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She was not at the balcony.
You did not know why you expected her there, in the chill night air.
But she was not in her room, either.
You scaled the fence and rested one foot on the crossbar, leaning against the poles. The autumn-chilled metal felt like the cage's bars. You looked toward home, where it rested.
Something rang inside of you. A jagged silence that called your name.
The night air was cold. You had a promise to fulfill.
You would hurt her again.
The star-filled sky bled its light onto the still water of the lake. You walked forward, each step growing more uncertain.
Her hair billowed like sunset in the light.
…But, the air was calm, and the sun had long since gone down.
And yet she was here.
She turned toward you before you could speak.
"Oh. Hi, Kris. I knew you'd come, somehow."
She smiled. The lies you had planned fell apart.
The momentum of your choice carried you next to her, at the edge of the dark water.
"Your watch," you mumbled, taking her hand and putting the watch where it belonged.
"Thanks," she replied.
You still held her hand, looking for something.
"Kris." She spoke. "In my dream, we were together in a bright city."
"We were on an adventure. To become stronger."
"And I felt it. Strength. I felt like I could break everything holding me back."
"But… your voice…"
"Kris, tell me it wasn't a dream. Or tell me that I've gone crazy. Just anything." She was shaking you, her fingers intertwined with yours. "You came here. You followed me. It has to mean something."
"What would you do if it did?" Your voice was hoarse.
"I—" she choked at her words. She looked towards the lake, her face lost in the darkness.
You held her hand as you watched the gentle water lap at the rippling stars.