Chapter 1: The Ghost of Myself
Luca sat on the old park bench, the same one he had occupied nearly every afternoon for the last few years. His eyes wandered to the empty spot next to him, the place where Elias used to sit, legs crossed, sketchbook in hand. It had been a year since Elias’ passing, yet every part of Luca’s life still revolved around him. The memory of his lover’s laugh, his smile, his touch—all haunted him, lingering like a soft echo he could never truly reach.
Time had not healed the wound. Instead, Luca found himself sinking further into the past, reliving the moments they had shared. What he would give for one more chance—to say the things left unsaid, to hold Elias one last time.
As if drawn by a magnetic force, Luca returned to the apartment they had shared. It felt smaller without Elias’ presence, the once-warm space now heavy with the weight of loneliness. But that night, as he lay in their bed, his fingers brushing the spot where Elias had once slept, something extraordinary happened.
His vision blurred, his body felt weightless, and then suddenly, he wasn’t lying in his cold, empty bed anymore.
He was standing in the middle of their apartment, and there, sitting on the couch, was Elias—alive, smiling, sketching. The light from the sunset poured through the window, casting a golden hue on his soft brown curls.
Luca’s heart pounded. Was this a dream?
“Elias…” he whispered.
Elias didn’t hear him. It was as though Luca was a ghost in his own past.
Chapter 2: A Glimpse of the Past
Luca quickly realized he hadn’t traveled back in time—at least, not in the way he had hoped. He couldn’t interact with anything or anyone. It was as though he was a mere observer in the memories he had lived before. This was the day they had first moved in together. Luca could remember every detail—the smell of fresh paint, the sound of Elias humming as he unpacked boxes.
But as much as he wanted to stay, basking in the warmth of this beautiful memory, Luca felt himself being pulled away. The scene blurred again, and when his vision cleared, he was back in the present, lying in bed, his heart racing.
The next night, it happened again. He was taken to another moment with Elias—this time, a rainy afternoon where they had spent hours talking about their dreams, their fears, their love for one another.
Every night, Luca would slip back into another memory. At first, he welcomed it. It was a reprieve from the unbearable pain of the present. But as the days turned into weeks, he began to question the purpose of these journeys. Was he being given a second chance? Or was this some cruel reminder of what he had lost?
Chapter 3: The Door Left Unopened
One evening, Luca found himself in one of the most intimate moments of his life. It was the day Elias had confessed his love—under the stars, their hands entwined, the world fading into the background as they promised themselves to each other.
Luca watched from the shadows, unable to intervene, but he was captivated by the memory. He could see the hesitation in Elias’ eyes before he said those words. If only Luca had known how little time they would have together.
He tried to step forward, to reach out and touch Elias, but his hand passed right through, like reaching for smoke. Luca’s frustration grew. If he could change something, anything, maybe Elias wouldn’t have died in that accident. Maybe they could have had more time.
But no matter how much Luca wished for it, he was bound by the rules of these memories. He could only watch, helpless.
Chapter 4: A Conversation with the Past
One night, as Luca drifted back to another memory, something unexpected happened. This time, when he arrived in the memory, something felt different. Elias was there, as always, but this time, as Luca stood silently in the corner, Elias suddenly turned his head—directly at him.
“Luca?” Elias asked, his voice soft and uncertain.
Luca’s heart stopped. Elias…could see him?
“Elias…” Luca stepped forward, unsure of what was happening. “How… how can you see me?”
Elias smiled, a bittersweet expression crossing his face. “I’ve always felt you near me, even now.”
Tears filled Luca’s eyes. “I’ve been trying to change things, Elias. To go back and fix it all. But I can’t. I lost you.”
Elias stood up, walking toward him, and though Luca had thought it impossible, Elias reached out and cupped Luca’s cheek in his hand. “You haven’t lost me, Luca. I’m always here. But you can’t live in these memories forever.”
“I don’t want to leave,” Luca choked. “I don’t want to let you go.”
Elias pressed his forehead against Luca’s. “I know. But I need you to keep living, Luca. To find love, to find happiness again.”
“How can I? You were my everything.”
“I still am. But there’s more waiting for you. You have to open your heart again.”
Luca’s tears fell freely now. The warmth of Elias’ hand on his face was fading, and he knew what was coming. “Will I ever see you again?”
Elias smiled through his own tears. “In every sunset, in every moment of love you feel. I’ll always be with you.”
Chapter 5: Moving Forward
The next morning, Luca woke up in his bed, the weight of Elias’ words still heavy in his heart. For the first time since the accident, the apartment felt less empty. It was as if Elias had truly been there, guiding him back toward the light.
Luca didn’t visit the memories that night or the next. Slowly, he began to rebuild his life, carrying Elias with him in his heart but not bound to the past. He still missed him every day, but now, when he sat on that old park bench, he didn’t focus on the empty space beside him.
Instead, he let the memories of Elias bring him peace, knowing that their love had transcended time itself.
And maybe, just maybe, someday he would find love again. Just as Elias had wanted.
But until then, he had the memories to keep him warm.
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