CHAPTER SEVEN:

CHAPTER SEVEN: "My dreams Danny's memories."

"It's war—where the losers die, and there aren't any winners, just guys who turn into broken-down wrecks like my father."

"I know, Danny. But I feel like it's my duty to go."

"Don't preach to me about duty! I wear the same uniform you do! If trouble wants me, I'm ready—but why go look for it?"

Danny heard the echoes. Heard his own voice that wasn't, and he heard Rafe so why didn't he listen to his own advice?

The USS Arizona the one and only Pearl Harbor both places of solitude and remembrance laid just over the horizon. Trouble was just waiting for Danny. Waiting to attack and destroy whatever grasp he had on reality left in him.

Deep in his gut he knew that visiting Pearl Harbor would shake up the ghosts of his past but what past? Surely it wasn't his own! At age eighteen, Danny Kawika hadn't truly begun to live.

Two months ago, the dreams began. Dreams of a past he had not really lived. Only living them through his dreams and when he would shut his eyes. The images grew worst and more real with each passing day and Danny knew that the climax would not arrive until the sixty anniversary of that day that will live in infamy.

Evelyn and Rafe. He knew who they were. Growing up, Danny knew of them. They lived through the words of his grandfather, Daniel Jr. Only through those dreams, those images did Danny grew to love and truly respect them.

"My great grandparents." Danny sighed, reaching into his back pocket to reveal a photograph of his great grandma Evelyn and great grandpa Rafe.

There was one more soul that was a much bigger part of Danny than he could ever realize. Pulling out another photo, Danny stared into his very own eyes. Into the eyes of a ghost that could very well be his twin. "Great grandpa Danny Walker. My true our true, grandpa Danny, namesake."

The photo was old, yet the smiles on Rafe's and Danny's face sparkled to life. The picture was taken when they were just about to begin their military careers as Army pilots. Best friends since their youthful days in Tennessee, Rafe McCawley and Danny Walker not only served their country with pride, but they respected and protected each other with brotherly honor and duty.

"I'm you now, aren't I, Danny?" He asked his namesake, whose innocence was frozen in time. "That's why I'm having these dreams dreams that feel like mere memories. Your memories you're not dead anymore because you're living in me."

"Danny! Hey there"

Danny spun around to meet eyes with that voice. He gave her a small smile as Meghan joined his side. She stood by him in the sand, watching him gaze into the setting sun.

Giving him a sly grin, "Y'know, you could get in a lot of trouble if the chaperons found out that you snuck away from the hotel and headed here to the beach. You're supposed to be unpacking and getting ready for dinner at the hotel."

Indicating to his attire, "Don't I look ready, Conner?" Danny was wearing a red and white aloha print shirt with black slacks and his rubber Jordans. His hair was a bit messed up due to the ocean breeze, yet in Meg's eyes, Danny couldn't have been more gorgeous even if he tried. "So, who sent you, Meg?"

"No one I didn't even need to visit your room to know that you're not there." Her eyes focused on the ocean, her voice soft, "If you're upset about how I acted towards our near kiss, I—"

"I'm not upset, Meg." He gazed up at her, giving her a reassuring smile. "I'm just a bit preoccupied with something else, that's all."

Danny looked her over, his breath momentarily lost at the sight of her. The closest thing to a dress ever worn by Meghan Kahealani Conner was a mere knee high skirt and a semi-tight blouse. Danny sat there, stunned by her beauty. Taking in her red with white hibiscus print aloha designed dress that was about knee high. Her hair was flowing softly on her shoulders, with a delicate white plumeria flower on her right ear.

"Come here, Meg." He reached for her hand.

Shyly, she took it, allowing him to hold it with such love and care. He brought her down, cradling her in his arms and placing her on his lap.

"My namesake, Daniel Walker, died before he ever got the chance to see his son. Probably in heaven, maybe Never saw him grow up marry grandma Cindy Wallace be there for the birth of his grand daughter, Samantha or the birth of me, his own great grandson." Danny's voice was pensive and unevenly somber than usual.

"Danny what's wrong? You've been acting really strange lately." She turned her head to look into his eyes, "Please tell me, Danny."

He looked away, then he turned back to gently place a kiss on her forehead. Breathing deep her floral scent, he sighed and asked, "Do you believe in reincarnation, Meg?"

"Reincarnation?" She wanted to laugh, hoping that maybe Danny was leading up to a joke.

"I think that I'm Daniel Walker."

"Danny your great grandpa died, like, sixty years ago"

"Fifty-nine died during the 1942 Dolittle raid." He corrected her.

"Okay but, you're not him, Danny." Meg told him straight in the eyes. However, she was startled to find that as she was looking into his eyes, she was also looking into someone else's eyes. "You're not him." She said with more force in her voice, as if trying to now convince herself more than him.

"Every dream that I've been having lately every time I close my eyes I see these images, feel these emotions, hear these voices that I know, yet don't, by heart! My dreams Danny's memories all feel so real to me, Meghan."

Danny could feel his whole body tremble with fear at the thought of his life not being his very own. Meg felt his heart race, knowing that her Danny was scared to death.

"And it's somehow connected to the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack I know it is! These visions are becoming more real to me now especially since I got here and I'm scared, Meghan."

"Danny" She held him close, wanting to comfort him so badly that it hurt. Meg could feel his sob wanting to break loose, and she encouraged him to cry out all his fear.

"I'm terrified, Meg I've—I've never been never been so scared"

"You're not him, Danny. You are only a part of him but you are *not* Daniel Walker. You are Daniel Kawika Walker James and I love you, not him"

"I think I'm falling for her"

"The only thing I'm scared of is that you might love him more than me."

"Do you mean that, Meg? That you love me?" He needed to hear her answer, needed some reassurance that he wasn't losing his sanity, his soul, his life, his heart

"The only thing I'm scared of is that you might love him more than me."

"I love you, Danny James. You're my best friend and my soul mate. Not him you. And even though what makes me love you is that you're a part of Danny Walker it's you that I'm crazy about." With that, Meg gave him a gentle, loving kiss that said even more than mere words could say.

"Stay with me tomorrow, Meg." He said when they finally pulled away from the kiss. Pleading, "I need you to stay by my side tomorrow"

"Why?"

"Because I'm afraid that I'm going to lose my soul to him I still can't close my eyes and not see his past and I need you to keep me here I need to know that if anything's worth fighting for to keep my soul, is knowing that you're right here waiting for me."

"Then I'll be here waiting for you, Danny."

"I do love you, Danny. And I'll be here waiting for you, when you come back."

He heard Evelyn's voice, but he forced it back into the past where it belonged now focusing on his present and his future with Meg.

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