I open my eyes to Olivia looking back at me, her face full of concern. I feel moisture on my cheeks. I'm still crying. My heart is pounding even faster than my trembling breaths.

"Do you want to tell me what you dreamed?" Olivia whispers, squeezing one of my hands lying limply by my side. She doesn't push for an answer; she doesn't even try to stare me down. She just lets me take my time, as though she finally understands what I've been through. I let a tiny smile creep onto my face. I've never truly realized or appreciated how lucky I am to have a friend like her.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to remember the events of my dream. When it comes back to me, I almost regret it. It was a nightmare. Sure, Omar was there, but that seems to be the only positive aspect of it. Our situation was a nightmare. And the worst part of it is that it's actually happening, here, in real life.

My eyes travel to the solid walls around us. Only moments before now, they defeated me. Defeated by a wall. And still, somehow, this strong inanimate object is the only thing holding Omar and I apart.

I still haven't said a word to Olivia, but I almost don't want to turn my nightmare into words at all. Besides, there's one more thing I want to be sure of first.

As I rise from my reclining position, I face no resistance from Olivia. She easily withdraws without a word. I feel her eyes following me as I move across the room, but not in a sceptical way. I barely take notice of Oriel, who is still lying fast asleep in the corner. My eyes are fixated on the wall, and that's the only place I'm directed to.

Within a foot or so of the wall, I reach out my hand. I turn my head away and close my eyes as though my life depends on this. And if you asked me, I'd say it does.

Then I make contact with the wall. At least I think I do.

I'm startled at first, because my fingers don't seem to touch anything. But when I turn back towards the wall, I find my suspicions to be true. My arm is thrust right through the wall to my very elbow. We were right. It's all just an illusion!

I mouth is agape with a smile as I pull my arm back out and examine it. It's safe as safe can be. Apparently, situations are always worse off in dreams. I rush over to Olivia and hug her with excitement. "We can get out!"

My not-so-quiet exclamation causes Oriel to stir. He sits up, dazed. I throw my arms around him and pull him up off the ground. "We're leaving now," I tell him. "The walls aren't real. It's all a trick that Doct—that your father thought we'd be too dumb to figure out."

I reached my right arm through the wall again. Oriel gasped. "What in the..."

Then it's my turn to let out a small yelp. Something's pulling me from the other side of the wall. A feeling of panic starts to rise in my heart. We've been caught!

Whatever's pulling me, drags me the rest of the way through. "Omar," I breathe, relief painted across my face.

"Lucinda."

"O-Omar..."

He responds with a kiss. He holds me in his arms tighter than I imagined was possible. We're silent for a few moments. Then he whispers, ever-so-softly, into my ear. "Yes, dear. This is me. And this is you. We've found each other. We're in the same place for the first time. We did it, Lucinda. We did it."

I smile into his shoulder. Tears roll down my cheeks, but they're dyed with nothing but joy. As we stand there, together, everything else melts away. We're in the same reality now; so we drift away into our own fantasy. Together.

A couple minutes go by before I remember that I left Oriel and Olivia on the other side of the wall. "I should probably go get them," I say quietly, afraid to break the magic of the moment.

Omar nods, hesitantly letting go of me. "Wait." He grips my shoulder. "So...you're engaged?"

"Yeah," I respond. "But it's not what it seems. I'll explain later. All you need to know right now is that I love you." I prepare to climb through the holographic wall again, hoping these words will at least satisfy him for the time being.

I make my way to the next cell. My mouth is open—I'm prepared to let out the words, telling my companions that it's safe to come with me. But I never get the chance.

When I step back into our cell, I conclude without a moment's hesitation that the terror awaiting me is more dreadful than any nightmare I've ever experienced.