TEASER

Nick staggered and blinked.

Another colorful flash of light sliced across his vision and he threw an arm out against the wall, the other hand rubbing his eyes furiously. He peeled his eyes open, relieved to be able to see his living room once again. Then the colors flashed again, this time they seemed to flicker rapidly, erratically as pictures--images began to take shape and Nick felt increasingly disoriented.

The feeling of vertigo consumed him and he fell against the wall, his shaking legs giving way and allowing him to crumble to the floor. Nick shut his eyes tight, his hands fisting in his wild spiked hair as he drew his knees up. A whimper of fear escaped his lips as the visions continued, even with his eyes closed. What was going on?

The erratic images and colors suddenly ceased with a blinding flash of white, the sight evoking a spike of pain to flare through Nick’s eyes and head, causing him to voice a surprised cry of pain. Nick began to shake as he could only watch the scene now playing out before his eyes, the blank blue orbs now open and staring as tears streamed down his cheeks.

---”AJ!” Howie cried as he glared at his best friend, “I can’t believe you! How could you do that? You know what it meant to me!”

AJ looked at Howie in hurt and shock, “I didn’t mean it, ‘D! It was an accident. I would NEVER do that on purpose. You should know that!”

Howie glared at AJ, not believing him, “Yeah, right. Whatever you say, AJ.”

AJ stared as Howie walked away, finally stepping forward, “Hey, wait! Wh-where are you goin’? I... I thought-”

“Well, think again, AJ,” toned Howie angrily, turning to sneer at the stunned rebel, “I ain’t goin’. Find someone else.”

AJ watched with a hurt expression as Howie walked out the door. AJ suddenly looked away, then glanced back at the closed door. A lone tear slid down his face.---

The image of AJ’s sorrowful face flickered and faded, causing Nick to blink to try and erase it quicker. And just like that, it was gone. Nick sniffed, wiping his face and blinking tears away. His hand shook as it forced his wild blond locks from his eyes, his chin trembling in both fear and the painful ache that remained behind his eyes.

Nick held his other trembling hand out before him, his blue eyes fearful. He dropped his hand down and glanced around at his living room. With supreme effort, Nick cleared his throat. When he spoke, his hoarse voice quivered, “What- What was that?”

His hollow question seemed to ring throughout his mind as well as the empty room. Nick raked a hand through his hair, blinking as the blond tresses flipped back into his eyes. He slowly wrapped his arms around his knees, his form slowly beginning to rock. He closed his eyes and let more hot tears fall as he buried his head in his knees, his whisper carrying throughout the spacious room, “God... wha-what was that? What just happened to me?”

His silent figure continued to rock, alone and scared in the vacant house...