Love Beyond Boundaries

Chapter 1: The Day the World Alters

Year 2112 (Lily)

Standing over his coffin, I saw my father's lifeless body, a stark contrast from the bubbly person I once knew. I gripped his still pale hand and squeezed it tight. I could feel the moisture in my eyes, even though I told myself everything was okay. It kept growing more and more similar to that of a parasite eating away at me, that feeling of emptiness eating away at me, feeling like I was going to break down every time I looked at myself. An invasive species I would like to call it. I leaned towards his ear and whispered, "I love you." I looked at his pale face one last time and grimaced that dad was gone. Dad was gone and was just a cold, pale shell of the man I loved. Mom then suddenly grabbed my hand and walked me over to my seat near the rest of Dad's family. She wouldn't say anything, it was clear his death brought her great despair.

A man walked up and closed Dad's coffin, I heard the echo throughout the quaint and meager church. A few bulky men walked over to his coffin and lifted him in their arms. The church was dead silent, except for the shuffling shoes of the men in suits ready to head out of the door, some coughing and whispering but the silence following was loud. I got up from my seat, the old wood creaking and my shoes slapping the floor. Mom glanced at me and looked over to the door. We walked outside the church. I always thought losing a parent wasn't a big deal, after all, I was 12, I could've easily made myself breakfast or walked myself to school. However, I failed to realize how excruciating it would be to think about life without one of your favorite people. The clergy signaled the men and they started placing dirt on the smooth wood coffin. Aunt Sophie had her handkerchief covering her nose while she watched as minuscule tears fell from her eyes. Mom peered away in a different direction, for she couldn't bear to see her best friend and husband gone. Even though I was supposed to focus on the funeral, I couldn't erase the guilt scratching in the back of my mind.

When dusk came, the service ended. I gazed at the sky admiring the mash of purple hues and red. Mom looked at me, "Come on Lily, let's go home." That was the first time she had said anything all day. As we walked home, I couldn't help but notice the new buildings that were in construction. They blended into the existing ones, medieval-type architecture with old gray stone and brick. Growing up in a port town meant the streets were no short of vendors and tourists from neighboring towns. The streets were lined end to end with the exciting promise of people; the glint of hope in their eyes was inspirational. They reminded me of Dad's, determined, optimistic, and not afraid of a challenge. The older generation greatly differed. They were pessimistic and worried about the fate of the kingdom. At the time, the kids my age thought they were overly dramatic about the war. I would soon find out that the phrase "Respect your elders." actually held meaning. I pitied my naiveness, but I don't blame myself for it. I ignored the outside world because I was unsure how to comprehend the purpose of the war and the conflict between us and Samael.

"Mom, how did you meet Dad?" I asked; she glanced at me with an excited smile on her face. "We met at school." "Was he the same person back then?" "I guess you could say that his personality has not changed one bit since I met him." His appearance, what about his appearance? Everyone in Celine recognized my father because of the scar on the right side of his face and his long white hair. Strangers would always comment on his deeds in the war. Although he would never tell me any stories himself, I was fortunate to hear the perspectives about him on the streets. Of course, Mom never approved. Her over-protective ass was too scared I was going to get kidnapped. However, she would be okay with Dad doing dangerous activities in our backyard. Her logic made no sense to me once so ever. The only exception would be when I went to watch him. Once again, it was all for one reason, to shelter me from the uncertainty of the real world. But why? War was always surrounding us, and eventually shit would hit the fan. But she insisted, her exact words to my Dad were: "Don't play with weapons around Lily! She is only a child; you could injure her." I wasn't a child; I was 12. I read the sign in front of me; it was the name of my street.