*Y/N's P. O. V. *

With every step I make in this forest, my memories come back to me bit by bit. Right now, I don't know how to feel - happy that I'm starting to remember?, sad that something that horrible happened to me?, angry because of what those people did?, or guilty since someone sacrificed themself to save me? - all of these emotions are working together to overwhelm me. I just want to smile, to cry, to scream...

"Where are you? Where are you?" I murmured to myself between my sobs as I keep on running. I'm absolutely sure that I'm lost now, but I didn't care. I won't stop until I see him...wherever that is. All I know is it must be so deep within this place considering the fact that the authorities still haven't found him after all these years.

The guilt is currently killing me. This happened because of me...why did he prioritize me? Why didn't I do something about it? If only I have gotten back to him immediately, maybe I could have saved him. But now, I'm too late...so late.

I continued running until my legs give out, making stumble, fall and roll on this forest ground. I was a complete mess. I couldn't stop crying, my head is aching, my legs have gone numb and I couldn't breathe anymore. Everything suddenly just came crashing down on me and I don't have any idea how to handle it. My mental health isn't helping too. I'm still not in the perfect condition to experience this and now I'm just falling apart.

I fell and rolled on a slope for a few seconds, almost screaming as I felt my right ankle twist. Finally, I reached the flat ground again and I pushed myself to stand, but my body is now rejecting me...now I'm just lying on the ground while hurt, being a mess and breaking down.

"Patrick, where are you?..." I whimpered to myself while I'm staring right at the night sky. It's stupid of me to go here alone, it's stupid of me to do this while breaking down... I don't know why I keep on making these bad decisions.

"Looking for me?" Out of nowhere, there he was beside me. It's like he just popped out of nowhere. He's even smiling calmly at me, not even bothered with my current condition.

I immediately get up and winced because of my broken ankle and I finally saw him give a reaction, "Hey, careful," he stablized me and slowly and gently placed me against a tree so I can lean against it.

Honestly, by now, I'm just speechless and stuck staring at him. I know this isn't real. I know I'm just losing my mind, but do I care? No. I'm just happy that I'm able to see him again.

"Don't go," I gripped on the sleeve of his shirt like a child. My lips were quivering as I keep on shaking my head no, pleading him to stay.

"I'm so glad you found me, Y/N," he wasn't acknowledging my words. Of course, he can't..., "I've been waiting," he added and I just pulled him closer to me, hugging him as I cry.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I caused this, I'm sorry I wasn't able to save you. I'm sorry," I murmured again and again.

"I feel no regret, Y/N. The best thing you could do is live for me," he answered me calmly, I could even hear and feel his warm smile.

I know this is just a fragment of my imagination or maybe even just a piece of me deep inside that aims to help me get over this shock, but it's just so good to hear this with his voice. I closed my eyes and tightened my hug to him, feeling his warmth which is quickly fading, "I promise...we'll always be alone together." that was the last thing I heard before the loud silence overwhelmed me again.

I slowly opened my eyes finding myself alone while leaning against a tree. There was no sign of anyone being near me, that just shows that all that just happened inside my head. I pushed myself to calm down, wiping all my tears off. Somehow, his voice managed to stabalized me.

I began to look around and the moment I got a good look around my sorrounding, I finally spotted the place. It was straight across me, maybe 20 steps away from me but I'm seeing him...what remains of him.

I found him.

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*2nd Person View*

The momemt your mom saw the scattered papers inside the house, she knew those files already triggered your memories. You were nowhere to be found, the car was missing too, so she immediately called for help from the officers. Fortunately, she prepared for this and placed a tracker on your phone. She's really determined not to lose you again and her decision proves to be useful, most especially now.

She, the other officers and Patricia, the woman who asked for your help headed to your spot. It was so deep in the woods and the officers can already tell that you may have found the person they've been searching all these years.

"Y/N!! Sweetie, please answer me if you can hear me," she shouted. She's worried, but also showing determination.

"Y/N!" the others joined in calling you and soon enough you began to hear them.

You were still at an emotional shock state, but you know you have to call out to them.

"Y/N, dear, answer me," you heard your mom.

"M-Mom...I'm here!" you tried your best to shout and luckily, that was enough to get their attention.

"She's there!"

They all pointed their flashlight towards you and headed down the slope. Your mom was the first one to reach you, immediately burrying you against her chest, "Oh, Y/N. A-are you okay? Have you..." she asked.

"I-I'm okay and I remember everything now," you're finding yourself tearing up again, "I found him..." you pointed forward which made them all look towards that direction and that was the last bit you saw before losing your consciousness.

~~~Time Skip~~~

It's been two days after everything that had happened. Somehow, you managed to pull yourself together after that night. That little moment with him inside your head helped a lot. Your mom and the officers was a big help too. And now, it's time to really put this to rest.

You and your mom drove towards the funeral homes. You were quite nervous to go but of course, you're not letting that to stop you.

"I'm so proud of you, Y/N...for being so brave. And I'm sorry for doubting you...I'm sorry for saying that he isn't ---

"I know, mom, don't worry. I understand and I'm not mad. I'm just happy that you're with me." you hugged her before you both climbed out of the car.

You proceeded to the designated area where his family is. There were not many people, maybe these are only close relatives. You tried to focus on just going straight to his mom and you did just that. She was sitting beside the closed casket. She wasn't crying, in fact, she looked really calm.

"Y/N, oh Y/N, I'm glad you're okay now," she saw you and immediately hugged you.

You were frozen there. You couldn't get the guilt out of your system. You pushed myself to move and slowly hug back, "I'm so sorry. They must have filled you in with every information I told the officers. I'm sorry I couldn't do anything and ----

"Shhh, darling, there's nothing to be sorry for. Patrick would really do that in a heartbeat and I'm so so proud of him and I'm sure he's proud of what he did too. Y/N, you survived, I'm sure he's happy. That's what he want and you should be happy too. There's no need for guilt and because of every information you have given, the case will finally permanently closed," she explained.

She has his type of kindness and brightness. Now you know where he got the personality. You stayed beside her and expected cries, but instead, you both proceeded to talk calmly about Patrick. His mom described him and told stories and soon you found yourself smiling. It's like every guilt is being lifted now.

All you know now is that you're eternally greatful for what he did...and holding on to the promise of being alone together, you know he's always gonna be there beside you. And whether, real or not...you'd be willing to spend time with him in a heartbeat.

~~~Four Years Later~~~

*Y/N's P. O. V. *

I managed to pick myself up again. I'm now living a better life, I'm not closed out to the world anymore and I've decided to leave the small silent town and be out here to explore, but of course...I'm not going to forget where I came from.

I'm currently on a vacation break and I decided to visit the old town where I met this Patrick at a bookstore. I know it hasn't been that long, but being back here is still enough to bring me nostalgia. I immediately headed to the bookstore. The sun is about to set, just the perfect time to be here.

I walked inside and found out that the storekeeper has let his granddaughter to keep an eye on the place. She warmly welcomed me and as usual, the place is still empty...but again, this is just perfect.

I headed to that spot...going around the backdoor which is shockingly still easy to break into. I excitedly walked up to the rooftop and take in the place, just really glad to be back here again.

...

"I thought you won't come back," finally, I heard him.

I looked back and saw him casually standing there, smiling at me.

"Come on, you really think I'd forget...again?" I told him with a chuckle.

Truth be told, I'm not completely fixed. But I know that I can't be and that's fine. What happened in the past permanently broke some part of me, and I can't do anything about that now.

This. Seeing him. Being able to talk to him helps me get by. I know it's just me, I know somehow it's unhealthy, but I'm always looking forward for this.

I'll always look forward to this whether its only in my head.

But then again...

Yes, it may be happening inside my head, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?

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If you know that last (slightly modified) quote. I LOVE YOU.
Yeeeey. Thanks for the support guys.
Love y'all!!!!