𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄 ⪼𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐄

01

— "Departings are bitter, but yet they're sweet. It's an end and a beginning all in one." The wind danced in the air, the smell of the sea bristling against her nose. She found herself on a cliff with someone sitting close to her. A beautiful city with a port guarding its front side could be seen from their view.

Who are you? The words wouldn't leave her mouth, finding pockets of empty air escaping instead. Her hand reached out to the person sitting before her, touching their shoulder. This caused the person to turn over their shoulder with a cheerful smile. It felt like someone tugged her heart to the side, a warm wave of happiness washing over her.

What are you to me?

"You're probably confused right now, aren't you? But that's okay." They stood up, brushing off their legs and facing the (h/c)-haired girl. Putting a hand on her shoulders and closing their eyes, they inhaled a long breath. Their eyes were stunning, drawing her in like she was diving into the sea. Even though their voice held no emotion, their eyes held more than words could speak.

Do I know you? Why can't I talk? Why does it feel like we've known each other for so long?

"I hope there isn't a day where I won't forget your existence. Too bad in this world, our paths crossed too late." Traces of static could be heard in their voice. "I would have liked for us to have a normal life together in our next one. And–"

(Y/N)'s eyes widened in horror when shrieking screams filled the air around her. Her hands shot up to her ears to cut out the screaming, but the agile actions were futile. The blue skies turned to midnight black, smoke filling the air between them. The shrieks leaked through the tiniest gaps, dropping to her knees at how unbearable they were becoming.

Dreadfully looking up at the stranger, her eyes wavered when she saw their condition. Their once beautiful and wondrous eyes were now emotionless, cuts covering their face and arms. Red streaks were leaking from the cuts with specks of dirt mixed in. She watched the person crouch down to her level while narrowing their eyes.

Their hand outstretched to her face, cold fingers slowly tracing along the side of her face. She could feel the dirt stain her face before their fingers stopped at her jaw. Placing their palm against her jawline and cupping it, a smile spread across the person's face.

Their mouth opened, but no words followed. Maybe it was because piercing screams filled (Y/N)'s ears, or they were talking too quietly. I can't hear you!

Her hands tore themself off her ears, reaching out to stop the person who stood back up. She missed the back of their shirt as they stepped forward into the smoke. No, stop! Something is telling me you won't come back! Please!

"(Y/N)! Wake up! You're going to be late!"

An unfamiliar voice bounced inside the (h/c)-haired girl whose eyelids flickered when she heard her name. Her fingers twitched against the soft mattress, her toes lifting the bottom of the covers slightly.

(Y/N) sat up, hoping the person she saw in her dreams would be the one calling out to her now. A tear rolled down her right cheek, seeing a golden-eyed girl staring at her. Streaks of black covered the girl's face for a split second, disappearing when (Y/N) tilted her head.

What was that?

She blinked a few times, quickly taking short glances around the room. A hazy fog was seemingly wrapping around her brain, preventing her from being able to think clearly. It was as if she had suddenly appeared in this room.

"You slept through your alarms! That's so unlike you! Are you sick?" Her concerning comment seemingly went one ear out the other to the confused girl. The faint chatter of other voices leaked into the room due to the open door, causing (Y/N) to look away to understand her current situation.