Remember My Dreams

20. The truth

POV Elise

The moment I let go of Bill's hand and stepped toward Sophie, I felt a gnawing uncertainty. As I got closer to Sophie, my heart began to race. With each step, a growing knot formed in my stomach. Something didn't feel right. My thoughts spun in circles, and I couldn't shake Bill's words from my mind. He knew things that no one else did, things he couldn't possibly have known.
With every step, doubt started to bubble up inside me. Was Bill really the villain in this story? Had he truly filled me with drugs, as Sophie claimed? It seemed so unreal, so unlikely. Yet there was a part of me that wanted to believe Sophie was right, that she was the one protecting me. But then there were Bill's eyes, filled with pain and love, telling a completely different story.
I stopped and looked at Sophie, who immediately noticed my hesitation. "Elise, come here," she said, her voice sharp and urgent, almost commanding.
"No," I said out loud, my voice firm but my heart pounding in my chest. I turned back to Bill, who looked so vulnerable, as if he was about to shatter into a thousand pieces. His expression was the same as in the hospital, full of confusion and despair when I told him I didn't remember him.
"I want to hear what he has to say," I declared with a determination I didn't feel inside. Every fiber of my being screamed that this was the right choice, but my mind was a whirlpool of questions and uncertainties. Was I doing the right thing? What if I was throwing myself into another disastrous situation by listening to Bill? Would anyone be able to save me if I made the wrong choice? The questions haunted me as I heard Bill and Sophie speaking, but their words felt like background noise that didn't reach me.
"I need to figure this out on my own, Sophie," I muttered, more to myself than to her.
I walked back to Bill, and my hand found his again. There was an inexplicable pull, a force drawing me to him as if we were magnets. Was this love, or was it an illusion created by my damaged memory?
Without wasting more time on my doubts, Bill pulled me toward him and pressed his lips to mine. The first touch made me freeze, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. But then I let myself go, surrendered to the feeling coursing through my entire body. I kissed him back, fully and passionately, as if a veil of doubt and confusion had been lifted from me.
I lost myself in the kiss. As my eyes closed and I felt the warmth of his love, images suddenly appeared before my eyes. It was as if a movie was playing in my mind, a film of memories I no longer had, but that now cascaded over me like a waterfall.

In the first image, I saw myself waking up in an unfamiliar hotel room. I felt a moment of panic, but then Bill appeared in the doorway, a radiant smile on his face and a breakfast tray in his hands. His presence immediately brought a sense of calm over me. I felt the warmth of his care, the love he put into that simple gesture.
The next image was even stranger. I saw myself talking to Bill, my voice filled with excitement and confusion. "I think I'm from the future," I heard myself say, and I saw how Bill first laughed, and then his eyes widened with surprise, but also with understanding. He had never let me down, even when my story seemed too incredible to be true.
Then I saw myself standing on a stage, the bright light of the spotlights surrounding me. Bill stood next to me, his hand protectively on my shoulder as he guided me through the soundcheck. I felt a wave of confidence wash over me as I began to sing. Bill's presence gave me the courage to overcome my fear and shine.
He twirled me romantically through the air after the soundcheck, his laughter infectious. I felt as light as a feather, completely in the moment, and the world seemed to disappear around us. It was pure happiness.
The next image was a series of happy moments. I saw how happy we were together on tour, laughing and enjoying each other's company. We shared every joyful and challenging experience, from the hectic backstage preparations to the adrenaline of performing for thousands of fans. He helped me in every possible way to get back to my own world. Our life was a rollercoaster of emotions, but we had each other, and that was enough.
Another memory showed our first big argument. The words were harsh and painful, and I felt tears streaming down my cheeks. I saw the pain and frustration in our eyes. Words we couldn't take back, silences that felt heavier than any scream. But even in the heat of the moment, there was an underlying bond of love and understanding. In the end, we found each other again, stronger than before.
The next image showed our first kiss. It was tender, cautious, and full of promise. I felt the electric charge between us, the certainty that this was the beginning of something special. The memory brought a warm glow to my cheeks, a confirmation of the love we shared.
The return to my world appeared before my eyes. The emptiness I felt without Bill, the constant struggle to be with him again. It was a difficult time, but also a period when my love for him only grew stronger.
I saw the long, arduous road back to him, the obstacles I overcame and the doubts I faced. Every moment of struggle had been worth it, because it led me back to where I belonged: with Bill.
The final image was of us together in a happy relationship. We laughed, we cried, we shared our dreams and fears. It wasn't always perfect, but it was real. The love between us was genuine and deep, something no one could take from us.

The images became clear, and I saw the truth. Everything I had experienced, every struggle and every moment of joy, had led me to this point. Bill wasn't the villain; he was my rock, my everything.
Before I could break the kiss and tell Bill that I remembered everything, I suddenly felt a strong grip on my arm. Sophie had grabbed me and was pulling me back roughly. The connection between Bill and me was abruptly severed.
Confusion and fear shot through me as I realized that Sophie was pulling me back and pressing something cold and sharp against my skin. The metal pin, like a needle, felt chilly and unpleasant against my neck.