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The whisper of Thillak’s voice broke through my reverie. “Isla,” he murmured, reaching out to me.
The gentle touch of his fingers, trying to provide comfort, instead reignited the feelings of helplessness and terror from the vision.
I flinched away, overwhelmed.
All I wanted was escape.
Escape from the temple, from the memories, from the crushing weight of our intertwined destinies.
I wanted the simple life we had dreamt of, where our biggest concern was what to eat for dinner or where to travel next.
The exit beckoned me, a rectangle of slightly brighter gray amidst the temple’s oppressive shadows.
Without a word, I turned and bolted for it.
The soft squelch of wet ground beneath my feet, the distant call of a bird — everything became incredibly vivid.
The thick jungle canopy overhead shielded me from the worst of the drizzle, but droplets still managed to find their way through, dappling my skin with cool wetness.
A chorus of unfamiliar calls and songs filled the air, creating a symphony of life all around.
I didn’t know where I was going, but my feet carried me further into the jungle.
Overgrown vines brushed against my skin, leaving a trail of cool moisture in their wake.
My breaths came in short, rapid gasps, mixing with the musky odor of the jungle floor.
Each step was a rhythm, a heartbeat echoing my desperation to flee.
Time seemed to lose meaning as I wove through the dense underbrush.
All I could feel was the raw need to escape, to put distance between myself and the haunting memories of the temple.
But with every step, I also hoped that Thillak would follow, that he would be right behind me, reaching out to bring me back into the safety of his embrace.
Suddenly, the ground beneath me gave way, and I found myself tumbling down a small incline, landing in a bed of soft, wet moss.
The shock of the fall jolted me back to reality.
Panting heavily, I took a moment to gather myself.
My fingers brushed against the velvety surface of the moss, and the gentle hum of insects buzzed in my ears.
The rain had intensified, its gentle pitter-patter becoming a steady drumbeat overhead.
A droplet landed on my lips, its cool freshness at odds with the warm tears that had unknowingly started to flow.
Why was love so complicated?
Why did our bond bring both unparalleled joy and immeasurable pain?
My mind raced, trying to find answers, trying to make sense of the jumbled mess of memories, emotions, and instincts.
As the weight of it all threatened to crush me, a soft rustling nearby caught my attention.
I looked up, half expecting to see Thillak, but instead, I was met with the curious gaze of a native creature, its large eyes shimmering with intelligence and understanding.
It was a brief moment, a fleeting connection between two souls, but it was enough.
