Freya stood in the rain as it whipped down like crystal nails, and streaky lightning emblazoned the sky. The brine hissed, lashing his face. With the constant water making its way in her eyes, she felt a fever in her eyes.

She looked at the steady patter of rain upon the window, a few droplets were yet to scatter the nascent rays of rising sun. The sound brought a calmness to mind, a soothing melody, and a natural lullaby. She closed her eyes for a second to digest what had happen in the last twenty four hours.

She realized she was in love with Barry.

She also lost Barry.

She could walk to her house which was fifteen minutes away but instead, she stood like a pole in the middle of the forest – not sure how to feel.

This universe makes introductions for lovers that are destined to do great things together, to make life better for others rather than simply for themselves. Yet the introductions can take time, can be staggered over weeks, months or years. In this time the pain of separation acts as a focusing lens, to give each one time to see the purity of their love, to be sure that there can be only one lover for their lifetime,” She thought to herself, “Otherwise, upon their start the dark force would sew paranoias and replay the pains of their past to separate them. Yet after the terrible pain of the first separations, after the clarity it brought each of them, they become one unit of two souls, free and united by their own choice. This way the positive force of the universe, love, wins. That easy road other couples appear to travel on, it leads only to mediocrity... this one is the path walked by the greatest lovers in history.”

The raindrops gently caressed her cheeks as they made their way down her jaw and finally dropped to the ground.

The painful love comes in two varieties, the good and the bad. For there can be pain in separation from your true love. Yet when it is good the separation builds you both stronger as individuals and as a couple, as partners in all you do.

For in these moments of pain is the truth of what you are to one another. Such separation can be the golden ticket to realizing that you are soulmates, the forever person of one another.

“Were you the one?” She whispered to no one in particular.

Embodied with light fog, chilly atmosphere, scent of rain and mud mixed together, fresh and blossomed flowers, the Island was different.

It took her too long to realize she was in love with Barry but she wasn’t sure how far she can go to prove it. She can’t leave the Island –it was impossible. She lived her entire life here but with Barry…

She felt different – she felt herself. Freya didn’t know he could play such a huge part in her life in such short time but here she was.

Love is a quiet emotion that in time became a part of the oxygen she needed to breathe, and so though you may feel not sure that it's there, any form of removal and the emotions begin to choke.

Freya turned around as she heard leaves shuffle behind her. A figure appeared under the rain. Her heart beat against her chest as the person came closer. The fog was too heavy to make out who was it but she couldn’t wait no more,

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“Barry?” She said loud enough to be heard over the rain,

“Sorry to disappoint.” Eden appeared, sheltering his face from the rain.

“Oh,” much to her disappointment, Freya smiled, “What are you doing here?” She asked.

“I was just walking by and I saw you standing here – alone, and in the rain so I thought something might be up… everything alright?” Eden smiled, making Freya smile a little too.

“Yep, never been better.” She lied.

“Where’s the – um, that guy?” Eden looked around,

“Barry?” Freya asked and he nodded, “Um, we parted ways.” She cleared her throat.

Eden’s confused face was visible but Freya avoided to look at it. She couldn’t answer his questions – she barely knew the answers herself.

“Parted ways? You know he could be dead right now?”

Freya turned to look at Eden for a second. Her heart dropped as she realized, “He couldn’t fight for shit…” She whispered to herself, “Fuck,”

“Yep, there it is. Now, where did you leave that poor guy?” Eden asked,

Freya contemplated telling him the entire story.

“Freya,” Eden said, “What happened?”

She took a deep breath and touched her temple, “I’m not even sure what happened. I’m as confused as anyone her,” She chuckled and looked away, “I’ve been on this Island for – for my entire life. I don’t even know what I am without this Island,”

“What’s stopping you from exploring?” Eden smiled,

“You don’t know the rules like I do, Eden,” Freya shook her head exhausted, “I’m a part of the Island.”

Eden looked at her for a second. Freya had her hands tied on her chest and her eyes were swollen – it was clear she had cried.

“Okay, tell me honestly. If you don’t try it – if you don’t try your luck, try your experience with love – will you regret?”

Freya looked at him dumbfounded,

“As such, until separation, the loving and empathic partner is in pain, most often confused as to why this love hurts and feeling that love is difficult. Their pain comes because they aren’t loved, they are consumed by the other. At some deep level they realize that if they stop the endless one-sided giving and support they will be abandoned, yet if they continue then in a few decades hence or sooner, emotional exhaustion will set in and threaten their mental and physical health,” He continued, “So, ask yourself, is your pain the good kind or the one you need to find the escape hatch for? Be honest. Your life depends on it.”

Freya took a deep breath.

“You’re crying,” Eden declared, smiling.

“No, I’m not…” Freya touched her face only to realize, she is indeed crying, “Oh god…”

Eden laughed, “It’s alright! You’re in love, Freya. It’s a beautiful feeling!”

“It is but it hurts so much.”

“Then turn it around! Make it stop hurting. Only you can do it, Freya.” Eden hugged her.

Freya hugged him back and took a deep breath.

“I’m not sure if I’m strong enough to make a huge step.” Freya said in all honesty.

“Freya,” Eden looked at her, “Love itself is so strong enough that you won’t have to do anything. Just trust love – that’s all.”

“So, what you’re saying is that…”

Eden shook his head, “I’m saying, fuck everything and go find your love!”