48

WATCHING OPHELIA AND ATLAS lie side by side breaks my heart. I'm grateful that I'm still invisible to those who are awake. I wanted to check on Ophelia one last time.

Atlas lies beside her, his fingers intertwined with hers. They sleep, but they don't dream. At least, not dreams that I can access.

When I step out of the hospital room, there's a girl sitting in a chair outside the door. A nurse is begging her to leave.

The girl's arms are crossed, her hair a bright pink that's begun to fade into a softer pink at the roots.

The nurse looks rather annoyed. "Miss Reya, I understand this is hard, but visiting hours are in the morning. You will be welcome to come back then and visit your friend. But right now, she needs her rest."

Reya. I remember her from high school. She became Ophelia's friend right after Ophelia and I broke up.

The nurse sighs. "Look, I don't want to have to call security. Please, sweetheart. Go home, rest, and come back in the morning."

"Why does Atlas get to stay at all hours, but I can't see my best friend for a few minutes before I go home?"

"Because he was the point of contact that answered first. Until her father gets here, we are allowing him to stay so she doesn't feel alone.

The nurse glances around the hallway, then lowers her voice. "If you come at seven, I'll let you see her, even though visiting hours start at nine. You have to be here in this chair right at seven, though. Because my shift ends soon after."

Reya finally stands. "All right, fine. I'll do it your way this time."

She stalks off down the hallway, and I follow her. I admire her ferocious spirit, and I have a need to consume the wildness of her dreams. I crave her energy, her strength.

Maybe Ophelia was right.

Maybe it's time I look for the cure in other places.