NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Chapter Seven - Fear and Truth
Why can't I do that?! Honestly, if Liliya weren't my best friend for the past ten years, I'd be seriously jealous of her magic. Yes, I'm 14 now, and Tatko still refuses to let me learn the Travelers' magic, which I find unfair.
If I could use it, I wouldn't have to fear Klaus anymore. All I'd need to do is become a passenger in someone else's body and POOF—no more Petrova doppelgänger. But how am I supposed to explain to Tatko that I want to become a Traveler because some ancient, psychotic vampire—who, by my calculations, is currently about… let's see, since we're in 1487, and he was 23 in 1001—509 years old—is after my blood to break his curse?
Yeah, I can't exactly picture myself saying that without being shipped straight to an asylum.
I only have three years left before my life completely spirals out of control. And yet, the closer I get to that deadline, the more my fears grow, and the more Liliya worries about me…
She's the only one who's noticed my tired eyes, my lack of enthusiasm, and my increasingly frequent anxiety attacks. But how am I supposed to stay calm when my entire world could collapse at any moment?!
In those moments of panic, I wish I could confide in someone. And by 'someone,' I mostly mean my family or Liliya. But how on earth am I supposed to tell them that I remember my past life—one that took place in the 21st century, five centuries into the future—and that, in that past life, they were fictional characters in an American TV show?!
They'd think I'm crazy, and honestly, I wouldn't blame them! Seriously, if someone came up to me and claimed they were from a parallel world, I'd personally escort them to get professional help…
"Katerina! Katerina! Hey, Katerina!" Liliya's voice snapped me out of my thoughts as she shook me like an apple tree.
Great... I zoned out again. I turned my gaze toward her, meeting her worried brown eyes. And to think the whole reason we're at the lake today is so I can reassure her! I'm really out of line here.
"Sorry, Liliya, I was lost in my thoughts..."
"Yeah, I noticed! You've been staring into space for almost ten minutes without saying a word! Katerina, please, tell me what's wrong... The more time passes, the more distant you become, and you're constantly lost in thought. Please, talk to me! Tell me what's going on... I'm begging you," She pleaded.
I feel awful for causing her so much worry. Liliya is my best friend, and yet I'm hiding a huge secret from her—a secret that's eating me alive. I wish I could tell her everything, right here, right now. I wish I could warn her about the danger that's looming closer and closer. I wish I could confide in her... just her, at least!
"Liliya, you know I love you as much as Natalia. I see you as my twin and believe me, I want to tell you what's going on... But I'm terrified you'll think I'm crazy..." I began hesitantly.
What did I just say?! I'm completely insane; that much is obvious! Why did I say that?! What am I supposed to say next? Maybe if I start laughing right now, she'll think it's a joke...
"Katerina! Look at me! I would never, ever think you're crazy, okay? You're like a sister to me, Katerina... Please, trust me?"
This is so unfair! She can't just hit me with something like that out of nowhere! Not when I've been lying to her for ten years! Not when I planned to keep lying... Liliya Dragonov, you're truly formidable!
"Fine, you win! But don't forget—you're the one who insisted I tell you, okay?"
She nodded seriously, her posture as rigid as a steel rod. She's been pestering me about my state for so long now... but is she ready to learn the truth about me?
Still, I owe her that much. I don't want to lie to her anymore! I don't want to keep hiding this part of myself and my past from her! Even if revealing it could ruin everything... Even if it might destroy me.
I can't even begin to imagine how she'll react.
Will she think I'm crazy? Laugh and walk away? Spread the story to the other village kids? Or, worst of all, ask me never to come near her again? None of these possibilities bring me any comfort. I'm terrified... I could lose my only real and true friend.
If I lose her friendship, there's no doubt—I won't recover. I need her. I need Liliya. And if she pushes me away, then I might as well head straight to England and offer myself to Klaus as a sacrifice.
I can't live without Liliya. I can't live a life like Katherine's.
No. I refuse to become like her.
Okay, Katerina, now's the time. The time to finally let it all out. To finally be whole with at least one person in this world.
"Liliya... I know what I'm about to tell you might sound completely insane, but please, don't interrupt me! If you do, I won't be able to go on..."
"It's that serious?" Liliya asked, her tension increasing as her shoulders seemed to lock in place.
"Liliya, I'm begging you, promise me! Please..."
"Alright! Katerina, I promise I won't interrupt you, not even once! I'm listening now!"
I took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as if it could somehow give me the courage I needed.
"What I'm about to tell you is going to sound completely far-fetched, but I can't keep lying to you or hiding things from you anymore. I..."
My heart raced like a drum in my chest. Cold sweat trickled down my back, my palms were clammy, and my legs trembled so much they might as well have been playing castanets.
She'll never believe me. She'll think I've lost my mind. She'll walk away and never want to see me again...
"I... I remember my past life!" I blurted out all at once.
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