The whispers of our past《Yizhan version》

Chapter 2 (part 1)

Just because I carry it all so well, doesn't mean it's not heavy . . .

Date: 03-02-2021

Xiao Zhan's POV

Here I stood again, at the same place as one year ago just because of the exact same reason, the wind calling my name that lured me here. This time something felt slightly off as if something was missing inside my memories.

"Searching for someone, dear?" The voice that had been inside my head haunting me, not only in dreams but also in reality.

"No . . . ?" I looked around just like one year ago, the scene and everything I did felt so familiar. Everything happened once again like a movie that was replaying itself.

"Are you sure you aren't searching for someone, maybe I'm the one you're looking for because you know how boring it is here? Living so lonely and isolated without anyone who comes by to see me." There he was again, leaning smoothly against the same tree as one year ago... or maybe it was another one, it was hard to tell because this forest was endless and looked just the same as a year ago.

" . . . "

Why did everything here feel like a dream - the scent of the forest, the landscape, his voice, his movements and once again the aura emitted around him, no colours, only an empty atmosphere hanging around him.

"Don't you know how big this forest is? It's like a huge infinite maze, and without a guide, you might not even meet tomorrow's sunlight outside this labyrinth ever again. So I hope you know what you are doing because even before you can blink twice with your big almond bunny eyes you are lost. Believe me, hun, this maze is an optical illusion and only those with a sharp mind, clear soul and honest tongue might find the way back. If you don't," he smirked before continuing, "you, either will go crazy and end up as a haunting ghost or you die, wonderful fate, isn't it Hunny? Oh and before I forget to tell you, you will die anyway, I'm just being nice to tell you this fact." I stared at him, right into his deep pool eyes, and this time I didn't feel anything near fear. Instead, I felt safeness in his presence that I couldn't describe in any possible words.

" . . . "

Even though his words were cutting like a blade, I still couldn't utter a word. It was as if my throat was locked and no words came out no matter how hard I tried. A deep silence hung between us.

"You know I never quite understood humans - always so selfish, only able to think about themselves and then they whine that the environment is getting worse and worse while they do nothing about it. Besides humans nowadays are scared of three things; one, this 'frightful forest', two, the cursed ones, and last but not least the dead." After a wistful moment, he continued to speak, "I never understood why you humans are scared of death because if you are scared of death, you can never live your life to the fullest which is just such a waste. After all, you all have such a short life span. And no matter what you can't predict the death of coming, humans are such weird creations, telling their own race to be themselves and once they are different they become a cursed one. Tsk."

" . . . " My mind was at the moment just one blank space, I just didn't know what to say nor to do.

"Hey, Hunny is it just me or am I the only one talking? It's so boring, why don't you talk? It's not likely that I will bite . . .

Nah maybe I do bite." He chuckled softly while my mind was still clouded, and nothing came out of my mouth.

" . . . "

"Come on, tell me what are you thinking at the moment?"

And when those words slipped from his mouth it was as if that lock in my throat was gone, "I used to find you scar-"