Chapter 1 - Autumn Dawn

Rays of light spilled through the curtains, brightening the walls of the bedroom before finally coming to rest on my face. I slowly opened my bleary eyes and made my way to the window. I gently touched my fingertips against the dew-covered glass, feeling the sun's warmth.

I turned around to see you still lying in bed, asleep. Your tranquil expression was illuminated by the same dawn light that had stirred me from my slumber. I moved in close, pressing my nose against yours, but you didn't stir. I gently stroked your hair, but you still refused to wake. In one final attempt to rouse you, I pinched your cheek, but all you did was make a face and roll over. Gently chuckling to myself, I straightened the bedsheets and left the room.

I went to the kitchen and began warming up the soup left over from last night. Next, I started making the salads we were going to have for lunch later. Lettuce, ham, and hard-boiled eggs. I cut up a tomato, taking care to only add the slices to one of the salads. After all, you don't like tomatoes.

I remember you telling me the story.

'I think I was about four years old. My father tried to feed me a tomato, and I spat it right back out at him. I have no idea why, but I just can't eat them.' You laughed and looked away, a twinge of guilt playing across your eyes.

Just as I was finishing up with the food, I saw the bedroom door swing open.

'Good morning,' you said, stretching. It was clear you'd enjoyed your doze.

'Hey, Edgar.' You looked at me.

'Edgar?' You called my name.

'Edgaaar...' You called my name over and over.

'HEY! EDGAR!'

You...

'Huh?'

My eyelids snapped open. My ears were suddenly filled with sound.

I was in a restaurant in town. Sitting across from me was my friend, Henry. His long, green hair was unkempt, as though he'd just rolled out of bed. A small trail of steam rose upward from the hot plate of food he had in front of him. I instantly understood what was going on.

'Um... Can I get you some water?'

The waitress, Clementine, was standing over us. I looked up into her eyes. They were as clear and blue as a summer sky.

'Oh. Yeah, I--' Henry started to say.

'No, we're okay. Don't worry about us,' I interrupted.

Clementine looked confused, but stepped away to see to the other customers.

'What do you mean, 'Don't worry about us'? What if I'm thirsty?!' Henry furrowed his brow at me.

'I don't want to bother her,' I said, glancing in Clementine's direction for the briefest moment.

'Bother her? It's just a glass of water, man.'

Henry sighed and began sullenly chomping on his food.

'Here. Have mine, too.' I pushed the plate bearing my untouched sandwich toward him.

'My head's all muddled. I don't think I have much of an appetite anymore.'

'That's been happening a lot lately. You okay, man?'

Henry's dour expression turned to one of concern.

'I'm not sure. I keep getting flashes of this one scene. It feels like a memory, but...I don't recognize it at all.'

I raised my gaze and stole another glance at Clementine as she walked through the restaurant, smiling and talking with the customers.

Henry followed my gaze toward her, and a look of understanding came over his face.

'Now that I think about it, this all started after you first noticed her, huh? Ah, I should've known. I've seen the sad eyes of a lovesick fool before.' He nodded to himself, knowingly.

'Is that what it is?' I questioned Henry, yet I couldn't take my eyes off Clementine.

'Well, I guess you know me best, Henry...'

As I spoke, Clementine noticed my gaze and gave me a warm smile before returning to her work.

'...since I don't seem to know myself anymore? I sighed.

All my dearest friend could give in response was a troubled chuckle.

September, S.1294.

Leman--home to the headquarters of the Epstein Foundation.

I'd planned to devote my time here to performing research alongside the other members of the foundation.

But then I fell in love.