Prologue

There's something.

Something that may be real, or nothing more than a fleeting fantasy made up in the figments of the human imagination. What's more powerful? That 'something' being real? Or the sheer power of the limitless, innovative necromancy that is our brain?

That 'something'..

It twists, tangles, stretches; but, it never breaks. For all the universe, the web of interconnected galaxies it's worth, two evergreen souls will endlessly interlace with each other's destiny.

A pretty string adorning the colour of blood.

A string immeasurably stronger than the fibres of steel, purer than the purest gold. Is it someone's pinnacle, or their downfall? To be oh so intertwined with the one you're destined to love, or to be doomed to the same person, no matter which era you enter. To never be apart, or to never escape? No one knows. Do you know? Is it beautiful, or is it hideous? Does this phantom string even exist, or did our hopelessly hopeful minds conjure it?

These thoughts leisurely strolled around in the frontmost area of Erin's bleak cognisance. The twisting and tangling of unattainable questions sat on him like an itch on his skin, only gnawing at the empty shell of his body more than any other disease would ever. Or, maybe, he could find an answer.

Just not his.

A small, frail cat stretched his hind legs, twitching gently. Soft paws delicately folded in, before the dainty creature pranced off the stiff bed and upon the large window frame. A bluish grey hue penetrated the room at all angles, illuminating the crumpled crease of Erin's thin blanket the vibrant colour of nothingness. The cerulean aura emitted prompted the wiry figure beneath the cotton blend to stir in his sleep, soft breathing growing into deep sighs. Sighs of discontent. With blurred, half-lidded eyes, he glanced across the small cube he has been refined to, shoulders relaxing slightly at the sight of his feline companion slumped against the window. A single, pearlescent tear slid down his unblemished cheek, almost glowing beneath the blue moonlight.

He didn't want to wake up in this porcelain excuse for a life. So brittle, so flimsy, and ever so unfair. He didn't want to walk, but fly instead. Why live when you're going to die anyway? Why make bonds you're going to break?

Why am I waking up to this same bland reality? Why bother trying when I'm destined to fail?

Why live and die at the same time?

So very many whys, so very few replies. Erin wants for no one but Mr Blue to hear his cries, and so he arose from his bed.

The single tear dissipated to the roaming particles of air, drying a thin streak of his sunken cheek. Small feet padded against the creaking floorboards, daintily strolling to the source of the almost magical moonlight. Lightly pressing against the window pane, a light breeze dusted against Erin's milky skin, tickling his spine like a feather in the wind. A small spark surged through his body, shivering under the wind's gaze. A fraction of a sound resonated through the raven-black haired male's ears, causing him to softly gaze over to the calico cat. Those wide feline doe eyes dilated, innocently snuggling his small head against his owner's smooth thigh. His plush lips twitched upwards marginally, tenderly holding his companion in the cool air before cradling it against his chest.

There the pair sat, as the furry creature basked in Erin's warmth, as he gently stroked the bridge of the cat's nose. He quivered once again, feeling tears stinging the puffed corners of his drooped eyes. Even then, his downturned eyes never fail to hold the glow of the pessimistic optimism of a thousand thriving people. With a deep inhale, Erin lifted his heavy head, cracking his mouth open, when the almost nonexistent plea of a whisper escaped the back of his throat.

"You're awful bright tonight; you woke me up, Mr Blue." A shaky, drawn out exhale puffed out of his downturned lips, as he began pouring out everything he had in his heart to the trusty Moon. The Moon that never failed to appear in his darkest hours.

"You're so lucky, you know? I would give anything to be as bright and lending as you." He propped his chin up against the cuddled creature, flickering his eyes across the glittery stars, landing atop the spherical rock known as the Moon. "But, I'm dull and selfish. You are always there for everyone when it all looks dark. Tell me, how do you do it? How do you die and breathe over and over again?" A small gust of air brushed against the cream curtains, tickling Erin's thin arms as he pondered deeper.

"Tell me, Mr Blue. How many times have I died, and breathed again? Why can't I just breathe fresh air, far away from this time and place? I feel as if I'm being drowned in a murky blue pond, for every day I've been stuck here. I want to be someone free, someone alive. Tell me. Tell me, how many times have I fallen in love? Was it with the same person? You've existed longer than any other creature to walk this sad planet, so tell me, is it real..? I wonder how many times I've held the same hands, met the same eyes, embraced the same chest."

One tear turned into two, three, six. "Or maybe, none at all. Maybe I was never loved in any life. Or maybe, this is my first and last life. S'the same hurt every day. Apart from you, Rae, hm," he fondly smiled, stroking his cat. "You and my brother might be the only good thing Mr Blue has gave me, you know? Thank you." Erin silently allowed tears to slip past his wondrous, desperate orbs, hugging Rae even tighter in his warm embrace. "Should we sleep, shouldn't we Rae? It's past the witching hour." The small being's jaw elongated briefly, yawning out a cloud of air, licking his nose. The corner of his lips rose slightly, as his heart sweltered at the beyond endearing sight.

"Goodnight, Mr Blue. If I breathe, I'll see you tomorrow."

He skidded away from the open window, curling into a tiny ball, Rae mimicking his actions beside him. The soft rise and fall of his chest grew even softer, as the shadow of sleep dawned upon his figure.

Here he laid beneath the burning stars against the hospital bed, moonlight ever so blue, tinting his skin a deathly grey. Silent, soundless tears held his clear sight captive, wanting nothing more than the invisible red string to slither smoothly around his thin neck, and tighten beyond his ability to loosen.

Nothing is worth it.