Remember Me

Epilogue

   Ella stared through her freshly coral painted bay window. A cold shiver flowed down her spine as she remembered what had happened that same day at Fellow Forest. She closed her eyes solemnly as she tried to forget that she, for the very first time was feeling pain. What had happened to Jacob? What would happen to her? She was lucky that she was now in a safe place, away from most danger. The only danger awaiting her here was her dad. He would always mistreat her it the most awful way. Her father didn’t love her, he had hatred for her. He was a lovely man before he committed murder on Ella’s mother. The only reason Ella’s father was still here and not hanging on the nearby gallows was because Ella had decided to keep the secret. After all, that was better than being murdered herself. Ella’s father was crazy, that is why Ella risked her life trying to run away from home. For if she decided to say, it would be either life or death.

Chapter 1

   It was the first week of June, the air was humid and extremely hot. Ella, an only daughter laid down in the soft, wet, bright green grass. It felt so good, finally being out of the city, here she could be herself, and she wouldn’t have to worry about being perfect over here, in Fellow Forest. The air of the forest smelled slightly fresh, a smell that Ella loved. It was full of bright, nature-like colors, which made anyone who passed by feel welcomed. Tons of blooming red, coral, pink, and white little flowers were spread all around the place, too precious to be touched. The trees’ barks almost looked golden, as if they had been sprinkled in pollen. Rocks, so silver they looked like a hand-painted portrait. A couple miles away there was a turquoise lake. The sun’s rays reflected off the water as if the water was too perfect to be touched by heat. Inside the lake, all types of life awaited, for example colorful fish and happy-looking algae. It was perfect, the forest was just the best Ella could imagine. And in a small corner of the forest laid a beautiful cottage, decorated with vines and flowers from all species. The door stood up, with its beautiful beige color, very proud to be the center of the beautiful house. Inside, however, everything was more worn out. The raspy brown sofa, old with age just sat there, having no interaction with the cottage. The rest were just necessaries, for example the dining table, the two beds, etc. Ella, all of a sudden, grew desperately hungry, so she ran inside her new home. Inside was Ella’s mom holding up a fresh cup of water. “This water is freshly collected from the lake; I hope you like it.” She said sweetly. Ella’s mom was the best friend she could ever had, and the only she ever had. But, that thought never seemed to bother Ella, not at all. She was proud to at least have one best friend. “Ma, where did Pa go? I haven’t seen him in a while, now that I come to think of it.” “Oh, right. He went back for a meal, he ain’t quite ready to shoot an animal.”  Ella’s mom said. “Why don’t you take a walk around the forest, after all you’re 17 going on 18, I trust you going to the forest alone. Anyway this is your new home now so why should I doubt? Get used to it Ella, you’re are going to live here for quite a long time…” said Ella’s mom. Ella walked down the cramped living room, a slight hop in her step and a slight grin on her face.

    As Ella emerged down the small steps of her new home, she could again, feel the fresh breeze against her face, her long brunette hair flowing with the wind. She started stepping into the forest. There were tons of trees, and they were all beautiful and kind of magical to Ella at the same time. She felt free in the forest, and that was a new feeling for Ella, and just like the trees, it felt exceptionally magical in every way. She couldn’t keep walking, she wanted to run. She ran as fast as she could, heading toward the lake, but all of a sudden she tripped and fell to the ground, and at that moment all she could see was darkness.

Chapter 2

    As Ella woke up, she could see she was on the land close to the lake. She could see a beautiful face staring right up a her. The face belonged to a teenage boy, he had black silky hair, styled in a wild way and wonderfully beautiful brown eyes. He was looking at her, a grin on his face as he asked “Are you okay? I saw you lying down, eyes closed, on the forest floor. I thought here would be the safest place. My name is Jacob, who are you?”  He asked. “I am alright thanks, my name is Ella.” She said. They both stared at each other, their eyes met, and butterflies were filling Ella’s stomach. “Thank you, I was running, first time in a long time, I mean, I really wanted to get to the lake.” She said. All of a sudden she looked down at her knee, which had a handful of blood all over it. As soon as Jacob saw her staring at it he said “It is going to be fine, all it needs is some special water from the lake, it will make your knee feel better. Let’s go, I’ll carry you to the lake, and don’t worry because everything will be fine.” All Ella managed to say was “Ok.” Ella looked perfectly calm, but as she was being carried (by a very handsome guy) to the lake, her head was spinning in every direction.  Who was this boy? Was her leg okay? What would her parents say? Would she get to see him again? Was she feeling “love at first sight”? Jacob laid her gently closer to the lake, and gently sprinkled some lake water on top of her knee. Ella shivered a little, but Jacob instantly calmed her down by touching her shoulder and whispering in her ear “It’s going to be alright” Once some water was sprinkled on top of her knee they both decided to get a swim at the lake. Ella gently came in, clothes on, while Jacob took off his shirt and jumped in the water. He was quick to swim close to Ella and make sure she was okay, but Ella was not, she could barely stand up. He got her in his arms, with a faint grin on his face. “I am glad you found me.” Ella managed to say. “It was nothing, people help people. Anyway, do you live here?” He asked. “Yeah, I just moved in the recently-built cottage, by the middle of the forest. Do you live here?” She asked back. “Yes, I have lived here since I was a little boy, but there has never been any other family besides mine until now.” He said as he gently carried her in circles. Ella laid back tranquilly, muting her thoughts and opened her arms, letting them stretch across the water, she laughed and Jacob grinned back. They stopped when they got to one of the corners of the lake. They just looked at each other, for quite a long time, none of them knowing what to do. “Well, I’d better take you home now. I mean, if you still can’t walk.” He said awkwardly. He got her out of the lake and Ella tried to stand up, but she fell. Luckily, Jacob was there to catch her. “I’ll carry you some of the way then, I guess.” He said and looked down. All Ella could say was “Thank you, you basically saved me, and kind of cured me. Thank you, I couldn’t be more thankful.” She grinned at him. He grinned back, and gently lifted her up out of the ground. He started walking. As soon as he saw the cottage Ella had described to her he whispered in her ear “If you feel better, meet me by the lake tomorrow, early in the morning. I’ll be waiting for you.” He put Ella down gently by the stairs, knocked on the door and ran away. But before he did that, he said “Remember…” As soon as Ella’s mom opened the door, she opened her mouth and her eyes widened. “Goodness sake! Ella what happened to your knee?” She asked in a loud voice. “I had a little accident ma, I tripped and fell and I hurt my knee.” Ella answered. “How did you get here?” She asked loudly, again. “Umm, I had to drag myself all the way. It was hard, but here I am. Now, I need to get a Band-Aid for this, and if dad asks, I just got a paper cut okay?” She asked. “Fine, but only because I know what a big fuss your dad might make out of it, now let’s get you inside, and you’ll be healed in no time.” Ella’s mom said. Ella was grateful, to have a mom, perhaps a best friend like that. Like she felt with Jacob, she couldn’t ask for more. Right after the Band-Aid had been put on her, and she had rested her leg, Ella felt better. In fact, she even managed to go the bathroom in her room. She looked at her reflection through the mirror. She had slightly brown skin, thin lips, beautiful eyes, and long thin brunette hair. She didn’t think of herself as someone pretty, but even though she didn’t know it, everyone thought she was. She walked up to her bed, and as soon as she laid down into it, she felt like she was laying on a cloud. And as she closed her eyes, she thought about what Jacob had said to him. Was he in love with her? Was she in love with him? She didn’t quite know. But one thing she was sure of was that he, had saved her. Like a knight in shining armor, ready to rescue his princess, but Ella knew for sure that life wasn’t a fairy tale. And so she closed her eyes, sleeping for 3 and a half hours, and then, all of a sudden, Ella woke up to the worried screams of her mother.

Chapter 3

    Ella got out of bed as quietly as possible, afraid to make too much noise. She slowly peeked through the small space of the opened door, and what she saw terrorized her. Her drunk father had come home, but not in the normal way. He had a 9-inch knife on his hand, pointing it at her mother. Ella couldn’t believe this was happening. She was exasperated by the million thoughts flowing through her head all a time. What if her father was planning on murdering Ella as well? Ella couldn’t risk her life like this. She got 5 shirts, 5 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of shoes, a granola bar, and a water bottle that she had in her room and stuffed it in her school backpack. She locked the door to make sure that her father would take longer to notice that she would be missing. She opened the tiny window of her room, hoping she could fit through it. She wasn’t worried about making too much noise though, because there were so many screams, she could barely hear herself. She slid through the window and landed flat on the ground outside the cottage. She ran and took off for the lake, the place where she was planning on meeting Jacob. She would tell him everything that happened, he would help her, and she might come out of this alive. As she was running, she was cautious and tried not to trip like last time she ran. When she finally reached the lake, tears were flowing out her eyes, like rain coming down from a cloud. Her mother, she would die, and she might be stuck in this forest stranded until she couldn’t live anymore. Why would her father do this? Would Jacob find her and help her? Right now, the only hope of life Ella had was Jacob. He was the only light by tunnel. He was the only one that could help her. She couldn’t fall asleep that night, so she decided to lay by the closest tree to think. She didn’t dare get close to her cottage. Ella was frightened. And after what seemed like forever, when the sun started to rise, Jacob slowly approached the lake, but started to run when he saw Ella there. “Ella, I didn’t expect seeing you here.” He said in the sweetest voice, but at this moment Ella didn’t care, she was in danger. “Jacob you ought to help me. My mom got murdered by my dad yesterday, I had to run away, and I am scared, what if he wants me to be his next victim?” She asked, a shiver in her voice. “Oh my gosh Ella, don’t worry I’ll help you. We’ll go through this together alright? I live in a place far away from your cottage, a hidden place. You can stay there as my guest, until we find a solution” Jacob said. Jacob lend a hand for Ella to stand up, she took it, and never wanted to let it go, but she knew that if she kept holding she might give him the wrong idea. They started to walk far into the forest. Ella didn’t tell Jacob, but she felt save with him, in a strange peculiar way she couldn’t seem to figure out. They kept walking as Ella told him the whole story. “I was sleeping and then I woke up to my mother’s screams. I peeked through the door, and I saw my dad pointing a knife at my mother.” She said in sobs. Jacob stopped, grabbed her by the shoulders and told her “Everything’s going to be alright.” And then he hugged her tight. They kept walking as they talked about the forest and their lives before it. Finally, they reached the place. It was a gray cave, with a great, rocky texture. They went in, and the cave was exceptionally unique looking. It had a small table, a stove and a small bed. “This is where I have lived since my parents left me.” Jacob said. “Wow, I like the place.” Ella said. “Feel free to leave your stuff wherever you want, it’s almost meal time.” He said with a grin. “Oh, no need to fuss about that, I know a way to make the perfect fish soup, but it will be ready at night time.” She said. Jacob nodded as he took out some fish he had kept in an old cooler. Ella soon got to work, she cut the fish into small pieces, and slowly melted them in a pan, with some salt and some tomatoes she had collected from a nearby growing plant. She kept working on it, adding leaves, and all types of things that could make the soup better. Meanwhile, Jacob was picking up his cluttered house. It was finally night time, and they decided to eat outside. They used wooden plates that Jacob had carved out of the wood of a fallen tree. As Jacob tried the soup, he smiled. “It has been long since I try something this good.” Jacob said with a big, heart-warming smile on his face. “Thanks” he said. “No, thank you, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.” She answered. Jacob slid closer to Ella, they were shoulder against shoulder now. “Look at the stars, aren’t they beautiful?” he pointed. “Yes, they are.” Is all Ella could manage to say. As Jacob spoke, Ella wondered. Did she like him? After all, he had saved her life, twice now, and whenever he smiled Ella melted inside. She felt butterflies in her stomach every time he talked to her. “Was a person in your family a beauty queen or something? I mean, you’re really pretty and I am curious.” He said. Ella blushed, and her cheeks turned red. “No, and thanks.” She grinned. Ella had doubts, but she couldn’t help herself. She slowly put her head on his shoulder, and Jacob gently locked his hand against hers. It was so romantic, they just sat there for hours when Ella finally said “I’m I think I’ll go to bed now.” She whispered. Jacob stood up and carried her to his bed. “Are you sure you don’t want to sleep in the bed?” She asked. “I’m sure.” He slightly moved her hair out of her face and whispered “Good night.” And right after that, Ella closed her eyes, she was sure he was the one.

Chapter 4

Ella woke up that morning to the sweet whisper coming from Jacob. She woke up and ate breakfast by the table, as they talked about what happened the day before. “I didn’t know you liked me.” Jacob said. “Look I ca explain, it’s just that” and before Ella could finish her sentence, Jacob put his index finger on her lip. “It’s okay Ella, I really like you too. You’re the finest girl I have ever met; I don’t think I would ever want to let you go.” He said and Ella blushed. “Look, there is something I want to show you.” he said. He took her hand and walked her to the prettiest tree Ella had ever seen. “This tree is special, just like you.” He said. He took her hand and made it touch the tree, and all of a sudden, she was in a prairie, full of blooming flowers. There was a river that kept flowing, and there was a cottage, and it looked just like hers. “Jacob, where are we?” She asked. “We are in a world of wonder, this world is special Ella. No one in the other world knows about it but us. I thought since you are really special to me, I should show you.” He said. “Oh my gosh, so this world is magical?” She asked amazed. “Yes it is.” He said. “Come, I’ll give you a tour.” And right when they started walking, a flashing light appeared right in front of both of them. It looked like a god to Ella. He said “Greetings! Ella, you have been chosen to protect this land through health and through despair. I you are to succeed in this quest, you shall become the queen of this kingdom.” And then he disappeared. “What was that about?” Ella asked. “I too, have been chosen. I have been protecting this land for years. I’ll show you how to do it.” Jacob said.  “Wait, I’m lost.” Ella said. Jacob took both of Ella’s hands, looked into her eyes and told her “Trust me.” Ella did trust him, so she decided to follow him down the beautiful arched paths of the wonderful magical world. She followed him to another wonderful looking cave, and all of a sudden, her clothes turned to a uniform, just like the one Jacob was wearing. The uniform was a tight, black leather jacket with tight black leather leggings and black short heel boots. Jacob got closer to her. “Listen, for you to get your power, it is by prophecy that I kiss you.” He said. He pushed her by the waist and kissed her passionately. Ella kissed him back and put her hands around his shoulders. They passionately kissed each other, not wanting to stop. It was Ella’s first kiss and it felt quite magical. When they stopped, she felt something flowing through her body, it was magic. All of a sudden, a ball of fire came out of her, she shut them tight to conceal it. “Wow, I didn’t know that my first kiss would be this magical.” She gushed. “Listen Ella, I love you so much. And yes, we have known each other for only two days, but it feels like years. And, well, I really meant that kiss and I would give you so much more… And well… Would you be my girlfriend?” he asked looking down. Ella delicately lifted his chin up with her graceful fingers, kissed him one last time and said “I would love it.”

                                     

Meanwhile, at Ella’s home, Ella’s mother laid dead on the floor, blood dripping down her mouth. Ella’s father, desperate to check on Ella, went straight toward the door, but it was locked. He kicked it with all his might but it wouldn’t open. He went outside the house, and saw the window, wide open. “So Ella has decided to escape huh?” He muttered under his breath. “That little girl will pay for what she’s done, sooner or later.”