Page 6 of The Long Lost Omega

“Are you sure this is where you want me to drop you?” He asked, and I just nodded. I knew I didn’t look like I had enough camping supplies, but I didn’t need a tent. A blanket, some clothes, and some protein bars were all I really needed. That, and the peace and tranquility that the forest offered.

He dropped me off at the road leading up to the campsite. It was almost dusk, but I made my way up the trail and to an area where I saw plenty of other people who had their tents set up already. I was probably going to be the only person sleeping with no shelter above me, but that was all right. The weather was nice, and I had such great memories attached to this area that I could spend all night sleeping under the stars and all it would bring me was peace. I set my things down and walked about, retracing some of my steps from the last time I was here. The area looked the same as I remembered, with green pine trees, sloping hills, and the vast sky above. I sat down, spread out my blanket and thought about life. How it had been so far, and where I was headed. And I got caught up in my memories. Memories of my family, the things that happened to change the course of my life, and the few moments where I found reasons to go on.

As the night stretched on, I lay down on my back and reached for my necklace, rubbing the metal charm and thinking of my parents. They would want me to be happy, not living in the purgatory I’d been trudging through since they’d been gone. I remembered that one perfect day I’d spent with my friends, the boys who hadn’t judged me at all, who told me I was fun, interesting and supported me when I let my tears come through.

My eyes grew heavy and I curled onto my side, wishing that I could see them again now that we were grown. I was sure they would be just as kind as they were when we’d met. I wished to be somewhere new, where every day could be as amazing as that one so many summers ago, when I felt like I belonged. With a deep sigh and my mind swirling with memories, I drifted off.

Chapter 4

Safira

When the fresh morning breeze woke me, I felt somehow more energized and at peace than I had in years. I got up, my mood completely shifted from how it had been last night. I stretched my arms, looking around as I appreciated the beautiful morning surrounded by nature. I didn’t have a care in the world. My awful relatives could wait and stew in their misery for all I cared. I was going to enjoy my time out here. I stood up and brushed off my slept-in clothes. Since I didn’t bring much with me, I decided to just pack everything up and head to the shower area. But soon I realized the path I’d been on last night wasn’t there.

I stopped and looked around. The path and any semblance of a campground was gone, and all I could see was knee high wild grass. I looked around, my eyes searching the woods, and I couldn’t even see another camper. That was weird. I trudged along, wondering how I got so off course. But the area was sopeaceful that I didn’t mind going on a little hike. So off I went, breathing in deeply and preferring my current situation of being lost over dealing with my relatives back at their house. After a few minutes, I noticed something familiar. I seemed to be in the same area I'd seen before, back when I’d visited the campsite so many years ago. I kept hiking, and soon I saw the flat stone that I was sure I’d fallen asleep on back when I was just a kid.

I walked over to it, checking it out. It had to be the same one. I smiled to myself, remembering the moment three boys came barreling into the area and spent the day with me, building up my confidence and giving me reason to go on. Sitting down, I pulled out a water bottle and took a long drink as I looked out at the view. Suddenly I froze.

Sputtering water, I nearly dropped the bottle as I double checked what I was seeing. The town I was looking down at wasn’t Weatherby. It couldn’t be. The city I was looking down on was bigger, with brighter colors and a striking amount of gold detailing on the buildings. I stood, squinting as I looked more closely. If I was right, that meant I was close to the old airplane and the creek. I turned and jogged quickly, rushing through the trees and following the path from memory. Soon I heard the sound of water. As I approached the area, wading through the high grass, I saw it - the big creek that no one thought existed. It was here. And if my memory was correct, I knew how to get to the street with all the shops, the same street that I’d searched for so many times and never found.

It didn’t take as long as I remembered. Maybe because I was grown up now, and the excitement and adrenaline of being a child made everything in the forest seem so much bigger allthose years ago. But now it was barely a half hour before I was out of the woods and walking on the road that I saw in my memories so many times. Just as I predicted, the row of shops came into view. All these years I had insisted there was an old-school diner here, just outside the campsite, with retro style decor and a jukebox. I passed by the various buildings until I reached the end of the street and saw the pale pink and white decor of the diner as it came into sight. It was here. It existed this whole time.

I walked up, looking at it in awe. How was it possible that it didn’t show up on any maps? I pulled out my phone to mark my GPS location and find out where exactly I was so I’d never lose this place again. But when I looked at my phone, I had no service. That was weird. Either way, I’d found the mystery diner. Stepping inside, I looked around and was hit with the memories from when I was last here. I even saw the exact same seats the four of us had sat at when the boys bought me a milkshake and comforted me. A server turned to look at me.

“Can I get you something?” he asked, smiling as I slid onto one of the stools.

“A water, and the menu please.” I said, feeling elated, like everything was falling into place. He nodded and slid a cold glass over to me. “Hey, what’s this diner’s name? I’ve been searching for it for years.” I asked as he handed me a menu.

“Vintage Bites.” He replied, and I frowned.

“You aren’t listed anywhere on any map in Weatherby.” I said, and tried again to use my phone. “Do you have Wi-Fi here?” I asked, and he pointed at a sign for the passcode.

“Weatherby?” He said with a confused look.

“Yeah, we are still in Weatherby right? Unless I’m on the other side of the mountain somehow.” I said, trying to figure out how that would be possible. The server looked even more confused.

“Haven't heard of it. You’re in Haven.” He said, and I looked up after getting my phone connected. When I pulled up a map on my phone, it seemed to glitch. Nothing was working right. WherewasI? Suddenly I felt unexpectedly warm. I fanned myself, gulping down the glass of water.

“Are you alright? You’re looking a bit flushed.” The man said, eyeing me as I wiped my forehead.

“It’s just really hot in here all of a sudden.” I replied before feeling a wave of nausea hit me. Why did I feel so off? As I was sweating, a very sweet smell started to fill the air. “What is that?” I murmured, looking around. The other people in the diner started looking my way, a few of them sniffing the air and looking alarmed.

“Oh no, I think we need to get you some help.” A woman from one of the nearby booths observed as she approached me and took my arm. “Let’s get you outside.” she urged, assisting me off the seat. “Call an ambulance!” she instructed the server, who nodded in response, his eyes widening with concern. “Irecognize a presentation when I see one. My daughter looked the same way,” she murmured in a soothing tone as she guided me outside to sit on a bench. “Did you have any idea you’d be an omega?” she inquired, and I looked at her as I fanned myself with the menu.

“I’m sorry, what?” My voice was unsteady and I felt even hotter. The sweet smell was only growing stronger.

“Any omegas in your family? Or are you the first?” she asked slowly, holding my hand. “Don’t worry, we’ll get you somewhere safe. You’ll be fine.” Her words confused me.

“What’s going on? What do you mean? I don’t want to go anywhere!” I said with alarm as I stood up. Other people in the area looked over at me with unease.

“Calm down honey, do you need me to call anyone for you?” The woman asked as she waved someone over for help. A few people approached us, their faces changing as soon as they got within a few feet of me. A man stood in front of me, blocking me from sight of the rest of the people walking around in the shopping area.

“Listen, you need to sit down and try to stay calm. You’re presenting right now, and we don’t want to attract any unbonded alphas nearby.” His words were stern, although his face was sympathetic.

“Presenting what?” I cried, confused as my body started feeling weaker.

“You’re presenting as an omega!”

Chapter 5

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