Excruciating pain.

It was the only way to describe what I was feeling. What started as a sting, prickling every inch of my mind, soon became an unbearable itch, one I wanted to desperately scratch.

I heard myself let out a scream, but my body laid numb. The world around me quickly darkened, until all I could do was merely visualize the pain seeping into my skull. It felt as though every single pore on my head was being zapped with a piercing shot of electrical currents.

And then, like before, I found myself back in that hallway, walking down the row of doors. Only this time, I wasn't looking at myself from above. Instead, I was seeing everything through my own eyes. I kept walking until I reached the last door. The one with the first tragic memory sealed away, of the series that followed.

The moment I stopped in front of it, the door flung open to reveal a swirling black hole. Fragments of the suppressed memory flashed before my eyes in rapid speed. Before I could make sense of what I was seeing, it sucked me into its core, and just as quickly spit me out.

Everything was happening so fast.

As I staggered to regain my balance, I was greeted by a familiar sight—my old bedroom. It stood untouched in all its glory, looking exactly the way I remembered it, from each and every angle, down to the last detail.

It's not real, I reminded myself. It's just a memory. It's not real. It's not real.

But it felt so real.

My eyes roamed the area, trying to find something that may have been out of place. There had to have been a reason I was here. The queen-sized bed was still centered against the largest wall of the room. A large white colored shag rug stretched out from under it. I'd strategically placed it there to keep myself warm against the gray hardwood floors during the colder months. Smaller pieces the same fuzzy carpet were dispersed around the room, one near the entrance, one under the giant bay windows covered by long ash drapes, and one under my black computer table.

I continued my search, scanning everything from the small chandelier in my room, to the black-rimmed wall clock that indicated it half past eleven at night.

Nothing seemed out of place.

Why was I here?

Suddenly, the door to my room creaked open and my body jerked to a halt.

"Alora, you awake?"

I knew that voice. I missed that voice. And immediately I knew why I was in my room. The details that were once hazy were crystal-clear.

Faeva told me to remember, and I was remembering. It was like watching a playback, only I was seeing the world from the eyes of my seventeen-year-old self.

Which meant, I'd completely lost control over my body—and my voice. The only thing I had left of my current self were my thoughts.

The door soon fully swung open to reveal the beautiful blonde with sparkling brown eyes. She wore a short, pink nightgown, revealing her long, lean legs.

Emma! My mind shouted in glee. I wanted to wrap my hands around her, squeeze and never let go. I wanted to tell her how much I missed her, and how sorry I was, but my body wouldn't budge.

It's a memory. It's not real.

I knew what I had to do. I had to give in, shut my mind off and let it play out the way it was supposed to—to stop the mental torture. I had to. But could I?

My next movement was mechanical, nearly robotic. I fell backwards onto my bed and closed my eyes. Like magic, my duvet was suddenly wrapped around my body.

"Yes, I'm sleeping, Em," I automatically responded. "Go away."

"Liar," she accused half-heartedly.

I heard the door softly shut behind her. I felt myself exhale in relief, but inside, my heart broke. My seventeen-year-old self thought my sister had given up and left, but I knew she was still in the room.

"I'm hungry," Emma whispered, shaking my shoulders. I opened my eyes and saw her hovering over me, a small smile playing on her lips. "Get up, get up, get up!"

Get up, my mind yelled at my younger self. Look at her!

But I rolled my eyes, avoiding her like the plague. "Kitchen. Go. Eat. Good night."

The words were sputtering from my mouth without an ounce of thought.

"We don't keep junk food," she protested, "and I'm really craving junk food."

Without meaning to, I shot her a cynical look. "And since when do you crave junk food?"

Emma and I were polar opposites. She was a health-freak who liked to go out and party. I'd have rather stayed in with a good book. And while I was virtually invisible at school, Emma was a cheerleader. This meant she had to also look the part if she wanted to be a part of the popular kids' entourage. Which obviously meant, no junk food.

She gave me a sheepish smile. "Since now. What do you say?"

I hesitated. "We're sneaking out? Mom and dad will kill us when they find out."

"If they do."

"When they do."

"Please," she begged. "I really, really, want donuts."

"It can't wait 'til tomorrow?"

"Nope."

I threw my arm over my eyes. "If I say no, will you go away?"

"Nope."

I sighed, lifting my body up off the bed. "I figured as much."

Just give in, I told myself. It was already difficult to relive the memory. But it was harder to try and fight it. I wished I'd said no that night—but it was much too late to change anything.

She jumped up and down. "Yay! You're the best. Okay, change out of your shorts. It's cold out. I'm going to throw on a pair of jeans, and I'll wait for you in the garage."

I watched her leave my bedroom before I let out a sigh, gently closing the door to change.

Immediately, my bedroom began to warp in a spiral. It was like I was being sucked back into the black hole. I blinked, and when my eyes opened again, I was staring at an open road—my hands on the steering wheel.

No! I begged. I knew what was soon to happen. Davina! Please, I don't want to see this. Please, stop this! Please! Someone, please....

But I didn't receive a response. The scene continued to play out.

"Thanks for doing this, Ora," Emma's small, content, voice invaded my ears.

She only ever called me Ora when she was trying to get back in my good graces. It was something she used to call me when we were children—before she knew how to properly pronounce my name.

I let out a scoff in response. "What will you do without me?"

"I'll die," she plainly answered.

I turned my head to look at her. "Don't say things like that. You could jinx yourself."

"Oh, calm down. There's no such thing."

"Still."

"Just because I said it doesn't mean it'll happen," she said, taking a big bite of her donut. "That's not how the world works, you dork. But you'd know that if you pried yourself out of those books and socialized with people your age. Maybe come to some parties with me?"

"Whatever," I muttered, annoyed.

She laughed. "Oh, gosh, Alora! I'm kidding. The simple fact is, I'm nothing without you. So don't leave me, and I'll be fine!"

I burst out laughing, shaking my head.

My mind was shattering, knowing her words would soon come true and she hadn't the faintest idea. I wanted to warn her more than I wanted to breathe. I desperately wanted to change the outcome of that night. But I still didn't have control over my voice, or my body.

"What?" she asked, taking another mouthful bite of her donut. "It's true."

"You sap," I joked.

From the corner of my eye, I saw her smile. "You love it."

I love you, I wanted to say. I miss you.

But instead I frowned. "Now spill. What aren't you telling me, Em?"

"What?"

I shook my head. "No, don't play dumb. C'mon, you've always been able to control your cravings. What's going on?"

"Nothing, I just wanted a donut."

"See that's exactly it," I answered. "We drove ten miles for a donut. You didn't even want a box of a dozen. Just one. And that too, Boston Cream."

"So?"

"You don't even like cream filled donuts."

She shrugged, taking another bite. "Now I like 'em."

"Em."

"What?"

It had begun to rain, with every passing second the intensity of the droplets was quickening. And because we were driving down a byway, there weren't any streetlamps to provide lighting.

I turned the high beams on.

"Em...," I repeatedly expectantly.

"You're going to be upset," she finally whispered.

I pursed my lips. "What?"

"You know how Austin and I have gone on a few dates?"

I nodded, my eyes glued to the road ahead. The rain had begun pouring down buckets of water. I twisted the windshield wipers to their highest setting, and slowed the car down.

"Well, a few weeks ago, he took me to his house, and we...we kind of...did it."

"What?" I laughed. "Did what?"

I'd thought I'd misheard her. Or maybe I'd heard right, but she was just pulling my leg. Emma wasn't a prude but she believed in love and always wanted to wait until she found the one she'd wanted to be with for the rest of her life.

"It," she said, her voice quivering.

"Oh," I let out. "Oh, Em, why? I thought you were going to wait."

"I got caught up in the moment," she admitted, looking out her window. A grim line masking her smile.

"You don't even really know Austin."

"He's been in all my classes since the first grade," she defended. "I know him."

I wanted to tell her that there was a difference between knowing of someone and knowing someone.

"You know what I mean."

"Well...it happened. So, whatever. Let's not talk about it, okay?"

"No, wait...few weeks? Cravings?" I nearly hit the brake pedal upon my revelation. "Are you kidding me? You weren't being safe?!"

"Please don't make this a big deal," Em pleaded.

"Tell me it isn't true," I pushed, ignoring her. My grip on the wheel tightened.

Slow down, I commanded. But it was to no avail. My confusion and anger towards Emma's indiscretions had transferred over to the car. And the worse part of it all was that neither I nor Emma had noticed. We were both stuck in our argument, oblivious to the flooding road and the incoming car driving a little too close to the dividing line.

"Okay, I'm already freaking out," she said. "Can you stop?"

"Are you even sure?" I continued, half-listening to her pleas.

"Yes," she said. "I took a test and it came back positive."

"We will take it again," I replied. "Taking one doesn't prove anything. It could be a mistake. It's a mistake."

"I've gained weight," she argued. "I'm craving things I don't crave. It's not a mistake."

"Hormones," I said dismissively. "That happens. Maybe you're just PMS-ing."

"Ora, you're not listening."

"It's a mistake," I said definitively. "We'll get it sorted, don't worry."

"Alora, stop it!" she shouted at the top of her lungs, diverting my attention from the road. The look of despair was plastered across her teary-eyed face. "I'm pregnant! And I need you to get—"

But she never got to finish her sentence, because a raucous horn distracted us. I quickly glanced back only to find a car headed in our direction. The horn blared on, the driver had clearly lost control of his vehicle. Without thinking, I turned the steering wheel to my left and swerved away. A car crash had been evaded, but in the process I'd lost traction and my car began to skid out of control.

"Alora!" Emma cried.

"Hold on!" I tried to turn the wheel back towards the road but I couldn't. The car slide down the hill into the area with countless trees.

I closed my eyes, preparing for the impact. My hand found Emma's and I clutched onto it, praying for us both to make it out alive.

And then there was a huge explosion of sound and force.

My body jerked forward, the seatbelt digging into my flesh as it saved me from flying through the windshield. The airbags deployed, pressing against me and providing a strange amount of comfort to my traumatized body. But the form of comfort I craved, the one I'd clung onto right before the crash had vanished.

My mind was awake way before I could pry my eyes open. I frantically searched for Emma's hand but all I found was the passenger door handle. In that instant, my eyes snapped open and I found myself sitting in Emma's seat.

I slowly turned my head to the left, only to be met with Emma's limb body in the driver's seat.

Oh, God. I couldn't believe I had to watch this again. This was so cruel. I felt helpless, angry. But all I could do was watch, while I wept on the inside.

I stared at my sister, trying to grasp the situation. I didn't understand how we'd changed places, but I couldn't afford to think. Emma laid absolutely still, and I had to help her.

"Em," my voice let out. I shook her arm. "Em, wake up."

She didn't move.

"Emma!" I said, louder this time. I unlatched my seatbelt and shook her body with more vigor, determined to wake my sister up. "Emma, it's okay, we're okay, get up! Em!"

Again, I got no response.

It was dark inside the car. The headlights of the car had been smashed in by the large tree trunks. And the dome lights weren't working.

"Emma! If this is a joke, this isn't fucking funny," I spat out, tears rolling down my eyes.

Once more, nothing.

"No," I whispered through my teeth. I put my finger against her nose, but I couldn't feel her exhale. I checked her neck for a pulse, and I felt a faint beat.

"Oh, thank God," I cried. "Hang on, Em!"

I quickly began rummaging around in the car, trying to find my cellphone. After what felt like minutes, I found it tucked under the seat, its screen cracked. I immediately unlocked it, grateful that it was still working, and dialed 9-1-1.

"Nine-one-one operator, what's your emergency?" A woman on the other line asked.

"I need an ambulance! My car fell in a ditch, and m-my sister, she needs help!"

"Where are you?"

"In the car, on the byway near Finch and Larson. Please hurry."

"Help is on the way. Just don't hang up, okay?"

"Okay."

"Are you hurt?"

"I-I don't think so."

"What's your name?"

"Alora Voigt," I answered, looking at Emma's limp body. The light from the phone hit her face, and that's when I saw the red liquid seeping from her forehead. "Oh, God. Please tell them to hurry! She's bleeding!"

"They're on their way," she assured me. "How old are you, Alora?"

"Seventeen."

"Is there anyone else in the car, apart you and your sister?"

"No."

"Are you able to open the car door?"

I used my free hand to try the door handle but it wouldn't budge. "No, I can't. It's jammed."

"That's okay, just hang tight. What's your sister's name?"

"Emma."

"What were you and Emma doing out this late?" she asked.

A blue light caught my attention. It was glowing, illuminating the trees in its proximity. I grabbed onto Emma's cold hand, and lightly squeezed.

I felt just as perplexed as my younger self. I didn't remember this from that night. It was all new to me too.

"I-I think there's something out there," I whispered into the phone.

"Do you see somebody?"

When I realized the floating light was approaching, growing closer and closer to the car, I panicked.

"I don't know! I see a light in the woods, and, a-and t's coming closer! What do I do?!"

"Alora, stay on the phone," she said before her words were muffled by static interference. "Can you-id, in, low, ground, kay?"

"Hello?" A bad feeling washed over me. "Are you still there?"

My question was met with silence. I looked to my phone for an explanation, only to be met with a black screen. Despite the battery being near full, the phone had died out.

"Shit!" I unfastened Emma's belt and pulled her closer to me. "It'll be okay, Em," I wrapped my arm around her, tears falling from my eyes. "I got you. Just hang on. Please."

As though on cue, I felt her feebly inhale and I smiled. I could just barely feel her breathing, hanging on like I asked her to.

Suddenly, the blue light was right outside the driver's window. My grip on Emma tightened when the door began to screech open. Soon, it fell to the ground, ripped from its hinges.

My eyes locked onto the long, blazing object. I fluttered my eyes, unable to believe what I was seeing. As the intruder crouched to reveal its hooded appearance, the object in their hands became clearer.

A scythe. A flaming blue scythe—in the pouring rain.

"I've got a gun!" I boldly lied. "Stay back!"

I heard a soft chuckle before the person extended their gloved hand into the car and touched Emma. She let out a breath of air, and then that little beat in her heart, the one that had put me at ease, stopped pulsing.

I thought it would hurt less the second time around, but watching a memory did not lessen the pain. If anything, it made it worse. Knowing you could not change what happened, no matter how much you wanted to.

"Em?" My voice broke. "Em...?!"

Thunder roared through the night sky, but the silence that followed was deafening.

My eyes turned into accusatory slits, and I snapped. Burying my fear, I leaped over my sister's dead body and launched myself at the stranger.

We instantly fell onto the wet ground, the stranger' body pinned under my own. Within seconds, I was fully drenched, my hair falling in tangled stands over my face. I held his shoulders back with my arm and used my other hand to pull the hood off.

My eyes locked onto glowing golden orbs.

"What did you do?!" I demanded. Though I meant to sound intimidating, my voice came out shaken. I was dumbfounded by his eye color.

He didn't fight back. He didn't even push me off. He looked stunned, perhaps even more so than I was.

I glared at him.

His bafflement only lasted a few seconds. I saw him come to his senses, and in one quick motion, he plucked me off of him like I weighed no more than a feather and threw me to the ground.

The next second, he pulled his hood back on, covering his indescribably beautiful face, and grabbed the scythe that had fallen to the ground. The moment it connected with his hand, blue fire engulfed the stick.

I pulled myself up and sat on my knees in defeat. Tears continued streaming down the length of my cheeks.

"Who are you?" I managed to utter.

"Shh." He bent down to my height and lightly pressed his thumb to my forehead.

I looked into his eyes incredulously, unable to form words. My mind began to grow heavy, as my surroundings started to blur. In that instant, my current self was swiftly pushed out of my younger self's body. I was floating right above her like a phantom, watching her pleading eyes flutter with confusion, fighting to stay open.

He turned around, and began walking back towards the woods.

"No!" my younger self called out. "Please, help! Someone, help!"

He stopped. His head turned back ever so slightly before he muttered a hushed apology. Young Alora didn't hear it, but I did.

"Emma?" she asked, wordlessly begging for answers.

He turned away, and began walking into the distance. She cried out to him, to the world—for anyone to help her sister. But he left, and no one came to her aid.

She continued screaming, crying until she had used up all her energy. It wasn't long until I watched my younger self fade away, and the moment her eyes shut, the world around me disappeared as well. 

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