A Dead Dream

ㅤ Dio tossed and turned in his bed, unable to escape the nightmare's clutches. Images of the past tormented him, tearing at his heart. There was no escape, no control. Dio relived them again and again, as if for the first time—so vivid were the feelings. Nothing could drown them out. Only anxiety and a painful sense of inevitability grew. "No matter how big your dream is if your mind isn’t set to see it through to the end you’ll never make it a reality. Believing is the most important part." The memory began with a bright one. From the moment Dio finally succumbed to Basil's inspiring charm. Happiness and hope filled Dio, immediately giving way to horror and pain. Demons devoured Basil's body, and he continued to look at Dio, repeating: "Everything is a lie… No matter how hard you try, dreams will never come true…" Dio sank into the darkness of his eyes, drowning in a viscous abyss, suffocating. His chest was constricted, leaving no air for even a squeak. And there was no one to call for help. With his last strength, Dio clung to his slipping life. And… …At the last moment, it all started again. Over and over again. No matter how much Dio begged for it to stop… And the feelings didn't dull. As if they intensified with each circle. They drove him crazy. ㅤ At some point, Dio woke up. He didn't immediately realize it, staring bewildered into the emptiness of the night. Gradually, Dio felt the dampness of his sweat-soaked sheets. He didn't feel like going to bed… Trying to come to his senses, to clear his head of the dark thoughts and memories, Dio went outside. He stopped at the porch and sat down. The dream left him completely empty. Exhausted him. All he could do was sit and stare ahead, seeing the recurring images stuck in his head. Thankfully, this time he heard nothing but the rustling of leaves in a gentle breeze. Soon Mel came over and sat down next to him. She heard her brother tossing and turning in his bed. Hearing him wake up and leave. She couldn't do anything. She'd tried to wake him up before, but lately she'd given up trying. So she simply sat next to Dio, offering him a shoulder to rest his head on. To close his eyes. And, at least for a little while, to surrender to peace. ㅤ