It was the year 2016 and I had been on my way home when I came across the strangest thing that changed my entire life forever.

I mean, quite literally, forever.

No pun intended.

~June 4th, 2016~

Bright fireworks scattered across the darkening night sky, lending beauty to those who watched wide-eyed. I drew a deep breath, shouldering my hello kitty blanket more securely about myself as the cooling wind sent a shiver through my body.

It was fourth of July.

Another year to celebrate Independence Day with friends and family over bbq hot dogs, burgers, various cold salads and plenty of selections of various desserts.

I closed my eyes, laying back in my dad's old 1950's Toyoda truck to watch the fireworks that continued to burst into many colors of blue, red, white, gold, purple, green and others. Such a celebration often comes and goes with each passing year, and yet there were times that I had wished the time itself could just stand still for a moment so I could enjoy the beauty of living a life that was tranquil and peaceful.

"Hey, Jane," My mother said as she took a seat beside me. "Why don't you sing a song for us? You always have had a good voice." She smiled when I blushed with obvious embarrassment. "Come on, try it."

"Jeez, mom." I groaned when my four older brothers joined in as well. "I am too full right now to sing. Why don't you have Anthony sing? His voice is way better than mine."

"Sure, sure, sis." He laughed at me from outside the truck while sipping some coke. "But we still think you have the voice of an angel here."

"Shut up!"

"Jane dear," our mother sighed as I and Anthony bantered back and forth as always. "Just please sing for us."

I sighed. I never understood why my family always wanted me to sing out of the five of us siblings, me being the only girl out of four boys and the youngest. Some had told me that I was gifted with having such an angelic like voice that easily moved people's hearts and minds whenever I sung in front of a small crowd or a large formal gathering. But if anything, I knew my voice had its own power.

A power that filled me with its vibrant warmth.

And so I softly began to sing. Tentatively at first, but my voice grew stronger and stronger as I let the words form themselves, creating their own story as my audience sat entranced with my voice.

From afar, a tall, lone figure cloaked in all deep red and green paused amide a grove of trees at the sound of a beautiful voice that he hadn't year in many, if not countless of lifetimes beyond measure. Memorized and intrigued at the same time, the figure followed the sound through the forest until it lead him to a small camping/public picnic area that was filled with various people of all ages, gathered to celebrate the 4th of July.

A celebration that has been forgotten upon mortal memory for endless centuries with the real reason behind it.

As the figure got closer, it saw a young girl with long, black hair and a willow like figure that reminded the person of his people that were just now a mere memory. He watched her, heart pounding as her voice slowly worked its magic into his being.

How long has it been since his ears heard such a voice?

How long has he been wandering this earth since the last of his people took the last ship that sailed to the Undying lands, thus leaving him behind since his heart had been too stubborn to part ways from these shores.

And so he closed his eyes and continued to listen until her voice slowly faded away to wild applause from her audience. He shook himself from his trance, silently ghosting back into the forest once more.

But not before he glanced back once more with a look of longing lingering in his deep grey eyes.