Good Night World

Sarah opened her eyes.

She was back in the white room.

Her legs felt weak. She dropped to her knees. Her hands covered her face.

The boy stood a few feet away, watching her. He didn't say anything.

Tears streamed down her face.

"I was holding it in," she said between sobs. "I didn't want to cry in front of him."

Her hands pressed harder against her face. "I wanted to be strong. I wanted him to feel safe."

The boy took a slow step forward.

Sarah's voice broke. "But I'm not strong. I'm not. I wanted to stay with him. I wanted to protect him. But I can't."

She let out a breath. Her whole body trembled. The weight of everything crashed down on her.

The boy sat on the floor a few feet away. He didn't try to stop her. He let her cry.

Minutes passed. Maybe longer.

Sarah sniffed. Her fingers wiped at her face. Her hands were shaky, but she forced herself to breathe.

She sat up straight and wiped her face again. "I'm okay now."

The boy raised an eyebrow. "Are you?"

Sarah let out a weak laugh. "No." She took another deep breath. "But I don't have time to fall apart."

She looked at him. "I want to stay."

The boy tilted his head.

Sarah swallowed hard. "Is there a way for me to go back? Even as a ghost?"

The boy didn't answer right away. He tapped his fingers on the floor. "For a limited time."

Sarah's heart skipped a beat.

She sat up straighter. "How?"

The boy sighed. "It's not easy."

"I don't care," Sarah said. "I have to see him, even if it's for a limited time."

The boy studied her. His eyes were unreadable.

Then he nodded.

He said "close your eyes."

Then everything turned dark.

Michael sat at his home desk.

His backpack was at his feet. His schoolbooks were open, but he wasn't looking at them. His eyes were on the window.

The sun was out.

He didn't want to go to school.

His hands clenched.

But he had to.

He took a deep breath, grabbed his bag, and left his room.

Sarah followed him.

Her feet didn't make a sound. No one could see her. She walked beside him, step by step.

She watched his face. He didn't look the same. His eyes had lost their light. His shoulders were tense.

She wanted to say something, but she knew he wouldn't hear her.

She kept walking.

When they reached the school, Michael slowed down. His hands tightened around the straps of his bag.

Sarah looked around. Students passed by without looking at him. Some whispered. Some laughed.

Michael lowered his head and walked inside.

Sarah followed.

She didn't know what she was expecting.

But what she saw made her stomach twist.

Michael sat in class.

His hands were on his desk. His eyes were down.

Someone kicked the back of his chair.

He didn't react.

A voice behind him whispered, "Surprised you came back."

Another voice snickered. "Guess he's too much of a coward to finish the job."

Michael's fingers dug into his desk.

Sarah's chest burned.

The teacher didn't hear.

No one stopped them.

She turned. The boys behind Michael smirked. One of them reached forward and knocked Michael's pencil off his desk.

Michael didn't pick it up.

Sarah's hands clenched into fists.

But she couldn't do anything.

She was powerless.

Her stomach turned.

Michael sat there, silent. He looked so small. So alone.

Sarah's heart ached.

She had to find a way to protect him.

She had to.