Chapter 20: A Celebration of Change
Two months passed by and summer was now starting, and I was still nowhere close to finding Klaus or Stefan. Granted, from what I could tell, my competition was also nowhere close to finding them either. While Elena was set on finding Klaus, and in turn finding Stefan, and bringing him back home to Mystic Falls. I wanted to find Klaus for other reasons. I knew the Original Hybrid had something to do with Elijah. Elijah didn't just leave Mystic Falls on his own, and I had a feeling Klaus was that reason.
I knew that if Elena ever found out that I was searching for Klaus, she would no doubt lose it and beg me to stop looking for the dangerous man. But I couldn't just stop, just like she would never stop searching for Stefan.
Stefan had given himself over to Klaus in order to get the cure for the werewolf bite Damon had sustained. Caroline had informed me that Klaus's blood was the cure, but in order for Stefan to get it, he had to go with Klaus, leaving Mystic Falls behind. I didn't understand Klaus's reasoning for wanting Stefan to go with him, but I figured that wasn't any of my concern. My only thoughts behind finding Klause were that in doing so, I would also find Elijah.
I received all of my information from Caroline's mother in order to keep Caroline from having to keep any more secrets from Elena. After confronting Damon and Elena about what they did to me, I was more than happy to distance myself from them. I knew Elena was remorseful for the part she played in sending me away, but I was heartbroken. The people I trusted most in this world, had hurt me. They chose not to listen to me and took away my will to fight. For a while, Elena wouldn't stop trying to apologize, but after so many lost sorrys, she finally got the message and gave me the space I craved. It was far easier to ignore Damon, the vampire had been smart about giving me space. So while I wasn't on speaking terms with Elena or Damon, Caroline still kept me in the loop as best she could.
I spent most of my days under the shade of the oak tree as I put together as much information on Klaus's whereabouts as I could. I had a notebook full of the case information Sheriff Forbes had given me. There were cases all over the country that seemed to be vampire related, but it wasn't easy to filter through the cases in search of what I was looking for. I wasn't looking for anything human, but I also didn't want to find the wrong vampire. I had to be thorough in my search for Klaus, I also had to be careful. I needed to be sure that it was him committing the murders.
I stared up at the sunlight that filtered in through the green leaves of the oak tree. It's hard to believe that two months had already passed since Jenna had died. I still missed the woman greatly, but I knew there was nothing more I could do for her other than mourn her unnecessary death. If I wallowed in the past I would miss a step in the present, and I couldn't afford to mess anything up, not when I was so close.
Sheriff Forbes' newest information on Klaus's supposed whereabouts were pointing closer to a single location. I just had to be sure before I made any moves. I didn't need to put myself in a dangerous situation without the chance of actually running into the hybrid. I needed to be sure, and I needed to be ready to face him.
The sound of my phone ringing in my pocket interrupted my master planning and I dug the device out of my pocket. "Hello?" I answered without bothering to look at who was calling. I had a feeling I knew exactly who it was considering she had been bugging me about today for the last week and a half.
"Oh good, you answered." Caroline's voice spoke up. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I had a bad feeling I knew what this phone call was about. "So have you decided on an outfit for the party tonight?"
I let out a long sigh and shook my head, even though she wouldn't be able to see the action. "No, I haven't. Because I'm not going." I reminded her and Caroline let out a whine.
"Come on Serena. You have to go, it's your birthday, and you only get to turn eighteen once." She argued and I raised a brow. Well, she wasn't wrong on the whole turning eighteen once thing. "Besides, there's going to be a bunch of people there, so there's hardly any chance that you and Elena will run into each other."
My brow rose at her words and I sighed. "That's not really making me want to attend, Caroline. Besides, it's at the boarding house and I don't really feel like running the chance at seeing both Elena and Damon in the same place."
"Come on, don't let them ruin the day for you. Elena and you haven't spoken in two months." She pointed out. "And it's your birthday too, that means you get to have fun as well. So suck it up and get ready for a good time."
Caroline was right, in a way. Today was just as much my birthday as it was Elenas, and Caroline had been talking about this party since the idea had popped into her head almost a week ago. "Fine, I'll think about it and let you know later." That was the best I was willing to offer her and I knew it was more than enough from the sound of her excited squeal.
"Yes! That's good enough for me!" Caroline celebrated and I couldn't help but smile at her excitement. I knew it was hard for her to be stuck between Elena and I. She's always been there for the two of us, but this whole betrayal thing wasn't one I was getting over anytime soon, and she knew it. "I'll see you later tonight, Bye!" Before I could remind her that it was a hard maybe, she hung up. Caroline Forbes was the devil in disguise, this I knew for sure.
I decided, after Carolines phone call, to end my searching for the day. I was in desperate need of a cold shower and a nap. The last month had been spent searching crime scene files, as well as searching for anything to with the word Fae. I was having no luck on finding anything useful about what Fae ment. While Bonnie had been helpful in explaining some things, I still had a lot of questions., and for whatever reason, I felt like I was running out of time.
For the past couple of weeks, each morning I had woken up to my skin covered in sweat and my body feeling like I just stepped out of a sauna. My body felt warm and clammy throughout the day, and while it wasn't a heat that put me down, it was still unsettling. I was somewhat used to the heat in my veins when I used my gifts, but this warmth that had settled in my body wasn't something that I had felt before. I knew this wasn't just some normal cold or human sickness, something was happening to me and I didn't understand what it was.
Learning what it meant to be a Fae wasn't something I thought I would ever have to do. I had no guidance, and no instruction. I was alone with only blurry memories to help guide me. It was frustrating and I wished I could have some sort of help in understanding what I was doing, or trying to do. The connection I felt with nature was one that's been ingrained in my very being from the day I was born into this life, but that didn't mean I understood what that meant. Practice helped somewhat, but I was missing some important details on how to do all this. I was alone, and the only person who could help me was missing.
After taking a cold shower I decided to skip taking a nap, and head into town in search of something to wear, just in case I decided to actually go to the party. The town square of Mystic Falls was alive with people as folks did their day to day shopping and spent time with one another. The day was bright and clear and it felt kind of nice to have a normal moment amongst all the drama of the supernatural world. So while I walked down the street I took in the sights. This town had gone through a lot of changes considering it had looked so different once.
The horse drawn carriages had been replaced since my time as a Salvatore, and even further back the town has definitely grown since my time as Serena Smith. The younger daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Smith, wealthy landowners in a time where people who were different, like me, were prosecuted in the worst of ways. That lifetime was a short one, but the memories I had were ones that I wish I could erase. Then there was my first life, one that filled me with questions and left me with little to no answers. Blurry images and names I couldn't put faces to.
I was trying my best to put together the pieces of my past. Meeting Elijah had helped in a lot of ways. My memories were starting to make sense. But I wanted more. I wanted to know my beginning. I wanted to know my family. Reliving the memory of my parents lying side by side in death, had me wondering what they were like in life. Did they love me? Did I love them? What were they like with each other? Were they good parents? I wanted answers, and that meant finding Klaus.
I ended up trying four different shops in my search for an outfit for tonight. I gave up after the fourth one and decided that getting food was a more lucrative venture. This was the first time I'd ever tried dress shopping on my own. Elena and our mother, and sometimes even Caroline and Bonnie, were always the ones who guilted me into joining them in any kind of shopping. Miranda loved dress shopping for Elena and I when it came to the founder's parties. I secretly always enjoyed those trips together. Those days of spending time with my sister and our mother were days I will never forget. But things are different now. Elena had broken the trust between us and Miranda was dead.
I remember our talks of college and life after high school. Miranda and Grayson were excited to hear that I wanted to travel before attending a college outside of Virgina. My plan was to graduate high school and go searching for my answers. I was going to need somewhere that was rich in history and had what I needed. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but finding a school that focused on history majors seemed to be my best bet. But things are different now. I had wanted to leave my family out of my problems and keep the strangeness about me a secret. But with the arrival of Stefan and Damon, that plan went right out the window the second the brothers stepped foot into Mystic Falls. Now my plans involved searching for a murderous hybrid and trying to find an Original vampire. Not exactly things that shouted normal and put together.
After making my way through the restaurant part of the Grill I pulled up to the bar and took a seat at one of the bar stools. Living in a small town made it hard for me to avoid people, so I often went to the Grills bar to order my food to go and leave. The last thing I needed today was a run in with Elena, or god forbid, Damon.
As soon as I sat down on one of the bar stools, my phone started to ring. I couldn't help but cringe at the name that popped up on the screen and immediately put my phone on silent and tossed the device in my bag. Henry, the boy who I had befriended unintentionally while in New York, had been calling me almost everyday since I returned home. He was insistent, but I never answered his calls. The last thing Henry needed was being close to me. He was a normal teenager who needed to continue living his normal life, away from me and far away from Mystic Falls.
"I don't think you're old enough to be sitting here, young lady." I smirked at Matt as he walked up to me from the other side of the bar. Matt was another example of someone who deserved to be living a normal life, but unfortunately, that wasn't what fate had planned for him.
"Hey Matt. How's it going?" I asked as I leaned my upper body against the bar. Matt shrugged his shoulders and slung the towel that was in his hands over his shoulder. I knew life was less than ideal for Matt, but I had hope that time would heal his sorrows.
"Eh, as well as it can be. How about yourself?" He asked back and I offered him a very similar response of shrugging my shoulders.
"About the same, I guess." Matt offered me a strained smile and I returned the look.
"So, what can I get you today?" He asked and perked up slightly.
"An order of loaded fries and a strawberry milkshake, to go?" I asked nicely and Matt gave me a smile while shaking his head.
"Of course. Coming right up." The blond haired teen walked away to get my order and I sat back in my chair and let out a strained sigh. My skin had a light flush to it as my cold shower began to wear off. I could blame it on being summer time still, but the Grill was usually somewhere I could go to cool down on days like this.
I pulled my wallet out as Matt returned with my box of loaded fries and milkshake. "Here you go. One order of fries and a strawberry milkshake, to go." He set my food on the bar and I opened my wallet to fish out some cash. "Don't bother, it's on me. For the birthday girl." I looked up from my wallet and Matt offered me a small smile.
"Thanks, Matt." My shoulders relaxed at the gesture and I gave Matt a small smile of my own. He nodded his head at me before walking away to tend to the other customers. While Matt and I have never been as close as he was with Elena, we still grew up together. He was a nice guy, one who had been dealt an unfortunate hand in life.
I left the Grill with my food in my hands and made my way towards where I had parked my car. I walked along the sidewalk and glanced into a few of the shops as I passed them by. While I had given up on dresses, I still took my time to glance through the windows in hope that something would pop out at me. I had never been really great at shopping for myself. So I glanced in each window while taking sips of my milkshake.
It was in the last window of the row of shops that something finally caught my eye. It wasn't a dress and my first thought when seeing it wasnt of myself. The shop was a small boutique that sold mostly jewelry and other accessories. The item that had caught my eye was a dark colored pearl necklace. The pearl sat alone on the thin chain and looked slightly deformed, but had this beautiful shine to it. For some reason I felt inclined to walk into the store and ask the person working the counter about the piece. She said it was a freshwater pearl, which is why it wasnt round like normal pearls. Pearls were one of the birthstones for June and the thought of Elena came to my mind as I looked at the necklace.
Today was our birthday, a day when the two of us were alway together. Every year all we wanted was to be surrounded by our friends and family. But this year, things were different. Jenna and our parents were no longer with us and I haven't even spoken to my sister in two months. What we once had was no longer the case, and as I stared at that necklace, all I wanted was to have that back. But life didn't work that way.
I bought the necklace, against my better judgment, and the woman at the counter put it in the pretty little box before handing it back to me. I could feel the necklace practically burn a hole in my bag as I drove home. A part of me didn't want to give the piece of jewelry to Elena, but another part thought back to all our other birthdays. My heart still aches when I think of my sister and the part she played in Damons plan to compel me and send me away.
No one was home when I pulled up in front of the house and I felt my mind ease knowing there wouldn't be any uncomfortable run-ins. The atmosphere in our home wasn't exactly one that left us all feeling comfortable. Alaric did well to keep an eye on us and make sure we had what we needed. While Jeremy found himself walking a thin line between his sisters. I felt bad for being a part of the reason for the stiffness in the air. But I couldn't exactly move out anytime soon. I didn't have anywhere to go.
As soon as I opened the door to my room I dropped my bag on the floor and let out a sigh. My skin still felt warm even after entering my air conditioned home. I had thoughts of taking another cold shower, but the sudden appearance of a colorful bag sitting on my bed derailed my plans.
There was colorful tissue paper sticking out of it and a light purple envelope leaning against it. I titled my head at the obvious present and grabbed the card. I opened the envelope and read, 'Happy Birthday- Love Caroline', witten out in her familiar script inside of a standard birthday card. I couldn't help but smile at the card and shake my head as I set it down on my bed and turned my attention to the bag and the colorful tissue paper sticking out of it.
I pulled the tissue paper out and found my mouth falling open at the sight of what was inside the bag. I carefully pulled the dress from the bag and held it up in front of me. It was a beautiful light blue dress made of some type of georgette fabric with long sleeves. I held it up to my chest and found the skirt ended just above the knees. The dress was meant to be tight on the arms and chest, with the skirt flowing out at the waist. The fabric was decorated with dark colored vines that ran up and down the dress and sleeves, with small hand embroidered flowers scattered on them.
The flowers and vines gave the dress a beautiful flora look and I found my eyes misting slightly as I laid it out on my bed. Caroline truly was a good person and I felt my chest grow warm knowing she had taken the time to find something so beautiful for me. She really did know me and that made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
I let out a soft sigh of defeat and dug through my bag for my phone. I pulled the device out and sent Caroline as text confirming that I was going to the party and a thank you for the dress. I received a text back filled with smiley face emojis and rolled my eyes. While I wasnt a fan of parties and avoided the idea of being stuck in a small space filled with people, I wasn't about to break Caroline's heart by not going.
With another sigh, I tossed my phone onto my bed and went through with my plan to take another cold shower in hopes of cooling down. My skin was starting to feel slightly clammy and I had a drifting thought that maybe I was actually starting to get sick. But, considering I have never been sick a day in my life, I knew that wasn't the case.
I took my cold shower and started getting ready for the party. After drying my hair and applying a thin layer of mascara, I pulled on the dress Caroline had bought me and smiled at its perfect fit. I left my long pale colored locks down and noticed how nice the look all came together. After admiring myself in the full length mirror that hung behind my door, I reached down for my bag and picked it up. Something fell out of it just as I lifted it off the ground and I found myself staring down at the small jewelry box that held the pearl necklace.
I leaned back down and picked the box up off the ground and held it in my hand. I thought about what to do with it and felt my heart clenched tightly in my chest. I couldn't deny the fact that today of all days had to come at some point. But the pain I felt knowing things were so different now still caught me off guard. So in the end, I placed the small box on Elenas dresser. I left no note telling her it was from me and left the house.
By the time I pulled up the boarding house, the place was alive with people and music. I couldn't help but cringe at the onslaught of energy that wafted around the place as I got out of my car and walked up to the front door. Those pesky warning bells started to ring in the back of my mind as I pushed my way through the bodies of celebrating teens. I was actually kind of shocked that Damon would allow so many teens to take up residency in his home in such a way.
"Yay! You made it!" Caroline practically side tackled me into a hug as I broke through the crowd and made my way towards the dining room table, which was now converted into the drink station. "You look amazing! Do you love it? Please tell me you love it." She held me at arms length so she could look me over and take in the dress.
"Yes, of course I love it. It's beautiful, Caroline. Thank you." I gave her a genuine smile and she pulled me back into her arms for another hug. I know life hasn't exactly been easy for any of us. Maybe letting go and taking the time to relax and enjoy the party Caroline worked so hard to plan, wouldn't be such a bad idea.
Caroline released me from her arms and smiled brightly at me. "Alright, now go have some fun. But not too much fun." She winked at me before disappearing into the crowd. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her words and turned my attention to the plethora of drinks scattered about the dining room table. The thought of drowning my sorrows in alcohol like any other teen came to the forefront of my mind. With the loud music and constant feeling of being in danger, I decided a drink wouldn't be so bad.
So I poured myself a hefty amount of one of the cheap whiskeys that lined the table into a classic red solo cup. It wasn't exactly my drink of choice, but it was the strongest solution. Alcohol didn't seem to have the same effect on me that it did on normal teenagers. But maybe, if I drank enough of it, I could let go for the night and feel something other than the ache that made its home in my chest and the heat that had taken over my body.
My skin started to feel warm again and as I moved through the crowd of teens and made my way towards the library in hopes of finding it empty. Luckily, while not completely empty, the room only had a few people standing around chatting with one another. So I happily took a seat on the armchair beside the couch. A warmth was beginning to spread from my stomach to the rest of my limbs and I figured it was the alcohol actually working.
"Hey sis, enjoying the party?" Jeremy crashed down on the couch and I shrugged my shoulders at him before taking a sip of my drink.
"Not really, but it was either this, or feel the wrath of Caroline." Jeremy smirked at my words and shook his head. He understood what I meant as he let out an airy laugh. "The drinking is helping though."
"Yeah, it usually does. But this also helps." Jeremy commented before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small baggie. I raised a brow at the bag and Jeremy smirked at the look. "Don't worry. I'm not on a bender or anything. It just helps for those kinds of days."
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his words. "Please, weed is far from the kind of thing I would be worried about." With the life we lived, things could be alot worse. Being killed by some supernatural entity or being shot by the sheriff, yes. A joint here and there, no.
The sudden presence of Matt had both Jeremy and I going stiff as he took a seat beside my little brother. "Where did you get that?" Matt asked as he pointed at the freshly rolled joint in Jeremys hand.
"Henry from the kitchen sold me a dime." Jeremy answered honestly as he showed Matt the little baggie.
"So, what's got you two on a downward spiral?" Matt nodded his head at the cup in my hand before taking the joint from Jeremys fingers. "Don't usually see you drinking at things like this."
"I don't usually go to things like this." I muttered as I brought my cup back up to my lips and took a drink. Matt scoffed but nodded his head in agreement as he took out a lighter and lit the joint before looking back at Jeremy.
"You do not wanna know." Jeremy spoke up as he took the joint back and brought it up to his lips. Matt shrugged his shoulders.
"How bad can it be? I already know everything else." Matt took back the lit joint and took a deep inhale of the drug. I couldn't help but raise a brow at the action. Matt wasn't exactly one to partake in drugs, but with what's happened over the last few months, I honestly couldn't blame him.
Jeremy took the joint back with an equally shocked look before glancing over at me. "You know I died, right?" His gaze went back to Matt. "And Bonnie used magic to bring me back to life?"
I stared down into my cup at the amber colored liquid. Jeremy had already explained to me about his impromptu death and reanimation. The night he came home from being brought back to life, I had felt a difference in his energy and asked him what had happened. When he told me, I felt a cold chill go through my body. What Bonnie did was against the laws of nature. Jeremy had died, and usually things that die, don't come back. She disrupted the balance, and while I was happy beyond belief that Jeremy was alive, her actions would not go unpunished and I feared the repercussions that would have on Jeremy.
"Yeah, Elena told me." Matt answered as he took the joint back from Jeremy.
"The thing is, ever since I came back I've been seeing… things." Jeremy's words made concern flare up in my stomach and I looked up from my drink to stare at him.
"What kind of things?" Matt asked.
"Just things I shouldn't be seeing." My little brother explained with a shrug of his shoulders.
"What's Bonnie saying about it?" Matt asked and I let out a soft sigh.
"I don't think there's much Bonnie can do about something like this." I spoke up and both boys turned their attention towards me. "Jeremy, you died. Bonnie brought you back after you passed through the so-called 'veil'." I made quotations with my fingers. "Seeing things you aren't exactly supposed to be seeing isn't something I am shocked to hear. Bonnie opened a door and I wouldn't be shocked if something, or someone, took that as an invitation to walk through it." My eyes looked back down at my almost empty drink. The warmth I was feeling only seemed to be getting worse and I suddenly found myself wanting to find something stronger to drink. "You know what, I think I'll treat myself and dig into Damon's stash. It is my birthday after all."
I stood up from the leather chair and walked away from the two boys smoking on the couch. The heat from the alcohol was spreading throughout my body and I found myself feeling slightly dizzy as I ventured into the kitchen. I held onto the counter and closed my eyes, waiting for the feeling to pass.
"Well, well, well. Look who's actually trying to have a good time." I opened my eyes and frowned at the sound of Damon's voice. I glanced over my shoulder and saw his smirking face standing just inside of the doorway.
I rolled my eyes at the vampire and turned around so I was leaning back against the counter. "What do you want, Damon?" I crossed my arms over my chest after placing my cup on the counter beside me. I had really been hoping I wouldn't have to see my once older brother tonight, but that had apparently been wishful thinking.
His face softened slightly and I raised a brow as he pulled a box out of his jacket pocket. "Just wanted to give this back." He reached out to hand it over and I took the box from him.
I looked away from Damon and pulled the lid off the small box and found a familiar necklace sitting there in a tiny space. My heart pulled slightly at the sight of my necklace, but seeing it also filled my throat with an acid sort of taste as I recalled the last time I had seen it. "I don't want this." My voice bit out and I was actually shocked at the tone I used as I looked back up at Damon. Tears filled my vision and the warmth I've been feeling all day started to grow. "Take it back." I held the box back out for Damon to take and he frowned. "Take it back. Or better yet, throw it out. I don't care what you do with it."
I dropped the box and necklace in his open hand before fleeing from the kitchen. I was angry that he had the audacity to try and give it back to me, like he hadn't been the one to rip it from my neck and erase my memories. Erase Elijah. Seeing my necklace had sent a torrent of emotions flowing through me, along with a dizzying heat. I was done here. I needed to leave.
I pushed my way through the crowd of teens and forced my way towards the french doors that lead to the back of the boarding house. I needed air and I felt dizzy as my vision went black around the edges.
"Serena? Are you okay?" A voice spoke up and I felt a hand gently take hold of my upper arm just before I made it to the doors. "Oh my god, Serena, you're burning up."
I glanced over at who had grabbed me and flinched at the sight of Elena. Her eyes were filled with concern, but all I wanted in that moment was for her to let go. "I'm fine." I pulled my arm from her grip and suddenly cringed as my head started to pound. "I just need some fresh air."
I turned away from my sister and she quickly put herself in front of me. "Wait, hold on, Serena. I think you need to go lay down." I watched as she reached out for me and I backed away from her touch.
"Don't. Just leave me alone. You've already done enough." I was practically begging her as I pushed past and made my way through the french doors and out into the open air. The cool air left my skin feeling clammy and I felt no relief. My blood was burning under my skin and I knew I needed to get away. Away from the crowd and away from Elena and Damon.
I kept my eyes focused on the tree line as I walked away from the boarding house. The trees welcomed me among them as I stepped though. My vision continued to go fuzzy as I used the tree trunks to keep myself on my feet.
Heat suddenly filled my stomach and I found myself bracing my hands against the trunk of a tree as I bent over. My stomach lurched and my throat filled with an acid like feeling as I vomited up whatever was in my stomach. A coppery, metallic, taste filled my mouth and I cringed as I spit out whatever I had just vomited. I knew there was no way I drank enough alcohol for my body to have this kind of reaction.
With my stomach now emptied, I continued my way through the trees as my feet led me towards whatever destination I was heading for. I had no real idea where I was going, I just knew I needed to get there. I needed to keep going.
I knew something was very wrong with me as I forced myself to step forward. My skin felt like it was on fire as my blood burned in my veins. But even though this was happening, I didn't stop as I struggled to walk through the woods.
I did my best to use the trees to keep myself up right, but eventually the toe of my black flats caught on something and I was sent falling to the ground. I landed hard on my hands and knees and cringed as pain rattled through my body. With the fall came another twist in my stomach and I felt tears sting at my eyes. I threw up and that metallic taste grew inside of my mouth. I did my best to hold back my sobs as I wiped the back of my hand against my mouth and sat up on my knees.
When I looked up and saw where I had landed, I felt a wave of utter relief go through me. The sight of the large oak tree had my heart settling within my chest. With the last ounce of energy I had, I pushed myself up onto my feet and did my best to keep my balance as I walked across the clearing. The second I got close enough, I felt my strength give out and I collapsed to the ground with a cry of pain.
My blood flared under my skin and I curled up tightly and held myself in my arms. Sobs broke through my lips as I shook from the pain my body was putting me through. "Please, make it stop." I begged. "Please."
No answer came and I felt a sudden sense of hopelessness wash over me as I squeezed my eyes shut against the pain. I was alone, and no one was coming to help me.
"Shhh, be calm, my little one." I felt a gentle touch caress my forehead as my body started to relax. "Sleep, Serena."
I listened to her words and felt my body fall into the darkness around me. The heat in my blood vanished as I floated in unconsciousness, and when I reopened my eyes, I found myself staring up at the branches of the oak tree. White light filled the clearing with its glowing brilliance and I found my hands resting on my stomach with my head slightly elevated.
"It's alright now, my little one. All is well." My eyes rolled back and I found tears filling my vision at the most angelic sight starting back down at me.
"Mama?" My voice cracked and I felt my throat close up with emotion. Her skin glowed in the white light that surrounded us and I thought for a moment that I had died and this was the after life. My head rested in her lap as her hands brushed my hair off my forehead.
"Shhh, no tears, my little one." My mother gently brushed away the tears that fell from the corners of my eyes. Her crimson colored orbs stared down at me with such love and devotion that I thought my heart was going to burst from the warmth filling it at the sight. Her long white hair flowed like a silver river around her shoulders and casted a halo of light around her head. She was beautiful.
"How?" I choked out. "How are you here?"
She gave me another warm smile and gently ran her fingers through my hair. "I am here to help you through this change, my little one." My mother placed both her hands on either side of my head. "I am here to help you remember."
"I don't understand." I admitted to her. "What do I need to remember?" I asked.
"Everything."
The world around us erupted in a bright light and I squeezed my eyes shut as the world around me fell away and I was forced to remember a life lived so long ago. The beginning.
A/N: Sorry for the long wait. I wasn't really sure when I would have the time to get back to this story (and honestly I just wasn't feeling motivated to write anything). But, lucky for us, I was hit with a strike of inspiration and wrote out the next few chapters. I did some edits to past chapters and actually plan on posting this story to AO3 as well. So if you like the AO3 format, this story will be under the same story name and same author name and should be posted in the next few days.
I'll be posting the next few chapters slowly. I need to make time to edit them before I post, so keep an eye out for those.
As always, thanks for reading, and stay safe out there.