The Long Climb

She struggled to pull herself up, gasping in the freezing, night wind. Pausing, she leans her head against the cool metal of the building, her arms aching from the strain of holding her weight. For a brief moment she glanced down, groaning at the distance between her and the ground. Taking a deep breath she continues pulling herself up, trying not to think of how much more distance there was to cover or how cold she felt in the night air.

After what felt like forever, her hand finally hit the edge of something rough, different than the cool metal she had been used to and she looked up in surprise to see the top. Elation filled her for a moment as she pulled herself over the edge, dropping down onto the concrete below. Three figures stood, examining her with curiosity.

Before she could rise the first figure rushed toward her; the only one who genuinely looked happy to see her. His tail wagged in excitement as he bounded toward her, licking her face in happiness. She laughed softly as she scratched behind his ears, kissing the top of his head with affection.

"Hey there, baby," She said quietly. "I missed you, too. Were you a good boy?"

He barked once before running off and she finally stood, facing the last two figures. Her eyes immediately strayed to the taller of the two, searching his eyes for some sort of recognition or sign of approval. Her shoulders slumped dejectedly as he barely glanced at her before swiveling on his heel and striding through the exit door without a word. Fore he was the reason she had climbed the tower in the first place and without his approval she felt her hope melting away. She turned away from the last figure for a moment, not meeting his eyes as she struggled to get her emotions in check, fighting the tears that had sprung to her eyes.

Unfortunately, the last figure knew her too well, and she felt his arms wrap around her before she was ready for it.

"I know, dear sister, I know. I told him that you would make it. I told him that if I could make it there was no way that you wouldn't, but he didn't believe me. I'm afraid that you've angered him with your arrival. Disappointed him even," He whispered in her ear.

She turned, fury evident in her eyes.

"How can he be disappointed that I accomplished this when he's supposed to love me?" She hissed.

He shook his head, "Oh sister, you disappoint me with your naivety. He doesn't love you. No one loves except me. Haven't you realized that yet? No one can. All those thoughts you've had over the years - that you're a disappointment, that mom and dad never wanted you, that he couldn't possibly love you - you're right. Why can't you see that?"

The anger slowly drained from her eyes, her shoulders slumping in defeat. He was right, of course he was right. She stared down, wondering idly when she had reached the ledge as she looked out into the darkness. Her feet kept moving as she felt her heart dying inside.

This climb was for nothing. All this effort was for nothing. They don't want me here. They don't want me at all. It would be better just to jump.

"Yes, dear sister, that's correct. Just jump."

She nodded once and stepped off the ledge, briefly wondering as she did so if this was the right course of action. Fear suddenly slid through her veins like a shock to her system and as the ground raced up to meet her --

I wake up.