Colin walked out of the side door of the cavern and into the secluded bit of forest that served almost as another backyard for the family. Fallen pine needles muffled his footsteps as be strolled toward the gently running stream a short distance away, a contented smile on his face. He was lost in thoughts of his wife, son, and more children on the way when he heard the snap of a twig very close behind him. He turned with a chuckle, "Oh, Sanr..."
But wait, not Sanria. A sharp sting in the side of his neck. Then darkness.
Colin dreamed within a rolling fog. He was tossed and jostled like a helpless piece of driftwood on a turbulent sea of hazy disorientation.
Images floated before him as he bounced upon the waves.
Sanria, dressed in a brilliant white gown... she was walking away yet
looked over her shoulder, calling to him. She wouldn't stop walking
and his legs were so heavy, the earth was like mud. She slowed, but
still kept walking. He caught up, reaching to place a hand on her
shoulder. She turned, now walking backwards. She held his hand
sweetly, told him she loved him, caressed his hand. Then green.
Her eyes bright green. Blinding. He was holding nothing. She
had turned away - now running toward the green light from her
own eyes. He tried to run after but his feet wouldn't work.
The mud. Not mud, lava. His feet no longer there but he
still ran. He could catch her. He could put out the
green light. She would stop running. His legs
were gone. He crawled... dragging his
body. She was almost gone.
Reaching. Sinking.
Burning.
Sanria!
Colin tried to blink his eyes open. His eyelids fought him, conspiring to prevent him from waking. He focused all of the will be could gather, like trying to organize turtles to pull a cart. Yet he finally managed to open them. He couldn't focus. He was in a bed. Where was he? Was this home? Time seemed an endless mystery. Yesterday seemed like years ago and he didn't even know what yesterday was.
He commanded the herd of turtles to turn his head to the side. He had to see where he was. He slowly looked... a woman. Dark hair, smiling. Home. He must be. He spoke with a mouth that felt full of dandelion seeds. "San...ria?"
The reply was reprimandingly direct. "No, not Sanria."
