Ep 2 : The Echo in the Ink

The journal lay open between them, its faded script glowing faintly under the library’s dim, amber light. Asher’s fingers trembled slightly as he traced the edge of the last sentence, still lingering in his mind:

“He doesn’t remember, but I do. Our love has been lost and found in every lifetime. This time, I will make sure it lasts.”

Ethan hadn’t moved from his place beside him. There was something careful in the way he watched Asher, like he was trying not to say too much—or perhaps deciding how much he could say at all.

“Do you believe in that?” Asher asked quietly, not looking up. “Reincarnation? Soulmates through time?”

Ethan’s voice came softly, almost thoughtfully. “I believe some connections run too deep to die. Time bends in strange ways for certain people.”

That answer shouldn’t have comforted Asher—but it did. He nodded, then turned back to the journal. “There’s more,” he whispered.

Entry – Undated

"I have seen the signs again. The bird at the window. The sound of music in an empty room. The pain in my chest when I pass the fountain where he once waited. It means he’s here. Somewhere in this life. I just have to find him before time steals him from me again."

Goosebumps prickled along Asher’s arms. He closed the book carefully, like any sudden motion might erase the words completely.

Ethan stepped closer, voice barely audible. “You feel like it’s about you, don’t you?”

“I know how it sounds,” Asher said, glancing at him. “But yeah. I don’t know why. I’ve never believed in any of this. But this—this feels different. Like déjà vu. Like I’ve read these words before.”

“Or written them,” Ethan murmured.

That comment landed heavy, drawing Asher’s gaze sharply to Ethan’s face. But Ethan only gave a soft, unreadable smile and turned away, walking toward one of the windows that overlooked the woods.

“I’m sorry,” Asher said after a pause. “I didn’t mean to be weird about this.”

“You’re not weird,” Ethan replied, looking out into the rain. “You’re just finally listening to something most people spend their whole lives trying to ignore.”

Asher hesitated, then stepped toward him, holding the journal to his chest. “Have you... ever read this before? You said you work in the archives.”

Ethan turned back, his eyes unreadable again. “No. But I think I’ve been waiting for someone who would.”

A silence stretched between them, comfortable and charged. The rain outside had slowed to a gentle patter. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Ethan said, “You know… there’s more to this library than just what’s visible. If you want, I can show you some of the restricted sections. There might be more journals like this. Or… answers.”

Asher swallowed. The sensible part of him told him to leave, to write it all off as coincidence or imagination. But the other part—the deeper, intuitive part—knew better.

He looked down at the journal, then up at Ethan.

“I want to know more.”

Ethan smiled, this time softer. Real.

“Then follow me.”

And just like that, the old floor creaked under their steps as Ethan led Asher through a hidden corridor behind the archives. The journey deeper into the library—and into the echoes of past lives—had begun.

......................

( To be continued)

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