Who Am I? (Book 1)

Epilogue

One year had passed since ... she left this world. I was still grieving along with Julia and the rest of the villages. We had all suffered heavy losses. My thoughts was a complete mess, but I vividly and fondly remembered what she told me ... How our lives could have been if we were humans, if we lived among them. She also told me about her human friend, Nick. I decided to fin him, to tell him that Julie was no more. After all, he had been her best friend, he deserved to know. I had never visited a city before, only observed from far away but I had to go.

Schools were ... interesting. It seemed very boring to be cooped up in a room and take notes of the teacher's instructions. I waited for the bell to sound before walking in. But nevertheless, people stared at me, why? I couldn't tell. Maybe it was the knives and sword I was carrying, maybe it was the light armour, or maybe because my hair was silvery blonde naturally. I didn't know much about human etiquette, and I didn't need to know it either. What did Julie tell me about her friend? I tried to recall his description ... and his name ... Nicholas Winter. At one of the tables, I could see a group of boys, one of them had brown eyes, broad shoulders and black hair. He was of average height, just like Julie had told me. I walked over to him and the moment I arrived all talk died (awkward!). "Are you Nicholas Winter?" My gaze and posture were serious. "Yes, I am but who are you?" He seemed unsure and a bit worried. I tried to soften my voice a little, "I'm Natasha. I was Julie's girlfriend". I reached out my hand to shake his but he didn't seem to notice. "Oh ... I ... I didn't know that ... that Julie was ..." He got quiet and seemed lost in thoughts. "I need to speak with you, privately. It's about Julie". We walked out of the school grounds and I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry to inform you ... but Julie died last year".

Nicholas looked at me, shock showing on his face. Then he began to laugh, "Don't say jokes like that, you had me worried". Was this ... how humans reacted when they were in denial? "I am not joking, she was murdered". He had stopped laughing and looked at me with big eyes. "But ... the news ... they didn't ..." He trailed off again. "I just wanted to tell you, since you were her best friend". I began to leave when he grabbed my hand. "Where? Where was she killed?" I swallowed, it was a bit difficult to explain after all and I was on the verge of crying. "A very tiny village, the population is only 250". It had been around 2000 but our numbers were low due to all the deaths last year. I pulled my hand out of his grip. "Sorry, I have to leave now". 

I felt ... a little lighter. As if part of a burden was lifted off of me. I couldn't tell why, but I felt as if Julie was grateful that I had told him. I closed my eyes and let my mind wander back in time, to the time I held her in my arms and could feel her warmth. That was a happier time, but I had to look forward and move on because that's what she would wish for me. That was how I would honour her memory, by living life to the fullest, by living for the both of us. I was done with looking back, done with the what if's, done with regretting and doubting my decicions.