Pushing the door open a little, I could see a figure lying in the bed parallel to me, covered by a thin blanket.

Him. Long, rectangular shafts of sunlight draped over his body.

“Are you sleeping?” I whispered across the room to him.

“I just woke up from one of those dreams that break your heart when you realize it wasn't real.” He turned over and stared at me, harsh light casting long, spider leg shadows beneath his eyes.

I stared at him for a moment, taking in his sorrowful expression. “It’s all real,” I told him. “This is a multidimensional place. Your dream is a real experience somewhere, I’m sure of it.”

This seemed to comfort him. He closed his eyes and nestled deeper into his pillow. “But I want it now,” he said.

I watched the dust glitter in the light and spiral silently, ethereally down towards him.