes of what could've been like mornings spent laughing in our dream a

ld take root and I couldn't

sudden dizziness hit me. The world spun slig

hit the floor. His hands gripped my arms which felt

ounding me. My heart reacted before my mind could stop it, beating faster and

hispered, even

voice barely above a whisp

r that had grown tense between us. "Guess the al

her, his eyes stayed locked on mine, searching, like he was trying to read everything I wasn't sayin

"Thanks," I said, forcing my tone back to

started, but I c

his, Josh," I said, trying to sou

himself. He exhaled deeply, running a hand thr

nding to check for my phone. My throat tightened again - not from the

. "There's something I need to

sa," he said, his voice low and steady, "whatever you're caught in right now, I

my throat and nodded w

I spoke, I

't an option for