Sarah closed her eyes.
She was ready to let go.
The white room felt still, and for the first time since she died, she felt at peace.
Then she heard it.
"Sarah… please… don't go."
Her eyes snapped open.
Michael's voice.
It wasn't in the white room. It wasn't coming from the boy standing in front of her. It was somewhere else, distant but clear, filled with pain.
Sarah's heart pounded.
She turned to the boy. "I heard him."
The boy tilted his head. "That's unusual."
Sarah gritted her teeth. "I can't leave him. Not yet."
The boy didn't look surprised. He simply sighed. "Then reach for him."
How she asked,
Through his dream.
Sarah didn't know what that meant, but she turned inward, focusing on Michael's voice. She closed her eyes again, but this time, she didn't try to move on. She tried to find him.
Everything blurred.
Michael was asleep.
His body ached.
He should have been resting, but his mind wouldn't stop. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her. The way she ran toward him. The way she pushed him aside. The way she fell.
Gone.
Tears slipped down his face, but he didn't move. He barely had the strength to breathe.
Then something changed.
A feeling. A presence.
Soft. Warm. Familiar.
Then, a whisper.
"…Michael."
His eyes shot open.
Michael sat up fast. His chest was tight. His hands shook. His room was dark, but he looked around anyway. His eyes moved to every corner. His closet. His desk. The window.
Nothing.
But he heard it. He knew he did.
He threw his blanket off and got out of bed. His feet hit the floor, and he ran. He swung the door open and rushed downstairs. His parents were in the living room. His dad sat on the couch with his head in his hands. His mom stood by the window, staring outside.
Michael's breath was heavy. "I heard her."
His parents looked up. His mom's eyes were red. His dad's face was pale.
Michael took a step forward. "I heard Sarah. She called my name."
His mom's lip trembled. "Michael…"
His dad rubbed his face. "Son, I know this is hard."
"I'm not making it up," Michael said. His voice cracked. "She was here."
His mom walked to him and put her hands on his shoulders. "Honey… I miss her too."
Michael's throat burned. "I'm telling the truth."
His dad sighed. "You've been through a lot. Maybe you were dreaming."
Michael clenched his fists. "I wasn't."
His mom hugged him. He stood there, stiff. He didn't want comfort. He wanted them to believe him.
After a moment, he pulled away. "Forget it."
He turned and ran back upstairs. He shut his door and locked it.
He wiped his face. His hands were wet. He didn't even know when he started crying.
He sat on his bed. His head hurt. His chest hurt.
He laid down and stared at the ceiling. His eyes felt heavy. He let them close.
His body felt lighter.
In his sleep he called out for her.
"Sarah."
Michael opened his eyes.
He was standing in the middle of a street. It was empty. The sky was gray.
His breath hitched. Someone was standing a few feet away.
His heart jumped.
"Sarah."
She turned around.
His legs moved before he could think. He ran to her. His hands grabbed her arms. She was warm. She felt real.
His eyes filled with tears. "You're here."
Sarah's face softened. "Michael."
His grip tightened. "I thought I lost you."
Sarah smiled, but her eyes were sad. "You didn't lose me."
Michael shook his head. "Everyone thinks I'm crazy."
"You're not," Sarah said. "I'm really here."
Michael let out a breath. "Then why can't I see you when I'm awake?"
Sarah hesitated. "Because I'm not supposed to be here."
Michael's stomach dropped. "What do you mean?"
Sarah looked away. "I don't have much time."
Michael's hands trembled. "No. Stay."
Sarah reached up and wiped his tears. "I wish I could."
Michael's voice broke. "I need you."
Sarah's eyes filled with pain. "No, Michael. You don't."
Michael shook his head. "I can't do this alone."
Sarah held his face. "You're not alone."
Michael squeezed his eyes shut. "I don't want to wake up."
Sarah's voice was soft. "You have to."
Michael opened his eyes. "Why?"
Sarah smiled a little. "Because you promised me."
Michael's chest ached.
Sarah took a step back.
Michael reached for her. "Wait."
Sarah shook her head. "I'll always be with you. Even if you can't see me."
Michael's vision blurred. "Please don't go."
Sarah gave him one last look.
Then everything faded.
Michael gasped and sat up.
His room was dark. His breathing was fast. His face was wet.
His hands clutched his blanket.
He was awake.
She was gone.