Chapter Twenty-Two: All Souls Welcome Party Part Three

Bodleian Library, Oxford, 2009

As the evening progressed, the atmosphere in the library shifted. The soft glow of the hanging lights illuminated the intricate details of the Turkish paintings, casting gentle shadows that danced across the walls.

Lauren, Margaret, and Cemre stood engrossed, each captivated by the vivid colors and emotional depth of the artwork.

"Can you believe how talented these artists are?" Lauren remarked, her eyes wide with admiration. "Each piece tells a story."

Margaret nodded in agreement, her gaze fixed on a particularly striking painting depicting a serene landscape. "It's like you can feel the essence of the culture in every brushstroke. I could stand here all night."

Cemre, who had been quietly observing, added, "These paintings not only represent beauty but also a rich history. Each one holds a piece of the artist's soul."

The group of friends nodded their heads in agreement, fully immersed in the captivating world of art surrounding them.

The group explored the Turkish paintings for a little while, fixating on a particularly striking piece depicting a serene landscape.

Then Margaret spotted a Turkish painting and called Lauren over. "Look at this one!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement.

Then Lauren walked over to where Margaret was, drawn by her enthusiasm.

"What do you think?" Margaret asked, pointing at the painting.

The artwork features a young woman with brown hair and brown eyes, dressed in a twelfth-century dark plum Turkish gown and headdress.

Lauren had a strange feeling that she recognized the woman in the painting.

As Margaret continued to admire the artwork, Lauren felt an inexplicable connection to the figure depicted. The young woman's gaze seemed to penetrate the canvas, as if she were reaching out to Lauren from another time. "There's something about her," Lauren murmured, tilting her head slightly to get a better view. "I can't quite put my finger on it."

Margaret nodded, still captivated. "I know what you mean! It's like she has a story to tell."

Lauren stepped closer, her heart racing. The woman's expression held a depth of emotion that resonated with her, stirring up feelings she couldn't explain. It was as if this painting was a piece of her history, a fragment of a past life woven into the fabric of the artist's brushstrokes. The longer she looked, the stronger the connection became, pulling her deeper into the world of the painting.

"Isn't it amazing how art can evoke such feelings?" Margaret said, breaking Lauren's trance.

Lauren nodded slowly, still captivated by the artwork. "It really is," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's like the artist reached into my soul and pulled out something I didn't even know was there."

Then Lauren touched the painting, and a rush of memories from a past life flooded her mind, making her feel as if she was reliving that existence once more.

A few minutes later, Margaret turned to Lauren, concern flickering in her eyes. "Are you alright?" she asked gently.

Lauren blinked, as if coming back to the present, and nodded again, though her expression was still distant. "Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, her voice steadier now but still tinged with the remnants of her earlier reverie. "Just… a lot to take in."

Margaret studied her friend, sensing that there was more beneath the surface, but chose to give her space for the moment.

Margaret took a deep breath, trying to shake off her unease. After a moment of silence, she turned to Lauren with a soft smile. "Do you want to walk around some more?" she asked, hoping a change of scenery might help her friend gather her thoughts.

Lauren hesitated, glancing around as if weighing her options. The vibrant surroundings buzzed with life, but Lauren's gaze remained unfocused. Finally, she nodded slowly. "Yeah, I think that might help," she said, her voice gaining a hint of enthusiasm.

Margaret felt a spark of relief.

Margaret said to Cemre, "Are you ready to walk around?"

Cemre smiled, adjusting the strap of her bag. "Absolutely! I can't wait to explore and see what we find," she replied, her excitement matching the energy of the bustling surroundings.

The three friends continued to walk around, captivated by the Turkish artwork displays, each piece telling its own unique story amidst the lively atmosphere.

On the other side of the room, a mysterious woman observed Lauren with an air of intrigue. As she watched Lauren touch the painting, a flicker of recognition crossed her face. She witnessed the moment Lauren had memory flashbacks of a past life, her expression shifting from curiosity to something deeper.

"So, you are finally awakening, my dear sister," the woman whispered to herself, a mix of hope and trepidation in her voice. The journey ahead promised to be both enlightening and perilous, filled with secrets waiting to be uncovered.

Suddenly, the mystery woman spoke out loud, breaking the tension in the air. "You will not be doing it alone," she declared, her voice firm yet soothing. This declaration sent a ripple of anticipation through the room, as if the very walls were eager to reveal their long-held secrets.

Then another mystery person comes up right next to the mystery woman.

The second mystery person leaned in closer, their eyes glinting with intrigue. "Did it work?" they asked, their voice barely above a whisper, charged with urgency.

The mystery woman turned to face them, her expression a mix of confidence and determination. "Yes," she replied, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "The plan is set in motion, and the first step has been taken."

The mystery person's gaze intensified, excitement flickering in their eyes. "What's next?" they asked eagerly, leaning even closer as if the answer held the key to an unfolding adventure.

"The next step is crucial," she said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "We need to gather the others; only together can we unlock the true potential of what lies ahead and awaken my sister's memories completely."

The mystery person nodded, their expression full of determination. "Yes, my lady," they replied, their voice steady. "I will summon the others at once. Time is of the essence, and we must not lose this momentum."

The atmosphere crackled with energy as the two figures exchanged knowing glances, each aware of the weight of their words. The anticipation in the room thickened as everyone present awaited the unfolding of the secrets that lay ahead.

With a final nod, the mystery person stepped back, their presence almost tangible in the charged air. "We cannot afford any delays," they added, urgency lacing their tone. The lady's gaze remained fixed on the door, her thoughts racing with possibilities. As the tension reached its peak, the two figures shared one last glance—a silent agreement solidifying their resolve.

Then, as if summoned by the very energy of the moment, both of them disappeared from the room, leaving behind a lingering sense of expectation. The remaining individuals exchanged puzzled looks, the weight of their absence shining a light on what was to come. The air hummed with anticipation, as secrets hung just out of reach, waiting to be unveiled.