Spirits and Sorrows

When Hannah got home that evening, Peter could tell something was bothering her. He tried to ask her what was wrong but she said it was nothing, just tired from work, but he knew that wasn’t true.

He tried a few times to get her to tell him what was going on but she kept evading him. A feeling of dread formed in his stomach. He didn’t know why but he had a feeling something bad was about to happen.

When they got together, they promised each other no secrets and they would be honest with each other no matter what. He had a feeling she was keeping something from him and it was killing him not to know.

He knew he couldn’t get her to talk to him until she was ready and went to bed that night feeling uneasy.

For a while, as he did most nights, he gazed up at the ceiling as his mind raced, trying to go to sleep. Eventually, his eyes closed and he drifted off.

He sat on the swingset at Raven City Park, his favorite place to go to whenever he needed to be alone and clear his head. He gazed up at the night sky where the stars shined down on him.

He sighed as he gazed around the familiar place. He missed it so much. He couldn’t believe four years had gone by since he was taken from his home. He hoped and prayed that one day he would be able to get back and be able to see everyone again.

“Peter?”

He lept to his feet and spun around. Laura was standing a few feet away.

They gazed at each other for a long moment before they yelled out and embraced each other. He knew that she was there and wasn’t just a part of his subconscious mind.

He spun her around in his arms. “Holy shit, I can’t believe it’s you!”

“Me either!” she laughed as he spun her around again. “How the hell is this happening?”

“I don’t know, and I don’t care. I’m just so glad to see you.”

He set her down and hugged her again.

“Where have you been?” she demanded when they pulled away. “Where are you?”

“In the Human Realm. I’ve been here for four years.”

“Holy shit.”

“I know. But I’ve been trying to get back. Every day. There’s not been a day that’s gone by that I haven’t tried to get back.”

Tears swelled up in her eyes. “I’ve missed you so much. We all have. We never stopped thinking or worrying about you.”

He grew serious. “How’s it been? Has it gotten any better since I left?”

“No,” she said, her expression grave. “Not at all. It’s gotten worse. Kane has taken over and we’re in an underground hideout. We’re undergoing a rebellion and we’re trying to take him out.”

“Is Ruben with you?”

“Yes, we’ve been helping lead the rebellion and we got married.”

“No fucking way! Holy shit!” he shouted with excitement and pulled her into a huge embrace. “When the hell did that happen?”

“A few days ago. It was beautiful.”

“I bet. When I get back you better do it over. I can’t believe I missed it.”

She smiled for a moment before her face fell. “We’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too. All of you.” He took a deep breath and braced himself for what he was about to ask. “Do you know what happened to Mary and my parents?”

A grave expression passed over her face and his heart sank. “Mary died right after you and Hannah went through the portal.”

He closed his eyes and cursed. “Shit.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“My parents?”

“We haven’t seen them anywhere. We’ve looked everywhere.”

He closed his eyes and sat down on the swing set. He knew that it was the more likely outcome but to hear it out loud made everything feel real.

She sat down beside him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. He took a moment to compose himself before saying, “So you’re leading a rebellion?”

“Yes.”

“Is it successful?”

“We’re alive and getting through it, but we haven’t been able to stop Kane. His army has taken over.”

He thought of the Iron Arrow. “Laura, Hannah had a vision about an object called the Iron Arrow that’ll stop Kane. In the vision, the two of us, Ruben, and Hannah sailed across the Eternal World Ocean got the Arrow, and used it to kill Kane. Tell this to the others. Tell them I’m trying to come back.”

She started to disappear and he cursed. They were waking up.

He tried to reach out for her but she was fading fast. “Tell them, Laura! Be looking for the Arrow! Look for it!”

“I will!” she called back before disappearing completely.

His eyes shot open when he felt Hannah shaking his shoulder.

“C’mon, sleepy head,” she said in a sing-song voice. “We need to get going or we’ll be late.”

His mind was reeling from his conversation with Laura. “Hannah -”

“I know this is last minute but I got us two tickets to see Frozen on Broadway. I know we had other plans but I saw two tickets available and had to get them. We both love Frozen and -”

“Hannah -”

“ -and I thought it would be a great anniversary present and we’d have a great time. I hope -”

“Hannah!”

“What? Why are you shouting at me like that?” she demanded, giving him a weird look.

“I’m sorry, but I just had another dream with Laura. I talked to her and told her about the Iron Arrow. We have to get a portal open today! We have to get back now!”