Snow Lodge
Chapter 68
AJ felt like he was underwater. He knew he wasn't dead, but he couldn't feel his body. Ever since he had passed out in the cabin, he had been in this place. He liked it here, it was warm and inviting, and it made him feel all fuzzy and cosy. He didn't want to go back to the other place, back to the reality where he knew all that was waiting for him was pain, both physical and emotional.
As time passed, he felt himself falling further and further into the warm ocean, wrapping him up and keeping him safe. But then things had changed. He heard whispered words, spoken with a soft accent that he knew and loved.
Brian.
AJ couldn't make out what he was saying, they were too far away, but he could hear the deep aching sadness in his voice. The pain in Brian's voice made him ache, but he was too scared to go back.
And then he heard other voices, Howie's soft voice, like a caress against his skin. Kevin's deep drawl, wrapping him up and holding him close. And then Nick. Nick's sweet voice that broke with the pain he was feeling. Pain that he was causing. Each voice lifting him a little higher.
And then he heard Brian again. Soft whispered words that ran straight to his soul. Begging and pleading with him to return. Love poured through his voice, lifting him higher still.
He could hear the voices now, clearer and stronger than they had been before. They were still distant, as if in the next room, muffled and slightly distorted, but there nonetheless. And if he concentrated really hard, he could feel someone holding his hand.
And when that hand had squeezed his, AJ used every ounce of strength he had left to return the gesture.
From then on, he tried harder, forcing his way, trying to break through completely. The more he tried, the further he seemed to go, until he could finally feel his body once more. It was a strange feeling, it seemed as if he was there, but he wasn't. Everything seemed to be an echo, real, yet not.
And then he heard all four of them, telling him to open his eyes, their voices a mix of anticipation and hope.
They gave AJ the strength to fight harder. He strained against the water that was holding him captive, twisting and turning with all his strength as he kicked his way back to his friends. The liquid around him turned thick, and it felt like he was trying to swim through molasses, but he wasn't going to give up, not now.
And then finally, he broke though the surface.
