"Jareth," I called out one more time and moved closer. I couldn't help it, I placed a hand on his injured arm and rubbed. 

Soon a simple comforting rub, turned into gentle caresses. 

Something about touching him made me feel his pain, yes pain... Wait a minute pain! My mind traveled fast and far to my dream. I felt pain, more than enough and once again, I zoned out.

The more I thought about pain, the more I felt drawn to my memory. Wait... 

Memory? Yes, it seemed so, but I had no recollection of such ever happening. I wanted to know more, I searched my memory deep and far, but when I pried for more, it was a dead end, like a white thick mist or fog. 

I couldn't see beyond that. I have always had glitches in my memory, I didn't k ow why but now I could guess why and be right. I got too emotional and used my powers, making Aunt Nerissa wipe any trace in my memory where I had used my powers. 

Something about wanting to know the unknown, made me venture in. Soon I saw something like a pa.s.sage, no a road. I couldn't see the end, but it felt like it spoke to me. It was calling me. 

I was eager to see what was at the end of the road and so, I began walking along the path. Suddenly I heard a call, from someone. The voice was faint, I could barely hear what the voice was saying. 

I strained my ears to hear, but still nothing. I brushed it off and took two steps forward. I heard the sound again. 

"What is going on? Who are you?" I shouted the last part. 

"Astrid!" It was still faint but this time I could make out what the voice said. 

"How did you know my name? Why are you calling me? What do you want?" I asked back. 

Suddenly, from the path I walked, towards the end, I could hear another voice. They sounded similar, it called my name. 

"Astrid! Come to me... "

Ohh the voice was so majestic, so soothing. I ignored the earlier one and took three steps this time. 

"Come and let me show you what was taken," the voice said again. 

My curiosity was piqued at this point.  I desperately wanted to go. The previous voice came again, more panicked than before. 

I could sense the fear, and that seemed to have drawn my consciousness with the voice closer. And the voice came louder this time. 

"Astrid, pay no heed to the voice, do not move further. Come back or you'll be too far gone."

Why was this voice panicked, it should be serene like the other one. Perhaps I should ignore it, I need peace of mind. 

"Astrid!" The voice called again. 

Wait, it sounds familiar, where have I heard it before? 

"Astrid!"

Different images, fights and times when my name has been called, suddenly flashed before my eyes. 

White-Fire! 

'Where am I? Where are you?"

I turned and looked frantically and I felt myself  come back to me. 

I blinked, the first thing I saw was his eyes, peering right into mine. Neither of us moved or blinked. With our faces so close to each other, I could feel his warm breath on my face.

Suddenly, I felt the urge to bite down on my lower lips, but felt something warm and soft on my lips. 

My brows furrowed a bit, what was on my lips? My gaze went down and that was when I noticed where the warmth came from... His lips. 

Instinctively, I pulled away and he moved back. 

What was about to happen? He was about to kiss me... 

My face began to heat up at the thought. Why did I open my eyes then and pull away? I was blus.h.i.+ng none stop. 

I looked away, I didn't know what was going through his mind, but this was awkward right now. 

Our movements seemed to have awakened White-Fire, because the next thing I know, she sprang up from where she lay and hurried to where I sat. 

**Author's POV**

Astrid was still in a daze about what happened. When White-Fire finally rushed forward. 

"Astrid! Astrid! Astrid!" She called out to her in her mind. 

Turning her head, she gazed up at the big beast. "What is it? Why are you so panicked?"

As she peered deep into White-Fire's eyes, she could feel the worry and anxiety. 

That was when it dawned on her. What really did happen? She was going too far in her thoughts, luckily White-Fire saved her. 

"Don't scare me like that again," White-Fire finally spoke with a warning. 

My lips curved into a smile as I looked at her. "I'm sorry. I didn't know what happened," Astrid apologized. 

"One time I was talking to Jareth and the next, I was moving down a path till I heard your voice. That's when I noticed something was wrong."

"We would have lost you to your mental demons."

"What?" Astrid panicked. "How come, mental what? This has never happened White-Fire."

"Shh, calm down child. It's okay now. Something might have triggered it. You may have tapped into a painful forgotten memory. Anyways, you are safe for now. Let's hope it doesn't repeat itself."

"For now?"

"Hmm! Take a walk, don't go too far. Let the morning breeze cool your head. Connect with your powers and feel refreshed. After some minutes return, let's figure this out."

"Okay. Thank you for saving me back then, White-Fire."

"Rather than thank me, why not worry about your stupefied boyfriend. What is wrong with him? His face seems hot for some reason. Wait... What did you two do?"

"Huh! Why are you looking at me like that? We... I didn't do anything," Astrid said, she waved her hands and shook her head in denial. 

"Whatever you say. Now go take that walk."

"Okay, okay, okay. I'm going."

She got up and straightened her gown. 

"Astrid!"

"Yes?"

"And try not to think too far, please."

She nodded and without saying anything to Jareth, she left.

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