Secrets and confrontations

Chapter:10 "SECRETS AND CONFRONTATIONS"

My feet moved slowly down the street, lost in thought –

Thyme's words still echoing in my mind: "You've become important to me..."

But then Lilly's arrival and affectionate kiss on his cheek –

had me withdrawing, feeling an unexpected pang of jealousy.

"Hmm, ahh... why?" I whispered to myself, sadness creeping into my voice –

Did I really develop feelings for Thyme so quickly?

My thoughts were interrupted by a subtle sensation –

like being watched. I slowed down, scanning surroundings cautiously.

Nothing seemed out of place... yet the feeling persisted.

MEANWHILE, BACK WITH CASPER AND THE MYSTERIOUS FIGURE

Casper leaned against his chair, eyes fixed on the caller's update –

"She's alive..." he repeated, nodding slowly.

The deep-voiced figure standing before him smiled widely –

"Yes, Casper – Sao breathes again. Your plan's first phase succeeded."

Casper's gaze narrowed slightly –

"But she forgets everything. Our next move must ensure she remains clueless..."

Deep Voice chimed in –

"Already in motion, Casper. Someone watches her now – reporting every move."

My skin crawled as if sensing their conversation –

though logically, I knew that was impossible... yet the watching feeling intensified.

Dew's smile still lingered on his face as we stood outside the cafe –

His eyes crinkled at the corners, familiar warmth sparking memories –

We had history, Dew and I... a past I barely recalled.

My mind raced through fragmented memories –

Dew was my classmate, friend... possibly something more before my memories faded.

His question hung in the air – "Why you rejected me?" –

I took a deep breath, honesty pouring out –

"I don't really remember us clearly, Dew... or rejecting you."

Dew's expression softened, understanding in his eyes –

"That's because of... everything that happened to you, Sao."

My heart skipped beats – Dew seemed to know something about my past –

The same past Casper and the mysterious figure discussed in hushed tones.

Dew's hand brushed against mine, gentle spark of electricity –

"Sao, may I ask... do you still not feel anything for me, or is it just the memories?"

My gaze met his, then shifted to the distance – thinking of Thyme –

Here is the combined story:

I walked out of the cafe after clearing the air with Dew.

"Dew, I want to clear the confusion," I said. "I don't like you romantically, but I rejected you because you're my friend. Please forgive me."

Dew understood and forgave me. "Okay, see you tomorrow."

The next day, I returned home still thinking about Dew's words: "Sometimes I don't understand, I really don't know you."

Lost in thought, I went to drink water when Kavin screamed behind me. I got scared and spilled water on her face.

"Ahh Sao, I'm sorry!" Kavin exclaimed.

Thyme's friends witnessed the scene – Roy laughed at Kavin and gave me a thumbs-up. But Lilly intervened:

"You don't have manners, Sao!" she accused.

I defended myself: "It was accidental, not intentional!"

Lilly persisted: "Now you're trying to say I'm wrong, Sao. You're the one crossing limits!"

The argument escalated until Lilly pushed me. I walked towards her to push back, but Thyme stepped in just in time.

"STOP IT!" Thyme shouted loudly, separating us.

I explained: "She started it, Thyme. It's enough – I'll apologize."

I turned to Lilly: "The water spill was an accident. Truce?"

Lilly accepted my apology, but hinted at my temper.

Thyme then asked to speak with me privately: "Sao, can I talk to you for a minute... alone?"

My heart skipped beats – what did Thyme want to discuss?

**THYME LEADS ME TO A QUIET CORNER, HIS EXPRESSION SERIOUS YET CONCERNED FOR ME**

Sao nods – "Yeah, Thyme – what's up?" and walks with him to a quiet corner

We stopped near the window, away from prying eyes and ears –

Thyme turned to face me, his expression softening slightly –

"Sao, what's going on with you lately?" he asked gently.

"My incident with Kavin was accidental, but with Lilly... you seemed angry."

I sighed, thinking back to Dew's words and my own emotions –

"Honestly, Thyme? Dew and I talked yesterday. He said something that's been bothering me..."

Thyme's eyes narrowed slightly, interest piqued –

"What did Dew say?" he asked, voice low and curious.

His proximity made my heart race – I felt compelled to share –

"'Sometimes I don't understand, I really don't know you...' Dew said that, Thyme. About me."

Thyme's expression changed – surprise, then gentle understanding –

"Sao, I think I know what Dew means... and it's connected to something I wanted to tell you."

Sao's curiosity spikes – "What do you mean, Thyme? What were you going to tell me?"

Thyme glanced around cautiously, ensuring we were still alone –

"It's about your past, Sao," he said lowly, voice barely above whisper.

"My past?" I repeated, mind racing with possibilities –

"What about it, Thyme? You're starting to scare me a little."

Thyme's expression softened, gentle smile reassuring –

"No scares intended, Sao. Just... uncertainties. People around you have wondered..."

He paused, choosing words carefully –

"About how much you actually remember from before living with Aunt Sharlin and Uncle Smith."

My heart skipped beats – Thyme touched on a sensitive topic –

Dew's words echoed in my mind, but I didn't reveal that connection yet –

"How did you even think of this, Thyme?" I asked instead, probing for more info.

Thyme leaned in slightly, voice low and mysterious –

"Let's just say someone mentioned concerns... recently. Can I ask, Sao – do YOU think you remember everything?"

Thyme's eyes widened in surprise as I spoke in a scared, angry tone –

"Why... everyone wants to know about my past?! Sao's voice cracked –

"It's scary... only to get those nightmares..."

My hands gestured wildly, emotions spiraling out of control –

Thyme took a step forward, gentle hands reaching out –

But I cut him off, voice firm yet trembling –

"Calm down? No, Thyme... don't try to be nice with me.

Go back – your friends are waiting for you."

His face fell, hurt and concern etched deeply –

"Sao, wait!" Thyme called out, but I turned and ran –

Into the night, away from the house, away from him.

The darkness swallowed me whole as I sprinted blindly –

Tears pricked at my eyes – nightmares indeed haunted me –

Flashes of fragmented memories chased me:

* A faint scream

* A blurry face

* A sense of desperate escape

Thyme's voice faded into distance – "SAO, COME BACK!"

My feet slowed eventually, chest heaving – I stopped at a familiar place –

The old oak tree near the park where Dew and I once talked...

Suddenly, my phone buzzed – a text from an unknown number:

"We've been waiting for you to remember, Sao."

Inside the house

Everyone exclaimed – "Why did Sao run away?!"

Thyme attempted to chase after me, but Lilly grabbed his arm –

"Stop him, Lilly said to her friends, "Go back inside, take Lilly with you."

They obeyed, leaving Thyme free to sprint outside.

Outside – at the oak tree

I sat crying, phone still clutched in my hand, when a stranger approached –

His hand reached out to touch my shoulder, making me flinch –

Just as fear spiked, Thyme appeared out of nowhere and PUNCHED the man –

The stranger yelped, running away into darkness.

Thyme turned to me, concern etched on his face –

"Sao!" he exclaimed softly, opening his arms.

I lunged into them, tears still falling – we hugged tightly –

Our faces inches apart, hearts racing in unison.

Thyme whispered urgently – "I'm here... no one can touch you... don't be scared."

My eyes locked onto his, feeling safe for the first time tonight –

As we stood there, frozen in this intimate moment...

**A distant figure watched from shadows, phone still in hand:**

"We failed," the voice reported. "There's a boy... he intervened. Subject is protected... for now."

Thyme's chest rose and fell slowly beneath my cheek –

I felt his gaze still on mine, questioning – what happened back there

Back at home

Aunt Sharlin scolded Thyme – "What happened tonight, Thyme?! Sao ran off crying!"

Thyme explained briefly, leaving out the stranger and mysterious text.

Aunt Sharlin's expression softened slightly – "Momo, Kavin, go check on Sao – make sure she's okay."

Momo and Kavin entered my room, concerned faces asking if I was alright –

I reassured them lightly – "Just overwhelmed... thanks, guys. I'll sleep now."

They exited, closing the door behind them – house grew quiet as everyone slept.

My room, later – midnight

A gentle knock at my door broke the silence –

My heart skipped beats anticipating who it could be –

I opened the door slowly – Thyme stood before me, eyes locked intensely –

"Can I come in?" he whispered softly.

I nodded silently, stepping aside –

Thyme entered, closing the door behind him with a soft click.

We stood facing each other, darkness outside contrasting with tense intimacy inside –

Thyme broke the silence – "We didn't finish talking earlier... about what scared you."

His voice low and gentle, yet probing – as if knowing more happened than I shared with others.

My eyes searched his face – could I trust him with the mysterious text and strangers.