Dreaming

     Liz could hear the faint whisper of her footsteps as she quietly paced the gazebo. Locks of ember curled their way past her shoulders and cascaded down her back, swayed to the be at of each step. She didn't know what she was waiting for, but it was always the same. She knew this was a dream and would likely wake up just as the shadow of her reason for waiting crossed the threshold of the gazebo. She always only managed to turn enough to know something or someone was there, but as quickly as she tried to spin around, she found herself back in her bed, twisted in her comforter.
      Letting out a sigh, she paused and listened. Her breathing and heart beat were all that she heard at first, but then came he distinct sound of footfalls. Her breath caught and her heart took off. She was almost afraid to turn around not out of fear of what might await her, but that she would wake up again. Slowly she turned around with her hands jammed tightly into the pockets of her jeans. There stood a man, so familiar to her, yet unrecognizable. Her emerald eyes took him in, but even when he stepped into the sliver of light that fell between the cracks, she couldn't see his face. It was as if it were just a shadow. She felt as though she should know him, as if he knew her.
      He took a step closer and held out a hand to her. With each passing second, Liz was afraid she would wake up and never know the end, but still slowly reached out to grasp it. His hand felt comfortable in hers, like it was meant to be there. He pulled her close to him and placed his other hand gently on her hip. She thought for a moment to say something, but this was a dream and she didn't feel alarmed by it. He started to move back in forth, almost to the tune of a silent waltz, so she took his lead and lightly placed her hand on his shoulder. She could conjure up music in her head for each step, and with each movement she wondered who he was. After what she felt were several minutes Liz stopped and just looked at him. She didn't want to stare, but couldn't help herself. Who was he? He never said a word as she ran her hand down the side of his cheek and began to walk toward the greater light outside of the gazebo.
      She looked back to see him follow her but gave a slight pause at the shadow's edge. Liz knew this is where her dream would end, it felt like it had such finality to it. Her eyes followed his feet as one and then the other came out into the streetlight. Slowly with each step, the shadow seemed to slide upwards from his body. She held her breath. One more step and she might be able to finally see his face. His right foot came up and moved forward and then back down, but as soon as the lamp light hit his chin, Liz was yanked back into reality. She woke still holding her breath and let it out slowly. One more night passed of not knowing... How many more would follow like this, getting ever so close and then only having it ripped away?




      So yeah... I should definitely be asleep, but I can't for the life of me. My alarm is going to go off hella early in about four hours... Blarg. Guess I'll go back to trying to sleep, but I figured I might as well write something, and there you have it. Random rambling story bits at midnight.