A blinding flash of green, and a burning feeling all over.
That was what happened fractions of a millisecond before the world went dark.
It was cold, lonely. Confusing.
Time wasn’t passing..or maybe it was. It was hard to say. It felt like nothing, but even nothing is something..this was different. Almost like sleeping.
He wasn't sure how much time passed before he opened his eyes, a bright light all around him, blinding. But there was a door in the distance, and it felt right to walk to it.
The air was light, cool. Like a spring day with a light breeze, except there was no pollen.. Or trees. Nor was there grass or a sky. Everything was white, like a room full of marble and the door growing closer and closer.
Another thing he noticed, it was peaceful. A calming feeling overtook his body, which noticeably lacked the pain he was so accustomed to feeling.
It was nice.
As the door grew closer, he heard the faint sounds of child laughter, echoing around him, ever so softly. It was familiar, comforting.
The door slid open when he touched its handle, and the inside was a train cabin.
On one side, there was a boy with jet black, messy hair and brown eyes, deep tan skin. Rectangular glasses and a white smile. He was slim, a little lanky, and very tall. His white shirt was only half tucked into his black slacks, where an undone red and gold tie hung around his shoulders. His arm was along the back of the seat. He felt like warmth.
Tucked away against his side was a girl with vibrant red hair and beautiful freckles, her eyes twinkling and face alight with laughter. Her legs were across his lap and head laying on his shoulder. A long sleeve shirt tucked into grey slacks. Traditionally, the girls wore skirts..but she didn’t. She was fierce. One of the fiercest people he knew, but so gentle. She felt like kindness.
On her other side was a younger boy, red hair like hers, but short and unkept. A familiar face, a mischievous one. His red hair matched with his red knit sweater, slightly frayed but looking warm and soft. On it was a golden “F.”
The other side was different.
The other side of the compartment only held one.
It was a boy. One who was laughing with his shoulders, hand on chest. His eyes squeezed shut, but under the lids were stormy grey irises, like a cloudy day. He knew for a fact that when the sun hit them, they appeared blue, with little flecks of yellow. The boys hair was black, and it was curly. Ringlets fell down around him, just barely touching his shoulders, kept behind his ears.
His white shirt was untucked from his slacks, and the first button or two undone, revealing the dog paw tattoo on his shoulder, looking brand new. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbow, showing a rune that was done.
The memory of the buzzing tattoo needle was distant, as well as the giggle and the “ow.”
“Hi, moony.” He said, softly. Gently. Opening his arms for him to come sit. Next to him. “I missed you.”
He walked over and sat next to him, curling his arm around the boys waist, laying his head on his shoulder and deeply inhailing the smell of rain. And wet dog. The feeling of serenity overtook him.
He looked up into the grey eyes. He felt like home.