Vague memories form in Maria’s head as her eyes met Jacob’s. It swirled around… blurry images, clear ones… then quickly blurred her eyesight… and clearer images popped up.. happy times.. sad times.. her death…

What are these images… what is this feeling?

Maria was confused… really confused.. Jacob.. was also feeling weird. These feelings, attacking each other. His renewed feelings for Maria and his current feelings with Othello. Was it even the same Maria he had known? How these feelings contradicted each other.. canceling each other out…

Othello felt the tension in the air… how she was being excluded in a universe she herself cannot enter… she slowly backed away… and stepped on a twig.

Snap!

Maria and Jacob’s attention turned towards the noise but all they found was a tree branch… they stared at each other again and memories flowed from Jacob into Maria… clear pictures popping into her head…