When your eyes are blind with tears but your heart can see: another life, another galaxy

[staturity]

Cassie Lang had found a quiet spot in the city where she hoped no one would find her. She lay down on the floor, hugged herself, and cried until there were no more tears left to cry. Sleep overtook her but her turmoil continued.

In her dream Cassie stood in the center of Obs Deck. In front of her, was the giant statue, staring at her with such intensity she felt her very soul was seen and judged.

She was not alone, faceless figures surrounded her in a circle. They did not advance but walked around her. They were saying something but she could not understand. Then they drew closer and she recognized them: the Avengers, the people she’d thought of as family, the Young Avengers, her friends and teammates, the only anchor in her life, and other faces she knew but could not name, fellow captives of Stacy.

One figure stopped and walked forward, stopping directly in front of her. It was Iron Lad. She wanted to reach for him but her arms would not move. Iron Lad smiled and touched the skin of his face. He dug into his cheek with his nails and the skin ripped. He pulled back the skin, ripping off his own face to reveal the blue mask of Kang.

Cassie turned to run but she fell. Her body was heavy, too heavy to push herself up. She could do nothing but look up and watch.

All at once, in unison, those surrounding her laughed. She looked for her friends, for Jonas and Kate, but they too were laughing. Black smoke poured from their mouths, filling the room until she could see nothing.

Cassie tried to get away, to crawl or drag herself away, but she was too weak. The smoke filled her lungs. She could not breathe.

(OOC: Open to Selene, can be open once dream is over should anyone care to stumble onto her. Open to all now.)