Lost in the Dream

Things None of Us Can Explain

Malkiel

One day we will connect again and it will feel as though we never parted.

One day we will cry for what time took from us and laugh at what it couldn't.

-JmStorm

°°°

My chest started aching, forcing me to open my eyes.

Something doesn’t feel right.

I don’t know what it is or why it’s coming now, of all times, but I know it’s there.

My instinct never failed me that's why my brain forced me to wake up and put my guards on.

I look around and realize we're at One's house.

It's been three weeks since he got discharged from the hospital but ever since he woke up, he seems like a different person.

One is jolly. He has this ability to get along with everyone easily that's why everyone loves him.

He's a natural healer. Martell and I might be the eldest in the group but it's a known fact that it is One whom we run to whenever we need someone to vent our frustrations. He's a good listener and talker that's why he's one of the most reliable people in the group.

I just got home when Martell called me telling One was rushed into the hospital.

Everything happened so fast. We were just having fun the whole day and no one expects such tragedy afterward.

"Tomorrow will be my parents' anniversary. I can't hang out with you." One said when Gideon asked him to play online games with him.

"As if your parents won't invite us. We'll be spending tomorrow at your place, buddy." Theo teased, making us laugh.

One's an only child. He's a miracle baby that's why he's treasured by his parents so much.

His parents love us, too, and treat us like their own. One's parents are everyone's dream parent that’s why we're all shocked by the news.

I look at Gideon and Martell who are now cuddling each other. The last time I check, One is sleeping between them.

Sweven slowly opened his eyes and looked at me.

"Where's One?" I asked him.

He must be alarmed, too, because he suddenly gets up, accidentally waking everyone up.

We all started to panic.

"One?" I called but there's no answer.

Sweven and Theo went to the kitchen but there's no trace of One. He checked his medicines but he hasn't touched his morning pills yet.

"Where on earth is he?" Sweven cursed.

"The bathrooms are empty. We already checked the rooms but he's not there." Koa managed to say as he tries to catch his breath.

"Have you tried ringing his phone?" Gideon asked.

Martell took his phone and started dialing his number. We heard a phone ringing at his father's office so we all rushed towards the room.

Still, there's no sign of One.

Sweven picks up One's phone on the table and his brows furrowed, making us all curious.

"Guys," he called us then put the phone down as a video plays on One's phone.

"Guys..."

It was One recording himself. It was probably last night, I don't know.

"I really appreciate your efforts trying to make me laugh in this hard situation and I can't thank you more for that. I try to cope up but I'm being haunted by the memories from the accident. It's so painful for me. It's so unbearable it slowly kills me.

"I don't know where things went wrong and I don't know if I'll be able to get over this. If only I can turn back time, I'll be more than willing to go back to the past to change everything.

"But there are variables and there's not enough proof about time traveling, eh? If you're watching this, I must've disappeared already. If I were able to turn things around, I'll make sure none of us will be in that accident. This might sound absurd but I'm taking all my chances now.

"If ever I disappear and wasn't able to come back, please continue life like how it must go on. I'll do my best to come back but If I don't, I will do my best to make sure each of you will have a happy ending."

"What the f**k was that?" Theo exclaimed.

Then Koa pointed at the books scattered on the table. They are all about Time Traveling.

I look around and found a whiteboard with a formula I'm not familiar with and articles about time-traveling pasted on it.

Then the huge painting of a wristwatch hanging on the wall caught my attention.

"Isn't that the watch One's father always wears?" I asked no one in particular.

"I'm going insane. Please tell me it's not what I think it is." Gideon slapped his forehead.

We all exchanged looks.

"If I'm not mistaken, One slipped through time trying to stop the accident?" Martell asked.

"How is it even possible? We're not shooting a sci-fi movie!" Sweven exclaimed.

"Guys, am I imagining things or the clocks are really weird?" Theo asked making us all look at the five clocks on the wall.

We all checked our phones and confirmed it.

"I think time is frozen." I announced, "We need to know more about this time traveling. We need to know the variables he is talking about and most importantly, we need to find One."