We made our way through the side of the village with the streets starting to empty out a little as people began heading back to their hotel rooms to change for the evening too. The Westin looked pretty inviting with all of the room windows glowing from the lights inside. We walked by the fudge shop, and I made a mental note to replenish my sweets stock in the pantry. As we were making our way closer to my condo, I was getting thrilled at the thought of showering and warming up before heading back out to meet up with everyone in the village. I didn’t realize how cold I must have gotten flying down the mountain, goose-down or not. I thought about how so many things had changed in such a short time. I never wanted this to end, but I desperately wanted answers. I knew I couldn’t tell him of the dream he was in. I knew he was searching for something, but I couldn’t tell him. Not yet, if ever.
CHAPTER 9
We met Cyril and Arie at the Dublin Gate, and as promised, our new friends had saved a few seats for us and a few others at a table near the stage. The evening was already in full swing by the time we got there. I found myself taking extra time back at the house to hang out with Athen alone before heading out so it was well worth missing some of the beginning festivities, translating -a few pitchers of beer. I sat next to Arie, and Athen sat next to me. We were able to turn our chairs toward the stage to get a glimpse of the local Irish band who was performing. They were entertaining and wonderfully haunting.
The band played an incredible mix of Irish music and current songs to keep the night rolling. I saw people beginning to get up and dance, and, at first, Athen and I did nothing but laugh amongst each other as we noticed most of them were drunk out of their minds. Definitely not a feeling I wanted to have. There was no way I wanted to miss soaking up time with Athen and his family for a second because of having too much to drink. Life was my high right now. I hoped it never ended. Before I knew it, Athen pulled me to the small dance floor that was now starting to lose some of its drunken crowd because the song had turned to a slow song.
“One of my favorites,” I whispered in Athen’s ear, “I will Follow You Into the Dark. How fitting.”
He held me as we swayed back and forth to the seraphic melody, my arms wrapped around his neck. His breath brushed the top of my head as he held me tightly. My body was so close to his. It was hard to stay focused on dancing.
“You know, it truly is forever and all eternity my angel.” He whispered in my ear as he began kissing my cheek ever so lightly. I pulled back a little to see his green eyes staring back at me searching intently for something. I wasn’t sure what he was looking for. I could feel Cyril and Arie behind me dancing to the song as well. I wondered how it was that I was beginning to feel the presence of Athen, Cyril, and Arie without ever seeing them. I rested my head back on Athen’s chest and breathed in this moment hoping to retain it for as long as I lived. The music began to slow, which signaled to us to exit the dance floor because there were very few slow songs that would be coming off the stage tonight. We didn’t want to be trampled by way of overzealous Guinness drinkers.
“Well, glad we got that out of the way.” Cyril boomed trying to save some face around the strangers.
“Whatever, Cy,” Arie said smacking his shoulder “So, Athen mentioned that you were thinking about giving your notice at the pub?”
“Yah, I was thinking about it, you know, since I might be taking so much time off for the holidays,” I looked at Athen for some sort of confirmation, “I don’t want to put the owner in a lurch. It is better for him to find someone now right before the busy season hits, and I’m sure I could always get my job back if I left on a good note.”
Athen squeezed my hand under the table, feeling his excitement building only made me feel more confident in my decision to leave work behind. All my life, I had an emptiness inside me. I was always in a constant misstep, yet with the arrival of Athen, Arie, and Cyril my life became filled with joy – instantly. Even though there have been a few oddities, I was certain of my life and Athen. By far the good seemed to outweigh any slight misgivings that might creep in now and then. If, somehow, they also held the key to ending my nightmares I would finally be able to be at peace again.
“Wow, that would be awesome, Ana! I know I would enjoy having a partner in crime. I can’t tell you how much more wonderful my life could get having Athen actually be with you versus talking to us all the time about you. It would take the heat off. He just never shuts up.”
I looked up at Athen only to see him nodding in agreement, “It’s true. I have gotten a little narrow minded on my selection of topics to speak about.”
“Thank God,” Cyril nodded in agreement. “The less I have to hear Athen’s musings about you the better. No offense, Ana.”
“None taken. I’m sure Karen at work feels the same way.” I said grinning.
Our guide looked like he had been slapping them back in double digits before we got to the pub so when he excused himself none of us were that surprised. He was having some issues making his way through the chairs. I hoped he would make it through the village. At least it was a walking village. I was sure I would see him around in the village but for now wouldn’t hold him up for small talk. He looked like he was in serious need of a flat surface. It made me nurse my hard cider that much slower. I had this habit now of making sure I was on high alert for anything. I didn’t even know for what. Athen was always so vague I figured it was better to be coherent at all times. It was hard enough, honestly, to be around Athen and be even somewhat alert. However, seeing a black streak dodging through the forest trees earlier made it very evident that something was amiss, and I had to take it for what it’s worth. Having the details of my nightmares now beginning to align with my reality was almost more than I could handle.
“Athen, what happened to that guy who was following me?” I’m not sure what made me ask him. I couldn’t believe it came out of my mouth. Since it did I looked him directly in his green eyes praying I would not be detoured. Arie spoke up first.
“He intended to harm you, Ana. We had to offer him something that he couldn’t refuse to leave you alone.”
“How do you know he wanted to hurt me?”
Cyril and Athen quickly exchanged concerned glances, which I didn’t even have to see. I sensed it. I was getting way better at that talent I must say.
“We knew he wasn’t fully human, Ana. He wasn’t one of us either. The only reason for following someone like you is to cause you harm. He had to be stopped.”
“Wow, you are as vague as Athen. At least I feel like we are getting a little closer. Does that mean I don’t have to be so vigilant in staring down strange people now because I can’t tell who is who at this point? What about the black streak I saw earlier?”
Athen got up abruptly and grabbed his jacket and helped me up from the table. I must have upset him. I knew I shouldn’t have pushed it. I wanted to know and am now kicking myself for possibly ruining the night and my search for answers.
“Ana, you didn’t ruin anything. It’s time. Let’s get out of here. I’ll start to fill you in as best I can. Arie, Cyril get some rest. You’ll know when the moment arrives.”
My heart started pounding so fast it was almost hard to distinguish individual beats. Fear began to wash through my veins. This was the first time I was hesitant to find out what was waiting for me. I could finally say without a doubt that Athen could hear my thoughts. In addition to being scared beyond belief, this revelation began to produce a wave of embarrassment as I began remembering some of the things I have thought to myself since meeting him.
“How did you know I was worried I ruined the night?” My skin turned cold with anticipation waiting to hear the answer that never came.
CHAPTER 10
I held Athen’s hand as we went out into the village. We began walking slowly as I let him formulate his thoughts. I wasn’t sure what the night held for me. A sense of relief began to grip me since I would finally begin to get the answers I have been waiting for. The s
now began to gently fall again. How fitting I thought to myself. I stopped walking and took Athen in one more time, in case what he was about to tell me changed my perception of him; I didn’t want to lose what I once had.
“It’s gonna be ok, sweetheart. I promise.” He looked at me, a piercing sensation right behind my eyes incapacitated me. I didn’t understand where it was coming from. I had never had a migraine. Too much was going on to be slowed down right now, but once he looked away the pain was gone.
“Athen, was that you giving me that?”
He wrapped his arms around me, which solidified that it was Athen who caused it.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you, but I was seeing if you were receptive yet. It looks like you are. The process can finally begin.”
“Ok, still not telling me much. Please don’t do that again.”
“You are one of us, Ana. You always have been. You were phased and taken away from us. We had to wait until the timing was right to get you back.”
“What do you mean phased? Are you trying to tell me that you are from another dimension or something? I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“It’s as close as we come to death, but instead we start over. For some, like the nomads, it makes no difference if they are phased. No one notices or cares. They start over again and move on. For us, the families, it makes life almost unbearable for those of us who have to wait.”
“Wait for what?”
“We may have to wait anywhere from a few days to a century to track our loved ones down. Then we wait for the timing to be right for the reintroduction process. Ana, I have been waiting for you for fifty-seven years to begin the reintroduction process. This isn’t the first time we have fallen in love. We are destined to be together. We are beyond anything that your mind can imagine as soul mates.”
“I don’t understand what you are talking about or how I fit in? There is no way you have been waiting fifty-seven years for anything. You aren’t that old and neither am I. I don’t understand, and a reintroduction process?”
“Yes, where we introduce you to your eternal life, not the one that was created artificially for you. The life that you most recently remember is not your true life. It’s not your reality, Ana. You are not human. If you actually had a human age it would probably be about 20 years old, but with the wisdom that only our fate can bring us, there is no comparison. We do have an id for you that says 21, though.” He tried to laugh, but only coarseness came through.
My blood curdled. These people were crazy, even evil quite possibly. Karen was right. I was in danger. There was no way to get help at this moment. I tried to play it cool.
“I’m not following. I grew up with my family and there was an accident and I was the only survivor.” I began again.
“Yes, Ana. I know what you think you know, but have you ever wondered why you can’t remember anything from before the accident? I have been waiting for so long for this moment, Ana. My family, your family all have been too. From the moment we began the Awakening on you decades ago, we have followed you through every incomplete phase until finally we were able to tell that you were ready for the reintroduction process this time. You were receptive to us. You noticed us, our eyes - our glow in the pub. You saw the flash of light in your condo that first night. I know you did. I know you knew it was coming from me. The moment that you could feel us in the pub was the sign that your senses had started to come back. We have been in front of you time after time, and you never noticed us. This time, at long last, you did. My sister and Cyril were at the pub testing the environment out. They called me as soon as they figured out that you were able to sense them. I had been disappointed and let down so many times before, hopeful that you would recognize us, only to start the grieving process over and over when it was a false alarm. We have always been in the wings, Ana, waiting for you and watching over you. When I heard your thoughts, I realized that you saw my prism in your condo. I knew that this time was different. This was our best shot so far to get you back. Nobody else can see or feel those things, Ana. No one else would have seen the light in your condo that night. Only you, my angel. Never mind the dreams you’ve been apparently having. Those only add to the readiness.”
Athen’s words were spreading through me like a virus. My body started to uncontrollably crumble. I was faint, as if my world was spinning. I reached for the bench, but before I could sit down, my legs gave out. Athen grabbed me before I hit the ice. He held me so tight. This time I knew why everything was so familiar- his smell, his eyes, his breath, everything that I had been longing for. It was something I had already had. The emptiness had finally fallen away. I knew it wasn’t a dream any longer. Athen was my soul mate. Even the test of time couldn’t tear us apart. I held onto his neck as hard as I could as he sat on the bench placing me on his lap. The tears started streaming down my face. They weren’t tears of sadness- only great joy and relief.
All of the years of solitude and loneliness in life began drifting away from my mind. Athen’s hand lightly caressed my back. It brought me back to the first night I met him. How secure I felt in his embrace, so sure of his comforting gestures as if I had experienced them centuries before. He was so self-assured, now I knew why. I didn’t understand what he was saying, yet I knew it was true. It had to be. I knew in time I would fully understand. For the moment, I was purely content holding him and not letting this moment disappear.
I looked out under the eaves and saw the snowflakes falling and quietly melting on the heated path, wondering if that is what my life had done. I hoped with every part of my being that I would be able to recover all of the past that I couldn’t remember now. I hoped my memories would come back. I didn’t ever want to think that I couldn’t recover any second with Athen.
“Athen, what am I?”
“What do you say we get back to Matilda? I’m sure she is missing us.” Athen spoke softly in my ear.
I nodded and slid off his lap as he grabbed my hand, and we walked back to my condo. I looked around the village seeing things that I had overlooked the last while of living here. It was as if the rocks had become alive. The beautiful curvatures melded with a harshness that always existed in nature. The streetlights welcomed me to my life once again. I didn’t know what the future or the past held for me, but I was truly invigorated. I knew it could only get better from here and this was pretty perfect already.
“Athen, if I’m not human then what am I? Will the nightmare go away?”
“I’ll let Arie and Cyril know to meet us at your place. It’s going to be a long night. We won’t be able to cover everything tonight, but we do have eternity for that.” He laughed and squeezed my hand, realizing it wasn’t that funny to someone who had no idea what he was talking about.
I looked at Athen and knew instantly that he wasn’t kidding. Life as I knew it was gone. I couldn’t wait to find out why. There was no sadness, only expectation filled with hope.
As we got into the elevator I pressed my floor. Athen grabbed my waist and pulled me towards him. He held me with all his might. I could feel the restrained strength in his arms. I had never felt this level of intensity come from him before. As he was holding me, he whispered in my ear that he would never lose me again. His warm and gentle lips skimming my forehead bringing me back to the first night I met him. I was yearning for him, thankful he sensed it as he slowly brought his lips down closer to mine. There was so little that I understood, but one thing I knew with all my heart was that we were meant to be together for all eternity, whatever that might mean. I was hoping the elevator would take longer than usual as Athen’s hands ran up the back of my spine, his breath lingering on my lips before his lips parted on mine at first softly, but intensifying with every floor that we went up. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he lifted me gently onto the elevator railing. I continued to feel the nettle-like stinging that intensified with every kiss.
As if on cue, when I was sure I couldn’t handle anymore, the doors t
o the elevator opened. He brought me down to the floor so that we could exit the elevator. We walked to my door, which I noticed wasn’t closed all of the way. Athen must have noticed my body stiffen because he got in front of me and turned around.
“It’s only Arie and Cyril. They got here already but good job on trusting your senses.”
“How did… Never mind -I guess their speed will be explained tonight too?” I asked smiling up at him, attempting a laugh. He shook his head as he pushed my front door open, and my eyes instantly became blinded by the light that was pouring out of my living room. I closed my eyes as fast as I could, but the light was penetrating through my closed lids as if I was staring directly into a spotlight. It took his idea of a prism to a whole new level.
“Whoa, what is it, I can’t see. Can you stop doing that?”
“Ana, we aren’t doing anything. This is how we look to you in your initial reintroduction process. Your eyes are adjusting to seeing us in our true form. It won’t last long, I promise. Athen is leading you to the couch and you’ll be ok.” Hearing Arie’s voice was calming, but I was still worried about what I was about to encounter.
Athen placed his hand around my waist as he led me into my living room. Approaching the couch, the light was almost unbearable. Matilda’s snoring was coming through the wall softly from my bedroom, which was a source of great comfort. It was the only sense of normalcy at the moment that I had.
“Tonight will overload your senses beyond anything you have experienced. At times it may seem intolerable, but we will be here and everything will be ok. You will get through it.” Athen squeezed my hand. I tried to return the favor but couldn’t. My fingers were detached from my body.
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