Chapter - 28
Jacob struggled to his feet, his legs unsteady. He approached the fallen Umbragore and extracted the monster core, larger than any he had recovered before. He also gathered other valuable parts from the creature, placing them in his satchel.
Still exhausted, Jacob sat down on the Umbragore's carcass. He rummaged in his pocket and pulled out his cigarette pack. Nineteen cigarettes left—he'd counted. They were probably the only cigarettes in this world, and he intended to savor each one. Judging this to be a fitting moment, he took one out, lit it with his lighter, and inhaled deeply.
The nicotine soothed his nerves and eased his exhaustion. The tension in his muscles relaxed, and for a moment, all his grief and sorrow seemed to dissipate.
And the next moment, Jacob's hand went to the locket around his neck. It was another item he had brought from Earth, a memento he was grateful to whatever power had brought him here, that it had allowed him to keep. As Jacob held the metal locket in his palm, he stroked his thumb across its surface.
Jacob seldom had the courage to open the locket, to confront the image of his world, his happiness, his everything, only to realize anew that he had lost it. But tonight, loneliness gnawed at him more than usual. He missed his heart dearly, and he couldn't stop himself from opening the locket.
Inside was a small black-and-white photograph of Eliza, her smile radiant and full of life. The sight of her brought an immediate warmth to his heart, and his mind drifted back to the day they had taken that picture. A traveling photographer had stopped in their town, heading towards Boston. Jacob had leaped at the chance to have their picture taken, something to capture their love and happiness in a tangible form. Though he was ready to pay any price, the photographer, after a heartfelt conversation, had agreed to take their photos for free.
Eliza had been ecstatic when Jacob told her. She had taken out her most beautiful dress, a flowing blue gown that brought out the sparkle in her eyes. It was Jacob's favourite, not just because it was hers as well, but because of how it transformed her into the most stunning vision he had ever seen. She had adorned herself with her best earrings as well and to Jacob, she looked nothing short of angelic that day.
As they stood together for the photo, Jacob remembered how he had pulled her close, their love captured forever in that fleeting moment. But the picture he treasured most was the one he had requested of Eliza alone. He had said something silly just as the photographer clicked the shutter, capturing her in mid-laughter, her joy immortalized in that single frame.
Afterward, Jacob had the couple's photo framed and placed — placed in the lounge where they could both see it daily. The picture of Eliza, however, he had made into a small size, perfectly fitting for the locket he had bought just for this purpose. When Eliza asked why he did that, Jacob had smiled and replied that he wanted to keep her smile close to his heart, always. Her response had been an intense, passionate kiss that left him breathless.
Now, all those memories flooded Jacob's thoughts as he gazed at her smiling face. Though tears formed at the corners of his eyes, he couldn't suppress the smile that spread across his face as he remembered Eliza's laughter.
Holding the locket close to his heart, Jacob closed it gently, sealing away the precious memory once more.