Emily Craft woke up from her dream, sighing. It was always the same.
She would see herself in a beautiful wedding gown that sparkled in the sunlight. She would walk down the aisle in a garden wedding on a lovely spring day. Everyone in their seats would look at her with awe, if not tear up a bit.
Her groom would wait at the end, smiling. She would smile back, even if she knew she did not want to marry this man. While she wanted to turn on her heel and run far away, her body would not allow her.
She would continue down the aisle, inches closer to her goal. Emily put up a smile to everyone she had made contact with on the way. It was a skill she learned to do over the years.
By the time she would reach the groom, she would hear a click.
She knew that sound was.
It was the safety trigger of a pistol.
She would turn around and see Amy Underwood, ebony black hair being blown by the wind. Her eyes were angry, and her right hand would be holding the pistol. She would place it on her head.
Emily would drop the bouquet and run towards her friend. She would yell out to cease, but Amy would not listen.
There was a gunshot, and Emily would find herself back in her bedroom.
She sat up and brushed the hair away from her face. Her other hand held the silver ring hanging from her neck. It was a gift from someone she cared most about, and the source of her nightmares.
The nightmares came every night ever since Amy left.
~*~
Emily opened her locker during lunch period to find Amy’s USB and a note. The note had said to open the file in it. She was confused, but didn’t take much thought at the time. She took the USB and placed it in her bag, deciding to play it when she got home. She tried to find Amy during lunch for an explanation, but she was nowhere to be found. She had called but the number was disconnected, which was definitely strange. Emily didn’t think much of that at the time.
During the rest of her afternoon classes, she had every now and then wondered what could be in the USB. Would it be a letter? Or a picture? Or a drawing? The lack of knowing drove her a little mad, so when classes had ended she picked up her bag and went home without saying a word to anyone else.
She placed the USB and found a video. It was Amy holding a guitar.
“Hey. If you are watching this, it means I am no longer here. This is the last time you’ll ever see me. I wish you luck with the guy. I really hope he takes care of you. Anyway, before I go, I want to dedicate this song to you because I mean every word said. I’ve never really been that great of a singer, but I hope you like it anyway...”
This is where Emily got confused. Why would Amy no longer be here? Where was she?
When Amy started to sing, “Just so you Know” it made sense.
Emily didn’t bother finishing the whole song. She ran out of the house after the first chorus. She took the bus and impatiently hoped that it moved faster.
Emily needed to tell Amy many things, now that this video was brought up to her. She had to tell her how much she loved it with Amy pouted when she teased her, how she loved Amy’s cologne, how she loved the way she sang.
She needed to tell Amy she loved her.
Amy Underwood lived in an old condominium near the city. Because Emily had visited often the security didn’t even do a double take when she ran into the lobby and up the nearest stairway. Emily ran as if her life depended on it. When she had reached the unit, she noticed the door was ajar.
Her heart stopped. She took a few steps closer and opened the door wider.
What used to be a place filled with furniture had long since passed. It had look like it had been evacuated fairly recently. She walked around the living room, with no signs of life.
She got on her knees, feeling weak from the realization.
Amy Underwood was gone.
~*~
Emily made her bed and took a shower. She turned on her radio in the bathroom and a song played as she stood below the shower head, water drenching her body.
Woke up and wished that I was dead
With an aching in my head
I lay motionless in bed
I thought of you and where you'd gone
and let the world spin madly on
She sighed. What a perfect song to start her day, given that’s exactly how she felt every morning. She had tried to contact Amy but it had been difficult, given that her family had been bugging her with her forced marriage. Also, when she had tried to ask the school they refused to give any information. She concluded Amy didn’t want to be found.
Everything that I said I'd do
Like make the world brand new
And take the time for you
I just got lost and slept right through the dawn
And the world spins madly on
I let the day go by
I always say goodbye
I watch the stars from my window sill
The whole world is moving and I'm standing still
Emily was starting to cry.
She got out of the shower, wrapped herself with a towel and walked out of her bedroom. A boy with brown hair and blue eyes in a polo shirt and slacks awaited her. He saw her eyes were red.
“Emily…” he whispered, concern written all over his face.
Emily ran to him and cried on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her. He shushed her softly, patting her back. While there were no explanations, he understood well. Ivan had known.
“I can’t…” she choked. “I can’t stop…”
“I know Emily.” He said softly. “Breathe…”
She took deep breaths, listening to Ivan’s calm heartbeat. She started to relax and rested in his arms.
Emily wondered if Amy was alright. Was she getting nightmares as well? Was she crying somewhere, wishing she could make things right? Was she hoping that maybe one day she could meet Emily again and tell her the truth?
Was Amy moving on?
Because frankly, as much as Emily tried, she never could
I thought of you and where you'd gone
And the world spins madly on.
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