Of Split Souls

Chapter One

(Cruze)

          Sometimes I think that I've just gone crazy. It's been 16 years since the day I believe Angel was born. Since the day we both came back, it had been on August 12th 2068. That's 69 years after she had been born the first time on August 12th, 1999. I've come to rationalize all of this as the Universe's way of correcting itself. Since she had died far too young before, it had to be at least 50 years before she could be reborn. And 69 years later would've made her 88 years old, and old enough to die of natural causes, right?! And this time I'm here to ensure that she'll live to have a long life.

Like I said, I get paranoid all the time since I can't find any proof that she's really alive. And if you couldn't already tell, I'm constantly crunching these numbers in my head. Because you know, it's really my only reassurance. Somehow it's always felt like I literally broke her heart.

       When the paramedics finally got to the scene, they called her time of death at 9:17p.m. They had done CPR for as long as they could, but she was gone. The only reason I'd even been there was to clock out after my shift. When I saw Angeline down on the floor, there was already a big crowd all around her. I don't remember feeling myself pushing through everyone to get to her. I remember they were all upset and worried since she looked bad. And I don't mean bad as in her appearance (she's always beautiful) she didn't look right. Angeline was a very active person who worked out regularly. She was also very muscular for her "5'2" frame, she only really drank water or tea. Never any soda or energy drinks. Overall, she was a healthy person, far too young to collapse and die. The coroner had reported that she had a pulmonary embolism. However, in the notes of that same report was a rather suspicious comment, "Cause of death inconclusive? On examination of the corpse revealed severe trauma to the heart's major arteries. It's chambers showing unusual lacerations and tearing of the walls. A true medical anomaly."

But let's talk about me now.

        For awhile I've been enjoying a bit of my financial stability, of course I rely on my job for the most of my expenses. But I now have a degree in Criminal Justice from an online University. It was my original major when I had applied for college. Of course, I ended up cancelling my application because I couldn't pay for the student loans that I would need. You could almost say I was a loser... haha. But let's not. Aside from that, the thought that gets me out of bed every morning is knowing that my Angel is out there alive and I've simply not found her yet. I can't function at the thought of it being otherwise.

By about mid September of that fall, I'd settled into my rather sketchy apartment complex. (I find that it's easier to keep a low profile in areas of less than desirable real estate). It didn't take long before I began to fill it with dozens of sketches of Angel. I've always been a fair artist, but she has really become my muse. And in more ways than one! Drawing and sketching have become my day job since I found a position at a nearby tattoo parlor. Over the few years that I've worked here, our rating has earned all five stars on Google. I like to think that it's quite an accomplishment.

I currently live in Vermont, and I had to constantly move around during those first ten years. The fact that I've stopped aging is a bit of an issue. I suspect that I'll continue aging after the anniversary of Angeline's death has passed. And that is the main reason I can keep going with this lifestyle. (I take any reassurance I can get that Angeline is really out there)