150 Dream of the Future POV (2/2)

I know that I will be torched and burned to ash if I get close to him, but if I could touch his face even just once and tell him how I truly feel inside, it would be enough.

I would die happy without any regret or guilt.

”Max.”

I mutter painfully as my ears capture the beautiful song.

How could it be so moving and so enchanting, coming from a woman just in her twenties.

Britney Spears is younger than me, and yet she is admired by millions, including my sister, Misha. And as right now, she is telling me what is dwelling within my bleeding heart.

”… how was I supposed to know.”

”That something wasn't there.”

”Oh baby, baby, I shouldn't have let you go.”

”And now you're out of sight, yeah.”

…

”My loneliness is killing me. Killing me.”

”I must confess I still believe. Still believe.”

…

It is nothing short of magical. Magical.

It is as if magic itself is enhancing her voice and lyric, bringing out the longing emotions to all that have heard it. The people in the spectator area are as emotionally moved as I am.

Many people are in tearful reminiscence as they remember their beloved just like I do.

Max is the first person I truly love and will only love, now and forever.

I don't think there will be another person who understands me as much as he does. It is like he knows exactly what is on my mind and what I am feeling. I cannot explain it other than genuinely believe.

Genuinely believe that he is my soulmate.

My one and only.

I turn my attention away from the television screen and leave the living room behind.

The elevator at the end of the hallway stands in silent.

It hasn't been used since Max had left all those days ago since the shelter provides everything we have ever needed for many years, possibly for the rest of our natural life.

But I don't want such a life. It is not really living.

I want to be with him. To be with someone I love.

Even just for a moment, it is more than enough for a lifetime.

”No. Stop! Stop, Steph. Please listen to me. Listen to me for once. Max is gone. He is really gone. He is not God. Only the Devil is inside his body. If you go to him, you will be condemning your soul. You will only die in the flame of hell. Steph!”

Father calls out as I step into the iron cage and close the gate behind me. He is running desperately to the elevator to stop me from heading to the surface, but he would not make it.

”I have to go, dad. I have to, so please don't stop me anymore. If I don't, I don't think that I can live. If the devil has his soul, then hell will be heaven for me.”

I response. I think I just turn my back against God.

But I truly believe that heaven without Max isn't heaven. And if he is in hell, I will be too. At least we will be together forever. That is how much I love him.

I close my eyes and pull the level, causing the iron cage to ascend towards the surface. I have decided, and no matter what happens, I will not regret it.

”No! Steph! Don't do this! Don't do this! God, please don't do this!”

Father screams out as he reaches the elevator, but just like I was before in his position, there is really no way to stop the elevator until it reaches the top.

”I promise that I will protect you, Steph. I will protect you even if it means I have to die to do so.”

Father shouts and without thinking any further, he grabs the thick wirings running along the walls and rips them out of the wall with sheer will and strength alone.

Electricity fires out of the torn cables, burning the walls and electrocuting anyone within range.

Power immediately fluctuates, forcing the elevator to groan and jerk.

Light blinks rapidly before vanishing as the elevator falls back onto the ground from several meters up in the air, crashing without ever slowing down and breaking apart due to age.

”Dad!?”

My eyes widen as I hit the ground hard. Metals pipes and wirings shower my body, burying me under as pains wrap throughout my body. My vision swims. And my ears are ringing.

”Why… why can't you let me go, dad?”

I utter as I try to see my father, who is now lying on the floor, unmoving. His body is badly burned, and the smell of cooked flesh linger in the air. Tears fill my eyes as his chest stops heaving.

And before I could hear the screams of Joshua and Misha, I finally black out from the massive internal bleeding. I think father just killed me out of his misguided desire to protect me.

But I am thankful. I am thankful that I will never have to wake up from that wonderful dream again. It is the future that I always wanted. A future with just the two of us, me and Max.

I pull myself out of bed, using the thin white sheets to cover my nakedness. It binds around my chest before forming and morphing into a silky dress, trailing behind me.

It feels like a wedding dress.

I didn't take any time to examine the beautiful gown and head directly towards the doors connecting to the balcony. I push it open to allow me through.

And there he is, standing and gazing into the distance as his attire flustering in the cooling winds.

”Max.”

I call out and rush towards him, but unlike before, he cocks his head around to give me a smile before vanishing like a distant memory.

My hand reaches out towards him just before he is gone, only to feel the marble railings as I collapse into tears. My head buries into my arms as I hold myself in despair.

”Max. I'm sorry. I am so sorry. I couldn't save you. I couldn't!”

A warm feeling soon touches me on the shoulder and strokes my hair. I look up slightly to see a young girl with reddish-yellow eyes smiling at me. Wavy flames flickering in and out of existence around her body.

Somehow, I know who she is despite having never met her before in my life or in my dream.

”Adria.”

I whisper and take the little girl into my arms, holding her tightly.

Adria returns the familial embrace as flames expand and swirl around us, keeping us in total comfort.

”You cannot die yet, mother. As you have given birth to father in another life, you will give birth to me for Time must continue to exist. It is and have always been your destiny.”