• And as though it held every secret to the world, I continue the tragic story.

    A narrative part? Okay then. Her mother as a child had the same dress. Sweet and simple.

    Dramatic you ask? Ah yes.
    Bea held the silk woven dress tightly in her hands. The smooth material was warm against her dry hands. Her heart was breaking. She had to do something to this. She clutched the dress in her hands, and put it to her heart. I can't. It would break his heart.
    Isaac watched as Bea touched the dress gently, her hands gliding over the material despite their dryness. She held it tighter, tighter still. She put it to her heart and closed her eyes. It looked as though she was pained.Did I do something wrong?
    Bea looked up. Isaac looked worried, as though something was wrong with himself. "Thank you. This is a beautiful gift. But..." Bea smiled in a twisted, pained way. "I just can't accept this gift. I'm not worth the trouble... besides.." And she could hold on no longer. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and hugged her first found love and friend. "I'm so, so sorry Isaac.."
    "For what?" Isaac's voice trembled.
    "For all the pain I'm about to set."
    "Huh?!"
    She looked to the side, continuous streams falling from her eyes. Tying a string to the dress after wrapping it into a ball, she faced Isaac. "Do you want to keep it?"
    He nodded silently, and held his hand out. She dropped the ball of silk, with a single tear left. "Go on without me, Isaac. Your dad is most likely worried."
    Bea ran off into the distance, no words to be spoken.
    Isaac collapsed, not knowing what to do. "BEA!!!" he screamed. "BEA!!!!!!" He fell on his knees, pounding the ground. Looking up, she was still running, and had left a trail of tears. "What... did I do...?! Bea.... wha-...really... BEAAA!!!!!"
    All the pain inflicted. And she knew this was coming.
    I'm sorry, Isaac... I can't go back.. You will know soon...
    Her heart ached. No, their hearts ached.
    He walked home slowly, tears still coming. The crisp autumn wind whipped his light brown hair around. He opened the door to his home, and found that his father was asleep, his face wet. On the coffee table, was a rose, two envelopes, and a carnation. Bea's favorite flowers. He ran to the table, and slid across the carpet. He picked up the envelope with a rose on it, and tears burst until he was unstable. He clutched a heart locket with a photo of him and Bea, and Never Forget written on the other side. Crumpled next to it was a letter.
    To Isaac Dela Cruz, my one and only.

    When I first met you at the age of about 8(?), I was a little afraid. But my heart skipped a beat, and I knew something would happen.
    It was a beautiful change. I could shower everyday, and had the luxury of three meals a day, even a wide variety of clothing. When you and your dad took me in, I thought,     "What are these people like?" They were thoughtful and kind, and sweet. I fell in love with my stepbrother, Isaac Dela Cruz. I was proud to be a Dela Cruz. It was as though we were married.
    Remember the shadow you saw? I know what it is. And thus the reason I had to leave. I remember who he is. He is the one, who chased my family for centuries, and burned my own families house down. He slaughtered them with a knife with the flames licking at him every second because he wanted a clean job. He followed me still, all the way to your home. I don't wish to disturb your peace. And I want you to find peace of mind with out worrying about me. Don't be sad. If I die, I will watch over you. If I live, I will come for you Isaac. I promise. Please. This is my last wish, and is transparent. Clear. Never forget me. I will be in your life no matter what.

    Love, your sister and yours always,
    Beatriz Dela Cruz.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    An Epilogue

    Bea sent at least four letters a year while on the go. It included pictures with kind strangers so he knew how she looked. Everyone was smiling because they could tell she was a kind girl. They gave her food and a home, a different one each night. It was like a story she grew up knowing. Eventually the letters stopped coming. One by one, they got shorter and shorter, and Bea grew skinnier each time.
    Isaac kept her last and final wish to him. Remember her always. They had both grown so much. Bea, who could not seem to find a pair of scissors anywhere, had her long silky black hair grown to below her waist. Her hair was ragged, and her clothes messed. They were different every time, and each time, she was still beautiful to Isaac's eyes.
    Isaac sent a photo of him to each return address hoping Bea would find one. She found all of them. His dark brown eyes shone with hope in each photo. His beautiful light brown hair was the same, and just a little more smooth. It still covered his eyes, but he was all Bea knew in reality. He sent some Care Packages filled with water to the addresses just in case.
    When they stopped coming, he was worried. Until he found a video in her room. At the age of 21, he returned.
    It had Bea.
    "Isaac! Man, you've probably grown a lot! But its okay that your in my room." Her young face of 11 grinned widely, still in her uniform, and holding the exact same dress she gave back. "Its beautiful, isn't it? The shop owner let me hold it and try it on. Hold on a sec." Exasperated, Isaac watched as she put down the camera, and went into a change room. She came out wearing the dress, and spun around. "Beautiful, right? Yeah well, I have to leave soon. I love you Isaac. I hope you haven't forgotten me after about my 10 year mark. After all, this is the first place I'd go to. In fact..."
    "Turn around."
    Bea, rags and all, stood in front of her old bedroom doors.
    "I promised you I'd come back. And you didn't see that wish yourself. It was clear. Clear to your heart and mine. And here I am."

    "A Promise is a Promise, no matter what."