The Locket

Uhm, Aubrey, lets take the stairs up, said Ariel cheerfully all of a sudden, steering Aubrey away from the main hall. From it one could gain sight of the entrance to the schools gymnasium. Okay. But you dont have to do that, Ariel, I already know hes there, Aubrey spoke, her voice barely audible over the commotion of the lunch break. You do? Yes, even before we entered the hall and you saw him leaning against the threshold of door to the gym. The main hall teemed with students. Some played ping pong, others hang out around benches. A buzz permeated the atmosphere as voices and laughter sounded from all sides and, as they bounced against the halls paneled walls and ceiling, became echoes. Without having to turn her head around, Aubrey could spot him out of the corner of her eyes. Trevor, moderately tall and lean, laughing amid his circle of friends from the basketball team and cheer scout. One of his arms rested upon some girls shoulders. How long has it been since you guys spoke to each other? Ariels voice brought Aubrey back to the stairs they were approaching. A while. Three weeks and one day, to be specific. Ariels face fell in confusion and anxiety. Her voice diminished to a whisper. Do you want to speak to him? No, said Aubrey, slowly, Hed find me if he wanted to stay in my life. I dont want to make him feel uncomfortable. Ariel thought for a minute. But you said he told you its alright to keep being friends. They began ascending the pleasantly empty stairs, as most students were then occupying the cafeteria and the hall. Their footsteps became the only sound about them when neither of them spoke. Its not the same anymore. Silence. He ended it. Hed have to start it, or nothing. The girls leisurely climbed the stairs to the third floor, where their classroom waited. Class would begin in ten minutes. Ariel and Aubrey approached their lockers and systematically took out necessary equipments for English, during which theyd be listening to their classmates oral presentations. Im so excited for tomorrow night! Ariel grinned suddenly, were going to have a whole afternoon to shop and bake and the evening to watch movies. And I really really want you to see Cloverfield, honestly. Its in my top ten favorites. Her face beamed innocently kind and genuine, but Aubrey knew well that Ariel simply was trying to stop her from thinking about him. Shed been asking Aubrey to go to the movies, book shopping, shopping, and swimming over and over lately. She was so kind, Aubrey thought, and couldnt help but smile back. Aubrey laid down her knife and fork neatly on her empty plate.

You done, dear? her mother asked as she helped herself to seconds. Yes, Aubreys lips curved up politely, The lasagna has been scrumptious though. Thanks. She retreated to her room after having put away her plate and cutlery. 7:34 PM. Her mother cleaned the table and began putting plates in the washing machine. Her dad peeked into Aubreys dark room through the slightly open door. Shes asleep again, he told her mother. Let her. The girls not been getting enough sleep lately. Shed just had several tests at school. Her dad frowned in contemplation. I dont know. Shes only been doing this recently. You remember how long? Her mother began to put cutlery into the washing machine. I dont know. About a month or so. Why? You sure shes alright? Dont worry. She only does that once or twice a week. Shes just tired, darling. Junior year does that to you. Her dad nodded, and went to watch the evening news. 1:48AM. A light came on in Aubreys room. The door creaked softly as somebody closed it completely. Somewhere behind the curtains a pair of slippers glided noiselessly across the floor, from one place to another, before returning to rest beside the bed again. The bed creaked. The alarm clock clicked as somebody set it for 6:00AM. Then the lights went out again. The room had only one window. Curtains hid half of it from view, but the other half opened out to the west, facing a well-mown lawn and a lamppost, merely a grain of light glowing in the distance. Not a shadow stirred on the street. The bed occupied the right corner of the room opposite the window, and upon it somebody reclined against the wall. An iPod screen lit up for a moment, then faded out when a hand laid it down beside a pillow. A chocolate bar was opened and set next to the iPod. Everything was silent in the room except for the quiet clicks originating from a mobile phone in the corner as it displayed old text messages and long-forgotten snapshots of a pair of high school students. An arm reached for a teddy bear next to the pillow and hugged it. Squeezed it tight. The bear used to have a card attached to it that said To A from T. A voice began to sing softly to a melody played by the iPods headphones. As real as it seems, youre only in my dreams Every single night the room witnesses this scene. Every single night the iPod would play and the phone would scroll through the same text messages and images until either ran out of battery. Every night pieces of chocolate would fall into oblivion in this room. And every single night the teddy bears fur would become moist and taste just a teeny bit saltier than before. It began to rain.

Wow, Ariel breathed. I know, Aubrey responded. Theyd just entered a small store located in a small alley near the city center. After school ended that afternoon, the two girls spent their time strolling around malls and book stores, trying on clothes and reading books surreptitiously (for they werent in a library), but never purchasing anything of significant value. It was on their way to Aubreys home that theyd stumbled upon this little dark store on the side of a street. From it emanated an enchanting fragrance of roses, and the display window showed a collection of herbs, candles and quaint jewelry. Atop the entrance hung a single word Magic in purple, and glancing inside the girls saw nothing but shadows moving in dim violet light. Their breaths were taken away the moment they crossed the threshold. The store resembled nothing theyd ever seen. Although restricted in space, the chamber held three enormous shelves that reached the ceiling and brimmed over with items for sale. Exquisite paintings of mythical creatures adorned the ceiling and windows. The glitter-covered floor glimmered under the sole source of light in the room, a small rose-shaped chandelier, and smoke from a large candle in one of the shelves filled the room. The source of fragrance they detected outside. Aubrey and Ariel went through everything in the store. It had everything that concerned witchcraft: books, quills, herbs, candles, charms. Each item had a tag with a name and price neatly hand-written in black ink. $3.59 Fresh rosemary. $6.99 Yew quill. $11.19 Dreams charm. Aubrey had no intention of purchasing anything until an object in the jewelry shelf caught her eye. $14.19 Memory locket, the tag read. She took it from the shelf and her it close to her face, completely mesmerized by its beauty. The silver locket was round, and carved upon its surface were thin, twirling lines of sapphire converging in the center. Aubrey tried to open it. She couldnt. The stores owner, who had been observing Aubrey as she attempted to open the locket from the cashier desk close to the exit, beckoned for Aubrey to come over. Ariel had a book in her hands then, and read vigorously. She didnt notice. This locket is one of the most powerful items that I sell, the store owner softly spoke. Your eyes are very keen to have discerned it. Aubreys eyes grew wide. What does it do? The store owner took the locket from Aubrey and began to trace its contours with her finger. When the locket opens, it will bring your soul into a memory and let you relive it. You will experience everything as if they had been real. The temperature, the smell of the air, the sound of other peoples voices everything will remain the same as you remember them, but any imaginary details that you may embellish your memories with will not accompany you. For example, you remember walking in the woods and around you were pine trees. Thus you may remember smelling pine. However, that day your nose was congested and you did not smell anything. So when you use this locket to travel back to this memory then, you will not smell anything either. The locket does not create memories. In the same way, anything that existed in the scene of your memory but you do not remember, will disappear and will not be included in your reliving it. If a day was

cold but you do not recall it so, it will not be cold when your travel back into it. If there was a crescent moon in the sky but you did not notice it, when you revisit that day you will see no moon. The locket does not create the past. At this point, a shiver ran down Aubreys spine. A million possibilities flitted through her mind as she stood there with cold, blank eyes gazing at the locket. Something that could let you relive your memories. Im buying it, Aubrey murmured as she tried to pull out her wallet. Her shaking hands hindered the process considerably, but at last she succeeded. She laid fifteen bucks on the counter assertively. The woman smiled. Of course, theres always a catch to my charms, she said as she rummaged through a small cabinet underneath her desk, It does not open in daylight. Powerful magic requires powerful elements, the dark being one of them. Thats why you couldnt open it just now. Aubrey didnt blink. Perfect. Is there anything else I need to know? The store owner pulled out a small box and enclosed the locket within. Yes, indeed, there is, she said, putting the box in a plastic bag. Without caution, you may lose your soul forever to the locket. Silence took over the store again. Ariel, in a far corner, continued to sift through the book shelf eagerly and did not notice Aubrey slipping the box in her handbag. What must I do? she asked cautiously. The store owner collected the money on the desk and gave Aubrey back her change. Every memory has and ending. When your memory is about to end, your vision will begin to blur and you may experience dizziness. When this happens you must immediately use the locket, which will always be hanging from your neck when you go down memory lane, and go back to reality. It will pull you through as soon as you open it. The womans eyes bore straight into Aubreys. If not, you will be locked in that memory forever, and relive it repeatedly until the end of time. Aubrey didnt utter a word. Night dawned tenderly upon the city. Above, clouds had cleared from the night before and clusters of glimmering stars replaced them, tiny and insignificant, in comparison to the luster of streetlights below. A breeze whispered to the city as darkness enveloped it in an immaculate black. Silence reigned. One by one the lights had all gone out, all but for a few scarce lamps glowing lonely in the dark. In a small house located near the outskirts of the city, under a tiled roof and within cream-colored walls, chips lay scattered on the carpet. Pieces of fruit lay next to the television, and the leftover cream of an already devoured cake stuck to the walls and desk and remote controls. Some books were left open with cake crumbles scattered over them. Even the laptop in the corner had its share of grease and cream conspicuously and unintentionally smeared over its keyboard. The two girls had done many things that evening, after theyd successfully traveled half way across the city from the city center and arrived intact at Aubreys

house. They bought microwave pizza, cake ingredients and snacks in a supermarket. After having a pizza each they began baking muffins and a chocolate cake, both of which they topped with homemade vanilla cream, strawberries and chocolate chips. At Aubreys request, the girls excluded all romance movies from their must-watch-movies list that night, settling for Cloverfield and 30 Days of Night. It only took half a movie for them to wolf down the muffins. The cake followed after merely another ninety minutes. For all they knew, the girls fell asleep next to each other on Aubreys bed, surrounded by magazines and books, far too tired to clean up. Aubrey had assured Ariel in a drowsy voice, Its alright, we could tidy up in the morning, dont worry, and seconds after that she slumped down, submerging into a deep slumber. Ariel turned off the lights. The clock then read 2:16AM. The sky was still a murky purple when Ariel stirred in her blanket and found the space next to her on the bed empty. Her hand reached out in search of Aubrey, but instead came into contact with only the wall. Aubrey? Ariel rose, stretched, and rubbed her eyes. She had to be around here somewhere. A frown pulled on her lips when her eyes finally adjusted to the dark. With her back against the wall and neatly wrapped in a blanket, Aubrey sat quietly at the rear of the bed. Next to her rested a half-eaten chocolate bar and her obsolete iPod Nano G2, and squeezed between her arms was a teddy bear that Ariel recognized. In one hand Aubrey held her mobile phone and a picture frame in the other. Despite the dark, Ariel could still see two faint lines streaking her friends cheeks. Aubrey smiled and closed her eyes, traveling back to a distant memory somewhere, the day that the picture in her hands came into existence. A tear rolled down her cheek. Aubrey, dont do that to yourself, Ariel whispered in a shaky voice. Aubrey turned her head to face Ariel. Dont worry, Im fine, she smiled, Truly. No, you are not. Look at you, Ariels lips hardly moved as she spoke, Youre not okay if youre up in the middle of the night looking at old pictures and crying. Ariel stopped to look at her best friend. The class president, the valedictorian of their class, the passionate student. The face that always smiled and grinned despite everything that happened in the classroom. Who wouldve known that a girl like that could turn into the pitiful human being in front of Ariel then, wrapped in her blankets and crying over something that perhaps didnt deserve the tears. Quiet. Hurt. Broken. Why do you do this, Aubrey? Ariel asked softly. Aubrey stayed silent for a few moments, contemplating. Her eyes gazed blankly in front of her. Good memories will always remain good memories, Ariel. Outside, the sky gradually lightened. Ariel didnt understand. And good memories make people happy, Aubrey finished vaguely. Are you happy then, Aubrey? You could say that. Then why are you crying? Silence. They could see each other more clearly now, with the sky brightening to a light pink. The only sound in the room was of their breathing. Finally Aubrey spoke.

Because sometimes good memories remind people that theyve lost something worthwhile. And that they may never return to it. Its as simple as that. The girls stared at each other for a while, each occupied with her own thoughts and feelings. Aubrey offered the chocolate to Ariel, but she refused. Lets go to sleep, Aubrey. Youre tired, as am I, said Ariel as she lay down and gestured at the empty pillow next to her. Come on. Aubrey didnt speak another word. Instead she took another bite of chocolate and, putting away everything except the picture frame, pulled herself towards the empty slot next to Ariel. She lay down and put the picture under the pillow. It was the picture that Ariel had taken for them, months ago. In it was the blue of the sky and golden sunlight streaming onto a lush green meadow. All surrounding a couple sitting next to each other on the grass, the girls head leaning tenderly on the guys shoulder. They locked their fingers together between them and with one free hand each, waved at the camera, smiling with their hearts. The happiest couple in the world. Sunday passed swiftly like a breeze, and so did the next school day. Aubrey couldnt help but notice Ariels wary eyes around her, observing her, anxious as if she saw right through Aubrey and anticipated the silent tears within her. Whenever Trevor came into sight Ariel would now grow quiet and pretend that she didnt see anything. She knew that there was nothing she could say. Nothing could make Aubrey forget. Not yet. However, one thing kept turning up in her mind the whole day. The locket. During history class she sketched it in her notebook and nearly didnt hear her teacher when she was called on to answer a question. At lunch, Ariel and Aubrey didnt talk as much as they usually did. She wanted to tell Ariel all about the locket, but something in her guts told her that Ariel would protest ferociously against her using it after what shed witnessed two nights before. No, it would be her only little secret. That night Aubrey departed for bed early again, without the smallest suspicions or inquisitions from her parents. The human mind can be worlds apart, she chuckled and thought to herself, barely moments before falling into an uneasy sleep. She woke up at around 3 in the morning. Slowly and silently she fetched her nocturnal accessories: her iPod, her phone, her teddy bear, her chocolate. The picture frame still lay under her pillow. Lastly, when she had finished arranging for herself a cozy corner on her bed, propped up by various pillows and blankets, she retrieved the locket from her purse. The thin sapphire lines twinkled in the faint light emitting from the iPod screen. Aubrey sat and scrutinized the lockets beauty for a little while, tracing the lines with her fingers, her mind searching for a memory she wanted to return to. She pressed the locket against her cheek, feeling its gelid surface on her skin. The air was so still that she could hear only her own breathing. Finally, Aubrey put the locket in her palm in front of her and inhaled. She had chosen. If the locket worked, shed be traveling back in time in a few seconds, back to when grades and a college scholarship constituted her greatest worries and her family her

only social issue. Returning to when shed just known him for a few weeks and when school provided her with all the fun and happiness she ever needed and wanted. Aubrey closed her eyes and opened the locket. There was a soft click as it snapped open under her fingers, and then a brief silence. School camp fire. October. Autumn. Once again she heard her friends familiar voices as they joked and laughed amongst students from the other classes, diminished somewhat because of her distance from the fire. She sat on the beach near the waters edge, searching for constellations that she could recognize in the sky. The sand felt soft and warm beneath her, and the wind gentle. Aubrey closed her eyes for a moment to listen to sea waves crashing passionately against the shore. How beautiful, that the sea never changes. Its loyalty never changes. It would never leave the sand alone and desolate. Not unless it vanished first from the face of the Earth, as one sea did before, leaving the Sahara. Pretty, isnt it? suddenly said a voice from behind Aubrey, making her jump. Trevor Bennington stood behind her, gazing pensively in front of him. His hair whipped gently in the evening breeze as he sat next to her at a safe distance. Crossed his legs. The two of them remained silent for a few minutes. Why dont you join the others at the fire, he asked all of a sudden, and even though his voice was low, Aubrey couldnt help but start for the second time. She turned to look at him, and saw his swirling blue eyes in the faint light return it. She noticed his full lips curve up slightly in a smile. She thanked the wind and the sea for hiding the troubling fact that she suddenly and unexpectedly found it hard to breathe. Id already been there, said Aubrey when she finally found her voice, Its a little bit too crowded for me. You dont like it? No, no, no, of course I do, her eyes returned to contemplate the sea, its fun and everything, definitely. It just, I dont know--- Gets too much sometimes? he suggested lightly. Yeah. The noise and the people. Sometimes I just need my own space. A high wave battered the shore and reached Aubreys bare feet resting in the sand, cool and silky against her skin. Trevor didnt get wet as he sat with his legs crossed, but she noticed that his eyes widened, quite deliberately, in an attempt to make her laugh. Wow, that was close, he stressed, I dont have a second pair of pants, and neither shoes. Aubrey chuckled, Take your shoes off then. The sand and water feels really nice, you know? He raised his eyebrows at her suspiciously, but Aubreys encouraging smile brought him down. He took off his shoes and socks and stood up, running to the waters edge and pulling up his pants up to his knees. The water whirled and splashed under his feet. After a few moment he came back and seated himself next to her again, just a tiny little bit closer. Just so you dont smell my feet, he explained in a small, frisky voice. They sat next to each other like that for a while, neither saying anything to the other, but the silence between them did not feel awkward. It felt surprisingly easy, as they both gazed out at the sea and the starry night sky, sunken deep within their own thoughts

and comfortably leaving the other with theirs. Noises at the camp fire fluctuated in magnitude, quiet and mild at times, while occasionally surging in volume as the students laughed and yelled merrily. Next to the symphony of crashing waves, it simply faded into the background. Lets take a walk, Aubrey told Trevor. Sure, he sounded surprised, If thats what you want. They both stood up quickly and picked up their shoes. Aubrey danced towards the water and began making her way slowly and leisurely down the beach, moving further away from the camp fire behind them. Trevor followed without a word. This is my favorite part of the whole camp., Aubrey said, spreading her arms out and spinning around to face Trevor, The beach and the night sky. I see youre a very romantic kind of person, then, Trevor smiled. Then, after a moment, he said, We could do with some poetry, dont you think? Aubrey grinned, That completes the romance here, sure. But I cant remember any lines from anything at all. I tried to though. His voice rang softly over the sound of the sea. She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes: Thus mellowed to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies. She Walks In Beauty by Lord Byron? Correct, my lady, Trevor grinned. Oh my God. Youre weird and awesome to learn poetry by heart. Aubrey could barely believe her eyes. Why that poem though? He shrugged, I think its just the night and the stars and the romance factor that brought that to my mind. They continued walking beside each other. Aubrey could feel his arms brush against her occasionally, warm unlike the chilly evening air, but didnt move farther away. Trevor didnt seem to mind it either. It felt strange, but Aubrey didnt hyperventilate or feel awkward despite the silence between them. She felt comfortable, and perhaps just little bit hard to breathe. Suddenly Aubrey noticed that the sea blurred before her around the edges, and immediately became aware of a cold piece of jewelry hanging from her neck. Her hand flew to it. The sand blurred before her. Aubrey turned her head to look at Trevor and saw that she couldnt see the strands of his dark hair anymore. Everything merged together into blotches of color, growing slowly in size rendering her dizzy. Aubrey glanced wistfully at the boy standing next to her. She didnt want to leave yet. But she didnt have time. With one flick of her finger the locket snapped open and the whole world turned black. Aubreys eyes flew open. Then she lay down and curled up in her blankets, trying hard not to notice the cold, moist lines on her cheeks.

From that night onwards Aubreys world revolved around the locket. Daylight meant nothing to her: shed crawl through her agonizingly slow classes, talk to people with apathy and do her incomprehensible and meaningless homework, all in order to wait for twilight and darkness. Then came the time for her to visit her memories and live again the most beautiful journey in her life. Night after night, Aubrey traveled back and experienced anew each memory, starting from the oldest ones, when her relationship with Trevor had just begun. She came back to every single one of them in chronological order and relived every single moment. Aubreys first date with Trevor followed the memory of the night walk on the beach. Then several trips to the cinema and a few occasions when they stayed late after school only to talk and be with each other. Perhaps hanging out in the music room and singing and playing their favorite tunes on the piano or guitar. She remembered every single day and every single feeling that she felt around him, when she leaned on his shoulder or when he held her hand. How anxious she felt when she waited for his text messages. When he came over her house and they made pizza and watched movies. When they kissed for the first time. Aubrey couldnt forget. Not yet. Slowly and patiently, she visited one memory at a time, but deep inside her heart she longed for only one memory, one precious memory that she didnt yet have the courage to face. Some things always seem more beautiful if theyre just memories. Like seeing again your favorite toy once youve grown up. The toy, then, doesnt quite possess the magic it had in your childhood. The night finally came when Aubrey reached it. She didnt go to sleep early that night, and instead stayed up to do her homework, futilely unfortunately, for her mind could not concentrate on anything at all but the scene several months ago between her and Trevor. She listened over and over on her iPod to her favorite tune and sang along every time it reached the bridge. Close my eyes And Ill be by your side Then everything would flood back to her as if it had only been yesterday. 1AM came furtively during the night. Aubrey ensconced in the corner of her bed and had a bit of chocolate. One arm she wrapped around her teddy bear while the other pulled out the picture she hid under her pillow. Trevor and Aubrey shone from the center of the frame with their sparkling eyes and genuine smiles. She looked at the Aubrey of merely a few months ago and shook her head. That girl differed completely from herself now. Who would have thought, eh? Who would have thought. Laying the picture down beside her, Aubrey took out the locket from her pocket and opened it. A soft click, and then she was gone. She felt Trevors warmth on her skin as they sat close, side by side on the grass. Ariel sat in front of them and went through all the pictures theyd taken that day. The cameras memory storage had gone out half an hour ago, and they basked in the late afternoon sunlight ever since. Its getting late, Ariel said, putting away the camera and looking at the looming clouds surging overhead, and the rains coming soon. We better get going. Aubreys face fell. Cant we just stay a little while more? Its not gonna rain that soon, she lied.

Trevor looked at her and chuckled, Yeah, right. She tried to throw an accusing glance at him, but he thwarted all her efforts with a gently peck on her cheek. Ariel rolled her eyes, Oh alright, whatever. Ive gotta go. Got a dentist appointment in half an hour. Oh, but we want you to stay. We havent even finished eating all the cake! Aubrey said wistfully as she looked into their picnic basket. Or the chocolate Ive brought, as well, added Trevor. See! You must stay! Aubrey begged. No I cant, sorry, Ariel glanced at her watch, Ill see you guys tomorrow though, okay? Bye! Aubrey and Trevor looked after Ariels petite form diminishing in the distance. Open up, Trevor said suddenly, taking a piece of cake from the basket. Trevor, I ate like half the chocolate and a quarter of the cake. Alright, fine, he smiled mischievously, and put devoured the cake himself. He did it deliberately slowly to tease Aubrey. Hmm, yum. Too bad you didnt have any. Aubrey glared at him for a moment, and then softened. She couldnt be angry with him, ever. Youve got something on your lips. What? Cream. Take it away. Aubrey made to move her hands, but he shook his head. No hands, please. Yours are really dirty. A wide grin spread across his face. So she kissed him lightly and licked the cream away, feeling her heart beat fasten just a little bit inside. Something small and cold fell on her head. Its raining. It came stealthily and abruptly. Barely seconds passed before the rain caught the couple as they clutched their things and ran towards the nearest shelter, an ancient and enormous tree on the side of the meadow. Its branches, profuse with leaves, stretched high and far above them and shook in the heavy rain. I like the rain, Aubrey said softly. Trevor understood, and the both of them remained silent for a while, holding each others hands at the base of the giant tree. Listening to the rain singing. Aubrey smiled at Trevor, Ive always wanted to get soaked when its pouring like this. I used to simply stare out my window and imagine myself playing in it. Pity though, because my mother was always there to stop me. Trevor backed towards the meadow, pulling Aubrey slowly with him, What are you waiting for then. Come, lets do what you want for once, now that we have the chance. So they stepped out from under the branches. Their hair, their shoulders and finally their clothes became soaked as they walked out together. Aubrey closed her eyes and faced the sky, feeling the rain hard on her face and Trevors hand holding hers tight. She squeezed it lightly, grateful for him to be there beside her. Aubrey? Yes?

He came suddenly in the rain. His lips passionate and gentle against hers, kissing them as if hed never get to kiss them again. All Aubrey could remember was that she returned it with everything she had and that the kiss drained the air out of her, but she didnt stop. Aubreys heart exploded within her all the while, longing for him, but she held his hands tight in hers. He understood, she knew, because his fingers intertwined with hers and locked them in a grip, squeezing them ever tighter and fiercer in restraint. She felt his heat and hers in the cold rain. She sensed their hearts playing in an upbeat tune and raising rapidly in tempo. But they only kissed. Aubrey opened her eyes and started. Despite their proximity, she could no longer clearly make out the feature on his face. Maybe because of the rain, she lied to herself, feeling suddenly aware of a metallic chill on her chest. But she didnt want to go back yet. Why couldnt she remember a little while longer, so that she could be with Trevor, stay beside him this way? All she needed stood there in front of her. Reality would only bring her tears and pain and despair. Oh, but she didnt have to go back, did she? So Aubrey continued to kiss Trevor, passionately and gently as he kissed her, until her eyes blurred watered and her head spun like a roller coaster. Until her knees gave in under her, but she never let go of his hands to reach for the locket. The world darkened. The last thing Aubrey recalled was collapsing on the grass and Trevors worried voice calling her name. Its getting late, Ariel said, putting away the camera and looking at the looming clouds surging overhead, and the rains coming soon. We better get going. Aubreys face fell. Cant we just stay a little while more? Its not gonna rain that soon, she lied. Trevor looked at her and chuckled, Yeah, right. THE END.