PRELUDE

Tamitha kept pacing back and forth; arguing to herself whether she should feed her curiosity or just save herself from entering unexpected mayhem. But everything for her seems all too familiar, making her more curious than ever. After countless arguments within herself, she finally decided on entering the structure. The place looks ancient; however, it remained to look extravagant despite its oldness. She can't help but admire every feature of the palace; however that's not what she's here for.

This particular thing keeps bothering her for quite some time now, and she can't just seem to ignore it anymore. That's why she's here right now. That unspecified thing brought her here... to this relatively eerie place.

"Where the hell is it?" She whispered while roaming around, trying to look for something. She's trying her best not to make some noise, afraid that someone might catch her for trespassing. However, she found nothing. 'Did I just waste my time looking for nothing?' She sighed.

She suddenly felt hot while looking around the place. She tied her medium length brown hair away from her face and wiped her sweats. She's still carefully walking around the place–tiptoeing. She tried climbing the stairs to check the second floor of this mansion-like place. She also tried checking each room, but she still saw nothing.

The second she thought of giving up, she suddenly heard something came from downstairs and she doesn't know what she should do. At the end, she examined where the noise came from. She was running all the way there. But much to her dismay, she yet again saw nothing. Probably, it was just the wind throwing off something. But unexpectedly, she saw a faint shadow coming up fast, which she immediately followed.

"H-Hey wait up!" She shouted as she sprint.

"I-I'm sorry, but I think we already met?" She uttered with a completely puzzled look as soon as she caught up. She knew that it's creepy to think she knew the person, even if she is only seeing the back of it. The person looked strangely familiar to her, and that creeped her out. But in return, the guy stared at her coldly, as if trying to intimidate and get rid of her just because he didn't want any distraction.

However, as far as she could remember, she already met this guy a bunch of times, and not just that; she could feel some strange connection with him. She could even remember bits of memories through her mind. Though it's not that clear. Alternatively, it looks like he doesn't know her at all. 'Impossible.' Tamitha said to herself. She didn't know if she isn't just worth remembering or was this guy just trying to keep mum about something.

Tamitha tried catching his eyes, even if she's having a hard time looking up at the lad since his way taller than the 5'4 feet young lady, but the lad kept avoiding her gaze.

"I don't think so. If you'll excuse me, I'll get going now..." He fiercely stared at Tamitha before continuing, "I think you should get going too, while you still can... and stop following me." 'Following him? Ha! The audacity of that guy! Who does he think he is?'

'This guy is getting into my nerves, but he was right I was indeed following him but to my defense, he isn't the only one I'm following.' She kept arguing with herself while walking away, and not long after, she heard someone calling her. She's now in some hall of the palace filled with old photos.

"Tammy! Tamitha! Where have you been? We've been looking for you for heaven's sake." Her friend came at her lashing out about how nervous she was because she thought they lost her or worse, that Tamitha got herself into trouble. But thank heavens she's safe.

"I'm perfectly fine Pearl, I just got carried away from exploring this intriguing place. Until now, I'm still curious. Why on earth are we even here? Don't you think this place is quite suspicious?" She still kept looking around as if there's something she's trying to look and anticipates for. But her friend just gave her a meaningful look and creased her forehead as if saying, 'What do you mean?'

As they walk themselves out, Tamitha started talking about what happened earlier, but little did they know someone's watching every movement they do. But before they could even get out of the place, she heard a man clamoring in pain.

A loud whimper resonated the place making Tamitha panicked. "Ahhhh!" Another wail echoed. She can't help but look around, not minding her best friend calling her out.

Instead, she once again started walking away from her and search everywhere. Each step getting heavier and heavier. She then, see the same guy she followed earlier holding up the guy she just heard crying in pain. Tamitha gasped, covering her mouth, not believing how the man turned into a bright light and vanished into thin air. She also felt the chills in her body as she saw how the guy stared at her; full of pain, sorrow, and regret.

She wants to be afraid, especially after seeing the guy killed somebody, but all she could feel is pain and worry for the guy in front of her, she's even crying now for whatever reason it is. Everything seemed to be weird around her, she started getting dizzy and disoriented, yet she still hears her best friend's faint voice asking if she's all right. At the same time, hearing different voices around. And the last thing she heard before completely passing out, is a cold mysterious voice that sent a shiver down to her spine.

"I told you to get out while you still can, stubborn."

***

Morning came, Tamitha woke up from her deep slumber. She can't recall what she had done over the past few weeks, for all she knows is that she is dead tired. But she can't deny to herself that there is something that she can't seem to remember, as if her brain is trying to prevent her from remembering such a memory.

To get things out of her mind, Tamitha went out for her morning jog, not minding what's around her. It was one sunny Saturday in the park near her place and enjoying the fresh air, brushing through her cheeks and the pleasant music she's listening while jogging. However, her luck seemed to be not on her side today. She accidentally tripped to some random guy's leg who just came out of nowhere. Things escalated quickly, and the next thing Tamitha knew, she is already in the arms of the guy she just got tripped into, trying to stop her from completely falling from the ground.

"Shoot! I-I'm sorry I didn't see you coming." Once Tamitha realized what happened to her, she promptly looked at the guy, and in return, the guy gazed at her with shock; he's completely perplexed as well. 'Woah, how could be a person look as perfect as he is!' Tamitha even fantasized.

While the guy is still having its arguments to himself, Tamitha on the other hand finds this guy quite familiar. "I think we met already?" She even presumed silently, but loud enough for this peculiar man to hear while holding her. But instead of answering, the guy ignored it and help Tamitha get up properly. But unfortunately, she winced in pain because she just sprained herself.

"Here, sit here first. I'll just get you something for your sprained ankle. Wait here. I'm sorry." He guided properly, making Tamitha sit comfortably before leaving. On the contrary, Tamitha stayed, as if she had another choice. Even if she wanted to go, she can't. Because of her now swollen ankle. 'Could this day get any better?' She whispered.

As she waits for him, she can't help but think how familiar this guy is and how it felt like it already happened, like what they called 'déjà vu.' Every scenario felt uncanny. Minutes passed, and the guy is finally back holding a white plastic bag filled with stuff for Tamitha's sprained ankle.

"Here, drink this, to relieve the pain."

He gave Tamitha a capsule and water to lessen the pain from her swollen ankle. Tamitha's a bit hesitant at first, but she got no choice since her ankle hurting her so bad already. After that, he carefully positioned her ankle, so he could put a bandage. Tamitha flinched a bit. But as he does this, Tamitha still can't help but stare at this attractive and peculiar man in front of her. "Are you sure we haven't met yet?" 'Cause I swear to God you look familiar to me.' Tamitha wanted to add, but she doesn't want to sound weird or what. In return, the guy just looked at her with a smile and just nodded.

"I need to get you to the nearest hospital to get your ankle check. Is that okay with you?"

Tamitha kind of worried being with this guy, although she can't help but trust him. She's also wondering why the guy didn't just immediately send her to the hospital. Why put an effort to buy her a medicine and do some first aid shit on her when clearly he could just quickly send her to the hospital. She wanted to ask, but she doesn't want to be rude. "As if I have a choice, right?" Tamitha joked that made the guy smirked. "But before that, can you at least tell me your name?"

"Pollux." He coldly stated.

'Pollux? Why does it sound like I heard it before? What the hell is wrong with me?' Tamitha wonder to herself while looking at the mysterious guy he just met trying to hail a cab.

The moment they arrived at the hospital, they headed straight to the emergency room to fill up some files while they prepare the x-ray room. They processed everything fast and when it's about time to put the bandage to her ankle once again, she suddenly felt excruciating ache making her cry and wailed in pain. She tried holding it while still lying to stop the pain she's feeling but it was futile, it just kept hurting and hurting makes her scream in pain.

With that extreme pain she felt, she can't help but get up from lying and the moment she did that, she is suddenly back in her room, anguish from what she just felt. Her face getting filled up with tears and sweat combined while catching her breath, she doesn't know if it should worry her that she's suddenly here, back in her room, or be thankful that it was just a dream. Though she chose the latter.

'Thank heavens it's just a dream.' She thought. Ignoring the fact that everything seemed to be real.

'Just a bad dream.' She added.