"Scar," I spoke between chuckles as I held her in my arms. She curled into a ball and licked my hands, expressing her happiness at meeting me.
"I've missed you, little Scar," I replied, stroking her fur.
"Jaze, do you want to get a new pair of glasses before we traverse to my world?" Meredith asked, touching the trunk of the tree. She tilted her head toward me, awaiting my response.
"No, I don't need them anymore."
"Are you certain?"
"I am. Ever since the incident at the cliff, my senses have been heightened—so much that I can see for miles." I replied, my hands still gently cradling Scar. She smiled and moved closer to me, her crimson eyes locking onto mine. Suddenly, she glanced toward the road ahead.
"Wait for me. I have to get something." Her lithe form blurred as she sprinted down the street. Within minutes, she returned.
"Where'd you go?" I asked, curiosity creeping into my voice.
"I went to get what you outsiders would call insurance," she replied with a faint smile. She touched the trunk of the tree once more, closing her eyes. Moments later, she opened them and moved closer to me.
"There are two ways to traverse between our worlds. The first is by using the force of two elements: wind and light. For example, jumping from a great height—perhaps a skyscraper. Back in my world, my mother used to leap from the castle." Mira explained, settling onto her knees on the bluegrass. I followed her lead, Scar clutching tighter to me with her paws, I felt relieved I wore a jacket. Mira extended her arm, reaching for the pendant I wore, but I quickly grasped her hand, my reflexes taking over.
"I'm sorry. Um... it's just my instincts kicking in. This pendant is my mother's. No one else has touched it since she passed."
She slowly withdrew her hand and placed it gently on the grass, her fingers twirling a strand of her hair. Tucking her hands near her chest, she revealed a pendant identical to the one I wore. I was speechless. My fingers instinctively reached out to touch it.
"How is this possible? How... how did you get this?" I asked, overwhelmed by the coincidence.
"My mother gave it to me when I was six," she replied. "I didn't understand its significance until an accident when I was younger. I was playing near a cliff with a friend when I slipped and fell. I should have died, but I didn't. I woke up near an oak tree, feeling weak and powerless. I remember lying there behind the tree when I heard your footsteps."
She paused, her gaze shifting as she focused on my knee. Leaning closer, she placed her right hand gently on my thigh, her smile softening.
"I remember you were sitting right here, crying. I was behind the tree, so you couldn't see me. Even though I was weak, I could feel your presence. Your aura was unlike anything I'd ever sensed before. It was like a division of ethereal energy mixed with something foreign. I remember resting my head against the tree trunk, listening to your heartbeat. I wanted to comfort you, to tell you everything would be alright, but I couldn't. I wasn't brave enough." Her eyes met mine as she placed her hand tenderly on the side of my face.
"Did you see my face?" I asked, already knowing the answer. She smiled and leaned forward, pressing her lips against mine. I felt the slightest pressure of her canine teeth against my lower lip. She pulled back, then placed her right index finger gently on my forehead, slowly tracing the line of my face. Her finger paused above my eyebrows.
"I listened to you cry until the rain began to fall. You stood up and walked down the street, holding a white cat in your arms. I didn't want you to leave without seeing your face, so I stepped on a branch. You turned around, and that's when I saw you—your eyes gleaming blue, like the sea in Ethereal. So beautiful. Even though you were heartbroken, you smiled in the rain."
I grasped her hand and kissed her palm. "I'm glad you saw me," I said, my voice full of affection.
"When we reach Ethereal, my mother will explain everything," she responded, holding her pendant and closing her eyes. She muttered a word in a language I didn't understand, her voice soft and melodic. She then laid her head on the ground, her gaze lifted toward the sky.
"My mother is an Ethereal?" I asked, my mind racing with questions.
"Yes," she replied, nodding. She motioned for me to lie beside her, and I settled down next to her, Scar's presence a comforting weight on my side. Meredith held my hand firmly in hers. As the sun bathed us in its warm light, I suddenly felt the earth shudder beneath us. A deep rumble vibrated through the ground, and the leaves rustled with an unnatural urgency. I tilted my head toward the grass and saw thick tree roots emerging from the soil, creeping toward us. They wrapped around us, their bark-like structure tightening.
Fear surged through me, and I struggled against their grip, but then I heard Meredith's calming thoughts.
"Stay still, Jaze. Trust me."
I hesitated, but her words soothed me. I relaxed under their weight. The sky darkened, and I felt the pulse of the earth beneath us, like a rhythmic heartbeat. We sank deeper into the soil, the pressure mounting until, with a forceful push, we plunged into what felt like water. The tree roots withered and vanished, leaving us surrounded by an overwhelming stillness.
I realized we were submerged deep in water, panic rising as I felt my breath seize—I couldn't swim. I clung tightly to Scar, who gripped me firmly in return. I glanced up toward the water's surface, seeing a glimmer of light filtering through the depths. Desperate, I tried to swim upwards, but Meredith's hand suddenly gripped my waist, pulling me back down, further into the darkened water.