Chain Reaction

Chapter 3 - Crashed

Paige

Warm, rough, and wet.

I was awake now, but I didn't open my eyes. Not yet. It felt too good. I heard the sound of waves crashing, and even some seagulls. I was lying on my front on what felt like rough, sandy ground. Then I realized I was back here again. I wanted to lay here more. This place, wherever this is, it felt really good being here. I felt something perch on my shoulder and I smiled, it was just a bird. I didn't want to move, until it pecked on my head.

"Ow!" I rolled over and swat the bird away.

When it finally flew off, my eyes landed on the beach and I instantly calmed. It was like a painting. The sun high up, the waves rocking back and forth against the pure shore of sand, a few seagulls flying over the ocean. I sighed. I don't want to go back. I want to be here.

"You can't go back anymore."

The man said. I turned my head and found him standing behind me, in his usual robes. He was staring at the ocean as well.

"I don't want to go back there anyway." I muttered.

"I meant here."

I stood and turned to face him, it was then I realized that his features were different from the first time I was here. He looked more haggard now, older too. Had I really been gone that long?

"I think it's time to let you go."

The ocean... it was quiet now. I looked and saw that there was no water anymore. What was happening? A tear fell down the man's cheek.

So this was it then. My time was up, or rather maybe, his time was up.

I didn't need to look around to see that the place was replaced with nothing now. It was quiet. And there was light. Nothing but light all around us. There was just... light.

"Who are you?" I asked him.

He gave me a warm smile and held his hand up my cheek, gently rubbing his thumb against it. I couldn't help but feel a connection between me and him, but the question was... what? Who was he to me? Who am I to him?

Light was starting to shine brighter from behind him, and I knew he was going away now.

"Who are you?"

He laughed at me, not a mocking laugh, but a gentle and kind laugh. One a father would when seeing their child with pride.

"You will always be my daughter. No matter what." He pulled me into a hug, which I returned eagerly although for what reason I was not sure.

"I'll send your mother your regards, shall I?"

The last thing I saw was his smile, and then everything went black.

I turned my head and looked around. There was nothing but darkness now. Where was I?

Maybe this is just a dream.

Oh I wouldn't call it that

I almost jumped as I heard someone say those words. I heard them in my head. Someone was in my head. How? I made my head impenetrable. Not that I had anything to hide, but whoever this person was, I'm sure I did not want them snooping.

You're strong, I never doubted that. I wouldn't have expected less.

The voice was male. I kept turning around, trying my best to make out at least a figure anywhere in the blinding darkness.

But, now you're even stronger.

The voice was getting louder. Did he come closer? In one final desperate attempt, I turned around, and found myself staring into a pair of golden yellow eyes.