( the content in this chapter is gruesome! Don't read if you believe it can be triggering!!)
Connor and Sage slowly got closer and closer as the months moved on. They didn't return to how they were but they were at least friends. Now for Christmas Connor decided to make a big move and invite Sage to spend Christmas eve with him. Sage was supposed to go to see her family so they decided on splitting Christmas Eve and hanging out with each family.
As Sage stepped off the train onto the familiar platform of her hometown, a rush of memories flooded her mind, accompanied by a mix of emotions she hadn't anticipated. The old station, once a backdrop to countless farewells and reunions, now felt like a portal to the past she had left behind. With each step she took, the weight of her decision to return home grew heavier, mingling with the anticipation of reconnecting with her old best friend's family.
It had been years since Sage last saw Connor, since the accident that had torn them apart and sent her fleeing from the place they both called home. The guilt of leaving him behind had weighed heavily on her ever since, a constant reminder of the choices she had made and the consequences they had wrought. But now, with Connor's unexpected invitation drawing her back, Sage couldn't ignore the pull of nostalgia and the need for closure.
As she made her way through the familiar streets, the town seemed both unchanged and unfamiliar, frozen in time yet subtly transformed by the passage of years. The buildings stood as silent witnesses to the memories they held, the echoes of laughter and whispered secrets lingering in the air like ghostly whispers. Sage couldn't help but wonder how much had changed in her absence, and whether she still belonged in the place she once called home.
Finally reaching Connor's house, Sage hesitated for a moment before ringing the doorbell, her heart pounding in her chest. The door swung open, revealing Connor's familiar face framed by a curtain of tousled blonde hair.
"Sage?" Connor's voice was tinged with disbelief as he took in the sight of her standing on his doorstep, a mix of emotions flickering across his features. "I... I didn't expect for you to actually come."
Sage offered him a hesitant smile, suddenly acutely aware of how much time had passed since they last saw each other. "I got your message," she said, her voice sounding strangely foreign to her own ears. "I... I wanted to come back, I told you I was coming back."
For a moment, there was silence between them. Then, as if breaking free from an invisible barrier, Connor stepped forward and enveloped Sage in a tight hug, his arms warm and reassuring around her trembling form.
"I'm glad you're here," he murmured against her hair, his voice thick with emotion. "My Mom and Dad have missed you. I thought you might've backed out. I know it's hard being here."
Tears pricked at the corners of Sage's eyes as she returned his embrace, a flood of memories washing over her in waves. The years melted away in an instant, leaving behind the raw ache of their shared past and the fragile promise of reconciliation. It was a moment of catharsis, a chance to finally confront the ghosts that had haunted her for so long.
As they settled into the familiar comfort of Connor's living room, Sage couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered at the edges of her consciousness. How could she explain the real reason she had left, the guilt and the shame that had driven her away? And more importantly, would Connor ever be able to forgive her for abandoning him in her time of need?
Their conversation flowed easily, punctuated by shared laughter and the occasional awkward pause. They spoke of their respective lives since they last saw each other, of the challenges they had faced and the dreams they had pursued. But beneath the surface, there was a palpable tension, a sense of unfinished business that hung between them like a heavy fog.
It wasn't until Connor broached the subject of the accident that the dam finally burst, unleashing a torrent of emotions that neither of them could contain. Sage's chest tightened at the memory, her breath catching in her throat as she struggled to find the words to explain what had driven her away.
"I'm sorry, Connor," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I never meant to hurt you. I... I was scared, confused... I didn't know what to do."
Connor's eyes bore into hers, a kaleidoscope of emotions swirling within their depths. "I know," he said softly, reaching out to grasp her hand in his. "I know you didn't mean to leave me behind. But you did, Sage. And it hurt. It hurt more than you'll ever know but I understand why you had to leave. I forgive you."
Tears welled up in Sage's eyes as she met Connor's gaze, the weight of his words hitting her like a sledgehammer to the chest. She had never intended to cause him pain, never imagined that her actions would have such far-reaching consequences. And yet, here they were, confronting the fallout of her decision head-on and he was forgiving her? After she left with barely an explanation.
In the day finished, Sage and Connor embarked on a journey of reconciliation, each step bringing them closer to understanding and forgiveness. They revisited the places they had once loved, the memories they had once shared, forging new connections atop the ruins of their fractured friendship.
Their first stop was Sage's grandparents' house, a cozy little cottage nestled on the outskirts of town. The familiar sight of the weathered picket fence and the overgrown garden brought a bittersweet smile to Sage's lips, memories of lazy summer days spent exploring the surrounding woods flooding her mind. She had always loved coming here as a child, seeking refuge from the chaos of her family in the warmth of her grandparents' embrace.
As they stepped inside, Sage was enveloped in a wave of nostalgia, the air heavy with the scent of old books and freshly baked cookies. Her grandparents greeted them with open arms, their wrinkled faces lighting up with joy at the sight of their granddaughter's unexpected visit.
"Sage, dear, it's so good to see you!" her grandmother exclaimed, pulling her into a tight embrace. "And Connor! What a nice surprise. It's so nice to see you again. "
Sage felt a blush creep into her cheeks as sheexplained to her grandparents how her and Connor reconnected, a pang of guilt tugging at her heart as she saw the love and affection reflected in their eyes. They had always been there for her, supporting her through thick and thin, and yet she had kept them in the dark about how she was with Connor after she left.
As they sat down, Sage found herself lost in a whirlwind of emotions, the weight of her guilt threatening to suffocate her.
It wasn't until Connor gently took her hand in his, his eyes filled with understanding and compassion, that Sage found the courage to inform her Grandparents about everything. She still didn't have the courage to mention his death but she got more out than most.
To her surprise, her grandparents listened in silence, their expressions unreadable as Sage told them. And when she had finished, when there was nothing left but the echoes of her own words to Connor hanging in the air, they reached out to her with open arms, offering her the forgiveness and acceptance she had been seeking all along.
"We may not understand everything you've been through, Sage," her grandfather said, his voice gentle yet firm. "But one thing is for certain – we love you, and we'll always be here for you, no matter what."
Tears streamed down Sage's cheeks as she embraced her grandparents, a tidal wave of relief washing over her like a warm summer rain. In that moment, she felt the weight of her guilt lift from her shoulders, replaced by the overwhelming sense of gratitude and love that surrounded her on all sides. She had been so afraid of facing the truth, of confronting the demons that had haunted her for so long, but now that she had, she realized that she was no longer alone.
As the day ended and Sages Family made it to Canada, Sage and Connor were both ready to hurry off to bed before any of Sages family stopped her.
Sage knew that no matter what the future held, she would always have Connor by her side, a beacon of hope in the darkness, a reminder that even the deepest wounds can heal with time and love. In the end, They had been stopped by Sages younger siblings and Connor had never made it home that night.
The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow over Sage's bedroom. Sage blinked sleepily as she stirred from her slumber, momentarily disoriented by her surroundings. 3 of her younger siblings laid on her bed with her, Tommy, Cylis. and Iyker.
Rolling out of bed, Sage around three more sleeping bodies on an air mattress, Connor and the twins who were three, Ayla and Lyra. She quietly found her way to the kitchen, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeted her like an old friend. Her mom was already up, bustling around the kitchen with a smile on her face.
"Morning, Sweetie!" she exclaimed, turning to greet her with a hug. "Sleep well?"
Sage nodded, returning the hug with a smile. "Yeah, thanks. What's all this?" she asked, gesturing to the array of ingredients spread out on the counter.
"Oh, just getting breakfast ready," Her mom replied, flashing her a knowing grin. "I figured we could all use a good breakfast after yesterday."
Sage's stomach rumbled at the mention of food, and she eagerly joined her mom in the kitchen, eager to lend a hand. Together, they whipped up a feast fit for kings – pancakes, eggs, bacon, the whole nine yards.
By the time Connor and the rest of her family emerged from their slumber, the kitchen was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of breakfast. They all gathered around the large dinning table, exchanging laughter and stories as they dug into the delicious spread.
It felt surreal, spending Christmas morning with her family. Sage couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia as she watched them interact – the way Connor and her older brother, Tyler and Ryder who both played in the NHL bantered over NHL Stats during breakfast, the way his little sister's eyes lit up as she opened her presents, the way her mom's face lit up with joy as she watched her family come together.
After breakfast, Connor had to leave and they began presents, laughing and joking as they unwrapped presents and shared stories. Before Connor left, Sage watched Connor open his gift from her – a photo album filled with memories from their childhood. It was a small gesture, but she hoped it conveyed just how much their friendship meant to her.
As the sun began to set on Christmas day, Sage made her way to the cemetery, her steps heavy with grief. The setting sun cast long shadows over the rows of gravestones as she approached her twin brother's resting place. Tears welled up in her eyes as memories flooded her mind—memories of laughter, of shared secrets, now forever shattered by the cruel hand of fate.
She knelt beside the weathered headstone, fingers tracing the engraved letters of her brother's name. The pain was still raw, the wound of his loss still fresh. It had been only two years since that horrifying night when he was taken from her, stolen by senseless violence.
Sage closed her eyes, trying to block out the images that haunted her—the sight of her brother's lifeless body, the sound of his screams echoing through the halls of their family home. She had been powerless to save him, forced to witness his agony as he endured hours of torment before his light was extinguished forever.
As the night descended and the stars began to twinkle overhead, Sage whispered words of love and longing to her brother's spirit, promising to carry his memory with her always. And though her heart ached with the weight of her loss, she found solace in the knowledge that he was at peace, watching over her from above.
With a heavy heart, Sage rose to her feet, a sense of resolve settling within her. And as she turned to leave, the echoes of her grief mingled with the gentle rustle of the wind, carrying her brother's memory into the night—a beacon of light in the darkness, illuminating the path forward.
So we could call it even
You could call me babe for the weekend
'Tis the damn season,
Authors note
Go check out my TikTok I post a lot on it!
TikTok: Neptunes_star_
Also decided this chapter should be in third person.
Next post:
1989 || Luke Hughes
Chapter 6: Out of the Woods
I hope you guys enjoyed!! Love y'all!
Thanks for reading!!