Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter 1: the beginning of the end

I knew you in all realities.

I loved you in all lifetimes.

I lost you every single time.

Their gazes met under the moonlight. Not today. Not in this century. But many, many years ago. They met in a beautiful night, by the sea. The summer wind gently ignited their love. A love which transcended time and space. All cosmic laws will be broken for their paths to be crossed again and again.

Their child, a product of their true love – was lost and alone. A pure love towards their child led them each and every time into this nightmare town. It was written in destiny – every path led to here. All their life choices didn’t matter. Their future was set in stone.

The visions were clear now. Everything made sense. The dreams, the hallucinations, the children, the voices. It all made perfect sense. Now that they found each other again.

Yet… Why did Jade feel so lost? Why did he feel like he was missing an important puzzle piece? A key to the door which opened all the secrets. He was missing something. Something which felt so important, but he couldn’t remember it.

“I was Miranda and Jade was Cristopher.” Tabitha’s words rang in Jade’s head as he took another shot of his whiskey. The burning sensation cleared his senses but numbed his emotions. The perfect formula for a broken man.

He couldn’t think anymore today. He had a bad headache. His heart was beating fast.

What was he forgetting?

The afternoon was slowly disappearing, the evening was getting near. Through the dirty windows of the bar, he watched snowflakes gracefully falling down. They had no care whatsoever.

“Are you not trapped here as well, huh?” Jade confronted the snowflakes. “If you evaporate, do you go somewhere else or are you cursed to always come back to this damned town?” Questioning them, he sighed, resting his head on his hands.

A familiar voice appeared behind him. “Are you now talking to snow as well?” It was Tom, his lovely bartender-ghost who loved to act as his consciousness.

Jade didn’t bother turning around to face him. There was no reason. He was just a product of his imagination after all. “Have you never heard of knocking, huh? Making people aware of your presence first before speaking? You could have scared me, you know.”

“Oh, sorry. Next time I’ll send you a letter a day in advance.”

A slight smile snuck up on Jade. He poured some more whiskey into the glass. “You would never believe me what happened today… Or you would. Since your presence is created by my own lunatic mind, you probably have access to all of my thoughts as well.”

The voice now got closer. “Hey, don’t minimize me. I’m not just a fraction of your imagination. I’m here.”

Jade scoffed. “I’m pretty sure you’re not, buddy. You died, remember?”

A sudden wave of fear struck Jade’s body. His whole body froze in pure shock and panic.

“Are you sure about that, b u d d y?” Tom’s voice sounded demonic, completely different than the one of his late friend.

Jade felt someone breathing on his neck.

He jumped out of his chair, turning around.

No one was there.

“Wha-what? What the fuck just happened?” Jade gasped, trying to slow down his breathing. It seemed this place wasn’t done with messing with his head. It’s as if it was saying: We know what you did, and we’re real mad about it. “Well, fuck you then!” He yelled at no one in particular and hurriedly put on his jacket, heading outside.

He was contemplating going back to Kenny's house and calling it a night or going to Tabitha's to discuss what happened. He hasn't seen her since the woods, when she ran off and Jim followed her. At that moment, Jade had no energy left in him to run after them. He was mesmerized by the euphoria of realizing the truth. 

Anghkooey. Remember. 

And he remembered all right. That's what caused him the headache in the first place. 

He stood outside the bar for some time. Feeling the cold breeze on his face and hands. It brought him some clearance. A peace of mind. 

Jade decided not to visit Tabitha right now. She probably needed space. Hell, he needed it too. It was all a lot to take in. Besides, he had no idea what to tell her. What do you tell someone you've known for a hundred years but met them just a few weeks ago? A question he never thought would ask. 

Just when he started heading home, someone bumped into him. “Hey! Watch it-“ Jade exclaimed, but then looked down to see Julie’s face in distress. “Julie? What are you-?”

She looked a little bit strange. As if she was a little older than she was this morning. Her hair was also much shorter and darker. “Where'd you find a hairdresser?” Jade remarked.

Then he noticed a scar on her cheek.

Before he could ask her anything about it, she broke down in tears and hugged him. “Oh my God. Everything’s wrong. Everything’s screwed.” Julie started sobbing into his chest.

“Hey, it’s okay.” He awkwardly patted her head. “What happened to you? What’s the matter?”

“I don’t have much time left.” She cried. “Ethan was right. I can’t change the story. There’s nothing I can do. But, please you have to listen to me.” Julie pulled away from his arms and took a step back. “Everyone is in danger. There’s a man in yellow. I think- I think he's their boss. He killed dad. Please, don’t let anything happen to mom or Ethan. Or… Me.” Her eyes were full of tears but her voice was firm. “I have to go now.”

Julie disappeared in front of him, in a blink of an eye.

Jade stood there, unable to say a word or move. He would have thought he hallucinated again, but his jacket was still wet from her tears. What happened was real. That was Julie right now, not some kind of vision. It was her.

He just didn’t know where she came from…

Or when?

His headache just got so much worse. 

Chapter Text

It's strange how your whole world changes in a matter of seconds. When everything you once knew was real now seems like an illusion. When you know too much, you start questioning regular things. Like, is this table real? Am I? Are my hands really mine? 

A mind cluttered with different thoughts, memories and feelings. Shadows of people who Tabitha once was crept inside her mind. It was all too much for her right now. Her brain felt cluttered like an unorganized office crowded with too many employees.  

But she couldn't run away now. There was nowhere to run to. She had to be brave and face the reality. 

Tabitha was sitting at the table, nervously biting her lower lip. She sighed deeply, releasing the stress built up in her chest. “Kids, your father and I have something to tell you.”

Jim was standing above her, with a hand firmly resting on her shoulder – reassuring her.

She glanced up at him and he smiled at her, nodding his head. Go on, his gaze encouraged.

Julie, slouched in the chair - furrowed her brows. “What’s happening? You guys are worrying us.”

Ethan didn’t say a word, he was looking down silently staring at the table.

“Today while you guys were in the Diner-“ Tabitha started, trying to calmly explain the situation to her kids as best as possible. They needed to know. She couldn’t keep this as a secret. She was sick and tired of secrets and mysteries. “- Dad, Jade and I went to the forest back to the faraway tree. We…” She scanned over their expressions, both Julie and Ethan had their curious eyes fixated on her now. “We figured out what the numbers meant. It was a song. A melody.”

Tabitha sighed again, preparing herself to continue the explanation.

Jim’s grip on her shoulder tightened so much that it started to hurt her. She looked at him confused and shrugged his hand off.

“Jade played the melody with his violin, next to the tree. Those children I keep having visions of… They approached us. That’s when I  realized-“

Julie and Ethan both had their eyes widened completely, sitting on the edge of their seats.

“I know that this is going to sound crazy, but this is one hundred percent the truth.” Tabitha informed.

Julie laughed under her breath. “Hey, mom, don’t worry. We’ve seen enough crazy stuff out here. We believe you, whatever it is. Right, Ethan?” She looked over to her little brother.

Ethan just nodded, without moving his gaze away from his mom.

“Yeah, I know.” Tabitha smiled with understanding. “At that moment, surrounded by those children – Jade and I realized we were here before. Suddenly, I had all these memories come over me. I… I remembered of my past. My past lives. I was Miranda and Jade was Cristopher, many years ago. We were also here originally… Even before Victor was here. I know that, because – one of those children was ours. That’s why I had those visions. Those dreams.”

There. She said it. She said the craziest thing ever to her children. Was she a bad mother to expose her kids to such strange and harrowing concepts? Even if she was, they needed to know the truth. She can’t protect them if she keeps them in the dark about what’s happening. Knowledge will protect them.

“Wow.” Julie blurted. “I-I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t need to say anything. I understand how hard this must be for you guys to hear. Just know that we are in this together. We are a family. We will figure this out together.” She smiled, assuringly, feeling tears forming in her eyes.  

“Yeah.” Julie nodded, standing up. She went over to Tabitha and gave her a warm hug. “I love you.”

Tabitha let the tears fall stream down her face. “I love you too, honey.” She looked over at Ethan, who was now staring at Jim. “Come here, my love. Let me hug you.”

But Ethan didn’t look at her. “Dad, why aren’t you saying anything?” He questioned.

Tabitha and Julie glanced up at Jim, who was standing there in silence. “I’m just as confused as you guys. But listen to your mom, she knows what’s best. After all, she knows the root of the tree.“

The tension of the room was abruptly broken by a loud knock on the door.

“Who could it be? It’s almost evening.” Tabitha asked, confused as she stood up from the table.

Jim extended his arm, stopping Tabitha from taking a step forward. “I’ll see who it is.” Without another word, he went to the hallway.  

Tabitha shrugged and approached Ethan in order to hug him. “You okay, sweetheart?” She gently patted his hair. “We’re here for you whatever you need. We love you so much.”

“Mom, is dad acting kind of weird?” Julie whispered out her question.

Tabitha thought for a second. “All of this must be a lot to him, honey. Let’s give him some time.”

“I don’t know, he’s being kind of… Strange.” Julie commented.

Soon enough, Jim returned into the kitchen with somebody by his side.

“Jade?” Tabitha looked at his face. It seemed so kind and… Familiar. Suddenly, she felt so much safer. Her shoulders relaxed, the stress was gone. “What are you doing here?”

Jade was fidgeting his feet, staring at Jim like he’s seen him for the first time ever. “Hmm, so Jim’s here. Interesting. Makes complete sense, sure.” He then took a few steps forward, now inspecting Julie’s face. “Long hair, huh. Ever thought about getting a haircut?” Jade mused.

“What’s wrong, Jade?” Tabitha didn’t understand why he was acting like that all of a sudden. “Did something happen?”

“Yes, Jade?” Jim repeated the question, staring intently at the man. “Did something happen?”

Jade shot him a glare back. “Did something happen? Sure, numerous things did. Do I understand them? No. Will I? Also probably not. But I'll try my damn best to do so.“ His eyes met Tabitha’s. She felt a strange tingle in her chest. “It seems I crashed your family meeting. Sorry about that.”

Tabitha tried to respond, but was cut off by Jim whose tone has gotten harsh. “You should head home. It’s late.”

Jade raised his eyebrows at him, before walking over to the window. “It’s too late now, you mean? I came over just in time before the sun completely set. Look, pitch black.” He knocked on the glass. It was indeed evening now. “Seems like I have to stay the night here. I’ll take the couch.”

Jim didn't look pleased with that. 

Jade scratched his head, looking around himself. “So, what’s for dinner?”

Chapter Text

Jade knew something wasn’t right.

He went mad once, when he was Cristopher – he kept having long, meaningful discussions with the Ventriloquist doll. He should have known from the start that Christopher was him all along. That type of crazy is really characteristic for him. Actually, deep inside it’s like he knew from the beginning. It’s just that he – well – forgot.

His mind was bustling and burbling, it was soon probably going to explode. But Jade welcomed that feeling. He was begging for answers for such a long time, and now he had them – they were within him all this time. Hell, he was the answer.

The man he thought had all the answers was him. The truth was so close, just barely out of his reach and this place better be damn sure that he was gonna figure it out.

Whatever you throw at me you, cursed town: I’ll prevail. And if I die in this life, I’ll reincarnate again and again. I’ll have a million more names if that means I can burn this place down at least  once.

“Jade, we need to talk in private.” Tabitha’s voice whispered while everyone was sitting at the table, eating dinner. Her voice calmed him down, grounded him in the midst of all this insanity.

He only nodded.

The tension in the kitchen was so great that it could have been cut with a knife.

Julie and Ethan were pale as if they’ve seen a ghost, clearly in shock and confusion. Tabitha’s words of encouragement could only do so much for their already fragile psyche.

Yet, Jade’s eyes stayed fixated on who he once knew was Jim.

Jim’s demeanor has completely changed. There was something animalistic in his eyes, something – evil. It seemed the kids also picked up on it, they kept glancing at him with fear in their eyes.

It seemed there was an imposter in the house.

Still, they ate dinner as if nothing’s wrong. Maybe, it was a coping mechanism. Maybe, it was a smart tactic. But it did give Jade enough time to clear his mind and think of a plan.

His gaze met with Tabitha’s. Her brown eyes stared at him with a gentle worry.

Jade mouthed these words to her, without making a single sound:

That’s not Jim.

Tabitha’s eyes widened in shock and confusion. She shook her head, looking at her husband.

C’mon, Tabitha. Trust me. Jade thought, running out of patience.

“I… I have to go to the bathroom.” Jade broke the silence. “Tabitha, could you show me where it is?”

Tabitha seemed reluctant. “Sure, follow me.”

They both stood up from the table. Jade looked over at ‘Jim’ and sheepishly smiled at him: “We’ll be right back.”

When they closed the door of the kitchen behind them, Tabitha whispered angrily at him: “What is it with you? That’s not Jim? Really? Why are you throwing around these crazy accusations?”

Jade took her by the hand and quickly led her away from the kitchen so that they can talk normally.

With her warm hand in his, he had a sudden flashback from a distant memory. He smelled roses and the fresh scent of rain. She was in a long, yellow dress. They were so happy.

He quickly shook his head. He had no time for that now. He had to deal with this hellish situation right now.

“Tabitha, listen to me. Please, don’t talk and listen.” He begged.

She straightened her back, sighed deeply and nodded. “Okay.”

“I know. I know that everything feels crazy right now because it is. But, everyone in this house is in danger.”

The fear in her eyes worsened. She gripped his shirt tightly. “No, no, no. This can’t be. It’s too much already.”

Jade placed a hand on her cheek, gently. “We have to think now. And fast. And you need to hear me out.” He calmed her down and then started explaining what happened to him earlier. “When I was getting out of the bar, Julie ran into me.”

“That’s impossible. She was here the whole time with us.”

“I know. But this was a different Julie. I think… She was from the future. She gave me a warning. Everyone is in danger. She told me that something killed Jim.” The grip Tabitha had on his shirt tightened. “That person in the kitchen is not Jim, Tabitha. I know you sense it too.”

Her face went pale. “No, no. That can’t be real. Please. That’s impossible. My husband is here, alive and well. Everything is-“

A loud scream came from the kitchen.

“Kids!” Tabitha yelled out and ran towards the door. Jade quickly followed.

When they entered the room, Julie was on the floor and Ethan was crouching beside her. Jim was nowhere to be found.

Tabitha rushed over to them. “What happened!? Are you okay!?” She inspected Julie’s wounds.

Julie was conscious but her face was bleeding. She was sobbing uncontrollably.

Ethan hugged his mom tightly, shaking from fear. “D-Dad suddenly turned into s-something. He… It attacked Julie.”

“Oh my God.” Tabitha breathed out.

“Mom, that wasn’t Dad.” Julie cried out. “Where is he, Mom!? What’s happening?”

Jade searched around in panic. “Where did it go? Is it still here?” He questioned.

“I-I don’t know. I didn’t see.” Julie whispered out.

“He disappeared.” Ethan said. “He turned into a raven and disappeared.”

“A raven?” Tabitha repeated in disbelief.

At that moment, Jade noticed something on the kitchen table which wasn’t there before. “A box?”

“What… What is it?” Tabitha followed Jade’s gaze. “What is that?”

It was a black box with golden embellishments. The box looked like it came out of a museum, as if it belonged in Ancient Greece. Enchanting and harrowing at the same time.

“Pandora’s Box.” Jade breathed out, not believing his eyes.

The last thing that escaped from it was hope.

“Pandora’s Box has been opened.” He realized.