Episode 170 - A moment for myself

Episode 170 - A moment for myself
The morning light seemed strange to me. Too bright, too ordinary. I sat on the edge of the bed, contemplating the faint silvery sheen that still lingered on the glass, as if Regum had left fingerprints. Joe's words echoed in my mind: "You can't come back like someone who's running away."

I thought of my parents, of James, of the friends I'd left without a word. The weight of their absence pressed on me more than Regum's whispers. I picked up the letter. The ink had faded into the silence, but I could still feel Tobias's presence on the paper, Luke's calm reassuring presence, telling me to trust the path. For the first time, I understood. The path wasn't just going back to Regum. It was through here, through everything I'd avoided.

I stood there, chest tight, pulse racing. Today I would face them.

I took out my phone, which now didn't just have a regular background, but a photo of me with Tobias as the wallpaper, while inside it was filled with photos of us, of Joe, of Luke, of Tobias; photos that reminded me that everything had been real, the experiences and emotions we felt.

I smiled slightly at the memories of everything we'd been through together, from the cabin in the woods to when we lived in the palace. I took a deep breath and sighed as I grabbed my towel to get in the shower. I looked at myself in the mirror.

Ness - How incredible how time flies...

I looked at myself, a few months older, but it felt like years had passed in my life. My hair and features were still the same as the day we left, but my gaze was different, the dark circles under my eyes that I had with me were gone, and my skin didn't look the same. I felt different. I went to take a shower and while I felt the hot water on my skin, I could remember how for some time now my temperature had become colder, how some touches could still make some things freeze a little.

The steam enveloped me, but instead of warmth, I felt the cold spreading across my skin. Drops froze on my fingertips, forming tiny crystals before melting. I pressed my palm against the tile, but it remained unchanged. It seemed to work simply with the water. A faint shape formed on the tile in front of me, barely visible, but there it was. I quickly withdrew my hand, my breath ragged.

Ness - It's seeping inside me too…

The thought gnawed at me. Regum wasn't just making its way into the outside world; it was piercing through me.

I wrapped a towel around my neck and stepped out of the shower. I dressed slowly, each movement heavy with the weight of my decision. My phone vibrated on the nightstand: a message from James. Just seeing his name on the screen made my stomach churn. I hadn't spoken to him since before Regum, before everything. An idiot who didn't want to remember and who didn't even remember that his number was still on my phone. I completely ignored him and went to the message from Santiago.

Santiago's name lit up the screen, firm and familiar. I felt a tightness in my chest as I opened the message.

"Hey, it's been ages since I've seen you. Are you still going to the thing today?"

I stared at the words, my pulse racing. Santiago had been one of the few who never judged me, who always tried to understand. And yet, I had vanished without explanation, absorbed by Regum.

Ness - Maybe this is where I start.

I typed slowly, my fingers trembling: "Of course. Can we meet a little earlier?"

The reply came almost instantly: "Sure. Want to pick me up?"

I slipped my phone into my pocket, my heart pounding. Facing Santiago first seemed safer than facing James, safer than facing my parents. But it was still a step toward the truth. I was in my room wearing jeans and a crop top, looking at my phone and thinking about a bunch of things, but before I got too lost in my thoughts, I wanted to take my mind off things, so I dried my hair with a towel. I glanced at the edge of the bed and saw a box I didn't recognize.

"Ness - Joe!?"

I yelled, and Joe answered from the other room: "What!?"

Ness - You left a box in my room?

His immediate response, "Yes!", made me hesitate any longer, and I simply looked at the box. When I opened it, there were knee-high leather boots. My mouth was agape when Joe knocked on the door.

Joe - They're so you feel a little more at home. I know Regum's clothes aren't very similar to what you have here...

I continued drying my hair, smiling slightly, though I didn't reply. I felt an incredible warmth in my heart. The boots were beautiful, and they truly reminded me of the boots I had in Regum. With my hair almost completely dry, I put on some socks and pulled up my boots; they fit perfectly. I went out to the living room and looked at myself in the mirror while Joe poured himself a cup of coffee in the kitchen.

Joe - They look great on you.

Ness - Yeah, you're the best, you know that?

Joe - Of course. I'm glad you like them.

I looked at myself in the mirror. Black pants, a short white top with a couple of buttons at the bust, plus the high boots, looked amazing on me. I looked incredible.

Joe - Are you going out like that?

Ness - Do I look okay...?

Joe - Yes, I hope you're not thinking of putting another shirt on over it. You look beautiful.

I smiled slightly and shook my head while looking at myself in the mirror.

Ness - It's not a big deal...

Joe - You are a big deal, start by accepting that. You're beautiful, intelligent, talented, you ride a motorcycle, and besides that you have magic, do you know what that whole combo is?

I laughed softly, shaking my head, though I felt a tightness in my chest at his words.

Ness - Looks like I'm a legend.

Joe took a sip of his coffee, his gaze fixed on me.

Joe - You are. You just don't want to admit it.

I turned to the mirror; my reflection stared back at me. For a moment, the silvery glow returned, faint but undeniable, curving at the edges of the glass. My breath caught in my throat. Behind me, ears and long hair appeared, a small figure.

I blinked and turned around, but there was nothing there. Looking in the mirror, confused, I was there again.

Ness - Joe... Can you.. Can you come to the mirror?

Joe approached.

Joe - It looks like...

To be continued..