Date: Mon, 24 Dec 2001 13:50:45 -0800 (PST) From: Michael Freeman Subject: Michael-and-Chance-12 Author's Note: Hey guys, happy holidays! :o) As usual, I tried to get the installment out as soon as I could. However, I have been very, very, very busy! And thus, the delay. Anyway, so here it is, the twelfth installment of "Michael and Chance." Enjoy. I recommend that you listen to the following songs as you read this installment: "Snow on the Sahara" by Anggun---it's my favorite song of all time; see the amazingly beautiful lyrics below; "Only Time (Pop Radio Remix) by Enya; and finally, "Tell Him" by Celine Dion. Snow on the Sahara Only tell me that you still want me here/ When you wander off out there/ To those hills of dust and hard winds that blow/ In that dry white ocean alone Lost out in the desert/ You are lost out in the desert But to stand with you in a ring of fire/ I'll forget the days gone by/ I'll protect your body and guard your soul/ From mirages in your sight Lost out in the desert/ You are lost out in the desert If your hopes scatter like the dust across your track/ I'll be the moon that shines on your path/ The sun may blind our eyes, I'll pray the skies above/ For snow to fall on the Sahara Just a wish and I will cover your shoulders/ With veils of silk and gold/ When the shadows come and darken your heart/ Leaving you with regrets so cold Lost out in the desert/ You are lost out in the desert If your hopes scatter like the dust across your track/ I'll be the moon that shines on your path The sun may blind our eyes, I'll pray the skies above/ For snow to fall on the Sahara If that's the only place where you can leave your doubts/ I'll hold you up and be your way out And if we burn away, I'll pray the skies above/ For snow to fall on the Sahara Artist: Anggun. Lyrics: Benzi-Matheson/Benzi Usual Disclaimer and Legal Stuff: The following story deals with male-to-male relationship and gay erotica. If this offends you or is illegal in your location and/or you are under the age of consent in your jurisdiction to read such materials, then you should exit this page now. This statement releases the author of the story and the site wherein this story is posted from any legal action or liability. All rights reserved by author. This series is not to be reproduced, distributed, altered, or posted elsewhere without the expressed consent and written permission from the author. Copyright 2001. Michael and Chance 12: "Dream" by Michael T. Freeman 12/24/01 Previously: And just as Chance was about to end it all, to let go of all his pain and misery, he heard the faint, familiar voice of his beloved Michael behind him, "No, Chance...please don't!" Startled by the voice, Chance opened his eyes and instinctively looked over his right shoulder to see a shimmering, ghostly figure of his beautiful Michael standing behind him with arms outreached. Chance, without thinking, let go of his right grip and reached for the radiant figure, causing him to lose balance. His body reflectively reacted as his left hand tightened its grip on the railing as he dangled helplessly from 10 stories above ground. "Michael?!!" Chance cried out as he looked up to balcony. But no one was in sight. A very bewildered and distressed Chance shouted hysterically for help as he hung on for dear life. ********************** MC12: "Dream" I cannot begin to describe to you where I am right now, or what I am feeling and experiencing. It is unlike anything I have ever seen, or felt, or experienced before in my life. It is beyond moral words, but I shall try. It seems that I am standing on a white sandy beach, the most brilliant white sandy I have ever seen. And beyond is the most beautiful, amazing horizon I have ever witnessed with these unusual multi-colored, iridescent, swirling streams of light. I find myself mesmerized by them. They seem to dance in a rhythmic pattern and emanate an heavenly warmth that permeates into the core of my very being, flooding me with an overwhelming sense of peace, love, and beauty. It is beyond anything I have ever felt and experienced in my entire life. It is truly surreal, and yet, so real at the same time... ********************** (Chance's Apartment) "Help!" Chance cried out as he grabbed the railing with his other hand and struggled to pull himself up over the railing. At that moment, Dade bursted out onto the balcony after hearing Chance's cry for help when he entered the apartment. He quickly grabbed Chance hands and swiftly pulled him over the railing. Chance shook erratically as Dade carried him to the couch. Dade was completely shocked and horrified. "WHAT the FUCK were you doing out there, Chance?" Dade shouted at his buddy who was pale as a ghost and shaking like a leaf. "Are you fuckin' CRAZY or something? What were you thinking?" Dade shook his head in disbelief as he sat on the coffee table across from Chance. Chance could hardly speak and averted Dade's eyes. He was too ashamed and embarrassed and dazed to reply, or look at Dade. Chance sat on the couch with knees bent and arms wrapped around them as he trembled sporadically in terror as tears streamed down his face. As angry, and frustrated, and bewildered as he was, Dade couldn't stand seeing his buddy like this---so miserable, and distraught, and terrified like a lost puppy. Dade slowly moved over to the couch and sat next to Chance and slowly wrapped his arms around him, holding him tightly, and sighed. "I'm sorry for yelling at you, Chance," he said softly and kissed Chance on the side of his face. "It just that you scared the crap out of me." Dade exhaled heavily. "What's going on Chance? Please tell me. What would make you do a crazy something like that?" Dade pleaded as tears started to well up in his eyes at the thought of possibly losing his best friend. But still no answers from Chance, only the erratic hissing sound of his sobbing. "It's alright, Chance," Dade whispered as he pulled Chance towards him, allowing Chance's head to rest on his lap. Chance coiled up in a semi-fetal position as Dade continued to lightly stroke his hair. "You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to. I'm here for you, buddy...always." The last 24 hours has been an emotional whirlwind. The mental and physical exhaustion finally set in as Chance's body quickly succumbed to Dade's reassuring and comforting touch and shut down to sleep. Dade continued to stroke Chance's hair rhythmically as he watched Chance falls fast asleep. Chance looked so peaceful and beautiful asleep Dade thought to himself as he carried his buddy to his bedroom and set him gently down on the bed and tuck him in. Dade sat on the side of Chance's bed, watching his buddy sleeps. He gently brushed Chance's dark brown hair out of his eyes to reveal a tired, but strikingly beautiful, rugged face. Suddenly tears welled up in his eyes as he thought of what could have happened tonight if he wasn't there to rescue his buddy. He couldn't bear the thought of ever losing Chance. He is the only real family that Dade has left now since the passing of his grandma two years ago. He has already lost so many people in his life---his mom to cancer when he was only 12 years old, and his dad to a car accident when he was 15---and he couldn't bear the thought of losing another person who he loves so dearly in his life. "God, what were you thinking, Chance?" Dade whispered to a sleeping Chance as the soft light of the moon highlighted his sharp facial features. "What would drive you to try to end your life like that?" Dade sighed deeply. "God, I wouldn't know what to do if I ever lose you." Tears slowly trickled down Dade's face as it suddenly hits him how much Chance means to him, how much he truly loves him. Dade exhaled deeply. "I love you so much, Chance...if only you knew how much," Dade uttered softly as he continued to study his buddy's face. "Why haven't I told you so...what am I waiting for?" Dade rested his right hand lightly on Chance's chest. He could feel the beating of his buddy's heart. "Why didn't I let you into my heart when I had the chance...what was I so afraid of?" Dade whispered as he felt his heart ached with regrets. "But I know that it's too late now...you're with Michael," Dade said disheartedly as he wiped away his tears and sighed. "I love you, Chance....I truly do.....sweet dreams, buddy," Dade whispered as he kissed Chance lightly on the lips and left the room. A half an hour later, there was a loud bang on the door. Dade was in the bathroom, washing up for bed. He quickly opened the door to find a worried and distressed Stacy standing there. "Hi, I'm sorry, is this..uhm..Chance's place?" Stacy asked as she looked at Dade, in awe of his striking physique and good looks. He had only boxers on. Stacy couldn't help but noticed his amazingly toned body with wide, broad shoulders, well-defined pecs, rippling washboard abs, and lengthy strong legs. She was mesmerized by the warm brown eyes that was staring at her through the careless brown hairs. "Yeah, it is," Dade replied. "Uhm...who are you?" "I'm sorry...I'm Stacy's, Chance and Michael's friend," Stacy replied, finally snapping out of her trance. "What can I do for you?" Dade inquired with a friendly smile. "Uhmm...actually, I was wondering if Chance is here? He was very upset and distraught when I last seen him, and I just wanted to see if he is okay," Stacy continued as Dade invited her into the apartment. "Yeah, he was very upset and distressed when I found him dangling from the balcony," Dade said gravely. "I think he was trying to commit suicide." "WHAT???" Stacy nearly shouted out in shock. "Oh, my God! Is he alright now?" "Sshhh," Dade hushed Stacy, "I think so. He's asleep in his bedroom right now. Yeah, I can't believe it myself. I wish I knew why.....what could have driven him to do something like that?" Stacy looked briefly away. "I think I have a pretty good idea why." Stacy sat down on the couch and proceeded to explain what has transpired in the last 24 hours as Dade listened attentively. "Wow, poor Chance," Dade sighed when Stacy finally finished. "Yeah, poor Michael, too," Stacy added. "Yeah, those poor guys...they have really gone through the ringer in the last 24 hours." Dade sighed heavily. "But he seems to be okay now, sound asleep." "But how is Michael doing," Dade inquired with concerns. "Well, he was still in the coma when I chased after Chance," Stacy replied sadly as tears welled up in her eyes. "It's okay," Dade said as he instinctively wrapped his arms around Stacy to comfort her. "I'm sure he'll make it through because he has such wonderful and caring friends like you and Chance." Stacy strained a little smile as she wiped away her tears, "Thank you. I'm sorry. I don't mean to be a big cry baby in front of you. I better get going. Would you mind calling me a cab?" "Hum...sure, but I can give you a lift, if you like," Dade offered. "No, really, that's not necessary. I don't want to trouble you. A cab will be fine," Stacy replied. "It's not a problem at all. I'll be glad to," Dade insisted with a warm smile. Stacy finally gave in and accepted Dade's gracious offer for a ride home. "Let me go get dress and check up on Chance to see if he's okay before we take off," Dade said as he walked over to Chance's room and peeked inside to see his buddy still fast asleep, dripping off in his dreamland: Chance could hear the distant cries of seagulls as he finds himself standing on a white sandy beach. He could feel the warmth of the brilliant sun shining down on him as the turquoise ocean water gently laps at his feet. Everything seems strangely enhanced and vivid and brilliant. There seems to be a mesmerizing quality to the environment---the sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch of this exotic place seem intensified. Everything seems to emit an iridescent hue of splendor and glow. The ocean breeze sounds like strings of melodies in perfect harmony with the crescendos and diminuendos of ocean waves and seagulls' cries. Even the swaying of nearby palm trees seems to sing to him. It's so surreal. The salty air tastes unusually sweet and smells heavenly fragrant. And as the sun shines on him, he feels this indescribable, overwhelming sense of peace, calm, and love that he has never felt before in his entire life---so pure and unconditional. It is intoxicating. No words can adequately describe what he's feeling. This essence of unconditional love seems to envelop him, permeating into his entire being as he becomes one with it and it with him. It feels so familiar, like a home he's so long forgotten and deeply yearn for. A home he knows he shall return to again one day. Suddenly on the tip of his peripheral vision, Chance catches a glimpse of movement of a figure from a far. There seems to be someone approaching him, a shimmering figure. Chance squints to try to make out the figure, but he could not see it very well. As it approaches closer, Chance's mouth drops in disbelief and bewilderment, rendering him speechless. "Oh, my God, it can't be....Michael?" Chance screams in his head. "Michaaeel!" finally escapes from his lips as he races madly towards the brilliant figure. Chance embraces a radiant Michael as tears of joy roll down his cheek. "Michael, I can't believe it's you. God, I love you so much, angel," Chance babbles in between hysterical kisses and loving embraces. "I know, it's okay, Chance. I'm here now," Michael replies with an angelic smile. Suddenly, Chance breaks from the embrace and takes a step back from Michael with a dazed and confused expression on his face as it dawns on him that this can't be. This isn't real. This is a dream, that his Michael is in the hospital in a comatose state because of him. Chance jolted abruptly up from bed in a bewildered state of mind, not knowing exactly where he was, or what day it was. He sat there for a few seconds as his mind struggled desperately to regain cognizance of reality. He checked his digital watch and realized that he has slept for nearly 2 days. As the events of the last few days rushed back to his consciousness like a bullet train, tears welled up in his eyes as it slowly dawned on him that he was just dreaming, that his beloved Michael was still in the hospital. Suddenly the phone rang, snapping Chance out his trance. He looked at the phone with sudden apprehension, terrified of who may be on the other end of the line and the news it may bring! To be continued. Author's note: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. It is one of my favorite installments. As always, I welcome your comments, suggestions and constructive criticisms. Let me know what you think of the Series. They can be sent to mf900@yahoo.com I would like to thank all of you who have written in and shared your thoughts on the Series. Much appreciated. Well, have a great holiday, guys. Wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year! :o)