July 8, 2013. He would've been 70.

I am waiting in a lobby of some sort. A hotel. Maybe a venue. The room seems empty except for me. I can hear the walk clock ticking.

Footsteps echo in the quiet. Around the corner, a body appears.

I recognize him immediately. Although, now, as I recollect the dream, I cannot picture if he is the young dark haired father of my youth. Or if it is the grey haired plump dad I grew up with, ready with a smile and a meal. Or even, if it is the frail stick-thin old man I knew right before his death, still smiling, still animated.

But I know it is it him. And my first reaction is joy. Happiness at seeing him. The initial urge to run up and give him a hug.

However, Rational Brain speaks up and reminds me, "He is dead." 

"This cannot be real."

And, I realize, I am in a dream.

This makes me want to ignore him. To not listen to him speaking to me. Not touch him. Approach him. I fight the urge to make contact with him. I don't hear the words that are coming out of his mouth.

My mother, then, makes an appearance. She pleads with me to speak to him. She asks that Rational Brain believe this is real.

"I am real. I am alive," she reasons. "This must be real too."

There is a flicker there when I think she might be right. I am fighting with my Rational Brain.

But it wins. And I ignore them both.

I leave them both in the lobby and wander down dark empty hallways 'til I hear my alarm.

Only to awaken with the lingering wish that I had only just hugged him.
Despite my Rational Brain.

Fragments of a Night.

Our setting begins at a school for the gifted.  Everyone is intelligent in such a way that they have powers. There are two distinct magics. They are educated together but socially split.

Characters.

The strong independent warrior. Far from home, fighting for her love. Short boy-cut dirty blonde hair. Stoic. Tall. Resilient.

The soft-hearted. On the other side of the fight. He helped you with your homework. He will help you again in battle. But ultimately betray you. Loyal to his side.

The ultimate enemy. Shy in school. Dark features. Shaggy brown hair. Black smoldering eyes. Smart and powerful. Few close knit friends. Entitled. Chip on his shoulder.

The best friend. Humble beginnings. With you til the end. Too timid for war.

You. A little more gifted than the average student. Your mind can control more and with greater precision. Daring. A bit cocky. Need best friend to keep head out of clouds.

The War.

There was a school that educated you all. But there was a split even then.. It was in the air. It was palpable.

The powers we had were too great. And the one with a chip on his shoulder takes advantage. He is gaining followers. Momentum. And your side is banding together to meet him.

The war is building. Sides are being taken.

The ultimate warrior fights bravely. She leads many battles. She takes out many enemies. She does so always with her love forefront of her mind. But she ultimately falls with her love's name as her last breath.

The soft-hearted doesn't want to take sides. He eventually falls in line with those of his ilk. He helps you at first. Because he likes you. But in the end, he chooses his people, and at a time in which you were most relying on his word, it betrays you.

Right before I wake, we are in a battle. This one is indoors. We are fighting in long dark hallways. Enemies scattered around infinite corners. The air is humid. The tension high.

But then.. I rouse.