Chapter 5 Part 2 When Past & Present Collide

My spirit travels through a tunnel of stars as if I'm racing through outer space, but then it suddenly

stops. I'm dropped down on my back into an empty field of green grass. I lay there for a moment,

inhaling the aroma of freshly grown flowers that remind me of spring while the sun beams down on

my face.

I am startled by the voices of children a couple of feet away. “You can't catch me,” A boy's soft voice

yells, giggling mid-run. I sit up to get a better look and find a boy, about ten, hiding behind a rock.

He peaks around a couple of times as if he is searching for something. Then, a young girl, of the

same age, appears quickly from around the other side scaring the boy. “FOUND YOU," she shouts,

tagging him and instantly falls to the ground gripping her stomach from laughter.

I stand in confusion, I don't understand how all of this feels so familiar, and the girl looks just like

me as a child. I continue to watch when the boy lays down next to the girl. “Can I ask you

something,” he says, his expression becoming serious. “Sure, we are best friends. You can ask me

anything,” she states, rolling onto her back to stare up into the sky. I follow her gaze and see it is

filled with white fluffy clouds. “I know we are destined for a life together, but do you feel more with

me,” he asks, propping himself up on his elbow, looking down at the girl.

I watch as she looks at him with a smile. “What do you mean?” she questions, giving him her full

attention. “I guess what I'm asking is, with our families wanting us to marry once we turn 18. Are

you doing it because you feel something for me? or because our ancestors are making us follow

tradition,” he asks, hesitantly with uncertainty shining in his eyes. The girl sits up, mulling over his

question. “We have been attached at the hip since we were born,” she giggles. “There is no other

person in this world I would rather spend my life with, other than you,” she smiles, pulling him into a

hug. I can see a bright smile on his face as he pulls her into a hug. “Oh my god,” I say, finally

connecting the dots, “It's Luca and me,” I whisper aloud, covering my mouth with shock.

My eyes close to absorbing this information. “Wake up, Chloe. You're dreaming,” I frantically tell

myself. When I open my eyes, I'm in a completely different scene. The air has turned cold, and I can

see my breath as it escapes my mouth. Icicles fall from the trees around and fluffy snowflakes fall

from a grey sky. My teeth chatter when a shiver rolls through my body and I rub my arms to get rid

of the goosebumps.

I look around to try and find shelter and feel relief when I spot a cabin close by. I hurry towards it,

folding my arms around me as I run, but I stop when I spot a woman dragging a girl, about thirteen,

from the cabin behind her. “NO! PLEASE! I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE HIM," the girl screams, breaking

from the woman's grasp. When the woman turns around to grab the girl, horror washes over my

face. “Cordelia,” I say aloud in shock.

Then it makes sense. The girl, who is the younger version of myself, rushes into Luca's arms. He

wraps his arms tightly around me and tears flood my eyes as I watch the scene unfold. It's all

coming back to me. I can feel the tears freeze to my skin, hardening from the cold. I see Cordelia

grabbing me from Luca's embrace, tearing us apart to pull me away. Luca tries to run after me, but a

large man stops him, holding him in place. “NO! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO US! I DON'T CARE IF

COLETTE FAILED HER MISSION. I STILL LOVE CHLOE," he pleads, trying to fight the strong man who

is still holding him back, but his thirteen-year-old self Is no match. After failing to break away, Luca

drops to his knees, desperately reaching his hand out for my touch. I inch closer to him and gently

place my hand on his shoulder to console him, but he can’t feel my touch in my spirit form.

Suddenly, my spirit is sucked back into the present returning to my body as Luca lets my face go. “I

remember everything,” I think, as my heart breaks into little pieces. I gasp for air, holding my chest,

meeting Luca's gaze with the admiration we shared as children. “Now you know," he says, taking a

step back with his gaze into the ground, unable to meet my eyes. I step toward him and reach for

his arm. “Why didn’t you show me this sooner,” I ask, lifting his chin with my finger. “I wanted you to

remember what we had on your own, but the thought of you leaving without knowing, kills me,” he

says with a sadness I can't explain.

I am so lost. At this point, everything I ever felt towards Luca, all the hate and disgust, is gone within

a few seconds. All those memories of us flooded into my mind and I can now feel my heart being

torn between two loves. I look around in confusion, not quite sure what I'm supposed to do.

I moved into Luca's arm and hugged him tightly. I inhale his fresh clean scent, with a hint of

sandalwood, It warms me and I feel at home again. Luca returns my embrace, wrapping his arms

around me as if for the first time in his life since we were separated, he could finally breathe. “What

about Malachi?” The thought crossed my mind and I gently pulled away from Luca.

I stare up into his dark blue eyes as if they held the answer, but they didn't. “I may have my memory

back, but I can't just forget about the love I have for Malachi,” I admit quietly, taking Luca's hand

into mine and squeezing it tight. “I need to go figure my life out. If we are meant to be together,

things will fall into place,” I tell him with a heaviness in my heart.

“I will wait for however long you need Chloe. If you decide that Malachi is the one for you then I

must accept it and let you go. After All, when you love something so much, but they don't feel the

same, there is only so much you can do,” Luca claims, bringing his hand to gently caress my cheek.

“I love you, Chloe. If Malachi is your happiness then I only want to see you happy,” he gives me a

small smile as his hand drops from my cheek. “You are free,” he says, taking a step back from me.

I look at Luca for a moment, regret starting to linger over my head, but I turn and walk towards the

woods near the edge of a clearing. I turn to look at Luca, one last time, and see his expression is

filled with agony. This will be the second time he watches me leaving him, and I can feel tears filling

my eyes. I force myself to turn back around and move further into the woods.

The farther I go, the more I see the forest sporting various colors of burnt orange and yellow leaves.

Branches sway gently in the breeze, setting some free to fall to the forest floor. I walk faster, rushing

to see my baby when I hear the cracks of twigs behind me. I quickly spun around, my eyes growing

wide as my mouth fell open.

"Hello, Chloe.”