I woke up somewhere I had never been before. There was a sense of calmness in the air, as though no one had ever lived here. Around me was a lush field, and the long grass was dancing in the breeze. I was wearing a white gown; this nearly seems like a scene from a movie. Neither a house nor any inhabitants could be found here. Where was this place? I cannot even see Felix anywhere around.
The moment a gunshot rang out across the entire field, I jerked back. That was a loud one, but who could have brought a weapon into this peaceful place, and what for? Not far from where I stood, I could see a girl wearing a beautiful lavender flowy dress. She has light brown hair; I could not make out her face as she was a little far away. Just like the long green grass around here, her hair was swaying with the wind. I squinted my eyes in hopes that I'd be able to get a clear view of her face, but I failed.
"Hello? Can you hear me?"
"Philippe, what have you done?"
I sucked in a breath as my eyes opened wide. I feel a warm hand touching my skin—it is Felix. He is sound asleep. My head turns to the clock that was mounted to the wall; it is almost three in the morning. I wonder how long I was out and who brought me into the hospital. If I could remember it right, I had lost consciousness when I got myself out of the moving vehicle that night. I had really thought my life would end; it was a relief that I'd made it out alive. I must find the person who found me and was kind enough to bring me to the hospital.
"Tazanna!" Felix exclaims, as he sits upright and licks his lips. "Ho... How are you feeling? I'm sorry I have fallen asleep..." I smile and shake my head to reassure him that everything is great. The sight of my lover in front of me brings tears into my eyes; I am eternally grateful that I have not died that night. Felix has come back to this world for me, all will turn into waste if I were to die just like that. I have not found anything yet about his death. I must not die until then. "Hey... Are you crying? Are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere?"
I wipe away my tears. "I'm just happy."
"Happy?" he questions, and I nod.
"I'm happy to see you again, Felix. I had almost lost all hope that night. It was scary..." The tears that I had been holding back rushed down my cheeks. "He was glaring at me through the mirror. He knew both of our names, but I could swear that it was the first time that I had seen his face. No matter how many times I screamed for him to stop the car, he did not listen. There was only one thing that was on my mind that night, and it was you, Felix. How I still wanted to hold you, and how I still wanted to see you in front of me just like right now."
His big and strong arms enveloped me, as I let all of my tears out. "I'm sorry I was not there. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."
I caught a glimpse of a person who was standing outside of my hospital room—Vic. His eyes are on me, and his stare makes me feel uncomfortable. I do not want to think much about the accident, but if there is one person who wants me dead, it would be Vic. He is the Grim Reaper that was sent to take my soul and deliver it to the gods, as that is what is right, so they say. I have got to talk with him, if not, these questions will wander around in my head for God knows how long.
Two days after the accident, Felix permitted me to come back to work. I could have asked Vic about that night already if only Felix had let me go the day I got out of the hospital. More than that, I can hardly get a hold of the reaper. Although he is present at the meeting, it seems as though his mind is somewhere else. I tried getting him to stay multiple times for a talk, but he always disappeared in the crowd. This can't go on any longer; if I can't still get Vic to talk with me about the accident that night, today or tomorrow might be my last day on earth. That cannot happen; I've still got a lot of things to do for Felix and for us.
"This won't do. I thought I told you that this has to be seamless, or were you not listening to me? I cannot let any one of you ruin my reputation as a designer." That voice sounded familiar; it has to be Vic. He was speaking with the team leader of the production team, and from the way it looks from here, it must be a serious problem. "Redo it."
"But sir, we've worked on this one for two weeks straight-"
"It is not my fault that you did not listen. Redo it and study it thoroughly this time, you all-"
"Hey!" I decided to cut in even though I knew it was not the best thing to do. The reaper is getting too hot-headed; I must at least try to calm him down. "Have you had lunch, Vic? Do you mind eating with me?"
He looked puzzled, and I smiled. "Not now, Tazanna; I'm busy."
"But I'm hungry! Come on, I'm pretty sure you're on break as well."
Thankfully, Vic did not argue with me for long. It was never this hard to persuade this man before; I wonder what could have happened, and he was almost never around the company or the other guys. One more thing that I noticed is that Zebin no longer hangs around here. These things make me really ponder: did something happen while I was hospitalized? Why is Felix not telling me anything?
Anyway, Vic is with me now; I can have my questions answered for me today. But he sure is picking up the pace; I can barely catch up. Is something really the matter? Why are these guys suddenly acting strange? I know they are trying to hide something, but as they already know by now, I am not one to be easily fooled. It is a good thing that Vic decided to come; this makes things a lot easier for me.
"You seem busy these days; it was really hard to see you around the building. How have you been?" That was an awkward way to start the conversation after a while of not seeing each other. It is not as if we were close enough to ask about things like that, either. But the man who was walking ahead of me stayed silent. "Vic? Are you listening to me? Is everything okay?" I grabbed his left arm. "All right, I'll be honest. The reason that I want to see you is because I wanted to ask you about the accident. Is there a chance that you were the one behind it?" Vic glares down at me.
"And what if I was?" I loosen my hold. I did not expect him to answer that fast.
"Were you really?"
The next thing he did almost stopped my heart from beating; he pushed me against the wall, and his arms were trapping me in. The look in his eyes was something I had never seen before; not even Felix has ever stared at me in that way. I felt the same fear as that night.
"Who were you?"
"What?"
"Were you really a part of my past life?"
I tilted my head. "You're not making any sense." Vic backed away.
"I have a lot on my mind lately; that's why I haven't been around. But if you need anything from me, especially when it is about work, I'll come." He turns to his back.
"You haven't properly answered my question yet!" I yell as he stops. "Were you really the one behind that accident?"
"I am here for your soul; I believe that is enough of an answer to your question. I will take my leave."
It is not as if I did not already know, but somehow, at least a little, I wished that he would deny it and tell me that it did not have anything to do with him.