The Gift

Chapter 78

Whit

I don't know where I am exactly, but somehow I'm not too worried about it. I'm with Celia, and that's all that matters for the moment.

"I had the weirdest dream about you," I tell her. "I was running from dozens of Lost Ones -"

"We only have a short time together," interrupts Celia. "Let's not waste it."

She presses her head against my chest, and I'm sure she can hear my heart beating. I've missed her so much, so badly, constantly. The only weird thing is, for some reason she put on too much of her perfume. I mean, I love the smell of it, but it's so strong right now I keep fighting back sneezes and my eyes are stinging.

"I love you," I whisper urgently. "I missed you so much."

"We only have a short time together," she says. "Let's not waste it."

Didn't she just say that? Ah, who cares? We hug, and it feels as if we're merging into one again. I love that-it's incredible. Her presence and mine joining together like two clouds intermingling in a sunny sky.

"Have you ever felt this amazing?" I ask. "I haven't."

"We only have a short time together," she says. "Let's not waste it."

What the -? Hey, wait a second, is this a dream? Oh no, there's something wrong with her face! Is that -? Oh God… oh no!