Crimson

Chapter 3: Familiar Faces

Jake's Perspective:

My heart began to race as I felt something in the pit of my stomach. I examined the silver ring and grasped it in my hand. I won't let myself believe it was all a dream. The ring was proof enough. After a moment my memory started to come back to me. Visions began flashing in my head.

Taking it off her finger, she laid the ring in the palm of my hand.

"It was my mom's wedding ring-" she explained.

"I found in in a box of her stuff after she..."

She trailed off before she could say the rest of her thought. I examined the inside of the silver band where there was something engraved. I read the engraving aloud;

"Love will set you free..."

I turned my head to Lea who held a small smile toward the sky.

"That was my parents' saying. It was strange...They always made it seem like falling in love was the greatest thing that could happen to you, but I never really understood they meant at the time..."

Her smile slowly faded as she rested her eyes. I drew my attention back to the ring in my hand. I held out my hand to give it back to her, but she didn't move.

"Keep it" she said.

I grew confused.

"What? Why?" I wondered aloud.

She didn't meet my gaze and just continued to look at the sky.

"I'm gonna have to let go someday...and you gave me your locket, I owe you something that's meaningful to me" she claimed.

My locket...

I walked back over to her and looked at the locket I was wearing around my neck that my mother gave to me when I was little. I reached for it and took it off my neck, opening Lea's hand as I did so. I put the chain in her hand and I closed it tight.

She was why my heart had a reason to beat.

She wasn't in a dream...she was my dream.

I was in love with her...

What happened...?

I thought to myself as a memory flashed in my head once more. I heard loud screams as I felt the sword being driven into my chest. Lea's scream was the loudest. It rang through my ears for what felt like forever. I looked over to her where I saw tears streaming down her face. Her usual smile was gone. She was the last thing I saw before everything went black.

I'm dead...that's the only explanation.

His sword went right through me...There's no way...

But for some reason, I didn't feel dead. Granted I didn't feel alive, but I wasn't gone. At least I didn't think so. Looking out at the night sky through the window I wondered to myself.

Where am I? What happened to her...

Is she dead too?

My heart started to ache. Every unanswered question pushed me farther and farther away from finding my way. It seems as though there's no way for me to know. This can't be the real world...My father would be an old man by now...But there he is, out in the kitchen getting drunk...just like he always did. I sighed and rested my head against the wall. I need an explanation. I have to know that she's okay...I promised I would be there for her...But the way she screamed...The way she was beaten to the ground to the point where she stopped breathing...She almost died because of me. She needed me, but I was useless. And who knows if she's even alive. I could've gotten her killed for all I know. But then I stopped and thought; my kiss. As long as she wears my locket, nothing can hurt her. I have to find her. But how? I don't even know where I am, how am I supposed to—