فصل 64

CHAPTER 64

He awoke, blinked, wiped his eyes and saw nothing but pure white. No shapes, no shadows, no variation, nothing. Just white.

A flicker of panic until he realized he must be dreaming. Strange, but a dream for sure. He could feel his body, feel his fingers against his skin. Feel himself breathing. Hear himself breathing. Yet he was surrounded by a complete and seamless world of bright nothing.

Tom.

A voice. Her voice. Could she talk to him while he was dreaming? Had she done it before? Yes.

Hey, he responded.

Are you — okay? She sounded troubled. No, felt troubled.

Huh? Yeah, I’m fine. Why?

Just thought you’d be a little surprised right now.

He felt a stab of confusion. What are you talking about?

You’re about to understand more. Very soon now.

For the first time, Thomas realized the voice wasn’t quite right. There was something off about it.

Tom?

He didn’t answer. Fear had crept into his gut. A horrible, sickening, toxic fear.

Tom?

Who — who are you? he finally asked, terrified of the answer.

A pause before she answered.

It’s me, Tom. It’s Brenda. Things are about to get bad for you.

Thomas screamed before he knew what he was doing. He screamed and screamed and screamed until it finally woke him up.