Heartache

The white light is gone.

Lucas is gone.

That noisy, irritating, whiny, constantly energetic...frustrating...stupid...useless...

Bastard.

The silence rings in my ears.

The others have stepped back.

Giving me space.

Finally, Roland's hand grips my shoulder. Firm.

Real.

This isn't a nightmare.

This is reality.

This is-

"Diane-" Roland calls to me and I...

I can't deal with it.

I don't...

I shake my head.

I-...I just...

I stand.

I walk away.

No one talks as we walk down the empty tower. I'm not sure anyone has anything to say. Maybe they do, and I simply don't hear them.

I...

I don't know how to process...

Anything.

I've been so sure of myself, of everything, this whole life. I thought I'd finally figured it all out.

I promised myself.

I promised I wouldn't fall for a lie like love this time