❝Hreathoire❞

Chapter 17

My body froze from the sudden shift of temperature, like I'm swished into another reality. The wind; icicles clobbering my throat and veins, air like strings writhing inside. If I'm not wearing a cape here perhaps I'm already freezing. The snow underneath me is deep, so I didn't take another step. The sounds of slush filled my ears and I watched as a misty fog escape my mouth everytime I take a breath. The snow sparkles as it's frozen to branches.

When I noticed the patterns of houses, the streets, the lampposts, the realization struck me.

I'm back in Kleavaine.

Not from afar is someone. A tall, slender figure in a long dress and hood holding a baby. I watched behind the tree, careful I might ruin what's going to happen. When she looked over my direction like she was waiting for someone, I can already take a glimpse. A rosy, white skin. Hair as white as the snow. Eyes mirroring iridescent hues, a color similar to the shade of the ambers.

She caressed the baby while walking slowly, for the snow covered the ground, the reason why moving along the path became harder. The wind harshly blew, making it more difficult to see. My eyes followed her, then I realized, we're on the street where I live. My house is just a few blocks away from this spot.

I went nearer, I hid behind a tree again. Now I can see more closely. Her beauty is ethereal, but such somber, sullen visage is plastered. Then, she began to cry as she looked down on her baby.

"Remember, Emerald. I just want to keep you safe." Her voice had a quaking tone as she brushes her finger on the forehead of the child.

The sight of a mother and of a child was a reminder; a not comforting one, that I was alone. Barely living under the roof when my only mother, grandma, died. Now, another picture. Another seemingly perfect picture that I couldn't understand why it pierces me until I'm left with a bigger hole. Bereft of answers. Longing for more, longing for home.

The ground seems to shift, a presence of someone behind me. It walked past me like I'm only thin air, my heart beating wildly as he strides towards the woman.

"You need to leave her now, Tanasha. Or you might change your mind." The woman didn't look at him, instead a drop of tear traced down her face, and I clutched my chest from the sudden contraction.

"Alright, Lucas."

Lucas.

The name rings a bell.

Where have I heard it?

"Just a moment." She smiled weakly to the guy, walked down the street to stop infront of a house, then stopped to another, then walked back like she was looking for something. Finding for a new residence.

And then she stopped.

Infront of my house.

She placed the baby into a basket Lucas gave her. She kissed it ever so gently as the snowflakes landed on their skins, a goodbye. A warm one amidst the coldness. She removed something from her neck and placed it around the baby's. A necklace.

It's like I know. I knew. That something is rising in me. I held the necklace pressed against my chest, held it gently and then tightly. And when I let go of it I feel numb. The wind colder. The sky darker. I wanted to cry but I couldn't. I'm in the verge of knowing more but couldn't touch it like it was invisible.

Beaded with sweat, I woke up panting. I stood and walked back and forth in my room, preventing myself from forgetting by thinking about it over and over again even when my heart weakens and my mind is pounding. Lucas. Now, I can remember where I've heard it.

From Lilith. I need to find her. Lucas was her guardian before.

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