Endless Passion- A Sandman Fan Fiction
XII. Apnea
Morpheus was long gone, for now at least. She was alone on her patio again, resting back within the wicker safety of a hanging egg chair. Golden hour sunlight warmed her cheeks and brow, as she put a hand over the sun to block its bright rays. There was little relief knowing that Dream was gone. She remembered the way he caught her from falling in the forest. The way he put her thoughts at ease after such a stirring figure chased her. And then she was reminded of his off putting expressions- furrowed brows and narrowed eyes. She wouldn’t be surprised if he hated her at least a little, trying to have her relive her worst nightmare come to life to figure out who gave her the Dreamstone dupe.
Pride and Prejudice rested on her balcony’s small table, beside the moon garden. She smiled at it, seeing that she started the first few pages. Perhaps that’s what drifted her off to sleep, at least for a moment.
But for now, the letter was her main focus. She ripped it open with the desparation of a small child on Christmas morning. This was her dearest friend, after all. As she carefully unfolded the letter, her heart sank in a bittersweet drop as it read-
Hey, you freaking nerd, where the fuck are you?
Bet you didn’t think I’d start with that, did you? Not after the last time I saw you when you scared me shitless. You disappeared into this great ball of white and red light and I thought the rapture was about to start. Since that happened, the clinic was temporarily closed. There was an investigation. A lot of patients were confused and concerned. I found your journals on that damn Dreamstone and found out what you were trying to do…. And then this fool came along, Morpheus. I don’t care how high and mighty he is. I knew he had you. My gut is never wrong, you know.
I confronted him immediately about your whereabouts. I recognized his face from your texts. He will never admit this proudly… But he was scared. And I’m not even remotely sorry for where it lands me. Heaven, hell, or in between. He told me your agreement, and as crazy as I think it is, you did the right thing. I tried everything to see if we could trade places, but he was already sick of me yapping after five minutes. But I told him just in case… By the time this letter gets to you (allegedly, according to Linkin Park over here), the clinic is safe and sound in my name now. I’m not stuck in a lawsuit from the incident, thank god. If I was, I’d be so cooked without you. But the operation of your genius will always live on. Erin’s family has been compensated for. Their grief cannot be replaced, but all are safer here than they ever have been. Thanks to you, the Dreamstone has helped me figure out how else we can manipulate reality for patients to conquer their nightmares without the need for substances… Or crazy freaking relics. See? We could have worked together. You had the pieces the entire time. I was the one to help you solve the puzzle.
Some proceeds go in your name directly to Kalea and her future. I promise you she will always be taken care of. I visited her the other day. She asks about you, but as far as she knows, you’ve taken the chance of a lifetime in another part of the globe in a remote location. We’ll see just how long that takes us, eh? Dream boat can always help.
It’s fucked up that my only friend got swept up with some supernatural figure but I’m rooting for you. Now it’s your turn to find peace and live out the wild dreams you told me about during our lunch breaks and on Starbucks runs. I’ll always love you, Sabine. You will always be that incredibly smart, calculated, bad bitch who gave everything her best shot. And regardless of what shithead said, I’ll try and find you again some day in my dreams. Maybe your twisted lucid dreaming tactics will work on my stubborn mind. I’m stalling now because I don’t want to finish writing. You are the hardest person to say goodbye to. Always remember, stand on business. Don’t let him scare you into thinking what you haven’t been through is nothing, got it? None of this was your fault. I know you always wanted to do the right thing. You’re a beautiful soul and you’ve taken chances to bring light to others. Don’t let Dream Boat snuff it out of you or scare you into thinking otherwise.
Ou te alofa ia te oe i taimi uma, moa
-Quinn
The envelope was still in hand, as Sabine wiped tears from the corners of her eyes. She stared into the mango sun, feeling the light sting her eyes only slightly. Her forehead pressed to the page. It smelled exactly like Quinn’s office. The smell of her air freshener, detergent, and stale office air. She craved the miniscule normality of office and research work by her side. The weight of fear around the clinic was lifted from her shoulders, but an ache remained knowing she wasn’t there to see it at its height.
“What’s the matter, Sabine?” Evangeline asked. She arrived so quietly, Sabine failed to listen out for her.
Sabine wiped her eyes and huffed, “Oh, just a word from an old friend letting me know she’s well.”
“Is it the message Morpheus gave to you?” Evangeline asked, “Oh, I’m so happy for you.”
“It’s not happy, not entirely.” She muttered, folding the letter back into its envelope, “But… I just….”
Evangeline hopped closer, landing on Sabine’s knee.
“Just what?”
Sabine swallowed hard, as her eyes watched a group of female dreamers strut arm in arm, laughing amongst eachother below.
“That things were different. That I was different.” Sabine murmured, “And that Quinn knows I’m okay.”
“Maybe….” Evangeline glanced over her shoulder, “Perhaps I could deliver a message to her?”
Sabine slowly stood up and paced alongside the balcony’s edge, “He said I cannot contact them…. I’m sure that applies to letters too.”
“Well, it’s not like you can return there, why did he say that?” Evangeline scowled, shaking her head, “But maybe…. Maybe it could be worth a shot?”
Sabine crossed her arms, leaning against the side of the balcony.
“Hey, I got an idea!” Evangeline brightened, “How about I deliver it to her?”
Sabine fought the chill down her back at the suggestion.
“Have you been to the Waking World yet?” Sabine asked, “Even if I tell you where she lives, would you be able to find it?”
“Oh, psh!” Evangeline flicked her wing, “It can’t be that hard to find her. Matthew already showed me how to access the waking world. If you tell me what she’s like and where she lives, I can find it.”
Sabine knelt down to the young raven with shifting eyes.
“You barely know me, but you’d be willing to do that for me?” Sabine asked in a lower tone.
“It is my duty.” Evangeline said in a determined tone, “Lord Morpheus created me to not only be a messenger, but to look out for you in the dreaming when he cannot. That means your happiness too. And sure, he can make all these… Beautiful things. But he can’t recreate what you had.”
Sabine smiled wearily at her.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Sabine asked.
“I’m positive.” Evangeline said, a determined glimmer sparking her pale blue eyes, “I didn’t have many friends in my life as a human. The little friends I did make died shortly before I did. But I know how important it is. I will help you.”
Sabine took a seat at her desk in the corner and grabbed a sheet of paper from its nearest drawer. A shade of guilt covered her, observing the delicate stationary Morpheus created for her. But she couldn’t stand to be guilty, not after this afternoon. Her message was brief, and straight to the point. So many more words came to mind. But the smaller the message, she thought, the less likely it would be obvious.
My Dearest Quinn,
Let my legacy of sleep studies live on through the practice we created together. I wouldn’t trust anyone else to run it in my absence. Your friendship and support will never be forgotten. I am safe, alive, and well. I am with Lord Morpheus now. You don’t need to worry about me anymore. I will guard you in your dreams. Thank you for showing me how to hold my head high so my crown never slips.
Aloha nui wau iā ʻoe.
Sabine, your sister from another mister
“Quinn lives in an apartment off of 4188 Heron Way, it is deep in Portland. It’s a busy area. You’ll need to keep yourself as hidden as possible. She’s on the second floor.”
“Right!” Evangeline beamed with confidence, “I can do that! I’ll leave it at her window.”
“Are you sure you can do this?” Sabine asked, “This feels like a lot.”
“I promise you.” Evangeline nodded, “I’ve got this.”m
A pair of heeled footsteps approached quickly towards Sabine’s chamber. In a panic, Sabine pulled the loose ribbon from her blouse, tying it to her raven’s foot.
“Someone is coming, hurry!” Evangeline whispered.
“Hush!” Sabine glanced over her shoulder, “They’ll hear you.”
There came a brief knocking at her chamber door.
“Sabine?” Lucienne called, “Sabine, are you there?”
Evangeline let out a small gasp, fluffing her feathers slightly.
“Stay quiet.” Sabine whispered, soon raising her voice, “Hey, Lucienne! I’m in here. I juts woke up from a nap!”
“Ah, no worries.” Lucienne said, her smile evident in her tone, “Would you like to continue reading in the library?”
Evangeline blinked almost too loudly at that. Sabine knew they’d need to act fast.
“Sure!” Sabine’s voice cracked, “I mean, yeah! I juts need to use the restroom real quick, can I meet you in a moment?”
“Of course.” Lucienne spoke clearly, “I’ll be in the library whenever you’re ready.”
“Okay!” Sabine called, waiting for her to leave.
Evangeline hopped to the terrace quickly, scanning the horizon for any sign of Matthew or Morpheus. Sabine checked as well, But Evangeline ruffled her feathers.
“My lady!” She called, “Go now. I will go, so your alibi is solid.”
Sabine nervously nodded, “Eva… Please, be careful.”
Evangeline moved her beak in a way that seemed similar to a smile, “No, I’m going to be wild and reckless.”
Sabine left her chambers to meet Lucienne at the library, only glancing back once to check on Evangline. She watched, in a millisecond, as her young companion flew into the Dreaming’s great skyline with the speed of a jet stream.
She made it narrowly within a few minutes into the library on foot, stopping once in the doorway to catch her breath.
Lucienne looked up from her desk with wary eyes.
“Is everything allright, Sabine?” She asked in a casual tone.
Sabine sucked a breath through her nose, “Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
Lucienne lowered her head at Sabine, observing her through her glasses.
“Very well.” Lucienne replied, “You left your poetry of Emily Dickinson on the desk. Did you mean to finish it?”
“Oh, yeah, I’m sorry.” Sabine admitted sheepishly, “I was wondering…. Do you have any recommendations for a good mystery?”
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Author's notes
"All that work and what did it get me?" (After finding the perfect Google fonts for the handwriting of my characters just for it not to transfer over here.)
I need to drink each I misspell Evangeline. Good gravy. If you see typos in this... No, you didn't. <3
Also, should I start posting these chapters to A03 as well? If anyone has any thoughts, let me know!
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