Vie de Fleur

Chapter 9

Purple and twinkling stars. That's the first thing I see as I open my eyes. Mouth agape, I look around, mesmerized by the beauty of the expanse. The purple swirls in different shades, the stars twinkling beautifully as some fall sporadically.

Running past me, a small child cries back to someone behind me. "C'mon mom! We're going to miss the meteor shower!"

Startled, I realize this was Ren. Holding a telescope, bundled in warm clothes, she grins happily, huffing from the cold air.

"Oh no we're not," Ren's mom says, "because I'm going to race you there!"

Squealing in excitement, the child runs away, her mother running after her.

Ding-dong.

I look to the other side. Questley stands on the porch of a door, his hands behind his back. Ren opens it, smiling.

Before she can move forward, Questley pulls out a bouquet of daffodils, getting down on one knee. "Happy 6 months Ren," he says softly. "Thank you for being the best girlfriend I could ever wish for. You are the joy and love of my life!"

Hands over her mouth, Ren's water, as she takes the bouquet. As Questley stands up, she wraps her arms around his neck in joy. Embracing each other, Ren continues to silently cry into his shoulder. They slightly move away, still holding each other. Questley wipes away Ren's tears, and she smiles.

"God, I love you," he whispers.

"I love you more," she answers, kissing him profusely.

The two figures fade away and a table before me appears. On it is a single envelope. A sticky note atop reads:

"It's your top-pick college letter sweetie!

I'm sorry I can't be with you to open it, but don't freak out!

I will still always love you, no matter what answer you get!

-Love, Mom <3"

The envelope - which is apparently open - contains a letter. My eyes scan its contents as I unfold it. Of all the words spread on the sheet, the one bolded one is the only one that matters: Accepted.

"I'd like to offer you an internship," a male voice ahead of me proclaims.

I look up to discover Ren - dressed in business attire, barely in her 20s - shaking hands with another formally dressed man. She smiles, cheerfully replying, "of course, professor! It would be an honor!"

The scene fades, and another appears to the left. Now at the stove, Ren seems to be cooking a steaming stew. The smell of chicken and vegetables is overwhelming, making my mouth water, as I step forward to intake more of the delicacy.

From behind Ren, a man - an older Questley! - appears, wrapping his hands around her waist. "What's cooking honey?" He kisses the side of her head, before taking a long intake of the smell. "Gosh, I swear, you're some witch. How could anything smell so good?"

The couple laughs, the scene fades. I turn to the left where another glimpse of Ren's future appears. I hear applause as she stands on a platform, a man handing her an award.

Another scene appears before me. Ren sitting at a coffee shop, talking excitedly with three other women. As she shows them her hand, cheers and squeals of pure happiness erupt from the table. The women bombard Ren in hugs and congratulations.

"Mom mom!" a childish voice sounds from behind. "I taught Kiara how to play tag! Watch!" A toddler, holding a striking resemblance to Ren, sprints past me as fast as his little legs take him. Bounding after him, a collie follows, yipping joyfully as she catches up to the boy. He squeals with excitement, changing ways as he runs after the dog now. As they fade into the distance, Ren and Questley walk after them. Hand in hand, they smile at each other, their eyes sparkling as they walk after their son.

Fading out, the stars twinkle ever brighter around me. I close my eyes, breathing in the sweet, soft air. It smells like flowers, lemons, a new book, a home cooked meal - good memories intertwined into a symphony that makes the heart sing.

As I open my eyes again, I find myself back on the floor of the room, the chest open before me. I pick through the remnants of joyful memories, taking each one out: a ticket stub from a concert; a locket with a picture of Ren, her mom, and Nicky inside; a Halloween photo booth reel with her friends; a clay elephant, with a note "From your BFF :D" attached; a souvenir from Europe; twelve - I counted - origami roses; a friendship bracelet; a plush bear holding a heart keychain; a movie ticket; a sci-fi novel, with "Love Mom <3" written on the inside; a photo from an amusement park.

I soon realized that as I took out one thing, another replaced it. By the time I took all the previously mentioned memories out, the chest was full of new objects, new remnants of the past.

"Ren," I say softly, looking up. "If you can hear me, please, can you listen to me, for just a minute or so. If not listen, then please, I beg you, look at all this. Look around you: there's people who care for you, who will help you. There's so many smiles you've had and shared. There's so many things you've learned, and have yet to learn. There's so much joy, so many more memories to live for.

"I know you've suffered a lot. I know you've felt caged, as if you couldn't turn to anybody for help. And I'm sorry for not realizing your need for help sooner. But I assure you, you do not have to suffer through your pain alone.

"I understand that you're probably afraid to show your true self. You've hid behind this mask for so long, that throwing it away is not easy. But it's okay. I understand. Step by step, I will help you emerge into flight, to be free of the chains that hold you down.

"And I know you are strong. I know you can do this. Release the past Ren, and be true to who you are! Color this room with your own light! Decorate it with the smiles you've made! Paint the walls!"

Breathless, I sit there, waiting for a reply. But the room's silence continues. I look down at my hands, clenching them hard until my knuckles turn white. Did I fail? Were my words not enough? I look at the Clock of Fate. "11 Hours".

My eyes dart around the room. What else? What else can I do?? Should I try to convince her more - to tell her I mean well, and am telling her the truth? Perhaps my talking is wasted, perhaps she doesn't hear. Maybe I should go into more of her happy memories, maybe she can see that!

But however many times I opened and closed that chest, the memories no longer swept me away.

Maybe there's something more! Maybe somewhere I didn't look.

Yet, as I rush around the room, I am once again lost by what I'm looking for. The desk drawer is empty. The closet - which is somehow upright again - still won't budge. I look through the diary, but its pages too are blank. I lay on the bed but nothing happens either.

I collapse at the chest, confused on what is going on. But, gasping, I open it to find it empty as well. I immediately look at the clock, despairingly hoping it hasn't reach zero yet.

"6 Hours". Time has no relevance here, and yet, it seems so relevant at the moment, I think, as I slump over the empty chest, forlorn and lost in anguish...

Suddenly, behind me, I hear the groan and scrape of rock. I rise to my feet, turning towards the sound. On the bare concrete wall, an outline of a door appears, a round door handle popping out at the side. I walk over.

Does this mean she's saved? Or am I being called back into reality - whether Ren's fate of death is sealed or not? Looking around the room, I desperately hope it is the former, as I turn the knob and step into the darkness on the other side.