Chapter Text
Avid was looking through the books, to be honest, he didn’t really know what he was looking for. Maybe something about dreams so there could be a logical explanation to seeing the people from them in real life. Seeing Scott, seeing Shelby.
He’d gotten Elle to drop him off, though she still didn’t really believe in the whole situation. Which was to be expected, and Avid wasn’t going to pressure her to believe him, he just needed to know for himself. He’d only ever relied on her, he needed to figure things out by himself, to know why all of this was happening. That was his own goals, Elle didn’t need to play a larger role than just supporting him.
He heard hushed talking, tones that were tinged with something emotional. He placed the book he’d been looking at back on the shelf, looking around for the cause.
The voices sounded familiar, achingly so.
Through the bookshelf was a girl with wispy brown hair, thin wired glasses, and honey brown eyes. She looked familiar, yes, this was another person he’d seen in his nightmares. A detective, one of the bravest people he’d known.
But he didn’t know her, so how could he know that?
Beside her was Scott, the blue haired man from the other day. They were the sources of the voices, though the discussion cut off when Avid made eye contact with them both.
Did… No that wouldn’t make sense, people didn’t have a red ring around the pupil.
“Um.. hi, again.” Avid waved awkwardly to the other man.
Something lit up his ocean blue eyes, he chuckled, and waved back. His voice was like music, something Avid wished he were able to play, just to hear it more often if nothing else.
They walked away, Avid felt a pang of disappointment, then they came into the section he was currently in. Was Avid blushing? He couldn’t tell.
“Apologies for the other day,” Scott smiled, “I’m Scott.”
The girl with him was not Shelby, obviously, her brown hair was a stark contrast to the bright red Shelby held. But she was staring at him with the same expression Shelby had held the other day.
“It’s no issue, I- I’m Avid.” Avid smiled, something that was reciprocated by the other man.
“I’m Drift.” The girl voiced, though it sounded tight with emotion.
Then the awkward silence, where the two others looked at Avid like there was something he should be sad about, and Avid stood fidgeting under the heavy gazes. They seemed nice though, both of them. And if his nightmares were anything to go off of, they were all close, but it almost sounded like wishful thinking.
Besides, his nightmare ended with a sense of betrayal, being killed with a stake to the heart, and pain. Pain that filled his senses until he could hardly breath. And then he woke up.
“Is there a particular book you were looking for?” Drift asked him suddenly.
Avid swallowed and nodded, he felt rather foolish for the reason he’d come here now, “I- I was looking for.. looking for something on dreams, what they can mean, that.. sort of.. thing.”
He expected teasing, or confused looks as to why he cared about that. But it never came.
“You’re in the wrong section for that.” She noted, leading him to a different part of the library, “There should be more of what you’re looking for over here.”
“Oh, th- thank you.” Why was he such a stuttery mess today?
“No problem.” There was something in her eyes, something like grief, pain, almost like agony.
Avid hoped she was okay, that it wasn’t anything serious.
“Drift,” Scott’s voice suddenly appeared, Avid jumped, he smiled faintly, “We should probably hunt down Shelby.” His voice was tight too, like he was trying to keep from displaying a different emotion.
She nodded, “It was nice to meet you, Avid.”
Avid smiled and nodded, “Have a.. good day.” He mumbled, watching the two walk away.
There was something about that scene that part of his mind wished to yell about. A feeling of hysteria crawling up his throat like a parasite. It didn’t feel good. Avid ignored it, turning to the books that lined the shelves in front of him.
He wanted something like an answer before he left.