Sweet Nightmare

11

“Is everything ready?” I asked.

“Yes, sire,” Kob replied. As I survey the area, Murdock barges in.

“Michael! Are helicopters necessary? We’re just taking two people, not the pride of lions! You have nets, shotguns, and bombs?! What are you planning to do? Erase the outer of Finstate from the map? You’re more like attacking another country. We can’t afford to have the limelight, Michael!”

“It’s just in case they don’t listen, or run away, or you know, stuffs like that.”

Sweet Nightmare*

I’m not exactly sure when it started or when I need to stop. One second, I hate him to death, the next second, we’re allies. I watched Myst as he laid down the blueprint of Finstate and Arabelle.

“Okay, so…” he looked at me.

“What?”

“Nothing. Your look just seems… different.” I can’t help it, I laughed.

“I want to give you something, but I’m not sure how to give it.” I laid down a coloured sketch of Myst at the table and wrinkled my nose. “It’s nothing special, I know, but when this thing is finished, I’m sure this ally-ing thing would end. We would be nothing but strangers to each other’s eyes. If all goes well, Dystopia will disappear in sight and the six towns of Finstate will be free and—“I was silenced by Myst’s lips. It was so passionate that I was about to kiss back when he let go.

“This will be nothing but a bad dream, and a remote memory…’ I whispered

“Maybe that’s what you think, but for me, I think we owe each other a date. Well, as you say, everyone would be free, and so would i. so, no one would leave unless that happens okay? But I want to be formal if it’s okay, can we have—“

“Okay.” I busied myself with the edge of the blueprint, yet I’ve noticed in the corner he smiled.

“Before everything…” I looked at him. “Can I take a look at your room?” For a mi6nute I looked at him strangely before busting into laughter.

“I thought you could open my room so I never bothered locking the door.” I pulled Myst to the door of my room. I opened the door and turned the lights on. “I’m not a good artist but I know how to draw a few lines and circles. Aside from being a vet, I’m also a photographer but all I managed to do here is to draw, so I drew everything and everyone who are special to me. I get attached to people too easily, which for me, is not a good asset. I have drawn my pets at the clinic, the animals I’ve healed, my mom, dad, Aqua, captain Ray, my friends from home and from the rebels, you and…’ I took a coloured sketch of a smiling seven-year-old boy at the work table. “Him.”

“I’m special for… you?”

“Yes, why?”

He laughed softly. “I’m just not used of someone thinking that I’m special. No one had done such thing aside from two special girls of my life.” He stood beside me and looked at the sketch I was holding. “So, who’s that?”

“I can’t remember his name. All I know is that it starts with M.”

“Where is he? At Sohua?”

“I don’t know. When we separated, he said he’d look for me, that he’d come back. Right now, I’m still waiting.” Our gazes locked. For a minute, it seems like I shouldn’t wait or look. As if I’m looking at my best friend’s eyes already and that he didn’t even leave me at all. For a minute, I feel like everything is fine. But a minute doesn’t last long. A loud explosion from the front and back door made me flinch. Gas. We covered our mouths and noses. I heard footsteps and a loud clapping emerging from the smoke.

“Well, well, well. What’s this?” and then I saw an unknown person who had a few resemblances with Myst.

Sweet Nightmare*

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

“Well, well, well. What’s this?”

“Michael?”

“Surprise, brother.”

Sweet Nightmare*

I heard someone coughing. Murdock fanned his surroundings to clear the air.

“What are the bombs for? The doors are open, you fool.

 And what are these gas? I can’t see a thing.”

“That’s for a presentable entrance.”

“Presentable entrance your face.” Murdock turned around to leave. “Just make your nonsense quick or two of the Lance will be punished.” He left as curves of a sweet smile appeared on Michael’s face.

“Miss Xyrie Amenuba, we’re inviting you to Arabelle’s palace and Mr Myst Lance, our father expects your arrival.”

 “No, I won’t come,” says Xyrie.

“She said no, so the same goes with mine.”

“Oh dear, I’m not taking no as an answer. So any last words for each other? For your home sweet home?” he shakes his head. “Oh wait no, stop. This is not the right time.” He gestured his droids and walked first but the blueprint took his attention. “So I’m right Myst, hm? You’re planning an attack against us. Just as I’ve expected.”

I imagined the last of the sakura’s petals fall and from spring, autumn came and so did winter. Xyrie, I’m sorry. I became a coward. If only I managed to pull off a plan that suits our situation, you wouldn’t have been experiencing this. Have a plan but my promise might be broken. I knew something that would put Dystopia to an end, but Xyrie, I can’t help imagining what would happen during our date. Or the day I would see you smile as the rain pour. See you dance in the puddles or lie in the green grass. I can’t help but doubt the result of my plan. I can’t help but miss you even though all I see right now is you. I can feel the pain that strikes inside my head. I feel dizzy for enduring the same thing multiple times over because I know you’re around and might get worried. I can see black spots and my vision is foggy. I shake my head to clear my vision. I closed my eyes hard and looked at the path straight ahead. I’m still attending your birthday and you will scold me because the cake is too sweet and that I’m spoiling Aqua way too much. I’ll still hold your hand and I’ll still hug you one last time. I still want to hear your laughs and admire your voice. I want to see you admiring a boy group and tell me that they’re so handsome they might take my place anytime. I wou6ld get jealous and you… would laugh so… hard. I fell into the ground and fainted.

Sweet Nightmare*