Chapter 1

People disappear all the time.

It is a sad yet believable truth, one recognized by the numerous faces of those who haven't been seen in days, months... even years. I never imagined that I would soon join that list, let alone be stranded in a world that should never have existed. But it did happen.

And my life would never be the same again.

~xXx~

December 23rd, 2011.

My husband and I are touring the beautiful countryside of Aotearoa, more commonly known today as "New Zealand." Travis had insisted it was the perfect place to spend our late honeymoon, and as I gazed upon the breathtaking mountain ranges and landscape, I couldn't agree more.

Upon reaching Lake Clearwater, which was a small, yet prosperous village within the Ashburton District of New Zealand, Travis parked our rental car in front of a small red house flanked by several others. "Here we are," he announced.

I stepped out of the car, shivering. Like most countries during the holidays, New Zealand was freezing cold.

After retrieving our suitcases and bags, Travis ushered me to the front door where, upon our approach, a middle-aged lady stepped outside to greet us. "Haere mai!" she grinned, holding out her hand. "Welcome, my friends, welcome!"

"Hello." Travis said, shaking her hand, and I mimicked his greeting. "I'm Travis. This is my wife Aderyn."

"Lovely to meet you both." Judging by her tanned complexion and dark hair, this woman must've been of Maori descent. She also had the most wonderful accent. "My name is Phoebe," she stood to the side, allowing us entry. "And welcome to Lake Clearwater, home of the humble."

And humble it was, for this house was definitely not intended for a large family, what with its one bedroom, one bathroom complex. The dining room itself was also connected to the living room. It was perfect for us.

"In the military, are you?"

I turned around, but Travis was the one who answered first. "I am, but my wife is retired."

"I couldn't help but notice the stitching on your bag," Phoebe smiled. "Captain Travis Clarke. A handsome name for a handsome man." She turned to me. "You've caught yourself a fine catch, my dear."

I blushed but smiled all the same. While boyish in looks, Travis did cut a very fine figure.

We finished our tour of the house, and Phoebe soon returned to her own home next door, promising to check up on us the following morning. With a tired sigh, I sat down on the bed, removing my boots.

"What are you doing?" Travis returned from the bathroom. "I thought you wanted to go sightseeing while there's still light out."

"I did." I braced myself against the mattress. "But now I just want to spend some quality time with my husband." I patted the empty spot next to me.

Travis chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, I see." He took a seat on the bed. "By quality time, you mean start the next branch in my family tree."

"I've thought of nothing else since you've returned, and it's our family tree." I corrected him.

"Our family." he agreed, kissing my cheek.

"It's so strange."

"What is?"

"Even after six months of adjusting to civilian life, I'm still struggling."

"Aderyn," Travis took my hand. "You fought in a war for eight long years. We both did. Of course it's going to be hard to forget."

"I know," I laced my fingers with his own. "Sometimes I wonder if I joined the military for patriotic reasons, or selfish ones."

"Selfish?"

"We were young, newlywedded one week after graduating from college. Then you left to join the United States Army as an officer." I chuckled, keeping my gaze on our entwined hands. "Do you remember how mad you were? When I enlisted shortly after?"

"How could I forget?" Travis pursed his lips.

"I joined because I wanted to serve by your side, Travis." I said. "I hated the idea of us being apart, especially after our wedding. It's ironic though, isn't it? I feared being separated from you, yet we were only permitted to spend a total of what, two months together?"

The look Travis gave me was soft, gentle. "And I'm thankful for every second I got to spend them with you."

I smiled, and pulling my fingers away, traced a pathway from the tip of his shoulder to the front of his chest. No words were needed for what I wanted, craved, from him. Leaning forward, Travis caught my lips with his own, his hands grasping my waist. It didn't take us long to divest each other of our clothes, and as my husband nestled himself within me I knew, deep down inside, we would get through this pain... together.

~xXx~

Like the rest of our vacation home the bathroom was small yet cozy, and as I sat leaning back against the inside of the tub, I couldn't remember the last time I enjoyed a good soak. It had been ages, for sure, and my military career had offered no such luxuries while I was on tour.

In the quiet atmosphere of my surroundings, my husband's snores could be heard from outside. We had both fallen promptly asleep after our passionate intimacy, but life as a combat nurse made it difficult for me to find prolonging rest. Travis, on the other hand, could sleep like the dead for hours without effort.

With a sigh, I stretched out my arms and stood, thankful that this place at least came with a heater. After drying myself with a towel, I slid into my robe while coming to stand in front of the mirror above the sink. Unsurprisingly, my hair was a tangled black mess that hung over my shoulders and down my back. Against my better judgement, I continued to scrutinize my reflection, not at all surprised by the haggard face that stared right back at me. I hated that face.

Biting my bottom lip, I turned on the faucet. Warm steam arose from the running water, and as I splashed my face, I suddenly couldn't shake the sudden feeling that I was being watched. Lifting my face from the sink, I immediately understood why.

There was a stranger inside the mirror, hidden in shadow.

I stared back, not truly believing what I was seeing.

The figure stepped out of the darkness, as if they too couldn't believe what they were seeing either. Wait a minute, I leaned forward. Not they... he.

I couldn't believe my eyes, for staring back at me was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. Tall and slender, he carried himself proudly, despite his odd sense of fashion and... hold on... pointy ears?

I squinted my eyes. His hair was long and golden straight, almost angelic, as was his face, but his eyes were the most intriguing, for they were the color of clear blue sky. Logic warned me that I should've turn away, yet against my better judgement, I found myself becoming more entranced by him.

"Aderyn?"

Someone grasped my shoulder, making me shriek. I whirled around, one hand pressed against my chest as I braced the other atop the sink. "Jesus Christ, you scared me."

"I'm sorry," Travis said, looking sheepish. "I knocked a few times but you didn't respond. Are you all right?" He caressed the side of my face. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

He was jesting of course, yet I couldn't ignore the cold shiver that travelled down my spine. "I'm okay," I lied. "Really."

Travis didn't seem convinced, and as he ushered me back into our bedroom, I couldn't help but glance into the mirror one last time, as if to convince myself that whatever - whoever - I saw was purely part of my imagination.

The image that greeted me back, however, was my own fading one, and while I was relieved, a part of me couldn't help but shake the sudden realization that during our intense staring competition, he had spoken three simple words.

Who are you?

~xXx~

Reviews give me life, and the encouragement to continue onward. :)

For those of you who are wondering, Aderyn's name is pronounced "Ad-DER-rin." It's also Welsh for "bird."