28
We walk through the woods. Spindly trees loom over us, the thin branches covered in tiny green leaves. The air smells of fresh soil combined with the bitter tang of salt water. In Italy, the ocean is never far away. We step out of the forest and onto another clearing. This one holds a single villa.
I pause. The sense of déjà vu is strong here. Throughout my soul, there’s this all encompassing sense of knowing this place. Belonging here. A little girl’s laugher sounds. I tilt my head. The child version of me is near.
Colonel Mallory steps closer. “I can see this spot is affecting you.”
“It is,” I say. “Why?”
“I magically sealed your memories up to age six, sugar. It was for your own good, but nothing works perfectly especially over time. Lately, my spell has been leaking on you, all
