IRREVOCABLY AND IRRETRIEVABLY

Chapter Three: Into the Unknown

As Evelyn stood on the precipice of departure, a torrent of emotions flooded her mind, mingling with the echoes of cherished memories that reverberated through her consciousness.

"I'm grateful for it all," she murmured softly, her voice barely audible above the gentle hum of the breeze. "For the sanctuary of my library, the solace of my garden, and the little trees I nurtured with care."

In the recesses of her mind, memories flickered like distant stars, illuminating the darkness with fragments of the past. She recalled the day she stumbled upon a rabbit in the garden, its velvety fur glinting in the sunlight as it darted through the foliage. With a mixture of excitement and trepidation, she had followed its fleeting shadow, only to watch in awe as it leapt gracefully into the pool. With a quick, instinctive movement, she had plunged into the water, rescuing the startled creature from its watery trap.

Ah, the pool – her sanctuary, her refuge from the chaos of the world. She remembered the countless hours she had spent swimming laps, the rhythmic splash of water against skin a soothing melody to her ears. Sometimes, her dad would join her, his laughter echoing off the tiles as they raced each other to the finish line. Other times, it would be her mom, her elegant strokes a testament to years of practice and dedication. And on rare occasions, they would swim together, their synchronized movements a silent dance of love and unity.

But it was her sixteenth birthday that lingered most vividly in her mind, a kaleidoscope of laughter, love, and joy. The morning had begun with a pool party, the air filled with the scent of sunscreen and the sound of splashing water. From there, it had evolved into a makeshift Olympics race, with makeshift flags waving proudly in the breeze. As the sun reached its zenith, they had abandoned the pool for the sand, engaging in a spirited game of volleyball beneath the scorching midday sun.

"I had all my favorite snacks that day," Evelyn reminisced, a nostalgic smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "And all my favorite food."

As the day wore on, she had retreated to the comfort of her library, losing herself in the pages of her favorite books until the stars emerged in the night sky. And when it came time to cut the cake, she had been greeted with a surprise that would change everything – her first-ever phone, a gift from her parents to mark her transition into adulthood.

"I remember their excitement," Evelyn recalled, her heart swelling with gratitude. "And how I couldn't resist sneaking a peek the day before the unveiling."

With trembling fingers, she had seen the unwrapped  gift, her eyes widening in surprise as she discovered an unfamiliar photograph nestled among the contents. With a sense of exhilaration coursing through her veins, she withdrew the photograph, her pulse quickening as she examined the scene before her.

It was a picture of her parents – but not as she knew them. They were dressed in clothes she had never seen them wear, surrounded by strangers whose faces were unfamiliar to her. It was a side of her parents she had never glimpsed before, a world she had never known existed.

"Must be from when they first met", she brushed her fingers over the picture, "Mom has always been so pretty."

But as she gazed upon the photograph, a sense of determination blossomed within her.

For though the journey ahead was fraught with uncertainty and anxiety, she knew that it was a journey she had to undertake. With a deep breath, she turned her back on the memories of her past, her resolve firm as she faced the unknown with courage and determination.

~~~

As Evelyn and her family gathered at the private jet space, the air buzzed with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Her mom flitted about, her movements frenetic as she checked and rechecked Evelyn's belongings, bombarding her with a flurry of questions.