Rebirth: Love me Again

[EVE]

The cold in Germany was bone-chilling, seeping through layers of clothing and biting into my skin.

Yet despite the frigid air outside, the heat between Cole and me had been undeniable just moments ago, the car's fogged-up windows a testament to our earlier . . . mysteries.

But all of that warmth dissipated the moment we arrived at our destination. My initial excitement, the flicker of hope that had carried me through the long drive, shattered like fragile glass as I took in the sight before me.

What once might have been a vibrant place was now a field of devastation—nothing but ruins and rubble scattered across the snowy landscape. No walls remained standing, no roofs to offer shelter. Only fragments of stone, charred wood, and the skeletal remains of dead trees stood as a grim reminder of what had once been.

It was haunting. Silent. As if the very air held its breath in mourning.

I wrapped my arms around myself, not just for warmth, but for comfort. The emptiness of the place gnawed at something deep inside me. If there had been gravestones dotting the area, it would have looked like a forgotten graveyard blanketed in white.

I was grateful Cole was with me in this moment. Without his warmth and comforting presence, I might have been overwhelmed by the weight of despair and helplessness.

"The fire left this place barren for years," the guide said quietly, her voice low as though afraid to disturb the lingering ghosts. "It's been abandoned ever since. They say children's souls wander here . . . the ones who couldn't escape the flames."

Her words sent a chill down my spine, but I kept silent, listening intently as she continued. Cole, however, leaned forward, his expression serious as he asked, "Were there any survivors? Staff, relatives . . . anyone?"

The guide hesitated, her breath visible in the cold air as she exhaled slowly. "Unfortunately, no one made it out alive. The fire spread too quickly, and the building materials weren't up to standard. Worst of all . . ." She paused, glancing at both of us before continuing with a note of sorrow in her voice, "The main doorway opened inward. In their panic, they pushed against it, trapping themselves inside. No one could get out. By the time help arrived, it was too late. All that remained were ashes."

A heavy silence fell over us, the weight of her words sinking in. I glanced at Cole, and though he didn't say anything, I could see the tension in his jaw, the way his fists clenched at his sides. He always tried to keep his emotions in check, but moments like this revealed what lay beneath the surface—his empathy, his sorrow for me.

He reached out, sliding his hand into mine. He didn't look at me right away, but his fingers tightened around mine, grounding us both in the present.

His warmth, combined with the steady grip of his hand intertwined with mine, gave me the strength to face this grim reality without breaking down completely. It was as if his touch silently assured me that, even in moments of despair, I wasn't alone.
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After our somber visit to the ruins of the orphanage, we found ourselves at a small village pub, seeking some warmth and solace over lunch. The air between us had grown heavy, filled with unspoken emotions, the weight of the past lingering over my head like a dark cloud.

The quiet stretched through most of our meal until, at last, Cole broke the silence. His thumb gently brushed over my knuckles as he squeezed my hand in his, his voice low and steady.

"Don't worry, Eve," he said, his eyes locking onto mine with a resolve that sent warmth straight to my heart. "The orphanage isn't our only hope. It might take time, effort, and a lot of money, but we'll search every hospital, every record, every possible place. We will find your family. I promise you—I won't stop until we do. So don't carry this burden alone, alright?"

His words wrapped around me like a protective shield, offering comfort I hadn't realized I needed. My lips curved into a small, grateful smile, even though the ache in my chest hadn't fully subsided. "Thank you, Cole. I don't know what I would do without you . . . I'm just glad you're here with me."

His expression softened, but the familiar mischievous glint still flickered in his eyes as he smirked. "Wherever you go, I'll always be there with you." He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. "That's a promise, Eve. You're not getting rid of me, even if you try."

I couldn't help but laugh quietly, the sound lightening the tension that hung between us. Cole's presence wasn't just reassuring—it was grounding. It was as though he became my anchor in this storm of uncertainty, refusing to let me drift too far into the darkness.

For a brief moment, it didn't matter how lost I felt or how daunting the search ahead seemed. With him by my side, I knew I could face whatever lay ahead.

The ride back to the hotel was quiet, a soothing lull as the weariness of the day caught up with me. I drifted off to sleep almost instantly, cradled in the safety of Cole's arms.

Wrapped in his warmth, it felt as though no harm in the world could reach me. There was no place safer—no comfort greater—than by his side.

When we finally arrived, dusk had painted the sky in shades of purple and orange. The cold air nipped at my skin, pulling me from my hazy thoughts. I absentmindedly mulled over my next steps, the weight of disappointment settling heavily on my shoulders.

Deep down, I had known that nothing substantial would be left at the ruins. The reports from the investigators I hired had been clear.

Still, I had needed to see it with my own eyes, to confront the lingering hope that had stubbornly clung to me. Only now did I realize how much I had been holding on to something already lost.