‘Hey!’ I call, but the figure steps into the light and vanishes.
Caw. Caw. Caw.
This isn’t like the film lighting in the other visions. I can see nothing beyond it. I don’t know what is inside the light, but I know I can’t turn back.
I have no choice.
I have no power.
I can’t resist.
So I step inside.
My eyes are blinded with light.
The cries of crows envelop me. Shrieks fill the air.
They are joined by inhuman roars. The sounds of beasts. Calling out in anger, triumph and longing.
Then there are the voices of people. They rage around me.
I open my eyes and see a crowd, gripping weapons and pushing forward. Fists, bottles and bats stab the air. Crows fly, swooping down over them.
A wall of green moves towards them.
Soldiers.
I can’t make out the faces of the people around me, but they shout hot beats of fury as they push against the soldiers.
In the middle of them, a shadow rises and twists like a corkscrew of smoke. Its tendrils reach out.
It weaves through the crowd towards someone in the centre.
I see him then.
His back is to me.
But it’s him.
He’s wearing the brown jacket I got him for Christmas.
Which means.
He’s here.
He’s really here.
He reaches towards the tendril of smoke that in turn snakes towards him.
‘Dad!’
He turns. His eyes widen. ‘Michael?’
Everything stops for a moment. I’m shaking. ‘Dad, what are you doing?’
Shadows rise behind him as he reaches out a hand. I rush forward and grab it. It’s warm and his skin is rough. It’s really him.
The shadow rises behind him, forming the shape of a figure. A woman, made of flowing, endless darkness.
