Grass. There was grass beneath Jon's feet. He could feel it beneath his shoes, and he could see it with his eyes. But he couldn't see or feel anything else. Where was he? Did it matter? Maybe the world was still being constructed in Sarah's mind, and more things would materialize if he waited. Or, on the other hand, Jon could try to create the world himself.
Trees. Jon thought, and they appeared. Sparse enough so that there was still grass around, but now the landscape was a bit more dynamic. But the world was still dark. Jon started to get the feeling that the grass and the trees had their own illumination, and that there was more to this world that was hidden in inky shadow.
Light. Small areas started illuminating, like spotlights hung from the sky were turning on one by one. The sky was still black. But details were filling in. Jon now saw a park. There was a bench along a walking path, a children's playground, a pond off to Jon's left, and a bit farther away, sitting against a medium-sized oak with her arms folded over her chest, closed off to the world, was a person.
Sarah. This was her dream, why hadn't she been in it until now? Jon walked up to her, but as he got close she stiffened and turned her head away. Jon couldn't really blame her. He'd done some pretty harsh things to her. Jon's guilt returned to him. He'd been planning on another nightmare for Sarah, but he couldn't go through with it. Jon crouched down and gently put his hand on Sarah's shoulder. Then he made a little more of the world.
Sky. Shining pale blue washed over the park. Sarah flinched. Jon smiled down at her and said, "Come on, Sarah, it's a beautiful day." She just shot him a death stare and turned back to the grass. So Jon sat down against the tree next to her and started gently rubbing her back. Sarah turned away slightly, but didn't move. Jon thought that maybe if the world was livelier, Sarah would be a bit more open.
Birds. Ducks passed by overhead in a V, quacking dully. A few finches flew out of the oak tree, while others stayed in and began to chirp. Sarah slowly picked her head up and looked into the branches, relaxing a little into Jon's hand. Some geese made their way out of the pond and started honking in the field. And Sarah got up. Jon followed, thinking he'd done something right, and as the two started walking past the playground, Jon tried the next step up.
Kids. About half a dozen children were climbing on the equipment or playing in the sand. Sarah looked over at them, a little melancholy, and said, "You know, I think I'd make a good mother one day." Jon smiled a little, but didn't say anything. Breaking people down was against his nature. It felt good to make someone feel good about herself, even if that person was someone he didn't like.
Love. It came out of nowhere and caught Jon by surprise. Everyone puts up barriers. Makes a show of who they want to be. But when you get close enough to someone, when you're near them right at their most vulnerable, those barriers start to fall. One by one, they get harder to keep up, and sometimes on some rare occasions, enough of the barriers get peeled away that if someone's looking close enough, they can see a small piece of the person beneath the armor. And when you see that this person, this someone you thought that you hated, is just another human being, and when you are genuinely good yourself, you can't help but want to support that person.
Baby. A stroller appeared in Sarah's hands, a sleeping toddler nestled inside. Sarah looked down at the child then up to Jon, for the first time looking at him with appreciation in her eyes. "You're going to be a great mother," Jon said. Sarah's eyes began to water, and Jon felt an urge come over him. He leaned in towards Sarah, and did something he never thought he'd do.
Kiss. Their lips touched, gently, and paused there. Jon wrapped his arms warmly around Sarah's shoulders, and Sarah let go of the stroller to wrap her arms around Jon's chest. They pulled each other in more tightly, just to be closer to one another. It wasn't lust. It was simple, human-to-human love. Jon broke off the kiss and slid his head onto Sarah's shoulder, and the two held that position, just appreciating their closeness, as the world became fuzzy around them and disappeared.
