Broken Halves

Chapter Five

POV: Cole

I turn over my shoulder to look at my little angel one last time. Her brown hair is waving in the wind as she is held in the arms of her new guardian. Auntie Emma as well looks radiant and I can't help but imagine a different scene. I am far enough away from Memory where I cannot see the colors of her eyes. A smile is brought to my lips and my heart tugs as I imagine this to be Dani, once again in the arms of her mother. Silently, Memory raises her hand in a silent, final, goodbye leaving me no choice but to start my quest.

I capture the image of my daughter in my arms, laughing and being carefree as I begin to walk away. To both my happiness and my sorrow, the scenery around me morphs just as my loved ones have all previously disappeared before my eyes. Before, I was home. Running around with my daughter in the fields on the Blood Moon Land; the land of generations of Richards. Land where my family, my bloodline have lived and been buried for years before me; their home, my home. But now, I am surrounded by a forest and not the trees I have grown up around. I am truly, fully in unfamiliar territory and alone for one of the first times in my life.

The trees are lush and a beautiful shade of vibrant green. I take a moment to close my eyes and breathe deeply. The smell of pine instantly enters my senses and I am reminded of home; however I know better. I am not home, I am far away from home, but Dani, Dani is at home; Dani is my home. I tilt my head sideways to feel the breeze of the wind glide past my face. I'll return home; this journey will lead me home.

I take a moment more to feel the inner peace I have always associated with the forest before the words of the Moon Goddess wash over me; "Head on west." Glancing up at the sun, I allow my instincts to take over and it isn't long before I quickly determine what direction is west. Shifting my body to the left I try not to think too much and just begin to wander aimlessly, however still on guard; this is a test after all.

As I walk, I can't help but have thoughts of a situation must like this one flitter across my mind. The situation is almost a parallel episode, except there is one major difference. In the forests of Ohio, I was holding hands with my brown haired green eyed beauty as we strolled. We were in a dangerous situation, but it did not feel like one as I shared the moment with the love of my life. Later that day, when she pretended to be pregnant, my reaction was genuine. For the entirety of the drive to meet up with Jorden, as Dani slept in the seat beside me I couldn't help but let my eyes wander to her stomach and imagine a life in which she was actually pregnant.

The reverie causes my heart to jolt as I realize she was; Dani was pregnant and we never got our moment. Hell, I don't even know at what point in our relationship she was pregnant and lost the baby. Was it when she was in France? Afterwards?

For the sake of my mental health, I allow the thoughts to take up hostage in the back of my mind and instead switch my focus to the Moon Goddess' words.

"Once you have tried,

To prove your might.

The first time you lost,

Don't lose your sight.

Through bitterness you arrived,

Though hatred you might see,

Don't let it fool you, be who she'd want you to be.

Fights you might face,

But don't get caught up.

Never forget this is a test,

Go now Alpha head on west

Always know what to expect."