"SHADOWS OF HER PAST (2)"

8th Chapter: "Shadows of Her Past (2)

Morning began with Sao waking up to –

A sudden headache, but strangely –

"Memories flashing before my eyes...

Ahh, it hurts – what's happening?!"

Visions of someone running from another person appeared –

Sao shook her head – "Forget about this..."

Downstairs, Thyme awaited

"Let's go," Thyme said.

Sao nodded – "Okie"

At School:

Strange visions continued intermittently, causing discomfort.

Chang offered snacks during class break – Sao accepted and giggled.

Math teacher, Mr. Calix, assigned exercises for exam prep.

During work time, Sao completed half the assignment but –

Glitches returned – visions and pain intensified...

Jean noticed – "Sao, what happened – are you okay?"

Sao brushed it off – "Yes..."

Then Roger appeared, teasing Sao about rejecting Dew –

Sao stood firm, but Roger escalated –

physically attacking Sao, grabbing Jean's hair too!

**Something snapped – Sao transformed –

Let her go

Sao said firmly,

punching Roger in the face –

"If you touch me or my friends again –

I'll break your mouth!"

Class gasped – "What just happened – Sao punched Roger?!"

Sao hastily exited with Jean and Chang –

"Sao, what occurred – you suddenly got angry?"

After School:

Kavin picked Sao up – Thyme's friends visited their house.

Dew approached – "Sao, really – you punched Roger?!"

Sao deferred conversation – "Tomorrow, Dew – hurry now."

At Home

Sao saw Thyme laughing with friends, especially Lilly.

Kavin teased – "Should I reveal about Roger..."

Sao pleaded – "Brother, just this once – keep secret?"

Kavin agreed with a smile –

Thyme's friends noticed Sao –

"Who's she?" Jack and George asked.

Thyme replied – "My cousin."

Roy added – "Cute and pretty – maybe I've got a chance..."

Sao's eyes narrowed slightly at Roy's comment

**SCENE SHIFTS FROM ROY'S HANDSHAKE ATTEMPT TO UNCLE SMITH'S INTERRUPTION**

Roy's hand was extended for a handshake –

But before Sao could respond, Uncle Smith appeared –

"Sao, your Aunt Sharlin is calling you –

something about dessert preparations, I think."

Sao breathed internally –

"a timely rescue from Roy's flirtation attempt!"

She smiled politely at Roy and the others –

"Excuse me, nice meeting you all – duty calls, apparently!"

Roy chuckled and withdrew his hand –

"Saved by dessert duty – we'll catch up later, Sao?"

Sao playfully rolled her eyes and turned to Uncle Smith –

"Yes, Uncle – leading me away from trouble, thanks!"

Uncle Smith laughed knowingly and guided Sao towards –

Aunt Sharlin, who was indeed stressing about dessert in the kitchen –

"Sao, help me decide – cheesecake or chocolate cake for Thyme's friends?"

Meanwhile, back in the living room –

Kavin whispered to Thyme –

"Your friends already smitten with Sao – especially Roy..." Kavin tell me a parcel came from uncle jasper.

I walked into my room with the parcel, heart racing –

Aunt Sharlin followed silently and closed the door behind her –

She revealed softly –

"It's medicine from Uncle Jasper...

to help prevent those glitches and nightmares, Sao."

My eyes widened –

"Aunt, YOU KNOW about all this?!

The visions, pain, and... everything?!"

Aunt Sharlin nodded gently –

"Yes, dear, I do. Uncle Jasper briefed me –

you've been experiencing this since childhood, intermittently."

I felt stunned –

"No one ever mentioned anything –

not even Uncle Jasper directly to me!"

Aunt Sharlin explained –

"Uncle Jasper wanted to protect you, Sao...

let you live normally until he found the right treatment."

She opened the parcel, revealing –

A letter from Uncle Jasper

Bottles of specially labeled medicine

The letter read:

"Sao, take as directed.

And I will explain soon about this dear. – Uncle Jasper.

What happened Sao

Aunt but that nightmare feel so real

Aunt What?

Aunt Sharlin's abrupt reaction puzzled me –

Her "it's just a dream" claim seemed forced, nervous even...

But before I could press for truth, she shifted topics –

"And Sao, actually, I need your help with something else...

Your mom – my sister – has been closed off in her room since morning."

Concern replaced curiosity about my nightmares –

"Momo's upset about something, but won't talk to me or Uncle Smith...

You're close with her, dear – maybe she'll open up to you?"

I nodded immediately –

"I'll go talk to her right after changing out of these school clothes, Aunt."

Aunt Sharlin smiled slightly, looking relieved

"Thank you, Sao. Your momo values your thoughts –

maybe you can uncover what's troubling her heart today."

I quickly changed into comfy home clothes –

Then headed to Momo's room, knocking softly –

"Momo... it's Sao – Aunt said you're upset. Can I come in?"

The door creaked open slightly – Mom's red eyes met mine .