Fading Shadows: Secrets Of The Past

Frank stared at the bright arrays of stars above him, the cold October wind brushing against his face. He took a deep breath and let out a slow whoosh. He placed his hand on his chest to feel the beats again. He has never gone out this late before, but he realizes his life, his future could no longer conform to plan. The envelope in his pocket creaked each step he took. He pondered what his future would be like after tonight. Breaking up with a letter was never the plan. ‘How do I stage a breakup two days after proposing?, How would Jane take all this?’ He looked up at the crescent moon and smirked at the thought his life just became a crescent. ‘Where would I go?, What should I do?, Wouldn’t life be much easier if I just gave myself over and probably just die? What did my dad do that got him killed? How …’ A deafening explosion made him conscious again. He ran back to the curve he took and saw his house on fire. The smoke getting thicker and thicker. Jack stared at the burning house till his eyes blurred out, he turned dashing through the bend tears trickling down his cheeks forming a pool in his chin. ‘ M..om’ his mouth quivering ‘Adrien’ he mouthed tasting a mix of tears and sweat. One thing is clear now – ‘Dad didn’t die in training’ he thought. Jack’s leisurely pace transforms abruptly into frantic strides, his once-relaxed demeanor now replaced by wide-eyed terror. His steps quicken, limbs flailing, as if pursued by invisible specters. Every breath he takes is laden with a palpable sense of panic, propelling him forward in a desperate bid to escape an unseen threat. The once serene stroll has given way to a frenzied dash, a vivid manifestation of fear etched across his face. The steady pound of his footsteps echoed in his ears. Adrenaline pushed him forward as he made his way to the only house he would feel secure, the only man who could save him. Jack pounds heavily on the doors of professor Adewale his father’s closest friend, he kept pounding until the doors swung open. The professor was in his early 40’s but acts way older. At a time when most westerners had returned to their lands, he was among the few that remained, always together with Jack’s father. The professor had warned them to run following his father’s death but he had warned him off but had later decided to adhere to his warnings. And now, if anyone had an answer, it was him. “Jack!”, the judge’s voice echoed around the sitting room he stood on the stair case looking frail yet his eyes seemed clear and bright. The sitting room had two chairs leaning on one side of the wall opposite a cushion, with a small cupboard on its side and an old wooden t.v on top. The floor has fine tiles that had begun to fade and the paint probably once white appeared yellowish coupled with the stale smell of tobacco. ‘this house is old, like an ill maintained inherited house’ Jack wretched as euphoria washed over him holding his stomach to keep from puking. “The men who are after you,” the professor’s voice bounced around the walls to his ears” would find you and kill you.” His heart thumped faster ‘why?’ Jack mouthed but only a whiz escaped his dry voice, he raised his legs to move closer but they felt foreign and heavy as he collapsed. ‘If you want to keep living Jack, you must give up your dreams, accept your destiny and give up your identity ‘ He paused and stared at Jack ‘ Can you do that?’ Jack nodded with gritted teeth and tight jaws. Jack remained in that house for weeks daily planning and strategizing what he would do to those who destroyed his family, changed his life course and separated him from Jane. In the news, some charred bodies were retrieved from the ruins in his house their identities unable to be verified as they were charred bodies. Amidst the fragments of his shattered life, Professor Adewale emerged as a beacon of support and an unexpected lifeline. As the days unfolded like a mournful melody, Professor Adewale, a figure of solace and wisdom, took Jack under his protective wing. In the quiet corners of the house, memories of the past whispered, and the weight of grief bore down heavily on Jack's shoulders. Yet, amidst the somber ambiance, Professor Adewale harbored a clandestine plan. He revealed a glimmer of hope to Jack – a chance at a new identity and a path to a distant land where the echoes of tragedy might fade. With a gravitas born of camaraderie and a silent promise, Professor Adewale handed Jack the documents that would shape his destiny. The air was thick with anticipation as Jack, now armed with a new identity and passports, embarked on a journey that transcended borders. A soldier in a foreign land, he carried the weight of grief and the unspoken legacy of his family's untimely end. As the heavy door creaked open, a wash of blinding light poured into the room, momentarily blinding Jack. His eyes, accustomed to the muted glow of artificial light, blinked rapidly, struggling to adjust to the brilliance that awaited him outside. It had been three long weeks since he last felt the warmth of the sun on his skin, and the anticipation surged within him like a dormant ember suddenly ignited. flowers Stepping tentatively onto the threshold, Jack's senses were overwhelmed. The air, crisp and fragrant with the scent of earth and blooming, enveloped him. It felt like a sweet caress, a welcome embrace after weeks of stagnant, recycled air. The cacophony of bird songs, the rustling leaves, and the distant hum of life beyond the walls filled his ears, a symphony of nature’s vitality. His eyes gradually adjusted, revealing a world transformed. The sky stretched wide and open, a canvas of azure blue, adorned with fluffy clouds that seemed to dance in the gentle breeze. Sunbeams, like golden threads, filtered through the leaves, dappling the ground in a playful mosaic of light and shadow. It was a sight of pure, unadulterated beauty, a reminder of the world beyond his confinement. With each step, Jack felt the cool grass tickling his toes, a sensation both strange and exhilarating after weeks of sterile flooring. The ground beneath him seemed to pulse with life, grounding him in a reality that had temporarily eluded him. he closed his eyes for a moment, letting the sun’s warm embrace wash over him, soaking in the energy that radiated from the very heart of the sky. The gentle caress of the breeze kissed his cheeks, carrying with it the scent of blooming flowers and the earthy promise of new beginnings. It was as if nature itself was whispering secrets of hope and renewal into his soul. Jack’s lungs expanded with each deep breath, filling with the invigorating freshness of the outdoors. It was a taste of freedom, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, the world outside continued to thrive. Tears welled in Jack's eyes, an unexpected and poignant response to the overwhelming beauty that surrounded him. They were tears of gratitude, of release, of a profound appreciation for the simple yet profound gift of sunlight and nature’s embrace. He stood there, a solitary figure in a vast expanse of life, humbled by the realization that even in his isolation, he was still a part of this magnificent tapestry, sadly his family could not. Time seemed to stand still, suspended in that moment of pure connection between human and nature. Jack knew that this brief encounter with the sun had etched itself into his memory, a beacon of light that would guide him through the challenges yet to come. With a newfound resolve and a heart filled with gratitude, he took a step forward, ready to face the world with renewed strength and an unwavering appreciation for the beauty that surrounded him