The Night (Age regression)

Prologue

The sun, a radiant golden orb, descended in the evening sky, casting a warm embrace over the museum sculptures. Eli, Evan, and their mother moved gracefully through the corridors of multiple sculptures, a picturesque scene of familial bliss.

Their hands were entwined, fingers laced together in a tapestry of love that seemed to radiate and color the world around them.

A seismic force shook the ground beneath them, and a deafening explosion echoed. Time stretched and twisted as chaos unfolded with nightmarish efficiency. Once a lively mosaic of colors, the museum transformed into a surreal battleground.

Smoke billowed like ominous clouds, debris scattered like confetti, and the piercing screams of terrified onlookers punctuated the dissonance.

In the blink of an eye, Eli found herself on the ground, disoriented, holding onto Evan, and gripping the frayed threads of her once-ordinary life. The walls had morphed into a war-torn landscape. Panic surged through her veins, and her voice cut through the clamor, a desperate plea for her mother. "Mom? Mom!" Tears blurred her vision as she frantically scanned the chaotic scene for any sign of her mother.

A sinking feeling gripped Eli's heart, the realization settling in – her mother was gone, lost in the whirlwind of chaos that had unfolded like a sudden storm. Amidst the chaos, the sharp contrast of police uniforms emerged like beacons. Officers' faces were etched with a mix of sympathy and determination, weaving through the turmoil.

One officer, a steady presence amidst the chaos, crouched beside Eli and Evan. "Can you both come to us, sweetheart?" they asked their voice a soothing anchor in the storm. Eli, still reeling from shock, nodded hesitantly. The officer, recognizing the need for gentleness, guided her through the debris, carrying Evan, creating a path through the surreal aftermath of the incident. "It's going to be okay. Take your time," the officer reassured, their tone a balm against the storm raging within her.

The next day, in the sterile environment of a police station, the officer listened intently as Eli recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the explosion. The air hung heavy with grief and uncertainty as the details unfolded, painting a vivid picture of a day that began with joy and ended in heart-wrenching loss.

Barely remembering the details, Eli tapped her leg nervously and held Evan's hand, a rhythmic cadence that echoed her inner turmoil. "I... I remember smiling at our Mom. We had gone to see a piece by Umberto Boccioni, and then everything just shattered," she stammered, her voice wavering. The officer offered a comforting presence, coaxing out the fragments of her memory. "And then, the officer guided me through the aftermath, carrying Evan." The tapping of Eli's leg became a rhythmic release of tension, a physical manifestation of the emotional turmoil that gripped her. The room seemed to close in as she relived the nightmare, the officer providing a steady presence amid the haunting echoes of the past.

The officer spoke softly, "Elizabeth, we're here to help you. Your courage in sharing these details is crucial for our investigation. Do you remember anything else? Was anyone else with you?" Eli continued to unravel the fragments of her memory.

"Other than Evan there was a woman; she looked at me. She said something." The officer nodded, jotting down notes as Eli's recollections unfolded. "What did the woman say, Elizabeth?"

Eli tried to collect her thoughts. "I... I don't remember." Eli mumbled quietly squeezing Evan's hand. The officer noted this before asking, "Do you remember if the woman had any distinguishing features? What was she wearing?"

Eli shook her head. "I don't remember. It's all a blur."

"Elizabeth, did you see anyone else?" The officer inquired. Eli nodded slowly. "What were they doing Elizabeth?" He questioned curiously. "They were dead," Eli blankly said.

The officer was taken aback and simply said, "Thank you for sharing this with us, Elizabeth. We will do everything possible to find out who did this and bring them to justice."

Eli nodded, her eyes downcast holding the quiet Evan's hand. They couldn't help but feel hopeless and alone in the world. But the officer's words offered hope - someone was on her side.

As the officer led Eli and Evan out of the station, they gently touched her shoulder. "We'll be in touch. You're both safe now."