I felt the warmth of the afternoon sun, gently touching my face, like a feathery kiss. Almost like how a mother would kiss her child.
I was enjoying resting with my eyes closed. I had completely forgotten what had happened, until I heard a familiar voice speak up, from beside me; "Hey."
I moaned, and tried to get away from the voice. I was beginning to remember the events that had led up to this moment. Perhaps if I could just pretend to still be unconscious, I wouldn't have to answer Parker's questions. No luck.
"Oh, don't even try it. I know you're awake." Parker said.
Dang it! I decided to open my eyes, and face the music.
"Look," I began, "I would like to find some answers, just as much, if not more than you..."
"Whoa! Slow down, Devian." Parker placed a strong, yet gentle hand on my shoulder. "We're going to find answers."
I pulled backwards, away from Parker's touch. Even though I felt like I could, and should trust Parker, something inside of me warned against it. But I had to know...
"Parker," I began, looking directly into Parker's eyes, "I need to know. Who am i?"
I watched as Parker's body tensed up. I knew that whatever answer that he would give me, would either not be true, or just become another question.
"I can't tell you that, Devian." Parker said tersely, with a shake of his head.
"Oh," I sighed, and looked away. If Parker could not give me that answer, what was the point in asking?
"But..." (ugh! There's always a but! Am I right!?🙄) Parker began to speak again, "I think I owe you an explanation... I know what you are."
I bolted upright in my bed. Parker's words felt like I had received a punch, directly in my stomach. WHAT!?
I could tell that Parker seemed to be shocked at his own words, just as much as I had been— he had winced suddenly, frowned, and almost immediately, seeemed to shut down.
"Wait. I'm sorry. What do mean, that you know what I am?"
Parker slowly turned to look back at me. I could tell that he was really trying to find a way out of the apparent situation that he had brought upon himself. Suddenly, a smile slowly began to spread across his face, almost as if he had received an enlightening idea from above...
"Well,"Parker began, "I mean... you may not believe this, but you are..." Parker dramatically drew in a breath.
"What!?" I cried.
"Our long lost brother!" Parker finished.
"Oh." I regret to admit, that I had been unsuccessful in trying to hide my disappointment. Don't get me wrong, I suppose that I felt happy to know that I had a family... but it still had not given me the answer that I had been hoping for.
Parker noticed my disappointment, and replaced his hand on my shoulder. "Look," he said, "I know that this is probably not what you were expecting, but at least it's a start, right?"
"Sure," I shrugged.
"Here," Parker said, as he leaned over to the drawer that was beside the bed, and pulled out a book. "This is a history of this town. Perhaps you can find something useful in here."
As I took the book, I had to admit... it was an interesting one. It hosted a steampunk-themed cover, complete with movable gold, silver, and rust-red gears.
"Thanks. I guess..." I said, looking at Parker.
Now that that was settled, there was one more question—"Parker."
"Yes?"
"Why don't you like me?" Parker blushed, and looked down. I decided to press the question. "Please," I continued, if I have done anything wrong, I would like to fix it..."
"Just forget it, Dev!" Parker shouted. He had suddenly become defensive.
"M'sorry..." I mumbled. I felt terrible for wanting to talk about Parker's issue with me. It was obviously a sensitive topic.
Parker calmed down. "No. No, it's my fault." He said, shaking his head.
It took everything I had, to not agree with him, out loud. But then he surprised me.
"Look, why don't you join us?" Parker said.
"Wh-what? You mean..."
"I mean, you're done being isolated from the rest of us. So... we're going to be heading to town tomorrow, so you're welcome to hitch a ride." Parker said, smiling.
I could barely control my excitement, and practically shouted— "Wow! Thank you!"
Parker shrugged, "You're welcome," he said. "Why don't you try to find a place to checkout tomorrow in that book?"
I nodded with enthusiasm. "Of course!" I cried.
"Great." Parker stood up, and walked towards the door. Before he left the room, he said "Also, dinner is going to be ready at five."
"Cool! I'll be there, for sure!" I mentally congratulated myself. Finally!
"Okay!" Parker said. And with that, he was gone.
+++++++++++++++
There was a long time until dinner would be ready, so I decided to take some time to read the history book.
The first few pages were boring. But then... my eyes widened! There, on the tenth page was an old news article. And on the article picture, was the girl from my dream! WHAT!!?
I hurried to read the blurb that was written under the picture— "Meralise Time: Believed to be the only surviving child of Father Time, as well as this era's only time weaver, supposedly gave her life today, in an act of selfless martyrdom, in order to save the residence of Time City from an unexpected attack of soul thieves. Interestingly, these creatures normally stay in the shadows, unless they have been offered to take a soul..."
My stomach began to churn. For some reason, I felt that I already knew what this meant. The feeling scared me, but I had to continue, I just had to!
"...When we interviewed the witness, as well as some of the survivors, we found that the soul thieves attacked when Meralise turned down Salis' marriage proposal. In his Pain, the poor, heart broken young man, acted rashly, and provoked the soul thieves."
I felt as if I were in a trance, as I continued to read...
"Witnesses say that everything was a blur, as Meralise weaved the time, and when the dust settled, spectators recalled that Meralise's pocket watch that contains not only her soul, but the knowledge of past time weavers, was missing."
The dream! I was at my wits end...
"If this is true, it would mean that Meralise, herself, could either have found a new host, or... the time weaver soul is truly gone forever. Whichever is true, one thing is certain: Father Time, bless us all."
"NO!" I threw the book onto the bed. I ran out of Parker's room, and made a beeline to mine. It couldn't be! Not me! I didn't even know who I was!
I threw open the drawer, that held the pocket watch. There it was... Meralise's soul. Her memories... everything! I sank to the floor. This would change everything!
"Why?" I sobbed, to the empty room, "why me? I'm not qualified for this! I don't want to be a time weaver! Please!"
Suddenly, a wispy voice, that came from outside, reached into my mind, and grabbed onto something that I suddenly felt had been important at one time...
"Devian." My mind went blank. I felt calm, as I walked towards the open window. I looked out, and found a cloaked figure. The figure's hand was beckoning me to come towards it... and I did.
*Warning*: Never go to a cloaked figure, that wants you to come to it🤦🏻!
Well, in my defense, my mind was so foggy, that I felt as if I was floating towards the figure.
And then, there I was! The figure standing directly in front of me.
That's when the figure spoke— "My love. I have finally found you... after all these years..."
My mind was searching for a face to match with the owner of the voice. It sounded so familiar...
Suddenly, I began to regain control of my mind... "S-Salis?" My voice was barely a whisper, but my foggy mind said "RUN!"
But before I could, I felt the figure grab hold of my shoulders.
"N-no." I begged weakly, as I tried to push away.
But the last thing I remembered, before the darkness claimed me... again, was feeling icy-cold lips being pressed against mine...