What A Year

No Return, Victor’s pov

Smelling Mrs. Hernandez’s flowers when you opened the door Lupe, sent me back in time to my parents.

We had just moved into the neighborhood, when I became friends with our neighbor’s son.

Sebastian.

We would spend hours playing outside or at each other’s houses. The scent of her orchids was woven into my childhood.

But, after my parents died and I moved in with Zeke, we stopped being friends. We grew apart as fast as we had bonded.

I couldn’t be around them. They represented something I no longer had: a completed family.

It hurt to have that loss reflected back at me, even though it wasn’t even their fault.

I know your friendship with Sebastian is platonic Lupe, but I also see the love in his eyes when he looks at you.

“I think we should talk about that night. I don’t like this confused feeling—or the emptiness. I have no real connection to anyone.”

Your words pull me out of a trance I didn’t realize I was in.

Zeke nods. “I think Guadalupe is right. We should finally hear about that night.” He looks at me.

The words leap from my mouth. “Me and Lupe have this cave we like to spend a lot of time in behind Zeke’s house, in the woods. That night, we were there.” I look to you.

“You told me about a dream you had the night before. So I went to talk to a seer who lives just outside of town.”

“A seer?” asks Zeke.

Tonya stands sharply. “What did you do?”

A roaring fills my head and a shiver slips through my bones. Something inside wants to let loose.

"Mr. Jones needed help with a busted pipe in his sprinkler system a week before Lupe’s coma. I was working by his office window, when I overheard Sadie telling her dad about a dream. I didn’t think anything of it. I barely even remembered it."

I turn to you, "But then you told me about a dream of yours and it was the exact same as how Sadie described. So I went to see a seer, Laurie.”

Tonya sits back down and grabs your hand, "What did she say?"

"She said it wasn't unusual for two people to have a similar dream, but to have the exact same dream?” I pause, “Well, that would be prophetic magic or a curse.”

Zeke turns to Tonya, "But isn't that something you should have seen?"

Tonya's eyes flash from purple to opaque.

You jump to your feet.

“STOP TRYING TO GET IN MY HEAD!” As the words explode from you, a gust of wind fills the room.

Tonya raises her arms, shielding her face as whips of strong air lash out at her.

Zeke is forced back into his chair, his words swallowed by the noise.

I walk to you, expecting to be thrown by the wind, but I walk freely. A newfound strength fills me knowing I can help you. Gone is the mucky feeling.

You look unreal. Your hair moves with the storm, your green eyes glowing as you stand tall.

A whisper of my touch connects with your shoulder—and everything stops.

The deafening wind—gone. No one moves as we take in what’s before us.

The equipment in the room, along with its small furniture, hangs suspend in the air.

Tonya lowers her arms from her face, and Zeke leaps to his feet. “Oh my gosh Lupe, what was that!” Zeke shouts, not even trying to hide his grin.

You turn your head and I catch a spark in your eye. Could it be for me?

“Thank you, Victor.” With those three words I’m ready to fight any enemy for you.

Turning to your mother, you put your hands out in front of you, palms up. Everything that was hanging in the air suddenly uprights itself and they whip back to where they belong, as if nothing happened.

“Lupe, I’m sorry,” Your mom says, “but, I had to look through your mind to make sure I didn’t miss any small detail.”

She steps toward you, but you stop her by putting out your hand.

“Since I’ve woken, all I’ve had are people trying to poke into my mind." You sway a little and I jump to help you sit.

When my hand connects with your skin, it burns me. I let you go, not so gently, onto the bed.

Tonya jumps to your side, “Lupe sweetie, I am so sorry for intruding into your mind, I promise I won't again."

You and your mom continue to talk, but I tune you both out.

Why did my hand burn when I touched you? That should not have happened, because that would mean...

"Hey, you ok?" Zeke's voice cuts through the roaring noise that, once again, is building inside.

I look into his eyes and send “no” through our connection.

“Hey, ladies, me and Victor are gonna go check on Lola and then we’ll be back to finish this conversation.”

I rush out the little room and bolt down the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator leaving Zeke.

I speed walk to Lola and see that she’s sitting at the entrance of the hospital. Falling to my knees I throw my arms around her.

Not totally sure how the bond works, I send what I’m feeling to Lola. Suddenly, memories of my parents. Memories not mine, but Lola’s.

She shares them with me and I let my tears flow freely into her fur.

After a while, I stand and turn to take Lola back to the truck, when I almost collide with five men in black suits.

We stand there, staring at each other.

Since Lola isn’t growling or making a way to protect me, I assume they’re harmless.

Intimidating, yea, but they’re not trying to attack me. “Do I know you?” I finally ask.

“No sir, but do you require assistance?” asks one of them.

“We’re here for a conference and you just looked like maybe you needed some help” says another.

“No, I’m good.” Who are these men?

“Well, if you’ll forgive us sir, we will just keep moving.” They walk past me into the hospital, leaving a scent of mint behind.