Chapter 2:

  Regressor

  I was lost in a daze. Memories that were dreams, dreams that were memories. In the darkness, I saw her. That beautiful smile, that gorgeous hair. Soft like silk and smelling like flowers. She was a beauty unlike any other, yet who was she?

  I could feel my consciousness begin to return. The darkness beginning to fade, and in the distance, I heard a voice. It was gentle and sweet. Along with the voice, I could feel something. A hand touching my hair.

  "...It's gotten longer," a feminine voice, sweet like an angel whispered.

  As my eyes focused, I could see the woman I always saw in my dreams. She was holding the strands of my silver streak in her hand. Holding them delicately, as if they were the most precious thing in the world.

  "W-What do you mean?" I asked her, suddenly regaining my senses, "It's been like that forever..."

  "No...that's not what I should be saying." Why was I so calm? There was a stranger in my apartment. "Wait...apartment?" Looking around, I was indeed in my apartment. As I went to quickly get up, a firm hand pressed against my shoulder.

  "Don't move so suddenly," the woman spoke gently, yet with authority, "You passed out. Just take it easy."

  I couldn't take my eyes from her. "Is this a dream?" I wondered, thinking this could be nothing but a dream. After all, this woman only appeared in my dreams, right? "No...she's..." I winced, my head feeling like it was about to split open.

  "Ugh!" I winced in pain, holding my hand to my head.

  "This is why I told you to rex," she ughed lightly, though there was genuine concern and worry in her voice, "Here, take these, but drink slowly."

  "What-" I went to ask, but she gave me no time.

  "Shh, just take these."

  Pcing two pills in my hand, she produced a gss of water. She was so gentle as she helped me to sit up partially. Her hand on the back of my head lifting me up with such care as her other hand held the gss of water to my lips. For some reason, I trusted her.

  I didn't hesitate to take these weird pills, nor did I resist her touch. "Who the hell is she?" My memory fshed to before I passed out, and a name came to my lips.

  "Eliza...beth?" I whispered, looking at her with confusion.

  "Yes, my name is Elizabeth," She smiled kindly, "I'm gd you didn't forget it."

  She ughed lightly, taking the gss back and pcing it upon the small side table nearby. She looked around the apartment, almost with a sense of nostalgia upon her face.

  "Looks the same as always..." She whispered to herself, though my ears caught it, "Still only have three pairs of everything, huh?"

  "What...?" I inquired, feeling my entire body rex.

  Whatever pills she gave me, they were working incredibly well. My head was becoming a lot clearer, and all the aches in my body were disappearing.

  "Don't worry about it," She stated, looking towards me, "I know you wash them. Still, you should have more, just in case."

  "I can't afford more..." I found myself answering, though was a bit weirded out.

  There was such a sense of familiarity with this woman, yet I had never met her before, except in my dreams. Though the pills had worked wonders, I still felt my head spinning. It felt like I was going to throw up.

  "I apologize if I've surprised you," Elizabeth stated with genuine sympathy, "I know this is very sudden for you. You've never met me before, have you?"

  "I'm...not sure," I answered honestly, as even though I knew I never met her, I couldn't shake this feeling deep inside of me, "I think I'd remember someone like you, but-"

  "Your head is a bit fuzzy?" She asked abruptly, to which I nodded, widening my eyes in surprise at her deduction, "Yes, I suppose it would be."

  Turning her gaze from me, I glimpsed a bit of sorrow in her eyes. A sorrow she didn't want me to see. I felt something rising in me. A feeling that tore at my heart.

  "I shouldn't have come," She muttered, going to stand, "I should-"

  Immediately, my hand shot out to her. I was reminded of the test dream I had. That sad smile, filled with so much sorrow, fshed before me. I didn't want to see that.

  Before I knew it, I had her hand in mine, holding her back. Turning her head back, she looked down at our hands with a slight look of surprise. I immediately became flustered, both from her gaze and the feel of her hand. It was soft, yet strong.

  "Ah! I'm sorry, I'll-" Apologizing, I went to let go of her hand.

  Though, as I did, I felt hers close around mine. Turning around, she shook her head with a mischievous smile.

  "No, it's alright," She told me, her words somehow rexing, "Do you not want me to go?"

  She said this, almost teasingly. I suddenly felt bashful.

  "I...don't know," I answered, unsure, though as she sat back down next to me on the couch, I felt relieved, "I feel a bit strange right now. I hope it's not weird..."

  "No," she said, shaking her head softly, "You're not weird. I'm sure it's surprising. A random woman showing up on your doorstep, asking you to marry her."

  "Ah!" My face immediately turned warm as I remembered her proposal, "I had...forgotten about that."

  Laughing, she held her free hand up to her mouth so freely. I was captivated, gazing upon her as if an angel just descended from the heavens. Her ugh was so lighthearted and pure. I couldn't help but smile.

  "It's...nice hearing you ugh," I spoke without thought, much to my embarrassment, "I mean...Well, it's better than seeing you sad. I'll be honest. I don't know why, but you seem really familiar."

  I couldn't just tell her I had dreams about her. That would be weird.

  "Sad?" She inquired, seemingly concerned.

  "Yeah," I nodded, "I could see it in your eyes when you went to leave."

  "Ah, well..." Scratching her cheek in thought, she seemed quite anxious, yet I couldn't help but find her cute in this moment, "I am a bit nervous."

  "Don't be," I immediately told her, squeezing her hand as if it was a completely normal thing to do, despite just meeting her.

  It was then I realized I was still holding her hand. Yet, I didn't mind. I didn't want to let go. As if she agreed with that sentiment, her hand held mine more firmly.

  "Thank you," Elizabeth smiled, looking down happily.

  Honestly, this was all a bit strange. Why was I so comfortable around this woman? She was just in my home, and I was holding hands with her so casually. "Her...hand..." I couldn't escape the sensation of her hand, so much so that I found myself unconsciously running my thumb along the back of it, feeling her soft skin.

  "Oh? Do you like that?" Her words caught me off-guard, "Enjoying my hand that much?"

  She was suddenly leaning over me, holding the hand that held hers up to my face. She had such a sly expression, and under her gaze I found myself flustered once more.

  "I, uhm, s-sorry?" I couldn't believe how she was acting right now.

  "Don't be," She smiled mischievously, "If you want...you can touch other pces."

  She was leaning closer now, almost enough for me to feel her entire body against mine.

  "W-What?" I could smell the fragrance of her now, a soft flowery aroma, "Are you...always this bold with people?"

  Her smile softened, as if the tension she had been holding in her body was finally released. She rexed back, still holding my hand. Her touch upon it also became softer, tender as she began to trace circles along the back of it with her other hand. It felt...nice.

  "No," She said fondly, "Only with you, Lucas."

  Her words shot through my heart, and even if I was mad, I couldn't be after that. She had said my name again in that way. The way that you'd call to a lover you've known for years. That's when I began to piece things together. "Is this...real?" I wondered.

  It wasn't like I haven't read stories like this, but was it really happening to me? It would expin the strange dreams I had. It would expin the sense of familiarity with Elizabeth. The tenderness in which she treated me. "Well...only one way to find out..." Swallowing hard, I braced myself.

  If this was real, then what would that mean? It was a moment in my life that would change forever. There was something about this woman that drew me to her, and I didn't want to let her go.

  "Elizabeth..." I called to her quietly, apprehensive, "Can I...ask you a question?"

  "Of course," She replied immediately, turning her attention to me with a kind smile, "Ask anything you want."

  There was something in her eyes. The way she smiled, the way she looked at me. I didn't think I was anything great, yet if I was right, then perhaps at some point in time, I was something else. I wouldn't know unless I asked.

  "Are you...a regressor?" The question fell from my lips, unlocking something between us.

  Like a puzzle piece finally falling into pce, it fit perfectly, though like a puzzle, it changed everything upon completion. The entire picture coming into view.

  Elizabeth froze at the question, her gaze upon me held fast. I watched as her expression changed. There was a burning desire filling her eyes. Her smile turned, almost amused in a devilish way. However, it wasn't malicious.

  Bringing my hand up to her cheek, it was like a switch had been flipped in her. Holding my hand possessively against her cheek, I felt my heart quicken. In this moment, she looked absolutely terrifying in the best way. The expression she had could only be considered that of a Yandere.

  "Heh, you've always been smart," She stated with that obsessive smile, "Those stories you read, such a nerd. Yet, I love that about you. No matter how many times, you never change."

  As she looked upon me, I saw the look she held. I knew the dangers these types of people were, but in reality, I felt safer than I had ever felt in my entire life.

  "Yes, I am a regressor," She told me, pressing my hand closer to her face, "I won't let you go. Not this time."

  I knew better than to argue with her. Not that I wanted to. Maybe I was crazy, but in this world, what wasn't crazy? Monsters and magic. Gates that lead to other worlds. What logic was left in this world wasn't for me. I would take this opportunity, for it's what my heart told me to do.

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