The Lost Story

Chapter 10

“Renata.” Where was I? Looking around, I found myself lying in a field of grass. “Renata.” Is someone calling me? “Renata,” the voice called out again. Where is that voice coming from? “Renata,” the voice called out to me again. “Who’s there?” I called out, looking around. Laughter hit my ear. Why does that voice sound familiar? “Renata,” I hear between the laughter. “Where are you?” I asked about getting on my feet. “Over here,” the voice kept calling out once again. “This way,” the voice called out to me. I stared at the tall grass in front of me. Before I could stop myself, I was headed deep into the grass. “You are going to regret this, Renata. Who in their right mind follows a strange voice into an unknown place?” I say to myself as I push through the grass. After several minutes had passed, I finally saw a clearing. “What is that?” I say as I can see a house or building of some sort coming into view. When I finally stumbled out of the field of grass, I came face to face with what seemed to be an ancient home. “Wow, it looks like one of those cabins from our history books,” I say, taking in the wooden frame, before dashing up the wooden stairs to go check out the inside. “I can’t wait to see the inside,” I say, running up the wooden stairs. “Welcome,” a voice called out, catching me off guard, causing me to trip and stumble on the last step of the stairs. I was so caught in the moment that I didn’t even notice the boy sitting on the edge of the porch. I caught myself before hitting the floor. Turning, I saw the boy staring at me with an amused face. “Welcome,” he says, waving. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you it's not nice to sneak up on someone?” I say, standing up straight, trying to hide my embarrassment. He chuckled, “Has anyone ever told you to pay attention to your surroundings? I was here the entire time. I called you, and yet you forgot me,” he says, his voice going soft at the last statement. “Sorry,” I say, because he was right. He smiled, hopping off the porch. “No worries. It's good to see you, Renata,” he says, walking toward me. As he made his way to me, I had a chance to take him in completely. How do I describe him… He was pretty average-looking in appearance, but it was something about him that was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It was like looking at a beautiful view. How it takes your breath away, but still feels and is just natural. As he stopped in front of me, it was like his presence felt familiar. It felt warm. A smile spread across his face, and for a moment, he reminded me of Durare. “Hello, do you know where I am?” I said, looking around. “Hello Renata, I have been waiting for this day,” he says, extending his hand to me. “What day?” I say, shaking his hand. “The day we can finally meet,” he says with his arms wide open. “I’m sorry, but who are you?” I say, taking a step away. It was clear he was a strange boy. I just need to get away from this strange man and find my way home. “Well, I go by many different names. You can call me… hm, I am,” he says. Yup, a weird boy. “Ahh, okay. Well, it was nice to meet you. I should be going.” I say, turning to leave “Oh Renata, I have waited so long to meet you, and your already leaving me. That hurt” he says with a laugh. “Well, listen, ‘I am,’ no offense, but you are a bit weird, and I have enough on my plate as is,” I said, looking at him. Then it hit me, “How do you know my name?” I say fear sinking into me. I’ve been taken! This boy has abducted me! “I haven’t abducted you, Renata,” he says grabbing my arms trying to calm me down. "Did I say that out loud? Now I'm losing it.” “You’re fine; just come sit with me. After we get to know each other, I’ll tell you how to get home. I promise, I haven’t abducted you," he says, guiding me to sit on the steps of the cabin. “So, if you didn’t abduct me, how did I get here?" I ask, looking at him. He sighs. "Well, you fainted." “I fainted?” I ask, confused, and then it hits me. They just said I would be the next Antistita. "Hey, breathe! Breathe!” he says, rubbing my back. Tears start to form in my eyes. "So, this is a dream; I’m hallucinating," I say, nodding as everything starts to make sense. "Well, since this is all a dream, it’s clear my mind created you to help me work through this disaster," I say as I stand. That’s it, the stress has forced me, into this dream. "Go ahead, cast your worries on me. I am all ears" he replies, sitting back and watching me.

For the next, I don’t know how many minutes, I let it all out. I released every pain, fear, stress, joy—whatever emotion I felt. By the time I was done, all I could do was cry. I felt his warmth surround me, and I just buried my face in his chest. “I have you, Renata,” he whispered, and the more he petted my head and rocked me while whispering those four words, the better and lighter I felt. I guess my mind knew I needed this. “Thank you,” I finally said, looking up at him. “I am here for you, little one,” he said, kissing the top of my head. “I think it’s time for me to go back,” I said, pulling myself away from him. The smile returned to his face, and peace overtook me. “I guess this is goodbye, unless my mind thinks I need another talk,” I say, smiling as he pats my head. “Little one, I care deeply about you. Anytime you need to let it out—your pain, your anger, your joy, anything- give it to me. Little one I care deeply about you,” he said, kissing my forehead. “Well, don’t you have to. You're part of my mind.” I laughed, causing him to chuckle. “Well, with that line of thinking, I am always with you. Please feel free to call me whenever you feel overwhelmed. Or if you just need someone to talk to, I’ll be there," he says, hugging me. "Thank you, I am.’ I still can’t believe that’s the name I created for you," I say, causing him to laugh.