PRESENT TIME…
"Jace!"
"Jace!!"
"Jace!!!"
"Oh my God… please wake up… please," a voice pleaded desperately.
Jace's head throbbed. His eyes fluttered weakly, his fingers twitching slightly. He groaned in pain as he struggled to keep his eyes open.
"Mom… he cracked out,"
His mother quickly turned to him, her eyes widening as she stared at his moving fingers, disbelief written all over her face.
"Jace…!" she cried, tears flowing from her eyes. "You're finally awake. Don't you ever do this to me again."
"Mom… what's going on…? What happened?" he asked weakly.
His mother sniffed, wiping her tears.
"I found you unconscious. You wouldn't wake up no matter what I tried. I took you to the hospital, but even the doctors couldn't figure out why you were unconscious. I had to bring you back home, praying earnestly for you to wake up. I thought I was going to lose you… Don't you ever do this again."
Jace became quiet, letting her words sink in as he remembered how he had fallen unconscious.
The old man had done something to him.
That dream…
Was it real?
Had he truly seen the past… or was his mind playing tricks on him?
"Jace…"
His mother's voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
He blinked slowly and looked at her.
"How long have I been unconscious, Mom?" he asked weakly.
"Two months…" she replied, her voice shaking slightly. "Two long months, Jace."
His chest tightened.
"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to scare you," he whispered, lowering his gaze.
"It's okay…" she said softly, forcing a small smile. "It's not your fault."
Then her expression changed — worry mixing with frustration.
"But tell me… were you sick? What happened to you? I noticed something strange about you that night. Why didn't you tell me if something was wrong?"
Jace swallowed.
"I'm sorry, Mom…"
"Save it," she interrupted, her voice cracking. "I thought I was going to lose you."
"You didn't…" he replied quietly.
"By luck… and prayers," she shot back. "You have no idea how scared I was. Watching you lie there, not waking up… not responding…"
Her eyes filled with tears again.
Jace felt guilt press heavily against his chest.
"I'm sorry, Mom…"
________________ ________________ ______________
A week later, Jace was healthy enough to return to school.
He sat quietly in his seat, ignoring the stares and hushed whispers around him.
Suddenly, he felt someone slip into the seat beside him.
"Jace…"
The voice was soft.
Jace flinched slightly, his body reacting before his mind did. He turned slowly, and his eyes met his childhood friend's worried gaze.
She stared at him with worried eyes — concern clear on her face.
His breath caught in his throat.
Without saying a word, he stood up abruptly and walked out of the classroom, stumbling slightly as he hurried away.
___________ _______________
JACE;
She looks just like that girl…
"Astra."
It can't be her…
There's no way.
My head started pounding.
"Arghhh!"
I pressed my fingers against my temples.
I just want her back — not this endless confusion.
"Jace!!! Why did you run away like that? Did I do something wrong?"
Her voice broke through my thoughts.
I looked at her slowly.
She sounded worried… almost hurt.
I took a cautious step back.
If she is Astra…
Then Nova…
Nova is Sage.
My thoughts collided violently.
It can't be a coincidence.
It can't.
"Jace! What's wrong with you?!" she demanded, her voice cracking.
"Astra…"
The name escaped my lips before I could stop it.
She froze.
Her eyes widened instantly.
"What…? Where did you hear that name?" she asked, stepping closer.
"Stay back, Luna," I warned quietly.
She stopped — then quickly straightened herself, trying to mask her shock.
"This isn't a joke… Something is really wrong."
"Jace, please… stop acting like this. Let's go back to class. You're scaring me!"