As she gracefully descended the stairs, June couldn't help but notice the absence of the white cat that usually lingered in the same spot whenever she left. The snow was falling gently, but it troubled her to think that the cat might not be alright.
Ten years ago, when tragedy struck, the weather mirrored the fateful night she now found herself navigating through the snow-laden streets. It had been a night much like this—steady upward spirals of snowflakes, mesmerizing and peaceful, transforming the world into an ethereal realm. But that serenity quickly gave way to a nightmare that forever haunted her memories. The violent collision of their car with a looming truck, the world abruptly flipped upside down. Amidst the chaos, she recalled a fleeting sense of calm, captivated by the delicate beauty of the falling snow. However, that fleeting peace was shattered as reality crashed down upon her.
A cold, chilling sensation enveloped her body, fear gripping her mind as she struggled to regain her senses. Through the haze of blurred vision, she witnessed the aftermath of the tragedy—shattered glass and crimson trails etched into the snow like a somber river. Desperately reaching for her parents, suspended by their seat belts like her, she realized they were gone, leaving her alone in the heart-wrenching aftermath. Every flicker of warmth within her body seemed to rush towards her head, the heat of tears streaming down her forehead making ways through the corner of her eyes, falling upon the ceiling of a flipped car without her conscious will. Amidst the chaos, the indistinct voice of a stranger panting seemed to echo in the background like a haunting melody, forever etched into her soul.
In her adulthood, every time June encountered the snow, a tinge of sadness washed over her. But she shook off those emotions, reminding herself that it was a special day, and she ought to be happy.
As she made her way to the bus stop, she noticed the street becoming slippery due to the snow. Deciding to take a different route, she descended the long staircase that wound around the hill.
There were many people on the streets, their hands laden with bags and children eagerly clutching their Christmas gifts. The coffee shop on the right side of the hill was open too, and June recalled the times she used to frequent the place, savoring the view and her hot coffee, either alone or with her friend Lisa during sleepovers.
Among the memories that flooded her mind was the birthday celebration they had once held there, a small gathering where they forced June to cut the cake. A faint smile appeared on her face as she reminisced, but her thoughts were interrupted when she spotted someone waving at her.
It was Charles Evan, her college classmate, a year younger than both June and Lisa. He was tall, with a cute charm that garnered him many female fans. His curly, green-dyed hair cascaded over his forehead, and his hazel green eyes seemed to reflect his admiration for the Joker, as Lisa once playfully teased him about.
June waved back at him, and she could see him mouthing the words "Merry Christmas" through the coffee shop's glass window. He pointed at something and then took out his phone to text her. June's phone chimed, revealing a message from Charles, expressing how Lisa had asked him to come, but he couldn't due to having to look after the shop. He asked June to relay the message and added a heart emoji at the end.
She chuckled to herself, wondering why Charles always used heart emojis in his texts to her, and responded affirmatively. Lost in her thoughts, she continued on her way, momentarily forgetting to wish him a Merry Christmas in return.
The bus was packed with people, everyone engrossed in conversations with their companions. Feeling a bit left out, June tried to push away her thoughts and focus on the joyous occasion ahead.
As the bus ride continued, she finally reached her destination after twenty minutes. She walked a bit further and noticed the bustling library, where her Aunt Mary seemed to be engrossed in her work, with numerous people seeking her assistance.
June planned to come back later for some research work for her assignment, but for now, she headed towards Aunt Mary's house just opposite the library. A warm welcome awaited her, with Lisa's cheerful face appearing at the door, accompanied by a host of family members.
Thomas, Lisa's little brother, greeted her with enthusiasm, showing off his Christmas present—a toy train clutched in his hands. Pony, the golden retriever whom June had known since she was a puppy, wagged her tail excitedly, showering June with affectionate licks.
After a delightful reunion, Lisa led June to the kitchen, offering her a homemade cake while asking, "You okay?"
Surprised by the question, June replied, "Yes, of course," reassured by Lisa's concern. She mentioned Aunt Mary's busy schedule, prompting Lisa to remark that her aunt should have been there by now.
As the evening progressed, the house brimmed with laughter and merriment. June relished the company of Lisa's family and friends, exchanging stories and enjoying a delightful dinner. Lisa surprised June with a thoughtful gift—an AirPods—while June presented Lisa with a carefully chosen CHANEL perfume.
After a heartwarming farewell, June bid everyone goodnight and decided to head home. Outside, the snow was falling once again, and in the distance, she spotted the elusive white cat she had been searching for earlier. The cat darted towards a remote street, and June couldn't help but follow.
Approaching the spot, she discovered something else amid the snow—something white that gleamed in the soft glow of streetlights.
As she drew closer, a sense of curiosity mixed with anticipation washed over her. Her gaze drawn to a mysterious figure. He sat gracefully at the corner of a building, bathed in the soft glow of the streetlights, with the very same white cat she had been searching for earlier nestled in his arms. A celestial aura surrounded him, setting him apart from the revelry around him.
His presence was magnetic, and June found herself inexplicably entranced. There was something hauntingly familiar about him, as if she had known him in another life, in the realm of dreams. Those striking silver eyes seemed to hold a universe of secrets, and as they met hers, she felt an electric jolt pass through her, awakening dormant memories deep within her soul.
His pale skin, almost luminous under the moonlight, spoke of a timeless existence, a being that transcended the boundaries of mortal existence. As the snowflakes danced around him, they seemed to bow to his very essence, enchanted by his otherworldly charm.
The white cat in his arms appeared at ease, as if it had found its rightful place beside this enigmatic man. Its emerald eyes gleamed with intelligence, almost as if it knew something that eluded everyone else.
June's heart raced as she tried to make sense of this surreal encounter. It was as if the threads of fate had woven them together, guiding her to this moment. She struggled to comprehend why this captivating figure, whom she had only seen in the realm of dreams, now graced her reality with his presence.
Was he a figment of her imagination, a manifestation of her deepest desires and fears? Or could he truly be a being beyond the realm of ordinary mortals? The questions swirled in her mind, leaving her breathless with anticipation.
Despite the laughter and warmth that surrounded her, June felt a chill envelop her. It was not the biting cold of the winter night, but the inexplicable sensation that this encounter held significance far beyond the boundaries of her understanding.
Time seemed to bend around him, and the world faded into the background.
"Ĕịrịssē," a voice echoed, resonating deeper than the boundless abyss. In that instant, Juno's heart skipped a beat, pounding with an intensity that threatened to burst from her chest. Though a stranger to her, there was an inexplicable familiarity, as if their souls were old acquaintances, intertwined in the vastness of time long before stars were born. The invisible strings of fate tugged relentlessly, pulling her closer to this enigmatic presence. With a mix of surprise and curiosity, she finally managed to ask, "Who are you?" Her voice followed softly in the night, yearning for answers to the shadowy figure that stood before her.