Forever and Always

Preview of "An Ocean Away" (the Prequel to "Forever and Always")

Oh, hey! I never thought I'd see you again! I hope you have been well since the last time we spoke. A lot sure has changed, huh? I'm still trying to adjust to this place. It's very different from the human world. Time works differently here. While I remain the same, everyone I know has aged. Everyone I knew. What? Do you perhaps want to know where I am? How much time has passed? And I am sure you are all asking the bigger question: Did I meet my mother? Well, for starters... yes, I did meet my mom. She was waiting for me at the entrance to this place. It's known as the Ivory Towers of Time. A place where time halts, ceases to exist even. I remember following a gold-railed, marble staircase that disappeared into the clouds. Nervous as to what and who awaited me. It may seem childish, but I hadn't seen my mom since I was four, and there was a time that I had thought... well, you know. I was unsure of what she would be like now, if I would remember her as she was before her death or see her as she had looked when she died. So many thoughts raced through my mind as I climbed the stairs, each step I took put me farther and farther from life. From Hunter. I would be lying if I said that I had no doubts, no second thoughts. Maybe I could find a way to return. Maybe I... thoughts continued to flood my mind until I saw a silhouette up ahead. Nerves freezing me in my tracks, my breath catching in my throat. As if the calm ocean waves from Hunter's baby blues found their way to me, washing over my body in a calm, soothing manner, all anxiety was washed away. Taking another step forward, each step my pace quickened, I soon found myself sprinting up the last remaining steps towards the figure who had stretched their arms out toward me. Colliding into the figure, I felt the warm embrace that I hadn't felt in forever. Sobs poured from my eyes, drenching the soft silks that covered the thin figure's form. The smell of sweet roses filled my nose as I buried my face into the figure's shoulder.

"Mom."

"My sweet Cathena. My sweet, sweet baby girl," the familiar voice whispered into my hair.

"Is it really you?" Her rosy cheeks squished her lower eyelids as her mouth formed a gentle, loving smile.

"It's really me, my rose."

"I've missed you."

"I am so so sorry. I tried, but..." I felt her arms tighten their hold on me as if to protect me from him once more. Looking up, I gazed into her glistening eyes

"It is not your fault. It is his." Embracing me closely to hide her tears, she said nothing but her actions said it all.

Clearing her throat, my mom spoke up moments later.

"Are you ready to go see our house?"

"There are houses here?"

"Of course, Cathena. This is the Ivory Towers of Time, after all. Everything you could possibly imagine can be found here." She chuckled and held out her hand. Taking her hand in mine, the two of us left the entrance gates behind to begin our new eternity, finally reunited.

I wasn't sure what it would be like, death and the afterlife. No one ever tells you, since there is no real way to go back. Only forward, I guess. For me and my mom, we ended up at the Ivory Towers of Time, a place that could be seen as heaven. If you could imagine a bright, peaceful place that is basked within the soft brilliant glow of white, then, you have summed up the Ivory Towers of Time. Unlike Evermist Island's beautiful beaches, Ivory Towers has hot springs and pools that are always the perfect temperature. There is no need to work at the Ivory Towers as it is a place for souls to relax and watch over loved ones who still remain on Earth. In a sense, it is similar to the concept of guardian angels, and my mother was able to watch me grow up. As mom had mentioned, anything is possible in the Ivory Towers of Time... well, almost anything. One simply has to wish or think of something and it appears! The only rule with that is obviously the fact that we cannot wish to return to Earth, and we cannot wish for our loved ones to reunite with us before their time is over. No one is lonely here, though. Any soul that has been sent to the Ivory Towers can reunite with those who have passed before them and those who have passed after. For instance, I have my mom and she has mentioned we already have many family members that she has already met. She even said that sometimes she even comes across someone famous! I hope I am lucky enough to be able to meet some of my idols or even those who helped shape the world I once knew. Another positive about living here is that, similarly to living on Earth, I can travel. I cannot actually visit these places, but I can look down over them as if I were flying like a free bird. You might compare it to a location service like Maps. The dazzling lights of the Eiffel Tower at night have to be my favorite memory so far. Mom and I got some great pictures, well, as best as we could that is. The Ivory Towers of Time truly are the most incredible place and is very similar to Earth in comparison. The one major difference that Evermist will have over Ivory Towers... is Hunter.

Hunter Jacobson, the love of my life who always smelled of plums. He has continued to live life successfully and is still passionate about saving lives. He recently opened some housing complexes in Evermist and Whitegrace that are run by himself and his small team. Aunt Angelica is actually in charge of the housing community over in Whitegrace. Hunter and his team built these houses for those who need a safe place to go, and is connected to all the work he has been doing with the website from high school. I told mom all about Hunter, even if she already knew, she listened intently. I just know that they would've liked each other if... Oh, that reminds me of something mom had told me. I was curious to find out why she had chosen Hunter to watch over me, and she was very mysterious and cryptic with her responses. She said something about how he was the perfect person, as she had always known he would be. Weird huh? I mean, she died years before I had even met Hunter, so how could she know? Anyways, I also told mom about all of the places I used to go with Aunt Angelica growing up, like the hidden cove and the amusement park. Wait a minute. I never actually showed you my world the last time we spoke, now did I? Well then, why don't we go back to the night I died.

I never told you before, but, that night when my father had confessed to killing my mother... it triggered something. A memory. A memory so painful and terrifying that my mind sealed it tightly away, to protect me. A memory surrounding the day my mother was killed.

Yawning, I stretched my limbs as the soft rays of morning sunlight peeked through my pastel satin curtains. Sitting up, I sleepily rubbed my eyes and got out of bed, making my way to the kitchen.

    "Good morning, my darling. How did you sleep?" My mother called from over by the stove. Ever since arriving at the Ivory Towers of Time, I have had the opportunity to experience my mother's home cooking again. Today, the scent of sizzling bacon and the short stack of golden pancakes filled the room.

    "I slept well. How did you sleep, mom?"

    "Wonderfully!" Her gentle, light voice matched the cheerful mood of the coming day.

    "I had this strange dream, though."

    "Really? What about?" My mom turned off the stovetop and walked over to the table to join me.

    "Well," I hesitated, her reassuring gaze easing me as she dug into her pancakes.

    "It was about this boy." I continued as I took a bite of the fluffy, sweet meal.

    "A boy?"

    "Yes. I think he was my best friend." Suddenly, the room went quiet.

    "What was his name?" She looked at me.

    "Well, I'm not exactly sure. But I can remember what he looked like." I played with the food on my plate, feeling the cheerful mood shift slightly. "He was short with brown hair. His eyes were blue, I think."

    "Did anything happen to this young boy in your dreams?"

    I nodded. "Yes. It started with the two of us playing on a sunny day. We were laughing and just being kids. Then, he just disappeared. Like he never existed. When he did, I felt this strong pain, like grief almost." Mom did not reply. She simply gave me a soft, knowing smile.

You are probably curious to find out what my life was like before my death, asking questions such as, 'Was your life always like the last three months? How did you get your job? I thought you didn't have any friends?' and more. Allow me to take you down memory lane, back in time to a small little girl, living on a beautiful island, as the beauty and colors of her world slowly began to dim.