"Chris! Please!" My vision was blurry but I could still make out her face. She was beautiful, despite her face covered in ash. Her auburn hair was tangles and matted but it was still the softest thing I've ever held. Despite her tears, her green eyes still shown through them. She's crying because of me, I thought.

"Abigail, please," my breath was shaky and my crushed rib cage made it hard to speak. Despite the pain, I had to tell her, "Listen, you have to live. Run, you don't have much time left. The fire's going to burn down the rest of the building soon. Get out of here."

"I can't. You have to come with me." Abigail squeezed my hand. My heart clenched. I knew I was all she had. We were orphans in a world that didn't care nor wanted us. Seeing the next day was a miracle in its own right. Everytime we were even able to take a breath, we would have to run again. We had to live knowing no matter how long we survived, there wouldn't a single day of relief for us. Anyone would've given up, but Abigail was the strongest person I knew, even if we were only ten. She had to live.

"Look, we both know I'm not going to make it. This pillar crushed my legs so I can't get out. Even if I did, I can't run. There's too much smoke in my lungs and every breath I take is poisoning me. There's no help anywhere and even if there were, no one would help us. To them, we're not worth it. But you can get out, if you run right now."

"I... don't want to if you're not with me. You say I'm strong and brave all the time but I'm terrified. It takes everything I have not to shake in my boots. If you're gone, I don't think I can go back out there and face that world." Her voice was hoarse now. I felt droplets of water fall on my hand.

"I'm sorry... I-I can't..." I clenched my chest, trying to subdue the pain.

"You have to..." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"I love you, Abigail." I uttered the truest words I had ever said. My vision faded to black. The pain from my injuries took over my body. The last thing I heard were Abigail's heartbroken wails, unleashed with all their fury.

I opened my eyes to the sunset sky. A stunning mix of red, pink, orange and gold took over the endless space above. The grass around me swayed gently due to the soft wind. I knew my chestnut hair was messy from lying in the grass. The sky gave my blue eyes a reddish tint.

How many years has it been? What am I doing here? What is this place? Why do I have the same dream every time I fall asleep? The same questions ran through my head for what feels like years now.

"Chris!" I shoot up into sitting position. It can't be...

Running toward me was a girl around my age. She wore a white dress that flowed as she ran. Her auburn hair glowed red as it rippled under the crimson sky. Even from the distance, I could see the brightness of those emerald eyes. It couldn't be...

"Abigail?" I whispered once she reached me. A pearly smile was plastered on her face.

"I found you." She stretched her arm out to me. I felt my heart pounding against my rib cage. My eyes started stinging and I soon felt something wet race down my face. Suddenly, all this boredom and loneliness felt like nothing. Why I had spent all this time here made sense.

"I missed you." I grabbed her hand.

"Let's go." She looked to the horizon.

"Where?" I asked even though I didn't care.

She turned to me with an amused grin, "Anywhere at all."

Her hand in mine made everything feel right. The sun had set and the sky had become black with thousands of stars that sparkled in the darkness. Abigail's eyes twinkled from both the stars and pure wonder.

"Oh, and Chris?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you too."

Peace out suckers

~Daughter of Poseidon