Chapter 8:

Touching Reunion

The Past in The Present


“Oh yeah…I forgot…” His voice, which reached no one under the dark sky, was filled with regret.

Kicking the ground, he was soon assaulted by a mass of dirt from the wind blowing it into his face, leaving him lying on the ground, in front of the school building which was now empty at night.

What now?

While unable to think of what to do next, his phone began to ring.

No…it’s not possible…

He immediately recognized the ringtone, that he set to ring for only one contact. Memories flooded his mind along with the tears that overwhelmed him. Grabbing his phone and read the contact, immediately answering the call.

“Thank goodness, you finally answered. I’ve been trying to call you for a while now, dinners ready so hurry on home, okay?”

“Is that you?” His ragged voice anxiously came out of his mouth, as he swiftly back up.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Chuckling he wiped the sea of tears that been rupturing from his eyes with his sleeve and wore a bitter smile.

“No, it’s nothing, I’m outside the house so come let me in okay.”

“Can’t you just come in like usua-, I’ll be right there dear.”

“Thanks.”

He noticed himself tapping his feet on the ground as he heard the steps growing louder. Soon the front door opened, letting out the bright light from inside. A figure that he remembered all too well stood in front of him at the entrance.

“Welcome back home Mena.” With a lovely voice, she opened her arms and welcomed him.”

Nothing else mattered right now, not even the matter with Louise, because right here, in front of him…

“Yeah…I-I’m Back Mom!”

Hugging her with all his strength, he cried out to her.

I don’t care why or how this happened, but right now…I won’t make the same mistake twice.

Completely forgetting that he had been down in the dumps until just a few minutes ago, he smiles brightly and laughs to himself.

“I’ve missed you, so much.” Reminiscing, he embraced her even more. “I’m never letting you leave me again, okay? I have so much to tell you, so I can promise that it won’t be boring.”

“Don’t worry, I’m never bored when I’m with you after all.” Sweetly replying to him, she rubbed his back gently.

“You’re really here, right?” he asked her, with genuine sincerity.

“I’m right here Mena, I’m not going anywhere.” Reassuring him softly, she continued to caress his back.

“Leaving me all alone like that…is too unfair. I patiently waited too; you know?” Feeling genuine bliss, he rambled on about his frustrations with her. Until…

THUD

Falling to the ground, exhausted, Mena made a loud thud as his body reached the ground

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

He feels a tug on his sleeve and turns to the side.

I’m glad I could see you again. It seems you still haven’t recovered fully yet.

His field of view was completely devoid of any light.

Huh? Who is that?

If you beg me, then I could give you a hint.

With no sense of direction coming from the strange voice, he refrained from checking his surroundings any further.

“You’re from before, aren’t you?”

I’m glad you’ve managed to remember more. You really are good, to be able to figure that out all on your own even though you’ve forgotten everything else.

“So, why are you here?”

Well, aren’t you going to do your thing again?

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

Aren’t you going run back again without getting any more than last time?

“Again, I don’t get what you mean. Do I really have a knack for running away?”

You have the answers you need, yet you stubbornly refuse to accept them. Continuing to let your greed for the perfect ending will cost you your life.

Cold air presses against his face and he looks around questioning its presence.

Well, it looks like I’m out of time again. I do hope you do well, and for being able to remember me after all of this I’ll even give you a helping hand this time. Goodbye, for now.

Staring at the roof above him with a blank expression he turns to the side to see his room, only brightened by the moon’s faint glow.

What a dream to have, first that fire, and now ‘him’. Was that really a dream or was he purposefully messing with me, because if it was the latter then he is so getting it later.

He stretched his arms out to his sides on his bed, letting out a sigh of relief.

I’m not running back anymore. Even if I barely have any time left.