A peaceful evening. As the sun began to set, I stood up from the swing. Time had flown by as I talked about everything and anything with you for the first time in a while. Feeling a bit reluctant to part, I was walking you home when it happened. You turned back toward the crosswalk we had just passed, saying you thought you dropped something. After taking just a few steps, a loud horn blared from a distance, and everything before my eyes was dyed red.

My eyes snapped open. I sat up, gasping for breath. I hurriedly scanned my surroundings and recognized the familiar layout of my room. I felt the texture of the blanket covering me and the creak of the bed. Only then did I realize. It was a dream. It wasn't real.

But before I could even let out a sigh of relief, my head slumped forward.

....Just how many times is this? How many times do you have to die in my dreams?

I clutched my hair and pulled. A short, pained groan echoed through the room.