Reincarnated Soul

Seven : New Beginnings

CASSANDRA'S POV...

--Two Months Later--

“What position are you applying for, Miss? Cassandra… Athanasia, you say?” Her voice is clipped, disinterested. She doesn’t even look at me, her attention fixed on the cash register like I’m an afterthought.

“Any position, ma’am. I can do anything you need me to,” I reply, desperation creeping into my voice.

“But I don’t have any background information about you—just your name. No resume, no references. For all I know, you might have a criminal record.”

“I don’t, ma’am. I swear, I’m not a bad perso—”

“I’m sorry. Try somewhere else. We don’t need you here.”

Another rejection. Another failure.

I take a deep breath and move on. I have to.

–

“Good day, sir. I was wondering if you might need a helper. I could—”

“Sorry, we’re not hiring. Try another shop,” he interrupts before I can finish, his tone curt.

“Okay, sir. Thank you.”

Fail. Again.

–

WANTED: JANITOR

I see the sign and cling to the sliver of hope it offers.

“Hello, ma’am. I saw your poster out front. Are you still hiring a janitor?” Maybe this time, just maybe.

“Oh… I’m so sorry, dear. I forgot to take that down. We already hired someone.”

My chest tightens. “But… is there any other position available? I’m willing to do anything.”

Her pitying smile cuts deeper than any insult. “I’m sorry. There’s nothing else.”

Fail.

Fail.

Fail.

–

I drag myself back to Dylan’s apartment, my head heavy, my heart heavier. The weight of failure sits with me as I collapse onto the worn couch, the air in the room thick with despair. I exhale slowly, the sigh trembling with the effort of holding it all in.

Three days. That’s all I have left before the landlord comes for the rent. Three days to find something, anything, to cling to. If I don’t… I’ll lose this place. The last tether I have to him.

“Why is it so hard to live this life…?” I whisper into the silence, my voice breaking as tears start to spill despite my best efforts to hold them back. “I wish you were here, Dylan.”

The apartment is suffocating in its familiarity. Every corner holds a memory of him. His laughter still echoes faintly in the walls; his scent lingers on the pillow I refuse to wash. Leaving this place would mean letting go of the last remnants of him, and I’m not ready. I’ll never be ready.

I miss him. Gosh, I miss him so much it hurts to breathe. His hugs, his kisses, the warmth of his touch… everything. It’s a dull ache that never leaves, a constant reminder of what I’ve lost. Of what I destroyed.

I glance at the picture perched on top of the tiny refrigerator, our first photo together. We’re in a Ferris wheel.

My fingers tremble as I reach for it. It was taken the day he brought me to the city, away from the only world I’d ever known—the magical forest that once felt like my entire universe. He showed me a life beyond the trees, full of dreams and possibilities.

Now, those dreams are ashes in my hands. And I can’t escape the truth: I’m the one who turned them to dust.

How foolish I was. How foolish to kill him.

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--Flashback--

“Dylan, what are you doing? I’m not allowed to go to the city.”

We stood at the edge of the magical forest, the world I had known my entire life fading behind me. Just a few steps ahead lay the city—a realm of mortals I’d only ever heard about in whispers. Crossing the borderline was forbidden. Only the vampire guards and soldiers were allowed beyond, tasked with gathering humans to sustain the kingdom’s needs.

But here I was, standing on the cusp of the unknown, my heart racing with a mix of fear and exhilaration.

“Do you trust me, Cassandra?” Dylan asked, his voice soft but steady. His gray eyes held mine, searching for an answer as his hands rested lightly on my shoulders.

I wanted to protest, to remind him of the rules, but the words wouldn’t come. This was Dylan. How could I ever say no to him?

“Yes,” I whispered. “I trust you with all my heart.”

“Then let’s go. I will never forsake you, Cassandra.”

The conviction in his voice melted my hesitation. Fear gave way to something warmer, something stronger. With him, I felt safe, as though no danger could touch me.

He took my hand, his grip firm yet gentle, and led me across the borderline. The air seemed different on the other side—lighter, crisper, filled with unfamiliar scents and sounds. I had done it. I had stepped into the unknown, following my heart.

“Come on, Cassandra,” Dylan said, his eyes alight with excitement. “I want to show you something.”

The joy on his face was contagious. I couldn’t help but smile as I followed him, his hand still clasped in mine. He looked so alive, his gray eyes sparkling and his smile brighter than the stars above the forest canopy. I was completely and hopelessly in love with him.

As we walked, the world unfolded before me. People bustled about, their laughter ringing through the streets. Children ran past, clutching colorful balloons, their giggles echoing like music. Vibrant tents stood on every corner, alive with light and movement.

“Wow,” I breathed, turning in circles to take it all in. The sights, the sounds, the energy—it was unlike anything I’d ever known.

Then my eyes fell on something extraordinary. A massive wheel loomed ahead, its cabs gently spinning high into the sky. People sat inside, suspended above the ground, their faces alight with wonder.

“What’s that?” I asked, stopping in my tracks. “How does it move? Do humans have powers too?”

Dylan chuckled softly. “No, humans don’t have powers. It’s a clever invention, that’s all.”

“Invention?” I repeated, the name as curious and enchanting as the object itself.

He nodded. “It’s part of a funfair. I wanted to bring you here because I knew you’d love it.”

Before he could say more, I threw my arms around him, my heart brimming with gratitude. He always knew how to make me feel special, how to show me a world beyond my wildest dreams.

“Thank you, Dylan,” I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion.

He leaned back just enough to meet my gaze, his expression soft and full of warmth. “I love you, Cassandra.”

Those words sent a flutter through my chest, light and overwhelming all at once. I wrapped my arms around him, holding him close, my heart brimming with joy.

“I love you too,” I murmured, my voice barely louder than the breeze around us.

I know this is a mistake, loving him, is forbidden. And here I am willing to take all the risk just to be with him.

His hands found my face, cradling it gently as if I were the most precious thing in the world. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

At that moment, I felt like the luckiest, happiest vampire alive.

“Let’s go!” he said suddenly, his enthusiasm lighting up his face. “Let’s ride the Ferris wheel!”

“What’s a Ferris wheel?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

He chuckled, pointing to the massive spinning structure I’d admired earlier. “That’s the big wheel over there—you were so fascinated by it.”

I couldn’t help but smile as he took my hand, guiding me toward the towering marvel.

So they call it a Ferris wheel! I thought to myself, amused by the peculiar name. What a funny, delightful thing it is!

As we approached, the size of it struck me once more. It stretched high into the sky, a gleaming wheel turning gracefully against the backdrop of the city. How could humans, so fragile compared to us, create something so grand?

We joined the line, and as we waited, I noticed something unsettling—women were staring at Dylan. Their eyes lingered on him far too long, their smiles far too admiring. My chest tightened.

Do they think they can steal my Dylan with just a glance?

I held his hands tightly, turning to face him. “Dylan,” I said, my voice a little louder than necessary, “you love me, right? Right?”

He blinked, startled by my sudden declaration. “Of course, Cassandra,” he said, his brow furrowing slightly. “I just told you that. Why are you asking again?”

I glanced back at the women who were still watching him, my lips pressing into a determined line. I wanted them to know. To hear it.

“Say it louder, Dylan. Say it so everyone can hear you!”

He tilted his head, a bemused smile creeping onto his face. “What’s gotten into you?” he asked, but he indulged me all the same.

“I love you, Cassandra,” he said clearly, his voice carrying over the gentle hum of the crowd. “Only you.”

Satisfied, I smiled triumphantly and squeezed his hands. Dylan, ever so clueless, just laughed and kissed my cheek, pulling me closer as the line moved forward.

“AGAIN, DYLAN? I CAN’T HEAR YOU!” I exclaimed, trying my best to suppress a grin.

“Why are you being like this, Cassandra? You’re acting so strange!” he said as he chuckled, clearly bewildered.

“DYLAN, JUST SAY WHO YOUR LOVE IS. SAY IT LOUD AND CLEAR!”

He sighed but smiled, shaking his head slightly. “YOU, CASSANDRA. I LOVE YOU. ONLY YOU.”

I beamed at him, planting a proud kiss on his cheek. “Very nice. I love you too,” I said sweetly, savoring the envious stares from the women nearby. Just as they were about to look away, I shot them a sharp glare, flashing a hint of my fangs. Their eyes widened in panic, and they scurried off like startled pigeons.

Cowards. Weaklings. Hmph.

Well, too bad for them. Dylan is mine.

“Oh, so that’s why you were being so loud, hmm?” Dylan finally pieced it together. His gaze shifted briefly toward the other women from afar, then back to me, a knowing smile lighting up his face. “Cassandra, let them look all they want. It doesn’t matter, because I already have the woman of my dreams—and that’s you.”

His words filled my heart with a warm glow, and I felt a flutter in my stomach. How did I ever get so lucky to have someone like him?

“I know,” I said softly, smiling at him. “I just wanted to make sure they know you’re off-limits.”

“Aww, you’re so adorable, my love!” he teased, pinching my cheek gently. It stung just a little, but I didn’t mind—it was Dylan, after all.

“Next in line, please!” a man called out, his voice rising above the cheerful noise of the funfair.

“It’s our turn, Cassandra. Let’s go!” Dylan said, his excitement contagious as he held my hand and guided me into the Ferris wheel cab.

Once we were seated, a man with a strange-looking contraption hanging from his neck approached us.

“I’ll take a picture of the two of you,” he said, lifting the device toward his face.

I blinked at him, confused. “Picture? What’s a picture?” I leaned closer to Dylan, feeling a little unsure about what was happening.

Dylan chuckled softly and squeezed my hand. “It’s alright, my love. He’s going to capture how we look right now and save it in that box he’s holding. It’s called a camera. Just look at it and smile, like this.”

He flashed his brilliant smile at the camera, his grip on my hand reassuring.

I tilted my head slightly, still puzzled. “It can… save how we look? Humans are amazing…” I muttered, glancing at the contraption again.

Dylan laughed gently and turned to me. “Come on, Cassandra, just smile. Trust me—you’ll love seeing it later.”

I took a deep breath and nodded. Copying Dylan’s expression, I turned toward the camera and let my lips curl into what I hoped was a charming smile.

“Perfect,” the man said, steadying the camera. “Alright, say cheese! In three…

two…

one…”

Click!

Flash!

I jumped slightly at the sudden burst of light and sound, my eyes widening. “It… it made a light! Did it work? Is it broken?” I looked at Dylan, my concern evident.

“It worked perfectly,” Dylan assured me, laughing as he brushed a strand of hair from my face. “That flash is just part of the process. I promise, you’ll see—it’ll look beautiful, just like you.”

Feeling a bit shy but also thrilled by the new experience, I leaned into him as the Ferris wheel began to move, lifting us higher into the sky.

---End of Flashback---

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I found myself crying even harder, the pain in my chest growing unbearable. It feels so surreal, as if it were just yesterday that he was here, by my side. But now… he’s gone.

The weight of his absence crushed me, and my heart ached so deeply I could barely catch my breath. Hugging our picture tightly to my chest, I closed my eyes, letting the tears flow freely. Day by day, the emptiness consumes me, a void that grief refuses to fill. I miss him so much it hurts in ways I can’t even describe.

With a shaky sigh, I wiped the tears from my face and tried to steady myself. Slowly, I stood up, clutching the frame, determined to put it back on top of the small refrigerator where it always sat.

But as I moved, I heard a sharp sound.

Cling.

The noise echoed in the stillness, jolting me out of my thoughts. My heart skipped a beat, and I froze, staring at the source of the sound.