When Snow and Flames Collide

Chapter 3: The new me

𐙚ྀ˙✧˖°⋆｡˚───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────˚｡⋆✧જ⁀➴ᡣ𐭩

As the sun's rays kissed my face, I took a deep breath and savored the moment. The gentle breeze brought a sense of peace to my soul, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment. It was as if the universe had conspired to bring me back to my roots. I was waiting for this moment like a child coming to his mother after a long and exhausting day.

We had landed in Kryos early that morning, after a long and tiring journey. It took 11 hours and 13 minutes to reach here. Despite the exhaustion, I felt a renewed sense of energy coursing through my veins. I looked around, taking in the sights and sounds of my homeland. The familiar faces, the bustling streets, the warm and sunny weather – it was all so overwhelming.

A mix of emotions stirred up in my heart. Fear and excitement fill me up like I'm in a chokehold. On the one hand, I feel relieved to be returning to a familiar place where I can reconnect with family and friends, and perhaps even begin to rebuild my life. However, at the same time, I'm also feeling anxious about what awaits me back home. I'm worrying about facing the consequences of the event that caused me to leave in the first place or fear that my circumstances may not have improved. Additionally, as someone who was once wealthy and now has lost everything, I also feel a sense of grief and sadness at the loss of my former life and all that came with it. Overall, returning home after such a tumultuous period is like a bittersweet experience, full of hope, fear, and uncertainty. Either I'd get Cole to accept his crimes or I would get caught and dim even the last ray of light my family is been holding.

We're in this together, remember? I try and repeat this sentence like a DVD player, on repeat.

We're on our way to Uncle's house. As we made our way through the city, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over me. Memories of my childhood flooded my mind, and I felt a lump form in my throat. This was where I grew up, where I learned to ride a bike, and where I made lifelong friends.

This is the place we ran away from.

We are here for just six months, a fleeting moment in time. But I was determined to make the most of it. I wanted to rediscover my roots, reconnect with my past, and create new memories. A chance to start afresh, and I was ready to embrace it with open arms. We're discreet about our visit. Nobody other than Uncle and Aunt knows about it. Of course, my friends and their families know about this. I've got six months to solve all the mysteries and get back here in Kryos once and for all.

I might not look too excited from the outside but I am. My excitement can't be contained in this mere car. If I could just be free and shout at the top of my lungs letting people know about how happy I am. If only I can go to the streets of my previous home and play as I used to when I was a child. Laughing and giggling at Ray's weird behavior.

You can't.

It'll only break you.

Dad's voice broke my train of thought.

"We're here," he said.

As we pulled up to Ray's house, my heart leaped with excitement. It had been years since I had been to this place, and Dennis and I couldn't wait to explore it all over again.

The lush greenery that surrounded the villa added to the beauty of the place, making it look like a tropical paradise. I took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air that filled my lungs. I felt a sense of belonging that I had never felt before. This was where I belonged, where my heart was, and where I knew I would always return. The golden rays of sunshine brought a glimmer of hope to my life, and I knew that this journey was just the beginning of an incredible adventure.