He falls behind me, struck in the back by another spike. But still he yells for us to run, somehow getting back to his feet and running the other direction. All of us follow. I don't know what's happening anymore-
-and the scene changes; now rather than open space it's a sterile gray-and-white room, but we don't stop. There's a door on the far end of the room, and that's where he's headed.
I glance up.
'The ceiling's closing in on us.'
"..!"
Panicking, I will myself to go faster.
But before I can even think of reaching the door, the ceiling is far too close for me to stand. Making a last-ditch effort, I dive to the floor-
and land face-first in shallow water.
Spluttering, sand scraping at my hands and knees, I climb to my feet. It's dark here, but not foreboding as it had been earlier- it's only nighttime. The only light comes from the hotels behind me; clouds blot out the glow of the moon and stars.
The water's warm, and the only sound is the waves lapping at my ankles.
I'm not wearing shoes.
With that realization comes one that everything about me has changed back to real life.
Right before I figure out just where I am.
I freeze.
No.
No.
Already, I have to blink away tears.
'Why this...?'
This dream had quickly turned into a nightmare, and I don't think it's getting better any time soon.
What do I even do here? I don't even know exactly what happened, and nothing I do is going to change real life...
...but I guess I can still try.
"Alyssa?"
I slowly turn in place, trying to see if she's anywhere on the beach. She isn't.
'Maybe I'm wrong...'
"Sage?!"
Sharply, I look back out at the ocean.
There!
A bright spot against the dull water, she struggles to swim to shore.
"Alyssa!"
It's not deep enough here for me to swim, but mere feet later and it drops off.
"Alyssa!"
I gasp in a breath and start swimming.
"Hold on!"
It's raining now. The wind is picking up; the waves are getting bigger. I can't imagine how much harder this is for her, twelve years old and always smaller than me.
'Come on, come on, just go faster!'
I glance up.
'Not much farther...'
Thunder crashes overhead, signaling the moment when the clouds open up and the rain really starts to pour. It's hard to see, but already she's close enough for me to touch.
I grab her hand and pull her closer. "Come on, I've got you."
I start to turn to swim back, vision blurring with happy tears this time-
but then everything shatters
and I start to fall.
...