Page 172 of Halo

I can't feel You.

I can't …

I freeze.

Was someone calling my name?

There it is again.

“Hello?” I shout. “I'm here! Oh please, I'm right here!”

I strain into the abyss, begging, reaching for a hand.

But no one is there.

No one is coming.

My body succumbs to the void, my terror serving as my only companion.

As I begin to drift, the whisper of a spark steals my attention. It's insignificant, like a fleck of glitter. So small that I almost wonder if it's a hallucination.

But it fills me with unexplainable hope.

I can't stop staring at it.

Warmth follows, filling the desolate space with vibrating energy and purpose. It reaches my body, spreading like golden honey across my skin, gentle and inviting. Like a Texas sunrise in June.

The scent of ripe citrus and worn leather fills my lungs with new life as a song rests on my next breath.

And I can't help but laugh. I'm not lost. I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

I hear my name again, and this time, I lean into it.

The flicker in the void ignites, chasing away my fear and loneliness. Vibrant hues swirl around me, and suddenly, I am enraptured in a beautiful prism of his heavenly light.

In his halo.

And I reach for him.

Large, warm hands cradle my face as the soft, analogue chirp of a heart monitor filters through the haze.

My eyes open.

And finally, I'm home.

“Welcome back, darlin’.”

Chapter 43

Nick

“Do you have any fours?”

Leah brings her hand of playing cards close to her nose, inspecting each one diligently with one eye. She softly exhales. “Go fish.”

I reach to draw from the middle deck, but pause. I peer up at her, raising a curious eyebrow. “Wait a minute. Give me your cards.”

“What?” She holds them close to her chest. “No.”