In Charlotte's Eyes

Together Again

Parker was restless that night. Trying to fall asleep was torturous. Hours into the night, he tossed and turned, head constantly scrambling from thought to thought. He didn't know what time he fell asleep at, but it felt like he hadn't slept until sunrise.

By the time he woke up, it was almost eleven. He scowled at his phone and forced himself out of bed. After calling in for work, he left his home, anxious to see Charlotte again.

The whole drive to Suzuki’s house, Parker felt this uneasy weight in his heart. He didn't know exactly what it was. He felt like he should be ecstatic, but his feelings were more complicated than that. The groggy feeling from just waking up didn't help. Anxiety continued to well up inside of him.

The past nine months he spent trying to get over her. The funeral felt like a final send off, and now she was suddenly back. Did the funeral somehow have something to do with it? But how? Why? He'd get the answers from Charlotte.

When Parker finally made it to Suzuki’s house, he rushed himself to the door and rang the doorbell. He impatiently fidgeted and shuffled while he waited for the door to open. Parker could see the yellow and blue colors of Suzuki’s frame moving behind the frosted glass. Then the door opened ajar, Suzuki peering through. When they made eye contact, he swung the door open all the way.

“Hello, Parker.” He greeted calmly. “I’m glad to see you again.”

“Yeah. Same.” He replied quickly, restless. “Where's Charlotte?” He asked as he stepped inside.

Charlotte came from around a corner, which made Parker freeze. His mouth hung open as he stared at her. Charlotte had a guilty look on her face as she gazed back. Suzuki shut the door quietly and stayed silent, watching the two.

“Charlotte.” Parker barely got out.

“Parker.” Her eyes quivered. “I missed you.”

Parker took a step towards her, which was enough to free himself from his paralyzed state. He walked up to her in a rush and encapsulated her in a hug. “I.. can't believe it.” He shakily muttered. “You're alive.. You're..” He separated himself to look her in the eyes again. “..Real.”

Charlotte kept her eyes down, and he noticed her lip twitch. “..Of course I'm real.” She muttered.

A lighthearted scoff escaped him and a smile came to his face. He hugged her again, tighter. “Charlotte, words cannot describe- how much I've missed you, God. It's been so, so long.” He suddenly had an epiphany. He removed himself again. “But, wait- the mold.” He looked at the green chunk that infected her. It looked the same as it had when he last saw her. “How- How did you survive? What happened to you?”

Charlotte laughed, though it sounded troubled. “Funny enough, I didn't. I died.”

“What?” Suzuki blurted, shocked. “How could you have died when you're alive now?”

Parker was surprised to hear that Suzuki didn't know about that. He removed himself fully from her. “Honestly, I don't know how. I experienced everything firsthand and I'm still confused.” She put her hands on herself. “But-.. I know I'm me. Alive. Even though I experienced death.”

“Wh-What exactly happened to you, Charlotte?” Parker asked. “You disappeared right in front of my face.” He shook his head.

Charlotte’s guilty face returned. “I can only imagine how that must've felt. I'm sorry.”

“I don't care.” He affirmed. “I just need to know what happened so I can finally feel better.”

“Here, let's all sit down and talk it through.” Suzuki offered.