Return to the Past

Silver woke up to find the sun already setting. As she turned to her side, she saw the same man returning. ''Again?'' she whispered, surprised since he had only ever come in the mornings. The man wore the same clothes as he had in the morning, suggesting he had come straight from work.

Silver walked around him, trying to gauge his expressions before sitting by her grave, her eyes never leaving him. As she observed him closely, she saw sadness and regret in his gaze. Why? She wondered.

Charlie stared at the grave of his first love, struggling to accept that she was no longer in the world. ''I'm sorry I still can't find who did this to you and your family,'' he said, his voice heavy with sorrow.

Silver watched him, a sad smile forming on her lips. She felt a sense of gratitude that a stranger cared enough to seek justice for them.

''I hope we meet again somewhere,'' Charlie said, his voice breaking. Silver was puzzled by this statement. Had they met before? She couldn't recall.

''And then I will never let you go because I love you. I've loved you since we were in school.'' Charlie fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. Suddenly, it began to rain.

''You probably don't know me. My name is Charlie Howell. It was raining then, just like it is now, when I first saw you.'' Silver stared at the man in shock.

She had never expected anyone else from her family to love her. No relatives had come to lay flowers or seek justice—only this man had made an effort. Silver felt a fleeting moment of happiness before reality set in. She stood up with a sad smile and walked closer to Charlie.

''Why didn't you confess while I was alive?'' Silver said, her voice filled with sadness and frustration. ''I wish I had known. It's too late now, but I can see how much you cared. I just wish I could have had the chance to understand your feelings and maybe even talk to you about them.''

Charlie looked around as if he had heard her words but couldn't see her. Although Silver hadn't known him personally before her death, she could now feel the depth of his emotions. The realization of his sorrow and dedication touched her deeply. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and a bright light suddenly enveloped them, causing them to disappear from the spot.

Silver awoke in her room, startled. She sat up and looked around, confused. Her room was decorated in warm, golden hues, with sunlight filtering through sheer golden curtains. The walls were adorned with soft, golden wallpaper, and the furniture had a warm, golden tone.

''Why am I back in my room? What is happening?'' she wondered aloud.

A knock on her door brought her out of her confusion. The door opened to reveal her little sister, Ruby, standing there, alive.

''Sister, are you awake?'' Ruby asked, noticing Silver standing still and staring in surprise.

''Ruby!'' Silver pulled her little sister into a tight hug.

''Sister?'' Ruby's puzzled look remained as Silver broke the hug and gazed deeply into her little sister's green eyes, which they had inherited from their father. Their golden hair came from their mother.

''I'm sorry, Ruby. I couldn't protect you,'' Silver said, kissing her sister's forehead.

''What happened to me, sister? Why are you apologizing? Did you have a bad dream?'' Ruby asked, tilting her head innocently.

''Yes, I had a terrible dream,'' Silver replied.

''It's alright, sister. It was just a dream. Come on, Mommy's asking for you at breakfast,'' Ruby said with a warm smile, her concern for Silver evident.

''Go ahead! I'll join you after I shower,'' Silver said. Ruby nodded and closed the door behind her. Silver entered the bathroom and looked at her reflection in the mirror—a woman in her mid-twenties staring back.

''Was it a dream?'' she wondered aloud. Suddenly, images of two men in black flashed in her mind. Their leader, whose face remained blurred, spoke one word: revenge.

''No, it wasn't a dream. It really happened. We died because someone wanted revenge on us. But why are we alive again? Did we go back in time before we were killed?'' Silver gazed at herself in the mirror, struggling to understand.

''This means I can now protect my family and find out who killed us in our previous life.'' She smiled faintly, staring into the mirror again. ''Did he come back too?''