Part 6
Peter looked up towards the skies with melancholic eyes. The heavens were like a black canvas with pinpricks of lights that were thousands of stars. His heart throbbed in nostalgia as he recalled the last time he gazed at the stars with her.
It was just the two of them alone in the house that night. Ashley had this sudden idea of taking their sleeping bags out into the backyard and watching the starry night.
They laid on the grass side by side and admired the night sky.
"Isn't it amazing?" Ashley remarked. "The idea that the stars we're seeing are actually from thousands of years ago? That we get to see them even long after they're gone?"
Peter hummed a yes. He found himself agreeing with everything she was saying. But it had less to do with his actual agreement and more to do with the fact that she could say or do nothing wrong in his eyes.
"I hope I get remembered the same way."
"How so?" He asked.
"To be remembered even long after I'm gone." She answered. "For my life to have meant something, to have influenced someone."
"I will always remember you." He spoke as he held her hand in his and smiled.
She turned to him and returned his gesture by giving him a small smile as well.
They spent hours talking after. Occasionally, pointing out a star that they recognized and talking about the myths or facts about it.
Finally, Peter watched as Ashley fell asleep. Her sleeping face looking serene, her breathing soft as her chest heaved up and down at a steady pace.
He was perfectly content to just be by her side. No thoughts of his sister, nephew, the pack. No worries or distractions. Just being in the moment. Perfectly happy.
Peter shook the memory from his thoughts. The time for reminiscing was done. Now it was time to get to work. Now it was time to get Ashley back at whatever the cost.
xXx
The dreams and headaches were becoming more frequent.
Parrish was in the caverns again. This time, instead of wandering the maze, he appeared in front of the girl's room. He reached for the doorknob only for his hands to go through the door with the rest of his body. Startled at first, he remembered that it was a dream, and he was like a ghost with no material body in it.
"Who are you?"
He turned towards the voice and found the girl looking at him curiously.
"You can see me?" Jordan asked incredulously.
The girl nodded.
"I'm Jordan." He extended his hand for a handshake which she took. "You–you must be Ashley."
"No, I'm not." The girl shook her head. "My name's Cara."
"Really?" Jordan frowned in confusion. "You're not Ashley? Ashley Hale?"
"No, but I've heard that name. Who is she?"
"I–I think she's the reason I'm here."
