Chapter 26: The Haunting Past

Stacy left the meeting room and immediately went into implementation mode, not thinking or feeling and simply marching towards her destination.

She headed to her room and grabbed the few things she had with her when she first arrived at the clubhouse. Without stopping to check, she turned and walked out the door, heading to the main entrance. She didn’t allow herself to stop for even a second.

If she allowed herself to stop, she might catch on any remaining feelings she had developed at the place. It would cause her unwanted trouble. That’s why she would never let that happen.

She marched towards the main entrance. There were some men in the area at that moment. She didn’t even look at them. Everything’s not important anymore. Nothing mattered. She didn't care about anyone.

Just like that, she left without looking back. Things were finally back on track, just like how it should’ve always been. Being in the clubhouse all these while was an enjoyable distraction. The time period for that has ended. It’s time for her to face reality. She’s not like them. She didn’t have the luxury to enjoy the company and the feeling of being a part of a team. She had her own goal to achieve.

Knowing that, why did she still feel this way? Stacy closed her eyes and took three deep breaths before continuing on her journey. In this world, every moment with another person should be treated like it was the last. You never know when your life will end.

‘Then, let’s not meet again,’ she left with that last message in mind.

He just put her in bed. He looked at her, admiring her and indulging in the moment. “You’re beautiful,” he said and she blushed. He leaned down to give her a kiss but that moment was interrupted by loud banging on the door.

The whole situation changed. Panic dispersed in the air. There were people running around. He was separated from her. He kept looking but those people running around made it a challenge.

He kept pushing through the crowd, looking for something. Somehow, he knew the location of the thing or person he was looking for but he’s always one step too late. Moving amidst the chaos was hard enough but he kept on chasing.

Towards the end, he was mentally exhausted and still trying his best to reach the person he was chasing. The whole situation kept going in a loop. Suddenly, he saw a familiar figure.

He moved towards the figure but the distance between them remained the same. It’s like she’s moving further away as he inches closer. At one point, he started running, trying his best to close their distance. However, his efforts were all in vain.

He ran and ran till he started breathing heavily.

Finally, he slowed down and stopped. Standing there, he stared at the unreachable figure. She’s so near, yet so far. Just as he was about to call out to her, she turned around. He froze at the sight of her expression.

“Save me..” she pleaded.

He froze. He knew he should do something but he couldn’t move. He stayed rooted on the spot, staring at her with wide eyes.

“Please,” she continued pleading, tears rolling down her cheeks in streams.

He tried to move forward towards her but the exact same situation repeated itself. No matter how hard he tried, no matter how fast he ran, he couldn’t reach her.

He could only watch in agony as she cried and pleaded. “I don’t want to die! Save me,” she cried, “please!” Her tone grew more and more pressing, her voice grew louder.

“Hang in there! I’ll save you. Wait for me! I’m coming. Don’t die on me, please..” his tone was as nervous as he tried his best to reach her. He never stopped trying but never once did he manage to get any closer.

He watched as she went from being afraid to hysterical. Then, slowly, she calmed down and went to sleep forever. As her eyes closed, she asked, “why didn’t you save me? You promised..”

The tears welling in his eyes flowed freely. “Sofia, no..,” he choked, “I’m sorry.” He closed his eyes and fell to his knees. “I’m sorry,” the words came out in sobs.

“You promised to protect me forever.”

Her voice lingered. He drowned in self-blame. “I’m sorry.. I’m sorry.. I’m so sorry..” he kept repeating those words as he hugged his knees and rolled into himself. The voice kept echoing in the space. “Why didn’t you save me?” “You promised to protect me forever.” “You promised.” “Why?”

He kept his eyes closed as he chanted, “I’m sorry.. I’m sorry..”

BANG! A loud noise woke him up from his sleep.

Chad sat up in shock. His breathing was rapid and he was drenched in sweat. He hadn’t had that nightmare in a long time. Why would Sofia appear in his dream again? Was it because of what Mark said during the day?

No, it’s impossible. Was Sofia appearing in his dream to warn him to not fall for another girl? He shook his head.

He didn’t want to go through the betrayal with Sofia again. Worst case scenario, he might be signing up for the heartbreak of losing someone he loves for the second time.

Love. Does he really want to go down that rabbit hole? He’s not sure if he’s even capable of that anymore.

Wrapping up his feelings and storing them away, he steeled himself and proceeded with his day. If there’s a way to numb a bleeding heart, it’s to not think at all. That’s why he started working without stopping.

“Our source said that the Vipers are going to make a move very soon,” Will reported as he entered the meeting room. “It’s been a long time, Will,” Zalen greeted. “How’s things at the bar?” Chad chimed in. “Situation’s normal,” he responded. After some thoughts, he continued, “there was this pair of twins. They seem new, never seen them in town before. They have been visiting quite regularly. I have a feeling they’re not as simple as they seem.”