Even Winter Was Warmer Than You
I think I've meet you before
Library, lights dim, storm outside. Elira’s alone, reorganizing shelves. She senses someone behind her.
Elira
You move quietly.
It’s annoying.
Aaryan
I Thought silence was your thing.
Elira
Silence doesn’t usually wear thousand-dollar shoes and stare like it’s trying to rewrite my DNA.
Aaryan
You noticed the shoes?
Elira
I notice everything I can’t afford.
Aaryan
You notice me, too.
Elira
Don’t confuse curiosity with interest.
Aaryan
And don’t confuse fear with instinct.
Sometimes they look the same—until you step closer.
Elira
Why are you really here?
Aaryan
Because there’s something about you that doesn’t fit the world around you.
And I’ve spent years learning to spot cracks in the pattern.
Elira
You sound like you’re hunting me.
Aaryan
No.
I think I’m remembering you.
Elira
We’ve never met before.
He steps forward. Holds out something small—a photograph. It’s old. Faded. Torn at the edge.
Aaryan
Yes.
From thirteen years ago.
Elira
But… you’re in this picture too.
Aaryan
I know.
And I have no memory of taking it.
She stares at the photo, heart racing.
Elira
That doesn’t make sense.
Aaryan
No.
But neither do the scars on your wrist that aren’t listed in your hospital records.
Or the books you remember reading that don’t exist in this version of the library.
Aaryan
Something’s wrong with time around you.
And maybe… around us.
He steps even closer now. Voice quieter.
Aaryan
Don’t dream, Elira. Never have.
But last night, I saw you.
Not here. Not now.
You were running barefoot across a rooftop.
You looked back at me and said,
“Don’t forget me this time.”
Elira
That’s the same dream I’ve had since I was ten.
Silence. Her breath catches.
Aaryan
So either we’re losing our minds…
Or we’ve met before—somewhere time keeps trying to erase.
The lights flicker. A cold rush of wind sweeps through the room.
A book falls off the shelf behind them.
Elira turns to pick it up—
Elira
It’s blank…
She flips it open. One line burned into the center page:
"Second chances come with a price."
Aaryan
We need to leave.
Now.
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