The Dream Between Us

Clay stood in the middle of Marcus’s living room, breathing hard, one hand braced against the back of the couch.

Every muscle in his body still ached from leaving the hospital.

His legs trembled.

His chest felt tight.

But none of it mattered.

Marcus stared at him like he was looking at a ghost.

Because, in a way, he was.

“Say something,” Clay said.

Marcus blinked twice, still frozen in the doorway, keys dangling from one hand.

“You were in a coma for three years.”

Clay dragged a hand through his hair.

“I know.”

“And you escaped the hospital.”

“I know.”

“And now you’re standing in my house at one in the morning telling me you need help finding some girl no one has ever heard of.”

Clay met his eyes.

“She’s real.”

Marcus exhaled sharply and rubbed both hands over his face.

“Clay, man… I’m trying really hard to follow you here.”

Clay stepped toward him.

“I’ll explain everything. I swear. Just… not yet.”

Marcus folded his arms.

“That’s not exactly comforting.”

Clay moved to the desk in the corner where Marcus kept his laptop.

His fingers trembled as he flipped it open.

The screen lit the room in pale blue.

“What are you doing?” Marcus asked.

“Looking for her.”

Marcus stared.

“You don’t even know where she is.”

Clay’s jaw tightened.

“I know enough.”

The search bar blinked.

Clay typed with frantic urgency.

Lydia Ashford

Lydia missing

Lydia, Girl in a coma

The first few results were useless.

Random names.

Old articles.

Social posts from people he didn’t know.

His pulse pounded harder.

Come on.

Please.

Then…

a social media post.

The title alone made his breath catch.

“Missing my best friend more than words can say.”

His fingers froze over the keyboard.

Marcus leaned closer.

“What is it?”

Clay clicked.

The page loaded slowly.

A photograph appeared.

Lydia.

She stood in a field of wildflowers, head tilted back in laughter, golden sunlight caught in her hair.

For a moment, the room disappeared.

His chest tightened painfully.

Beneath the photo was the caption:

“I miss you, Lydia.”

It’s been almost a year and I still catch myself reaching for my phone to text you.

Hollow Creek hasn’t felt the same without you.

I still go to the café where we used to sit for hours, and every time the door opens, part of me still hopes it’s you.

I know they say people in comas can still hear us.

So if somehow this reaches you… wake up, please.

We all miss you.

I miss you.

—Emma

Clay stared at the words.

A coma.

His breath left him.

Marcus read over his shoulder, his face slowly shifting from disbelief to stunned silence.

“Oh my God…”

Clay’s voice was barely a whisper.

“She’s real.”

He scrolled down.

Tagged location:

Hollow Creek, Texas

Marcus let out a low breath.

“That’s five states over.”

Clay was already opening the map.

The route stretched west in a thin blue line.

Long.

Endless.

Estimated drive time:

25 hours, 43 minutes

His stomach dropped.

Too long.

Way too long.

His jaw tightened.

“She doesn’t have that kind of time.”

Marcus looked at him sharply.

“What do you mean?”

Clay swallowed.

This was the moment.

He had to say enough.

“She’s in a coma.”

The room went still.

Marcus stared.

“What?”

Clay’s voice tightened.

“She crossed into the threshold the way I did.”

Marcus shook his head slowly.

“I still have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.”

Clay looked at him, eyes burning.

“I know.”

“But I know she’s in a hospital there.”

“How?”

Clay hesitated.

Then quietly…

“Because she found me.”

Marcus said nothing.

Clay turned back to the screen and started searching hospital numbers in Hollow Creek.

One after another, he called.

No answer.

Transferred lines.

Voicemail.

No patient by that name.

Then…

Hollow Creek Memorial Hospital

A tired receptionist answered on the third ring.

Clay’s heart pounded.

“Hi… I’m trying to locate a patient. Lydia Ashford.”

A pause.

Keyboard clicks.

Then…

“Yes,” the woman said.

“She is currently admitted.”

Clay gripped the desk.

The room tilted.

Marcus stared.

“You found her.”

Clay’s voice broke.

“She’s there.”

Marcus ran a hand over his face.

“You’re serious.”

Clay stepped closer.

“Please.”

The word came out raw.

“I need you to come with me.”

Marcus looked at him for a long moment.

The silence stretched.

Finally, he muttered a curse under his breath and grabbed his keys from the counter.

“Damn it.”

Hope hit Clay so hard it almost hurt.

Marcus pointed at him.

“You explain everything in the car.”

Clay almost laughed through the ache in his chest.

“Deal.”

Marcus pulled out his phone and typed quickly.

Clay’s safe. He’s with me. I’ll bring him back soon. Don’t worry.

He hit send.

Clay stared at the message.

A wave of guilt hit him.

His mother.

The years she had waited.

But Lydia needed him.

Now.

Marcus tossed him a hoodie.

“You look like death. Put this on.”

Clay caught it.

Minutes later, the engine roared to life.

The headlights cut through the darkness.

The town disappeared behind them.

And the road stretched west.

Toward Texas.

Toward Lydia.

Toward the girl who had crossed worlds for him.