章 2: GRAVEYARD
[5 years later]
The sun shone brightly on the peaceful graveyard, casting long shadows over the tombstones and flowers that adorned the resting places of the departed. It had been five years since Travis Evans' passing, and the world had moved on, as it always did. But for those who loved him, the pain still lingered, a constant reminder of the void he had left behind.
Among the visitors that day was Sarah, dressed in a black dress, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers in her hands. Her eyes were pensive as she approached Travis' grave, the memories of their time together flooding back. She missed him terribly, every day, but life had pushed her forward, even if her heart remained connected to the past.
As she kneeled by the gravestone, she gently placed the bouquet on the ground, feeling the weight of her emotions pressing against her chest. "Hey, Travis... It's been a while since I visited. I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice breaking with emotion. "I still miss you. I... I wish you were still here..."
She placed her hand on his gravestone, tracing the words carved into it. "You know, a guy proposed to me at work last week. He was really nice and handsome, but he wasn't you... He wasn't my Evans."
Sarah smiled to herself, though her heart was heavy with sorrow. "You were the one for me, and you knew it and yet you told me to move on. Hahaha... I can't believe it's been already 5 years since we lost you. I'm sure you've got so much to tell me. I wish you were still here to tell me everything... It hurts... I miss you..."
Her voice trembled as the tears flowed down her cheeks. She wiped them away with the back of her hand, taking a deep breath to compose herself. "I'm sorry. I must be bothering you. I just miss you so much, and I don't think I'll ever get over it... Isn't it funny? People usually try to move on with their lives after the death of someone they loved... Give them a few years and they get into another relationship, heck, some even get married and start a family. I don't even want to date other guys... How can I replace you? How can I love someone else when all I want is you? When I know I will never be the same again?"
She cleaned the nameplate with her fingers, clearing the dirt and grime. "Hey... You know what... I always wondered why you told me to move on... I was thinking about it the other day, and I think I understand now... You knew I'd never get over you. You knew you'd haunt me forever... But you did it anyway, because you loved me... And that's what I've learned from you, Travis Evans. Love. And love means accepting the pain and loss and moving on... But that doesn't mean forgetting... Because we'll always remember you... I will always remember you..."
Her fingers gently brushed against the nameplate, tracing the words carved into it. "Travis Evans - A Loving Son and Friend."
"Oh, and your parents are doing well. Your dad recently got a promotion at work, and your mom is busy running the house... But she's still the same, kind and loving person you always knew her to be..."
A pause...
Sarah lifted her gaze, her eyes meeting the gravestone.
"I got a big surprise for you. Guess what? Last week I won a big lottery. You know me... I've always been lucky with these things. And you know what else? It was a ten million dollars jackpot! Isn't that amazing? Hahaha..." She giggled, wiping away the tears as they continued to fall. "And you know what I did with all that money? I bought that old building we used to... You know the one? The one with the top floor..."
She looked at the gravestone, her expression one of nostalgia. "It still has that wonderful view. You loved that view so much. The wind in your hair, the sunlight, and the rain... The rain... You know I remember the first time we met here, it was raining... when we were kids and you took me here. We watched the rain from the top floor, and we drank juice boxes."
"I was so scared... It was an old abandoned building and you told me what's there to be afraid of? I will kick those ghosts right up their asses!" She laughed, her eyes filled with love and nostalgia.
She paused for a moment.
"And then the day before you..." She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "It was raining and we danced on the roof... It was such a magical moment, Travis... Just like old times. But it was really special when we kissed for the first time... I never dreamed that I would be kissing the man I love in the rain. I was just a teen then, and I had no idea how much I would fall in love with you, but I did... I fell in love with you from the moment I saw you. And I never looked back. I know I could have found love with other people, but I didn't. I never wanted anyone else."
"You know, it's been five years since your death... and every day, I wonder... Why did you have to die? You know they created a cure for cancer a few months ago. You would still be here with me if they had just made it a few years ago. If you had lived, you would have seen your parents getting older, me... us growing old together and our kids having kids of their own. We would have lived our lives together, and I never would have been without you."
She looked at the sky, as if expecting an answer to her question. She knew in her heart that there was no such thing, but it still felt good to speak her thoughts. "Do you ever think about this? About how we could have lived together, how we could have been together, the life that we could have lived? Sometimes, it just gets me so angry, so frustrated. I feel like a kid..."
A pause.
"Am I bothering you with my nonstop babble? You're probably wondering why I'm telling you the same things for the past 5 years, right? You must be thinking, just move on with your life, you little annoying girl."
She smiled, knowing that Evans would not only forgive her for such a thing, but also find it endearing.
"But you know what? I'd like to think that we're together, even though we're apart. And just for your information, I will keep on visiting your grave for a long time and you better get used to my nonstop babbling, you hear me?"
A gust of wind blew by, as if in reply. Sarah turned around, scanning the graveyard. There was nobody else there, but she could have sworn that she felt a pair of arms wrap around her. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the warm feeling, letting it wash over her.
She opened her eyes and noticed another bouquet of flowers lying on the tombstone.
"Huh? Did someone else visit you today? I thought your parents and I were the only ones who visit you."
A long silence followed as she stood up and looked around for the secret visitor. But the graveyard was totally empty today. She is the only visitor.
"Ah, I see. Somebody else is keeping you company, huh? Maybe a friend or a distant relative. That's nice." She looked down at the flowers. "Or, maybe you have a secret admirer," she teased, giggling.
"It's getting dark. I guess it's time for me to go. I'll come back next week and keep you company some more, and maybe annoy you a bit more than usual, alright?"
Sarah turned around, facing the gravestone, her eyes scanning the inscription once more, "Goodbye, Travis. I love you."
Sarah walked away, heading for the exit of the cemetery. She paused at the gate, turning back one last time to look at Travis' gravestone. Then she walked on.
It was late at night, the moon was shining brightly over the town. The streets were empty. The houses were all dark, except for a few which were lit up by the light of TVs, room lights, or fireplaces.
As she walked, she felt a presence behind her ever since she left the cemetery. But she did not turn back.
Sarah continued walking through the empty streets, her heart beating a little faster with each step. The feeling of being followed was eerie, and she couldn't shake the sense that she was being watched. She tried to dismiss it as her imagination, attributing it to the emotional visit to Travis' grave, but the feeling persisted.
Turning down a dimly lit alleyway, Sarah picked up her pace, hoping to reach the main road soon. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and she felt a mix of fear and curiosity about the unseen presence. "Maybe it's just my mind playing tricks on me... but why does it feel so real?" she wondered aloud.
As she approached the end of the alley, Sarah could see the glow of streetlights from the main road ahead. Relieved, she quickened her steps, wanting to get out of the dark alley and into the open. But just as she was about to step onto the main road, a figure emerged from the shadows, blocking her path.
Startled, Sarah took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest. The figure was tall and imposing, dressed in dark, flowing garments that seemed to blend seamlessly with the night. His face was obscured by a hood, leaving only his eyes visible—a pair of piercing, luminous eyes that seemed to glow in the darkness.
"Who are you? What do you want?" Sarah managed to say, her voice trembling.
The figure remained silent, his eyes locked onto hers. Though she couldn't see his expression, she felt an inexplicable sense of calm emanating from him. It was as if he knew her, and he carried an aura of familiarity that seemed impossible.
"I said, what do you want?" Sarah's voice grew firmer, but her heart still raced with unease.
The figure walked up to her and held a golden card before her. Sarah cautiously reached out and took the card in her trembling hands. The card felt warm to the touch, emanating a soothing energy that contrasted with the fear still lingering in her heart.
As she looked at the card, she noticed intricate symbols and patterns etched into its surface. In the center of the card was a symbol that seemed to glow softly, mesmerizing her with its beauty.
"What is this? What does it mean?" Sarah asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
The figure remained silent, but he extended his hand towards her, gesturing for her to turn the card over. On the back, there was a message written in elegant, flowing script.
"Wish card. Wish for what you want most in your life and it might just come true. But be careful about what you wish for..."
Sarah's heart raced as she read the words on the back of the wish card. A mix of excitement and trepidation washed over her. It was as if the mysterious figure knew the deepest desires of her heart, and now, the offer to have her wish come true felt both surreal and tempting.
"What do you mean... wish for what I want most? Is this some kind of joke?" Sarah asked, her voice wavering with uncertainty.
The figure remained silent, his gaze never leaving her. He seemed to be waiting for her to make a decision, but the weight of the situation was almost overwhelming. Sarah couldn't shake the feeling that this was something extraordinary, something beyond the realm of ordinary reality.
Taking a deep breath, Sarah pondered her deepest desires. There was only one thing that her heart yearned for more than anything—to be with Travis again, to have him back in her life. But she knew it was impossible. Travis was gone, and no wish could ever bring him back.
"I... I don't know what to wish for," she finally admitted, tears welling up in her eyes. "I can't have what I truly want... It's impossible."
The figure's expression remained unreadable, but he seemed to understand her pain. He gently placed his hand on her shoulder, and a surge of warmth spread through her body, calming her nerves.
"Sometimes, the things we think are impossible are just beyond our current understanding of reality," the figure said, his voice soothing and ethereal. "The multiverse is vast and mysterious, and there are realms beyond our comprehension. It is within those realms that the true power of the wish card lies."
Sarah was both intrigued and skeptical. The idea of a wish card that could grant her deepest desires seemed like something out of a fantasy tale. Yet, the warmth emanating from the figure's touch and the enigmatic aura surrounding him made her wonder if there was more to this than she could grasp.
"But how can a mere wish card bring back the dead?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion.
The figure's eyes softened, and he replied, "The wish card has the power to tap into the energies of the multiverse, accessing possibilities and realities beyond our perception. It can reshape the fabric of existence itself, but such power comes with a price. Every wish has consequences, and some wishes are more complex and difficult to fulfill than others."
Sarah felt a mix of hope and apprehension welling up inside her. The desire to be with Travis again, to have him back in her life, was overwhelming. She longed for his presence, his laughter, his love. Yet, she couldn't ignore the warning that came with the wish card. What kind of consequences would such a wish entail? And could she bear the burden of knowing she had tampered with the natural order of things?
"What are the consequences to bring someone dead back to life?" she asked. Even though everything that figure said seemed impossible and unreal, she thought... Just maybe...
The figure's eyes held a hint of sadness as he replied, "Bringing someone back from the dead is a profound and delicate task. It involves traversing the boundaries of life and death, and tampering with the natural order of existence. Consequences can range from unpredictable changes in the timeline to unsettling disruptions in the balance of the multiverse."
Sarah listened carefully, her heart torn between the desire to see Travis again and the fear of the unknown consequences. She knew that meddling with life and death was no trivial matter, and the potential ramifications were too great to ignore.
"But why help me? What is your goal? Are you the one who placed the bouquet of flowers on his grave? And if you have so much power, why don't you bring him back to life yourself instead of offering me the card?" she asked with a glint of suspiciousness.
She continued after a pause, "Could it be that you are a con man and want money from me? Or is it because you want something with Travis, but you can't bring him back yourself?"
The figure's hooded face betrayed no emotion as he listened to Sarah's questions and suspicions. He seemed to understand her doubts, and after a moment of silence, he finally spoke, his voice calm and measured.
"I am not a con man, and I seek nothing from you. I am merely a messenger, nothing more, nothing less," he replied.
His words carried a weight of truth, and though Sarah remained cautious, she couldn't shake the sense that there was something extraordinary about this encounter. The idea of a messenger from realms beyond her comprehension intrigued her, and she found herself drawn to the mysterious figure.
"I don't understand... If you're not here to deceive me or take something from me, then why are you offering me this wish card?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
The figure's luminous eyes bore into hers, and he replied, "I have been tasked with delivering the wish card to those who need it most. But it requires the right person, one whose heart holds a genuine and pure desire. You who refused to move on with your life and decided to live your entire life for someone who isn't even in this world anymore... Where can I find someone filled with so much desire like you?"
"Then, let me ask you one thing," Sara continued, "If he comes back to life, what condition will he be in?"
The figure's eyes seemed to glow even brighter as Sarah asked about the condition Travis would be in if he were to come back to life. His response was measured and filled with a hint of solemnity.
"Bringing someone back from the realm of the departed is a delicate process, and it is not without its consequences. The state in which Travis would return would depend on various factors. While the wish card can restore life to his physical form, the journey between life and death can take its toll on the soul and spirit."
Sarah listened intently, her heart torn between the hope of being reunited with Travis and the uncertainty of the consequences. The figure's words raised more questions, and she felt a mixture of fear and determination.
"What do you mean by the toll on his soul and spirit?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly.
The figure paused, as if contemplating the best way to explain the intricate workings of the wish card. "The realm of life and death is intertwined with the essence of the multiverse. When someone departs from the mortal world, their soul embarks on a journey to a different realm—a realm beyond the understanding of human perception."
He continued, "While the wish card can retrieve the soul and anchor it back to the physical form, the journey itself can be taxing. Memories, experiences, and emotions might not be entirely preserved in the process. The soul may carry the weight of its journey, and some aspects of the person you knew may not be entirely the same."
Sarah's heart sank at the thought of Travis not being entirely the same person she knew and loved. The memories they shared, the moments they cherished—what if they were altered or lost in the process?
"Are you saying that Travis might not remember me or our time together?" she asked, her voice cracking with emotion.
The figure nodded, his eyes showing understanding. "It is possible. The journey between realms can bring about shifts in the soul's perception and memory. While some memories might remain intact, others could be altered, faded, or even lost in the process."
Sarah stood there, holding the wish card in her hands, feeling the weight of the decision before her. The allure of having Travis back in her life was undeniable, but the potential consequences weighed heavily on her heart. She couldn't bear the thought of him not remembering their love, their shared moments, and the beautiful memories they created together.
The figure remained patient, giving her the time she needed to process the information. His presence was enigmatic, and Sarah couldn't shake the feeling that he held the key to something beyond her understanding.
"I need time to think about this," Sarah finally said, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her.
The figure nodded, showing no sign of impatience. "Take all the time you need, Sarah. The wish card will be with you until you make your decision. But remember, every moment that passes is an opportunity that slips away. The moment the card turns black, it's over."
With that, the figure faded away from existence, leaving Sarah standing alone...
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