Drip.

The sound of the droplet hitting the water resounded around the seemingly infinite space surrounding the nineteen-year-old, green-eyed blond.

(He was alone.)

Mindlessly, he spun in a sort of dance, eyes shut, humming a strange melody.

(The scythe twirled around with him, like a baton.)

Two beats of water being disturbed by falling droplets echoed.

(A-)

The scythe in his hand skimmed the surface of the blood-stained carpet of water.

(-lice)

A sliced section of his shirt revealed a deep gash on his side. Multiple wounds peeked out from underneath the tattered and soaked wear. Little balls of blood flew around Oz as he twirled both body and scythe, landing on the dark surface below him.

(A-)

The arm unoccupied with the weapon swung freely, tracing random patterns in the air.

(-lice)

Gradually making his way toward a glass wall that confined something, the dancing came to a sudden stop.

(The humming refused to silence until the melody had finished.)

Lightly touching his fingertips to the transparent border, a sigh escaped his lips, barely causing a pause in the song. The humming became lyrics as a clear voice cut through the blackness.

(The scythe dropped out of his hand.)

Both palms pressed against the glass as blood-tinted hair shifted from a slight change in the position of his head.

(A torn shirt fell open as he pressed his forehead to the barrier, revealing toned muscles, unexpected for such a slim body.)

Tears spilled out of striking emerald eyes, each drop paving a clear circle in the dark water, as if tears and blood were like oil and water.

(Still, the singing persisted.)

Everything, he would give up everything for her. On the other side, the world was filled with laughter, with joy, and was not an inescapable world of death. It would all disappear in an instant, if he so wished. His lyrics started to fade as the melody slowed and the song approached its end.

(Finally, he hummed the last few bars.)

The last echo of his dream was an emotion-filled scream. With a start, he shot up into a sitting position, panting lightly.

(Sweat covered his brow and he could feel he thin layer of perspiration covering his body.)

A miniscule shift of his companion's body led his hand to search for her. With a wave of relief, it rested upon the small of her bare back, and he lowered his being back onto the bed, pulling her closer just as one of her slim hands reached out to cup his cheek. With his free hand, he covered it gently, leaning into the embrace. She blinked her half-lidded eyes inquisitively.

"Oz?"

(Her melodic voice pierced the night, and he was grateful only he heard her voice like that, when it was just them, alone, their bodies pressed together like this.)

Drawing her in even closer, he shook his head as her hands moved to rest on his nude torso, her head leaning forward to do the same.

"It's nothing, Alice."

(She was too tired to urge him to tell her, so she only nodded ever so slightly as she fell back into her deep slumber.)

Watching her peaceful sleep, he kissed the crown of her head, smiling as he felt her steady breaths on his chest.

(But even as he closed his eyes, thoughts of the woman next to him occupying his mind, the melody played in the recesses of his mind.)

Alice.