From The Dust: A TBNRduty Fanfiction

Lachlan's POV

"Lachlan! Lachlan, wake up! The police in America called! They found him! Lachlan, they found Preston!"

I hear Vikk press the button to hang up my cell phone. I lie still for a moment, preparing myself.

"I'm going to book us a flight as soon as I can."

Vikk yells as he jogs down the hallway.

Preston.

He's been on my mind. I hope he's okay. I hope the people are taking care of him. I'm so fortunate that Vikk wanted to visit when he did. Otherwise, I'd probably be dead. I pull myself up so I'm sitting in the bed. I drag myself to the bathroom and then to the bedroom again. I grab my bag, with haste. I throw a few pairs of clothes in it and some toiletries. I walk downstairs, rubbing the sleep from my wide eyes. Vikk smiles at me and gives me a hug.

"I'm so glad they found him."

He whispers in my ear. His lips slightly graze my cheek as he moves away. Chills run down my back. I must be losing my mind.

We board a flight about 6 hours after the call comes in. Vikk sits by the window and has his fingers intertwined with mine. He seems nervous about something. I begin to fiddle with his fingers and he looks at me. I smile at him and he smiles back. Nothing truly eventful is happening. I let my eyes close and drift to sleep once more.

Once again, I wake in the cave. This time everything seems blueish- green. I wait for about a minute to see if anything will happen. I hear a slight noise. I turn around. Nothing. I look to my sides. Nothing. Under. Nothing. I look up. Nothing. The noise gets louder. I can't tell where it is.

It's everywhere.

What's happening?

I whip my head from side to side, not seeing anything. The noise gets louder even, a dull roar now. It sounds like waves. A current or a waterfall. Water, for sure. The noise gets louder and louder. I think my head is going to explode. I start to scream, trying to cancel the noise. I flail and turn around once more. Preston lies on the ground directly in front of me.

"Preston!"

I shriek and run to him.

He doesn't flinch. He doesn't move. He isn't breathing. My heart beats faster. I've lost him in dreams before, but not like this.

Never like this.

Suddenly, everything becomes quiet. I hear a whisper.

"Hi Lachlan. It's Preston. I'm gone. You get it."

My eyes are wide, my mouth hangs open. A sudden snap makes me flinch. Suddenly I'm underwater. I try to swim up.

Up, up, up.

There is no surface. I'm drowning.

I look hopelessly around with my blurry vision.

My eyes slowly close as I feel my last bit of air escape my chest.

I snap my eyes open.

"Lachy, you okay?"

Vikk looks at me concernedly.

"Y-yeah. Just a sour dream."

I try to shake what has just happened. Vikk looks at me, his brown eyes wide.

"I'm fine. Really."

I tell him, not breaking my stare. He nods and turns back to the window.

I won't fall asleep again anytime soon.

Maybe never.