Endlessly (Paranormalcy 3)

I crawled on the couch and scooted in to Lend, spooning against the whole length of his body and tucking my head into his neck under the curve of his chin. I put his arm over my waist, taking comfort in its familiar weight.

Sleep was coming on heavy and desperately needed when I heard Arianna swear. "Where did you come from?"

Jack's voice answered, whispering. "Is she okay?"

"Yeah, she's okay. "

"She bloody did it. " His voice was filled with wonder and admiration.

"Stabbed the Dark Queen herself. "

He snorted. "Oh, she's in for it now. "

"As usual, but-Crap, your feet, too, huh? Come on, out back. She needs to sleep. "

They padded away softly, and I slipped into slumber.

"Did you do it?" Vivian whispered, everything dark and hazy, her voice sounding far away. Usually she was right next to me, as real as life.

"I got Lend back. " I turned in a circle, but didn't see her anywhere.

"Good girl. " She sounded happy, but her voice was getting farther away.

"Where are you?"

"I don't know. "

"Can't you be here? I miss you. I wish-I wish I could bring you back with me like I brought Lend. "

I could barely hear her now, like she was speaking from a great distance. "Why do you wish that? You shouldn't. "

"But I do. Where are you going, Viv?"

"I don't know, stupid. Just sleep. "

When I woke up my mouth was dry, my throat irritated, and my stomach grumbling angrily from neglect. I squeezed Lend's hand where it was still draped over my stomach, but there was no response and it stayed as clear as water.

I rolled off the couch, turning to make sure he was still sleeping, still breathing.

"Wake up," I whispered, leaning in and leaving a lingering kiss on his forehead. "Please, soon. "

With a sigh I took wincing steps out of the room and around the corner into the kitchen. David's fridge wasn't as well stocked as it had been when Lend and his enormous appetite lived here. I grabbed a loaf of French bread and sat heavily at the counter.

How long would it take Lend to wake up? And what if he never did?

No.

I couldn't let myself think that, because if I thought it, it could become true. He would wake up. Soon. I looked up at the ceiling. I'd never had much religion in my life, but I knew for a fact there were things out there besides us. You couldn't carry the soul of your mermaid best friend in your own body without knowing that.

"Hey, Universe?" My voice was soft, tentative. "If you're listening, I need my boyfriend to wake up. If he wakes up, I swear I'll do anything. I'll open gates, I'll help all the paranormals, I'll never judge people wearing Crocs again. Just let him wake up. Please. "

"Well, good morning, bright eyes!" Jack's voice came from the other room.

I sat up straight in shock, hearing Lend let off a string of swearwords. "Where is Evie? What did you do with her?" he croaked out, voice cracked and heavy with sleep.

Thank you, Universe! I shrieked with joy, falling off the stool and hitting my hip against the table. Careening off it, I ran back into the family room just to see Lend's head disappear again behind the back of the couch.

"Lend, you're awake! You're-" I stopped dead in my tracks having come around the edge of the couch to find Lend, once again, crystal clear and unconscious. "Lend? Lend!" Kneeling next to him I shook his shoulder, soft at first, then harder. He didn't respond.