Prologue

3 years later…

Thunder rumbled loudly far off in the distance as the heavy rain continued to pour down in sheets, drenching the large town, which once stood beautiful and the sun shining brightly upon it. Now, barely anyone stood outside in the horrendous weather, except those few who were quickly gathering into their homes or shops for dry shelter.

Off to the side of the town, away from most of the homes, stood a small, coffee shop, practically deserted. Only one car and a large van were parked in the gravel lot of the shop facing a large window on the side. Inside the warm, but tiny, store, sat a beautiful woman with long, auburn hair…hair that still looked slightly damp after being outside for a bit that day. A long, brown overcoat covered the woman's thin, attractive figure, as a sad frown played on her face and her once happy brown eyes now miserable. Sitting before her at the vinyl booth sat a steaming cup of black coffee and a biscuit. Not one of them touched…

Glancing around the room and at the other two customers seated at separate tables, the young-looking woman let out a heavy sigh as she moved her eyes to the pealing ceiling, forbidding herself to allow the hot tears she was holding back to fall. Not now. Not there. After all, what was there to cry about? She was certain that everything would work out for good and this whole incident was just a misunderstanding or just a one-time ordeal.

It has to be, she thought desperately to herself as she looked sadly out the window, watching the windy downpour turn to hail, the tree branches coming loose and scattering amongst the sidewalk and road, while leaves scattered every whichaway. All of this HAS to be a misunderstanding…the Father wouldn't let this happen and not warn me about it!

Turning her gaze back to the smooth booth she sat at, the sad-looking woman absentmindedly twirled her coffee cup around on the table, fingering the handle as she did so. Staring into the dark, hot liquid of her drink, her mind traveled back in time to a different time…

A different place…

Different people…

And her two very best friends whom she had been separated from for three years now. A very long three years that seemed almost like 20!  If only they were here with me now…maybe if they were here, I wouldn't have to go through this alone. Not stopping her tears from falling now, they trickled down her cream-colored skin and fell with a splash into her coffee cup.

Letting a sniffle escape from her, the woman sharply shook her auburn head as she reached for her wallet and slammed down a five-dollar bill. I can't take it anymore, she thought miserably, standing quickly to her feet and wrapping her hood around her still-wet hair.  I can't just sit here…you can't do this to yourself! They promised you that you'd see them again…they're probably so busy with their own duties and I can't let what's happening now get to me so much! I have no proof that there's any REAL danger…

Trying her hardest to push her worries and fears and longing for her friends aside for the time being, the woman walked as fast as her feet would allow to the small door of the shop, zipping her jacket up as she walked.

Quickly pushing the door open, the bell jingling loudly, a huge rush of wind and rain attacked from all directions, nearly knocking the young lady off her feet. Tightening her overcoat around her body, she jammed her bare hands into the warm pockets and forced herself to walk forward to the sidewalk.

Teary, brown eyes facing the wet gravel she walked on, the woman ignored the crosswalk sign beside her completely and set off to the street, her mind on anything but being cautious and the horrific weather. But, suddenly, as she continued walking, head still down, a loud screech of tires so close to her ear nearly broke her out of the thoughts she was thinking. Loud sounds coming closer and closer as the seconds passed, the woman slightly lifted her head, her eyes taking in a large truck coming at her at full speed…

But, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, a strong pair of hands shoved her to the side…just as the crazy truck sped right past the spot where the woman was once standing only seconds ago…

Feeling herself thrown to the nearby soft, wet patch of grass on the sidewalk, the woman's heart pounded loudly in her ears as she let out a frightened cry. Her wet form sprawled onto the soft grass; a shocked gasp escaped her mouth, her brown eyes still not facing her rescuer.

"Oh my gosh…oh my gosh…what just happened there…Oh, Father God…"

Her beautiful, Irish-sounding voice cracking with emotion and fear at what had just occurred—and what could have happened—the lady's eyes filled with more tears as her body shook on the ground.

Her eyes still riveted away from the one beside her, the sound of his voice all of a sudden caught her attention. A male voice that was forever gentle, loving and kind…a voice that she would know anywhere…

"Monica??"

The sound of her name bringing her completely out of her thoughts of what had happened, Monica brought her wet, brown eyes up and stared straight into the face she had known for so very long…

A face that she hadn't seen for three years…someone whom the last time she had seen him was that gorgeous, starry night as he disappeared with Rose at his side…the green eyes still loving, concerned and friendly and filled with tears of his own at having at last seen her after so long…

Hesitantly reaching a hand up to the soft cheek in front of her, Monica stroked the skin of her friend, making sure he was very real, before she finally found her choked up voice again.

"Andrew??"