Just Like Heaven

She crept so quietly into his dreams that Nathan barely noticed at first. The woman was a small, pale face at a window, a beautiful stranger waiting at a curb to cross at the light. So many different scenes, and she was there. Once Nathan registered her presence, she seemed to be everywhere, almost out of awareness. It was as if she did not want him to see her. She merely watched him, her violet eyes staring as Nathan fought his dream battles, or sought out quests. He wondered at it, this slip of femininity, so beautiful and frail, ethereal.

It wasn't long before Nathan found himself daydreaming, his thoughts of her coming to the front of his mind no matter how hard he tried to concentrate on his work. He imagined her as a new co-worker, as if his dreams of her were suddenly come to life. What would he say to her, he wondered. Would she even be interested in a guy like him, he thought, looking at his thin arms with disgust. Nathan thought of himself as no physical match for the men he saw at the gym.  Still, he could not deny that he was daydreaming about a figment of his imagination.  He should be worried about his mental state.  He should be concerned that his brain was faltering.

He was not concerned.  He was intrigued.

On this night, his dream took him to the edge of a cliff, the deep blue of the ocean revealing jagged rocks as the tide receded below.  Nathan had always feared falling; he shivered and stepped away.  Turning, he saw her, the moonlight silhouetting her body underneath the pale vintage nightgown she was wearing.  He stood perfectly still as she approached, her eyes darkening to amethyst as she stared at him.  Nathan breathed in the scent of her as she finally stopped in front of him; the smell of rosemary left a taste of her in the back of his throat, and he savored it. 

He wanted to speak, but was afraid to break the enchantment she had thrown about him.  He remained still, staring into her eyes. She finally stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips softly to his, her delicate fingers brushing his cheek. Nathan closed his eyes in ecstasy, his entire being exalted.  He had the barest sensation of her movement, a slight breeze as she passed him.  Surprised, he turned, aware of the cliffs behind him.

He was too late.  The girl stepped out into the air, suspended for a moment.  Nathan's heart stopped as she looked over her shoulder, her eyes meeting his.

"Follow," she said, and disappeared. Nathan peered over the edge; he could see her, the distance between them becoming impossible.

He followed.




I used the picture, and while I was writing this, that Cure song kept playing in my head, so that's why the title.