Author: L. M. Montes

The warmth of his breath calmed her racing heart. Seconds ago the urge to flee gripped her, but now… “I don’t even know your name.”

“How can you not? We’ve known each other for years.”

“If that were true, I would know your name,” said Sandra, her back still to him. “And back up. You’re crowding me.”

He took three steps backward then reached his hand out. “Please, I mean you no harm. And my name is Terrance.”

The name stabbed her mind in familiarity, but she couldn’t place it. Was it true? Is she really Julie as he states? But that’s impossible. She swung around, took in his face, and gasped. A flood of memories pouring through her mind’s eye paraded one after the other. She blinked a few times and her breathing grew shallow.

Terrance saw the recognition stream across her face with a hint of pain. Something didn’t add up. Maybe she really hadn’t remembered being Julie. If that were the case, that means she didn’t run away, at least on purpose. A wave of remorse for his prior treatment of her when he first arrived assailed him, and he withdrew his outstretched hand, letting it hang at his side. “I am sorry, my love. Clearly something happened you are not aware of. Please, do tell me, what is happening inside that beautiful mind of yours at this moment.”

“I-I don’t know. I’m confused. The moment I turned around and looked at you, pictures of the two of us together flooded my head. Yet…yet I swear I was born as Sandra. I have memories of being a child and being called Sandra. How long ago did Julie leave you?”

“A week ago.”

“Then I can’t be her. Can I?” Then, for the first time, she noticed what Terrance wore. The first two buttons of his white shirt sat undone. His dark brown tailcoat created a broad-shouldered effect. “Wait, where are you from? Or what time are you from?”

“1845. I have been following your “tracks” so to speak through time. I was led here.”

“I’m twenty-three and have been in this time period all off my life. I swear to you. Then again, why am I having all of these memories?”

“Has anything strange happened to you over the years? Maybe the memories you’re having of this life growing up are the false one’s.”

“Why are you so sure I am Julie?” asked Sandra.

“Because you look just like her. Even down to your mannerisms. The way you hold your hand out and inspect the back of it and the way you latch onto a small amount of your beautiful locks of dark brown hair and play with the tips. It’s all her…or you, I mean.”

Sandra sighed and sat on the edge of her bed. “Leave me be.”

“I can’t and won’t do that. Now that I found you I am not letting you out of my sight. Let’s at least talk about the memories that flooded your mind moments ago.” He took two steps towards her, placed a gentle hand under her chin, and tugged it upwards to look him in the eyes. “Please.” In that moment a niggling of fear glinted within her eyes. “What? What is it? Tell me.”

She lifted her head out of the palm of his hand and focused on her hands clutched in her lap. “The Shadow Shifter.”

“Who?”

“He calls himself the Shadow Shifter. From a recurring nightmare I have had for years. Almost every night for the last seven years I have been haunted by him.”

(To Be Continued)

The aroma of fresh brewed coffee tapped my senses, as Sandra lay on the hotel mattress fit for a queen. The morning sunlight took the stage as it protruded through the beige chiffon curtains. She lifted one eyelid. The room sat in a dim light waiting for the sun to make its complete appearance. The scent of coffee wafted across her nose again. Mmm, so inviting. Wait. Coffee? She never made coffee, nor did she set it up on a timer. She sat bolt upright and glanced about. No one else was present.

The bathroom. She grasped the edge of the blanket, drew it back, then stepped out of bed. The feeling someone or something stood behind her overwhelmed her imagination, but that’s all it was…imagination, nothing else. At least she hoped that’s all it was. She didn’t look back, not wanting to feed into fear, so she pressed forward toward the bathroom to check it out. When she got to the door, she took a deep breath and let it out slow then shot around the corner to surprise whoever stood there. But the empty bathroom stared back. Of course, there was the tub which sat behind the door and across from the mirror above the sink, but the shower curtain was pulled back, so an empty tub reflected in the mirror.

She turned back toward the bed then jumped back a few feet at the sight of man standing by the window. She should have looked behind her when that eerie sensation prompted. His dark blond hair green eyed combination should have had a calming effect but it didn’t. Nor did he wear a pleasant expression. Instead he glared and his nostrils flared.

“Julie,” said the man an even tone.

Her chest heaved with every breath. The door to escape sat mere feet to the rear. She froze. “H-how did you get in here?”

“You ran, you little imp.”

Now fear and confusion set in. She had no idea what this man was talking about. “What? I don’t know you.”

“You know me well enough. You ran away from me. I told you I would give you everything, and you run?”

Sandra shook her head and creased her brows. “What planet are you from? You’re crazy. I don’t know you. I am from Port’s Cove, Oregon. And my name is Sandra, not Julie.”

The man walked toward her, so she turned, ran the last few feet to the door to escape and opened it mere inches before he was upon her slamming it shut. He didn’t move but remained behind me. His chest pressed against my back. His hand placed itself on my right shoulder.

“Julie, please don’t run,” his now gentle voice whispered in her ear.

(To Be Continued)