There, Roli floated in a dark chasm that sucked all the light around him. He felt light, even transient, to be submerged by the ink-colored ocean.
He gained consciousness. He looked and spun around but found nothing but a beep. The sound was faint but still close. He slowly padded towards the allure noise.
As he took the black water away from him, the sound became louder and more resonating. Finally, he reached out to it. It was cracking and seemed to warp the space it inhabits, as if it were a physical entity. Roli extended his hand, and it flashed a bright light that evaporated the surroundings until he worked up to the light flashing on the ceiling.
The monitor in the hospital beeped awful notes, and he was alive. Not surrounded by water. He looked around and saw Sarah, who was holding back tears.
"You look like you need a hug." Roli said it faintly.
"I cold sat the same to you." She says as she gives Roli a great embrace. He tried to reciprocate, but his arms wouldn't move. Actually, his own body wouldn't move.
Tubes sprand from holes in his arms and legs covered by soft tissue. "W-what happened?" he finally said, not able to look at Sarah at his head angle. "You didn't eat for a long time, and your body gave up. You have been here for a week," Sarah replied.
"I'm sorry," she added.
"Why? It's not your fault."
"Yes, it is. I stopped talking to you and left you like this."
"You had your reason."
She paused. "Wheres..." Roli started, "She's at home. Hasn't come out of her room in a long time." Sarah ended.
A smile washed upon his face. "At least I'm not the only one in this state," he said, a little too loudly.
Sarah watched him intently, not sure what to say. "Lets try." She began, "Try what?"
"Again.'
"What?"
"Again!"
"Seriously what!"
"This whole friendship thing. I wasn't there for you when you needed it, but I'm here now. To help you with the passing of your brother."
Roli shook his head. "Remember when we talked after you left the club? You said to me, 'I don't want you to get close to me.' I remember it as clear as day, and I know what it means now."
Sarah moved her body so Roli could see her face without straining his neck. "How about it, no more secrets, okay?"
Roli was hesitating but gained enough energy to muster moving his hand. It rested on Sarah's hand. The room was warm again.
Roli then retracted his arm. "I got news for you too," he said. "It's about Noel."
Sarah sighed, "Actually, I haven't been chatting with her. Her bodyguard is being a prick."
Roli forced out a laugh, "Regardless, she is probably here now."
Sarah squinted her eyes. "According to the hospital data, she has a rare disease she developed when she was young. It was contagious to some people, so she had to move around to get specific treatment. Just so happens, this is the only place."
Sarah covered her mouth and cussed softly. "She doesn't have long to live." Roli added, "You should go to her."
"But what will I say, 'Wow, sorry you're going to croak?' I literally went out of her life and am now pooping in out of nowhere."
"Sarah, when I was in a comma, I had a dream; it was dark and gloomy. I was floating; I felt I was in stasis, but I heard a voice."
Roli locked eyes with Sarah. "Go to her; talk like how you talked to me. Settle things. I know that's what I would want if I were her."
"Really? Is it fine if I go? You won't be alone."
"...I know you will come back."
Sarah wiped a tear from her eyes. "Okay, Roli, I'll be back." They exchanged a nostalgic grin, then she left the room.
After scouring, she found it. She slowly peered to see if Noel was there; she was. Sarah turned the knob slowly, and the door started stuttering. She plunged her left foot forward, then her right arm, then her right arm. She helped a gasp.
She stood at the doorway and heard the sound of her heart. Its beats shaking her grip on the door. Finally, she walked in and saw Noah. She gave Sarah her characteristic smirk.
Some things don't change.
But somethings do. Her eyes were red from tears, and her hair was fuzzy and had bits of crumps on it. "Sarah, come closer," she asked in a low voice. Sarah listened and took a step forward. The well-built floor seemed to creek.
Sarah now hovered close to Noels bed. Then Noel grabbed her hand and motioned it towards her face. The warmth ignited both their bodies.
"I-I..." Sarah started.
"I know," Noel said.
"Are you really going to..."
"Yes."
"...I found the bastard."
She giggled, "Is that so?"
"When will it... start?"
"Well, who knows, but there's something you aren't telling me."
"I know."
Noel smacked Sarah's hand away, "No fair, you know what I want to hear."
"Okay. Do you feel the same way?"
Noel locked eyes with Sarah's; she too hasn't taken care of her features. Yet on her deathbed, those features were nothing but a quirk.
"I do," she said.
As she said the words, the monitor's waves started shaking, and before it was over, Sarah lowered her head and gave her a kiss. Noel was shocked but quickly rested. They stayed in that position.
Their sorrow was shared by each other. The monitor beeped, and Noel dropped her head with a gentle yet majestic smile.
"Goodbye, Lauren." Sarah said.