"sooa, honey? wake up."

"ella!"

"sooa! it's intak."

"honey, intak's gone."

sooa's head felt like it was about to burst, sweat busting through the pores all over her body, face burning hot as she jumped from her slumber. her eyes were wide as she looked at the clock on her nightstand, 03:45.

tears sprang from her eyes as she jumped out of bed, rushing towards her mom's room. it was a dream, right? he's not really gone, right?

the first cascade of water ran down her cheek, eyes struggling to adjust to the darkness of the hallway. she sniffled as she turned the lamp in the living room on, only to be met with the sight of the boy she'd dreamt of.

she tried to silence her gasp, but her clashing with the tall fixture of light caused a small sound to emerge - intak now rustling out of his sleep.

he opened his eyes, craning his neck upwards the moment his sight landed on the girl. "ella," he sounded exasperated.

she gave him no time to say anything else, running towards his still laying figure, embracing the boy with her shaky warmth.

the girl allowed herself to cry, intak confused but quick to comfort her with his fingers on her scalp, the other arm wrapped around her back.

she sobbed, trembling in his hold. "i.. thought you l-left me.." she cried some more, heart hurting with every passing second.

"angel, what?" he asked, shocked at the words he'd barely been able to make out.

her hold on the boy never faltered, instead tightened with every passing second.

"i had a dream.. that you died.." sooa cried some more, intak's heart breaking at the pure agony lacing her words.

intak stifled a laugh, and sooa's grasp only got tighter - a habit she has when she feels embarrassed. "it's not funny."

intak landed a soft, lingering kiss on top of her ear. "angel, you wanna know something?" he asked once she calmed down, now sat beside him.

she hummed, still in a state of shock from the nightmare.

"i don't have cancer, el."

( 结束 )