Fevered Dream

KAISON

The color of the sky was more complex than most would believe. A mix of colors painted across the sky as though it was a canvas. 

It was something he never noticed. 

Not until now, laying flat on his back in the middle of the road watching the sunrise from below. 

If someone were to ask him how he got there or why he was there, he would not have an answer. How was he supposed to explain how he was just there? He knew his name. His family. His life. But he has no recollection as to how he got where he was. 

He vaguely recognized his surroundings. He knew he had seen the building towering over his body before. He knew he had seen the street lights flicker from across the road like they’ve done before. 

But he could place no names. 

There was only one thing he could remember clearly. Only one thing that stuck out. Only one little thing that he held onto; A scent. The aroma was spicy and rich, one he believed belonged distinctively to cinnamon. It was a scent that was unfamiliar to him, yet, he felt a drawing towards it he had never felt before. 

He cannot explain how, but he knew. He just knew that if he finds where or who that scent came from, he’ll be able to find out just what happened to him. 

By now, the sun had risen to a peak in the sky, blinding him, causing the colors to blur out of focus. 

Though he didn’t know how, he knew something had stirred deep inside of him. He knew it was time to find the scent. 

Kaison pulled himself up into a sitting position, his hair draping over his eyes, covering his vision. 

After a minute’s reprise, he hauled himself up once more and stood. 

It never once occurred to him as he started to walk down the street why there was not a single person in sight. 

REY

Rey never thought he would have to face a day without his brother. He was always with him, whether it be through the good or the bad. He was always helping Rey through obstacles he faced. He always had supported him. He was there through everything. Always.

Now, he had to go through this alone. 

It was the hardest task he ever had to accomplish - especially now that he was forced to do it on his own. He did not know where or how to start, but he knew he had to. 

Some people, the more insensitive ones, would tell him to look on the bright side. That now he can finally become independent from his brother. They didn’t understand though. He was independent. He knew how to do things on his own. He liked doing things on his own. He just liked to lean on his brother. It gave him a chance to share his hardships and have someone to talk to. His brother did the same with him.

He didn’t see how any of this was good, he never would. 

Rey sighed as he leaned forward and pressed his forehead into the steering wheel. He could feel the beginning of tears prickling in his eyes, threatening to fall.

Squeezing his eyes shut, he took a moment to recollect himself. A moment to take his pain and shove it aside. He had more important things to deal with right now.

Shaking his head slightly, Rey lifted his head and let his hand fall down to the ignition.

Starting the car, he let the roar of the engine drown out his thoughts. 

KAISON

Kaison couldn’t tell how long he had been walking. He knew enough time had passed to cause his feet to ache with every step. Yet, the time that had passed wasn’t enough to cause the sun to move even halfway across the sky. 

It was like time had slowed down, and he was the only one who was unaware. There wasn’t a single soul out. It was as if the city was abandoned in the middle of the night, it’s citizens gone missing without a trace. 

Yet somehow, the city seemed as busy as always. 

It was a weird feeling, one Kaison wouldn’t be able to describe. It was almost as if he could hear the liveliness of the ghost city currently surrounding him.

There were the faint sounds of cars driving by and people bustling around as they went about their day. There were even times where Kaison could almost feel people bumping against him as though they were brushing past while on their way to work. 

He stopped and took another look around. 

He knew this place.

He used to come here often with his friends. It was a part of the city that was not as busy as the rest, but still had a lot to do. He smiled slightly as fond memories began to play in his head. 

His smile soon turned into a frown as he reached behind him and grabbed his phone out of his pocket. 

All day he’s been gone. Maybe even more than a day. Yet, he hadn’t heard one word from his friends. 

Kaison sighed. Maybe it wasn’t their fault. After all, even he didn’t know where he was. He didn’t even know how to find the mysterious scent that pulled him onwards. . 

This was starting to seem like a fool’s errands, but it was the only thing left he could do.

He was still staring at his phone when he heard it. The sound of an engine that was much louder than the nearly muted sounds he had heard earlier. Turning his head towards the noise, his eyes widened as he saw a car. 

One that he was very familiar with. 

REY

Rey was swerving in and out of traffic, being as careful as he could while rushing to get to where he needed to. 

Not paying attention, he had to slam on the break in order to avoid running a light. 

Heart beating out of his chest, Rey let out a deep sigh before turning his attention back to the light ahead of him.

Just a few more minutes and this can start. He knew that the sooner this can start, the sooner it’ll be over and done with.

He turned his head slightly towards the seat next to him. His eyes landed on a picture frame. One that framed the face of his beloved brother. 

It was suddenly hard to breathe. 

Rey cleared his throat in an effort to regain control over his breathing. 

Taking a deep breath, he was quick to follow the changing lights as he sped off towards his destination.

KAISON 

He chased after the car, forgetting the ache in his feet. Forgetting the pull he felt the need to follow. Forgetting everything and everyone who wasn’t in that car.

In that moment, the only thing that mattered was following that car. 

He chased it halfway across the city, just barely getting any reprise at red lights and crosswalks. 

He had tried... He had tried so hard, to get the attention of the driver. But no matter what he said or what he did, it was like he was invisible.

Kaison slowed his run down to a jog as he watched the car pull into a grassy field and park off to the side. 

Then he watched as his brother stepped out of the car. 

“REY!” Kaison screamed with all his might as he darted across the street to meet his brother. 

He ran as fast as he could, chasing his brother until he finally stopped. 

“Rey,” his breath labored, “I was calling you.”

Taking a second to catch his breath Kaison finally realized where they were. They were standing in the middle of a graveyard. In front of a headstone. 

His brows furrowed.

“Rey, what are we doing here? What’s wrong?” 

His brother still didn’t answer him. Instead, he crumpled to his knees as a sob heaved throughout his body.

Kaison knelt down, “You have to talk to me... I have to understand what’s going on. I-I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s wrong.” 

Rey took a shaky breath and wiped his tears away using the back of his hand. 

“Why...” Rey’s voice was shaking, barely stable under the stress of one word. “Why did you leave me? You said we would travel the world together, just you and me. Away from our troubles. Away from the pressure. Now, that’s all I have.”

Rey’s words slowly dissolved back into sobs the longer he talked. 

“But- I’m right here.” Kaison lifted his arm to wrap around his brother’s shoulders. Except his arm fell through his brother. 

Kaison stared in horror at his hand. Shakily, he lifted his hand back up and slowly touched Rey’s hand, only for his hand to slide right through it.

Close to hyperventilating, Kaison‘s eyes landed on what his brother crushed against his chest as he sobbed. 

It was his picture. 

His breath stopped, stuck in his chest. 

Slowly, he turned his head towards the headstone.

He took a shaky breath as he saw his name, and as memories began to flash through this head. 

A car. Suspended in air. Smoke. The sky. A girl. One who smelled of cinnamon. Telling him everything was going to be ok. 

Then, there was nothing.

Everything suddenly made sense. Kaison let a sad smile flit across his face as he choked back his own tears. 

“Rey, even...” He took a deep breath in to prepare himself for the words he was about to say, “Even if I’m not here, you can still do all those things. Find someone else to take. Another relative. A friend. Someone… who’s maybe more.” Kaison let his tears fall down his face. “Just... be happy. Please. Be happy. Live your life.” 

Rey’s sobs slowed until he was no longer crying. 

Somehow he knew, that despite what separated them, his brother heard him.