Celestial Collision : The Awakening

The Encounter

The evening unfolded as splendidly as I had imagined. The party was a success, filled with familiar faces and joyful laughter. I spent the early part of the evening reconnecting with old high school friends, sharing stories and catching up on years that had flown by. When the time came, I gave a heartfelt speech for the bride and groom. Having known them the longest and best among all the friends and family, it felt like a duty and a privilege. Their smiles and the appreciative nods of the guests confirmed that my words had hit the mark.

As the reception continued, the crowd gradually migrated to the dance floor, their enthusiasm contagious. I, however, was feeling the pangs of hunger and decided it was time to head to the buffet. The anticipation of a delicious meal was enough to make me navigate through the throng of people with determination.

On my way to the buffet, my path intersected with that of a tall man. I recognized him instantly from the distinct tone of his voice. "Sorry," he said, his voice hurried as he quickly moved toward the exit of the hall. I almost did a double take. The back of this man—his grey t-shirt and dark blue jeans—was startlingly familiar. It matched the exact appearance of someone from my recurring rooftop dreams.

Before I could fully process this, Zac crossed my path. I grabbed his arm, my curiosity piqued. "Who's that guy?" I asked, pointing toward the man now making a beeline for the exit.

"Elijah Chronos," Zac said with a nod. "My best man and business partner."

So this was the Elijah Chronos Zac had spoken about often—how he had been instrumental in saving his struggling business. The realisation added a layer of intrigue to the situation.

Somebody in that moment pushed Zac to stumble down.

I asked him if he was alright. He just nodded and pointed to the watch a small crack.

"Don't worry" I said reassuringly. "How about you give it to me and I'll get that fixed?"

"Sorry Sarah and thanks" he said unfastening the watch and handing it over to me.

"Excuse me," Zac said, making his way toward his high school friend Jeremy, who was chatting with a group near the bar. Without missing a beat, I decided to follow Elijah. I needed to know more about this Elijah Chronos and why he seemed to be in such a hurry.

Elijah, though separated by some distance, moved with purpose. Elijah appeared to be tracking someone dressed in a black hoodie, who seemed to be moving at a deliberately slow pace. I followed them, my steps quiet, taking note of the way they navigated through the bustling venue.

We twisted and turned through several hallways, each corner revealing glimpses of the wedding's festivities: the sound of laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the occasional burst of music. Eventually, they reached a wooden door that Elijah opened with a sense of urgency. I carefully positioned myself behind the door, cracking it just slightly to observe what lay beyond.

The space beyond the door was stiflingly hot, and a bead of sweat formed on my eyebrow. I swiftly gathered my hair into a bun to keep it off my neck and resumed peering through the small gap. What I saw took my breath away—the rooftop from my dreams lay before me in startling reality. It was almost an exact replica of the visions I had seen countless times, except for the scattered chairs strewn about and the floral bushes that were now in full bloom.

Elijah and his companion, a man I assumed was Jake, stood in the center of the rooftop. Their conversation was a whisper, but their body language spoke volumes. Elijah's posture was tense, and Jake seemed unusually subdued.

"Are you out of your mind, Jake?" Elijah's voice was sharp, filled with frustration.

Jake's reply was almost inaudible. "I missed them."

Their conversation continued in hushed tones, making it difficult for me to catch every word. I edged closer to the door, hoping to get a better sense of their exchange. Unfortunately, the door creaked, announcing my presence before I could make a stealthy approach. Both men turned their heads abruptly, their eyes widening in surprise as they noticed me.

"What are you doing here?" Elijah's voice was tinged with shock and irritation.

I took a deep breath, trying to maintain my composure as I stepped onto the rooftop. The view of the city below was breathtaking, the lights twinkling like a sea of stars. For a moment, I felt like a king surveying his kingdom, the grandeur of the scene amplifying my sense of purpose.

"I could ask you the same," I responded, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me.

Elijah's expression darkened, his displeasure palpable. I took this as a cue to explore the rooftop further. The familiar sense of déjà vu from my dreams intensified as I moved toward the centre, where the two men stood. I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me, a mix of excitement and apprehension.

"I'm Sarah, Cassie's best friend," I introduced myself, hoping to break the tension.

Elijah and Jake exchanged glances, their reaction surprisingly rude. They turned their gazes away from me, their body language indicating a level of discomfort. I could sense that whatever was happening here was of significant importanceto them, and my presence was an unwelcome distraction.

As I stood there, taking in the scene and trying to piece together the fragments of my dream that were now unfoldingbefore me, I felt a shift in the atmosphere. The rooftop, once a figment of my imagination, had become a tangible reality, and the two men seemed to be involved in something I couldn't yet comprehend.

It was clear that this encounter was more than just a chance meeting. My dreams, it seemed, had led me to a pivotal moment in this unfolding mystery. I could only hope that my presence here would bring clarity or perhaps lead to new revelations.