The veil of heritage

Chapter 4 - Illusion of the tree

I'm standing in front of this immense tree, the place is peaceful, the sun's rays are beating down on my face, I glance around, nothing, everything is calm, I observe this tree, it looks so familiar. To take advantage of the calm I decide to close my eyes, it's so soothing.

- Maël?

I open my eyes again, take a quick look around, but there's no one there, am I mistaken? Am I having auditory hallucinations now?

- Maël?

I look in front of me, the little voice is coming from the tree, is someone hiding behind the tree? To get the person out of hiding I have no choice but to answer.

- Yes?

- Is that you, Maël?

I feel like I'm talking into a void, I don't understand.

- Indeed, who are you?

- Don't you recognize me?

- How can I recognize you, if I can't see you, first come out of your hiding place

The person laughs, and if I can hear well, I can see it's a woman's voice. I think I recognize the voice, but I can't remember.

- Here I am

I look around, tired, I circle the tree, but there's no one there.

- No, I'm right here in front of you

I frown, I don't understand, where is this voice coming from?

- Come closer, take a step forward and you'll see me.

I move closer to the tree, observe it, a hand appears out of nowhere, I jump back reflexively.

- Come to me. Don't be afraid

I move closer and half a body emerges from the tree, confused I raise my head and see a face I recognize so well with its dark hair.

- Alice?

I look up to check it's her, she smiles at me, I see a pale, skinny face with bruises, and a small scar on the tip of her lip that she didn't have before, what's happened to her?

- I'm in the middle of a dream

Alice shakes her head to prove my disagreement.

- You're not dreaming Mael, it's all real, you just haven't realized it yet.

- It's not possible, you're out of it, I'm... er...

I can't find my words, I'm confused, I'm hallucinating, it's not possible, it's not real I see a person in a tree how could it be real?

Alice starts laughing, mocking my reaction, I stare at her, I see she looks tired, as if she hasn't slept, I'm watching her so deeply.

- Where the hell are you? Your family is preoccupied

Alice stops laughing and looks at me, her eyes empty and a tear running down her cheek.

- It's all your fault, Maël

- How is it my fault? I don't understand, how are you blaming me?

- In what way? In your opinion, this whole thing, my disappearance, is entirely your fault! How come you didn't tell my brother about the party before I disappeared? Why didn't you tell him?

- I...

- You what? Huh, you're such a coward, if you could have stopped me from doing that, I'd still be alive with my family!

I didn't know that the evening we spent together would be the last time I'd ever dream of it. If I'd known, I might have acted differently.

- That you're still alive? You're not dead, we're going to find you!