Kat flung herself onto James, holding him so tightly that Markus had to use both hands to pry her fingers off of him. She was sobbing now, choking on her own words. Markus felt panic welling up inside of him, as if he had just witnessed a kid getting hit by a car. He forced himself to focus and not meet Kat's eye.

Kat: "Please… please I can't keep doing this… this same… THIS."

Markus wrapped both arms around Kat's waist from behind, pulling her away as Tristan took James' hand and lead him in the opposite direction.

Markus: "Tristan, take James- get him out of here now! I'll keep her distracted. I'll be right behind you."

Markus called upon the strength inside him and held onto Kat. James and Tristan were approaching a wall of shimmering mist, and once they walked through it and disappeared from sight, Kat's struggling quieted and they both fell backward to the ground.

Markus began humming softly. Kat looked up at him, eyes as big as oceans. Markus met them for a moment and then looked away quickly, trying not to lose his focus. He couldn't let his mind wander lest he lose grip on what was real and what wasn't.

Markus: "Close your eyes."

He squeezed Kat's hand, and she complied. He pulled her to her feet and led her a few feet away, through another dream wall. On the other side there was sunlight and green grass. Kat, feeling the warmth of the sun on her skin, opened her eyes and burst into laughter.

Markus: "Sorry, ignore that. I don't seem to have much control over my wardrobe here."

Kat was still listless with defeat, but the flowers in the meadow seemed to spark her curiosity. She seemed to be drinking in the colors, transfixed by the trembling of the petals in the soft breeze.

Kat: "It's pretty here. I've never seen flowers like this."
Markus: "I know."

Markus closed his eyes tightly, tears welling up and brimming over the edge, as he took a deep breath and rested his hands on Kat's shoulders.