Farewell to Angel's Cloud.
Now, in Angel's Cloud.
Merette stands in front of their shared apartment, her fingers fidgeting nervously with the edge of the soft blue scarf around her neck— because it's freezing cold outside— as she prepares to bid farewell to Rye. The mere thought of returning to Loch Fog, the place she had fled years ago to escape her past love, sends a shiver down her spine. Anxiety coils in her stomach, twisting her insides with every passing moment.
Rye reassures her with kind eyes, his words of encouragement offer a brief peace from her fears. "Don't be scared, Merette," he says softly, his voice a soothing balm to her frazzled nerves. "You're a brave lady, and you can handle whatever comes your way."
"Am I?" She whispers, a smile crawling up to her lips despite the worry knotting her stomach.
"Yes, you are," Rye says, nodding his head, his words and the tone of his voice sure and determined.
He steps forward with Leisl bundled up in her fluffy bear jacket in his arms, cheeks flushed and eyes droopy from being woken up early in the morning. Rye drapes an arm around Merette, pulling her close.
Feeling the warmth of his embrace, Merette buries her face in his chest, seeking solace in his comforting presence. She inhales deeply, trying to imprint the scent of him in her memory before embarking on her journey. His kiss upon her forehead sends a wave of reassurance through her, momentarily easing the knot of dread that has taken hold within her.
"Go and come back home safe, my girls." He's saying, planting a soft kiss on Leisl's forehead before giving her to Merette.
It's seven in the morning, it takes 4 hours of driving to get to Fog Loch. So she thinks it's better to get there before noon.
When Rye places Leisl into her arms, Merette can't help but smile through her apprehension. She holds her daughter close. Leisl babbles something incoherent under her breath clumsily, oblivious to the turmoil brewing within her mother.
Rye's affectionate gesture towards Leisl, accompanied by his heartfelt words, fills Merette with a mixture of gratitude and sorrow. She knows she'll miss him terribly during her time away, but she also knows that this journey is necessary for her own healing.
"I'm gonna miss you," Merette says, tilting her head up to meet his warm gaze, pale blue orbs enchanting as always.
Rye's chest rumbles underneath Merette as a laugh pushes past his lips. "I'm sure you would. But don't miss me too much, okay?" He adds playfully.
Merette rolls her eyes, pulling away from his hold and muttering a "Dream on."
But as they part from their embrace, Merette's gaze falls upon the dark form of a person looming in the corner of the road, his dark eyes locking with Merette's. He's all clad in black, there's even a hat on his head.
Her eyes go wide, the smile on her lips slipping away completely as dread washes over her like a tidal wave, her heart plummeting to the pit of her stomach. The sight sends a chill down her spine, igniting a sense of foreboding that threatens to engulf her once more.
She clutches Leisl tighter to her chest, a hand flying to Rye's forearm. "Rye…"
"Huh?" Rye's eyes trail over where Merette's gaze is struck on, a crease forming between his thick eyebrows. His head snaps toward her, "What?"
"Someone's there." Merette breaths.
"Huh?"
"Someone was there, Rye." She presses on her words, nervousness gnawing her insides.
The crease between his eyebrows deepens, lips pulling down in a frown. "There's no one there, May."
"But— there was—"
"It could be just anyone passing by the road, May." Rye tells her, a hand flying out to braze her shoulder. "You sure do worry so much." He laughs.
But… it didn't look like that.
With a heavy heart, Merette bids farewell to Angel's Cloud, her mind clouded with apprehension. She gently secures Leisl in the car seat, stealing one last glance at Rye and nodding her head in a silent promise of returning here unscathed before starting the journey.
The landscape of Loch Fog unfurls before her, each passing mile evoking a cascade of memories and emotions. Despite the familiar beauty of her surroundings, a sense of unease settles within her chest, a reminder of the unresolved issues waiting for her in her hometown.
As she navigates the winding roads, Merette's thoughts drift back to the past, to the love she left behind and the pain she hoped to escape. The weight of her decisions bears down on her shoulders, each turn of the wheel bringing her closer to a reckoning she cannot avoid.
Could Kaiser be there?
She shakes away the thought, because if she thinks of him now, there will only be the thoughts of him fogging her head. He consumes her, and invades her mind wholly even after all these years.
Yet, amidst the turmoil, there is a flicker of determination, a quiet resolve to confront the demons of her past and emerge stronger on the other side.
The scenery shifts with each passing mile, the lush greenery of Angel's Cloud giving way to the stark beauty of Loch Fog. Mist clings to the hillsides like a shroud, casting an ethereal glow over the landscape. The air is heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, a tangible reminder of the passage of time.
Despite the haunting beauty of her surroundings, Merette can't shake the feeling of dread that grips her heart. It's a sensation she's carried with her for years, a constant companion on her journey of self-discovery. As she drives deeper into the heart of Loch Fog, the weight of her past grows heavier, threatening to overwhelm her fragile resolve.
And yet, despite the challenges that lie ahead, Merette finds solace in the knowledge that she is not alone. With Leisl by her side and Rye's unwavering support guiding her forward, she knows that she has the strength to face whatever obstacles may come her way.
Even if it's her past love that she dared to flee…