Tyr: Clan Brácaros, #1

By Luthien Numenesse

He, a Norse warrior with ancestral powers.
She, a common human like any other.

Two worlds that were not to be mixed.
Two strangers who did not have to know each other.
Two hearts beating in unison.

Tyr, leader of the clan Brácaros, must find his minnaar to fulfill the design of the Gods and thus keep his broers safe. But in his heart there is confusion, desperate not to find what he so longingly seeks, he stops analyzing everything and follows his instincts, which lead him to Lenna. It seems that the gears of destiny have begun to turn until she realizes that she is not what she appears to be.
Lenna Galanos is a normal girl, with normal friends and a normal job, only that she keeps a secret, every night she meets with a huge amber-eyed warrior who attracts her and seduces her in a fantasy world between dreams. Her life changes completely when she encounters dark creatures that destroy everything she has always fought for. Things get stranger when suddenly her mysterious warrior appears to save her.
Confused, she doesn't know what's real and what's fantasy.
Were those dreams not dreams, or is it a nightmare from which she cannot wake?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luthien Numenesse
• Release date: Jun 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781071551097

Book preview

CHAPTER Een

Lenna

A week later.

Is there anything else you want to do today?

No, I just want to be here.

I huddle up in his arms feeling safe, I've gotten used to being with him so quickly it's a little overwhelming, but he seems comfortable with me, so I don't see anything wrong with wanting to be by his side all the time. I take a deep breath through my nose, filling myself with his aroma, that fragrance so characteristic of him; snow, pine and man. Today we walked along the whole promenade; although I have worked here for about a year, I have never given myself the time to admire it as I have done today; I think it’s because I’m by his side, he makes all things, even the common and insignificant like this, shine with a new glow.

My kingdom for a horse. I love that deep and hoarse voice, it makes my heart tremble, making me feel something inexplicable and wonderful.

I’m only thinking about how good I feel when you are by my side.

He rubs his nose against my cheek and the tingling of his beard makes a bunch of shivers run all over my body. I lift my face, craving for his lips; he kisses me tenderly, but I want more of him, I surround his neck with my arm bringing him to me, he deepens the kiss and hundreds of butterflies flutter in my stomach.

Beep, beep, beeeeeeeeeeeep.

No, no, no. I cry desperately, but there is nothing more I can do...

A long yawn followed by a small nod; is too early, and the cafeteria is almost empty but a couple of early risers who are now frequent customers, I cross my arms on the counter and place my head on top of them, preparing to take a short nap. I notice Miles walking behind me, in one of those strolls he kicks the bench where I am, making me lose my balance and almost fall on my ass. I glare at him, but it has the opposite effect to the expected as he laughs loudly, attracting the glances of the few customers.

You look tired.

Thanks, you also look shiny I answer with sarcasm. Truth is I haven't been sleeping well.

Maybe you're working too hard.

Yeah, maybe I reply absent–mindedly; I know what's going on, but for the time being I'll keep it to myself, it's too soon to tell anyone.

I don't understand the advantage of being your own boss if you don't give yourself a few free days.

"I'm piling up days off" I joke.

Miles is my cousin and he has embarked on this journey with me. Both of us were born in a small town in Greece, however my parents decided to come to this frozen land when I was little, so I have always considered this my home. Unfortunately, they died when I was still a child and it was my aunt, Miles' mother, who took care of me. I still don't understand why they decided to come here instead of asking me to return to Kastoriá, but I'm glad it was this way.

While my cousin and I were in college, his parents went back home. And, although Miles wanted us to keep living together, I preferred to move back into my old house. That didn't stop us from being close, quite the opposite; he, recently graduated in management, and I as a chef, decided to start a business together, and using the escrow my parents had left for me, we opened a cafeteria on the promenade; we were lucky enough to find one of the downtown locations available in the busiest section of the area.

Why are you smiling in such a creepy way?

I'm not smiling in a creepy way.

Yes, you are; you've already scared off four customers Serena says, sitting on the stool in front of me at the other side of the counter.

"Thanks for the support, friend." I pronounce the last word with a little tingling.

Serena has been my best friend forever; according to her parents we met in kindergarten, and since then we became inseparable, the only time we didn't spend together was while we were in the college, because she went to France to study interior design, now she runs an agency with her mother. She's the kind of woman everyone wants to be friends with, go out with, be in her social circle or at least want she says hello to you; she has a strong, purposeful personality and is allergic to bullshit, so when someone approach her is all in or better to stay away. I think I've been lucky to meet her before she built up her world conqueror character, yet she's not a bad or self–centered person, she just knows what she wants and what she needs to get it. She is intense, sometimes a little too intense for me, but she has always been present in my life, in the happy moments as in the difficult ones.

I don't recall much from before my parents' died, and Serena was too young to remember that, but while I was a teenager I asked her parents about the past, and they never gave many details; they just told me that my mother was a very kind person and my father was a righteous man, but both loved me; that's something I know for sure, I don’t need anyone telling me that, it’s the kind of thing that you feels in your heart.

It's impossible, she's on the Moon today, or maybe a little further.

I realize that Miles is not talking to me but Serena; I blink trying to understand his words, they both laugh at my expression of puzzlement and my cousin gives me a little push with the shoulder.

What's the matter with you, Lenna?

"She had a bad night" Miles answers above me, air–quoting.

Oh, shut up! Don't you have some buns to burn in there? I don't pay you to gossip with the customers.

I throw a cloth at him as he walks away through the doors that separate the counter from the small kitchen.

That sentence is wrong in so many levels... he shouts from the other room. You don't pay me, I wasn't gossiping, and she's not a client.

Yes, I am! Serena replies, rising a little from her seat. I'm eating a muffin.

She grabs the first one she finds on the counter and bites it, Miles pokes his head out the door and answers in a slightly lower tone.

But you won't pay for it.

You... he's right, though she ends up agreeing, shrugging his shoulders by the way, what am I eating?

Mojito cupcake.

"Babe, it tastes like glory, really. You should take my proposal and make grey goose cupcakes, I’m sure they’ll take them out of your hands."

Yes, and throw them at me, in a mob. No one wants a vodka–flavored cupcake.

You don't know that, what do you think about doing a survey?

Forget it. Better tell me, what do I owe the honor of this sudden and early visit?

Babe, I'm so nervous I couldn't stay home any longer she talks so fast that I barely understand what she's saying; she takes another cupcake and starts to take the wrap off.

I see you're nervous, two cupcakes before lunch when she goes for the third, I snatch it from her hands before she warp off. It's enough, either you want to get drunk with mojito cupcakes or you went into depression, whichever is I won't let you eat one more or in a few hours you'll start blaming yourself for it and diet and exercise like crazy. Better tell me why so nervous?

"Well, John has asked to meet him because he has something important he wants to discuss with me" she ends the sentence covering her mouth and whispering, and I mock by imitating her a little.

And what's wrong with that?

Don't you see? There are only two things that could be. I roll my eyes... here we go. He wants to break up with me or wants to marry me.

I hold my expression; penetrating gaze and serious lips, but literally I can only hold on for a second, then I laugh out loud. She frowns, although I can't say for sure because my eyes have been filled with tears from laughing so much, even my stomach hurts a little from all the laughter.

Are you done? despite her tone, I know she's not really upset.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry I try to calm down, something that takes a couple more minutes, but I get it.

Anyway, I don't think I'm ready for any of the options.

If you don't want to marry him then why go on together?

It's...

Complicated we both finish at the same time.

Although I think she is being absolutely ridiculous on the subject. I wish her good luck in her date, and jokingly advise her that before rejecting the imaginary marriage proposal she should check the engagement ring thoroughly. After that, the morning goes by without incident; customers come and leave following the rhythm of the waves on the other side of the pier. By noon I feel exhausted, I try to go on, but the weariness gets the best of me.

Miles, I will take my break now.

Okay.

If you need me call at my cell phone, I'll have it with me, see you in an hour.

Wait, where are you going? he cuts off my escape before I can leave the cafeteria.

My house...

I don't understand why you want to go to sleep to your house and come back when you can sleep in the office, I told you, no one will disturb you.

I know, it's just... I forgot something. I lie quickly.

Yes, your dignity, little liar. Okay, do your things.

Sometimes it's frustrating when someone knows you so well. Coming and going from my house to the cafeteria takes me about fifteen minutes, leaving me only forty–five to rest, minus ten minutes more than takes me to fall asleep, give a total of thirty–five limited minutes to dream. So, I shouldn't waste any more time. Anyway, with the tiredness I have accumulated I’m sure that just touching the pillow will make me fall asleep.

I climb the stairs while I take off my boots, from the door of the room I jump and land on the bed, I pull the blanket I always leave nearby, and I huddle up, hoping to fall in Morpheus’ arms as soon as possible. One thing I don't understand is; if I'm sleeping more now, even taking naps, then why do I feel more tired than ever? I force myself to empty my mind because if I think of something, no matter how small, I won't be able to dream.

You look tired.

I sigh. Why does everyone keep telling me that? Do I look so bad?

It's not that he caresses my face tenderly, it's just that I'm worried about you.

The truth is, lately I've felt a little weak, I'm probably catching some virus.

Do you want me to let you rest? his voice sounds sad.

No I hold on to his arm tightly, when I'm with you I feel much better.

I'm glad to hear that.

We keep walking with short steps, enjoying each other’s’ company, it has begun to snow, something that I love is watching how the snow falls from the sky. I raise my face to enjoy the feeling, the snowflakes falling on me. I feel his gaze on me and turn to look at him, he has his bright amber eyes on me, I blush a bit for acting like a little girl.

I love when you do that, he says, holding me by the arm to keep walking.

Do what?

Enjoy life.

You know... I bite my lip nervous, take a deep breath and I face him, he shows some puzzlement expression but watches me attentively, I’ve been wanting to tell you something for days, it's kind of a question, I just want you to think about it, okay?

Okay he nods quickly.

I want to talk to my friends about you, and about all this.

Beep.

No, not again.

Lenna...

Beep, beep.

Why do things must be like this? It’s not fair.

Beeeeeeeep.

You look...

Stop right there! If you say tired, I swear to god I'll tear away your arm and eat it.

"If you're hungry we can buy a poutine when we're done, you don't have to fall back to cannibalism to satisfy your basic needs."

I'm sorry Frey, but lately everyone has been telling me that I look tired reminding me of how tired I feel.

Well, I was about to tell you that you look dwarfy than usual but whatever.

I can’t help but smile at Frey's occurrences, I met her less than six months ago and she quickly became a great friend. One day she walked into the cafeteria looking like an outlaw and with a kicking–ass aura that made me afraid to get close to her; she had a frown on her face and a sneer on her lips. I was so nervous about having to serve her that I poured coffee all over her. I'm sure that for a terrifying second I even forgot to breathe waiting for her to yell at me because of my ineptitude; I stood there instead of offering her a cloth or at least a napkin to dry, but she surprised me when she crossed her legs, took a menu and with such a carefree voice said to me: I'd like another latte, but this time I'd like to drink it, not wear it.

From there on I knew we'd be friends.

She is like that; she has a hard countenance and a relaxed attitude that contrasts completely with her bad girl looking for trouble look. It's weird but since I've known her, I haven't seen her interact with anyone else, as if she was trying to go unnoticed, something impossible having the looks she has: a steaming body, long mahogany hair, stylized eyes that remind me of a feline; wherever she goes she makes eyes turn, although of course no one looks at her more than was strictly allowed, because she goes around frowning at everyone. There are many contradictions in her, but it doesn't matter, we've become friends and that's what matters.

One thing I've noticed is that when we're surrounded by people she acts as if she were going to chop their heads off and use them as beach balls, but when we're alone she is an incredibly nice girl.

By the way, thanks for joining me, I would usually ask my brothers but...

She became quiet all of a sudden.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

I look around for something that might make her uncomfortable, but everything looks normal to me, there are few people on the streets but none of them seem to pay special attention to Frey.

So, how many brothers do you have? It's the first time you mention them.

It doesn't matter, today is my day off from them.

Okay... I notice she is uncomfortable, so I don't press the issue, I wonder how their brothers must be that she needs days off from them. It's true that there are times when I want to send Miles to Timbuktu, inside a box, in little pieces... but I can't imagine a single day without him by my side. Of course, it’s not the same because we are not siblings, but something similar.

Frey has closed into herself, I've seen her withdraw like this when someone else comes up to us in the cafeteria while we chat. In the distance I hear the roaring of a motorcycle bringing memories to my mind; I feel the powerful presence of some amber eyes as bright as hot honey paralyzing me in the middle of the street, next thing I hear is a horn blowing my eardrums.

Tyr

I’m fine...

Last few days have been almost unbearable, my broers had become my babysitters, every two or three minutes asking again and again are you all right? And, honestly, I’m tired of them; maybe if they didn't repeat it so many times, we would have already turned the page. They insist on having to take care of me as if I were a small child, or worse, a potential suicide with a broken heart. It's true that I had high expectations about her, thinking I had finally found my destiny, I was almost sure she was the one, it seemed so real. The truth is that I feel I have failed my parents once again.

I sigh with annoyance as I feel my broer still in the room; I haven’t taken my eyes off the book that I pretend to read, but I don’t need it to know that he is watching me intensely. Tired of the situation, I shut the book hard, getting up brusquely from bed, I open my mouth to say a few things to my sentinel, but Freyja's shout stops me.

Tyr! I need you.

We go down quickly to the main room where we find Freyja leaning on a sofa, I hasten to go to her side, my heart races when I see her trying to lay a person down, at first I think one of my broers is hurt, but it is too small to be any of them. I see the bloodstains on her jacket and her anguished expression worries me even more, she usually doesn't show her emotions.

What happened? Sweyn asks behind our backs.

Tyr, you must save her. Please. she cries with eyes tainted with fear.

I nod wondering who is so important in my sister's life that she reacts in such way. I divert my gaze to the person lying unconscious on the sofa. By Odin!

Lenna... her name leaves my lips with a whisper.

What?

Who?

Freyja and Sweyn ask at once time.

I smelled something odd. Vidar's entrance distracts the others even though my sister keeps frowning at me.

Tyr, do something, she's dying.

That's what humans do, dying, is their natural cycle. Remember that we decided not to intervene. Freyja bites her tongue so as not to say something to Sweyn, because we have to be careful with the words we say, especially if it's to a member of the clan.

This is different.

I feel her heart slowing down its accelerated rhythm, Bragi must be nearby; a few seconds later he makes an act of presence entering the room with tranquility and placing himself opposite to Freyja. With calm and paused movements he squats and gives her a cloth to clean the blood from her hands and clothes.

Tell us who she is and what happened.

"She is my vriend, I asked her to come with me to... a place and she had an accident."

It looks like a car hit her. Vidar points out, leaning above us.

Well, it’s because that was just what happened.

Are you nuts?! There was a car accident, and you just took her in your arms and brought her here?

Sweyn, stop jabbering. What's done is done I decided to intervene because Freyja has a murderous expression on his face, and I think I know what she's thinking.

"Okay, I'll shut up. By the way, how do you know her? Is she also your vriend?" Sweyn asks sarcastically.

I glare at him. Sweyn has always made clear the contempt he feels for the humans, but I never thought he would reach such level that he would not want to help those who need it. For the moment I prefer to avoid complicated questions and concentrate on Lenna. Her neat, usually white skin has been stained crimson everywhere. I feel her pulse weak and her breathing irregular. Bragi has moved Freyja to the side and now he takes care of cleaning the blood from her face very carefully.

If you're going to do something, do it now, I don't think she will hold much longer.

I feel the scrutiny of my broers, but I stop thinking about them and concentrate on Lenna, of all the women in here Freyja had to find her vriend in her. I touch her face carefully and Bragi retreats, getting away from us.

You'll be fine. I place my lips close to her ear so I can speak to her very softly.

I hold her hand and close my eyes concentrating on her and only her, I feel a migraine starts invading me, followed by countless malaises all over my body, I take a deep breath trying not to grin. Yes, it hurts like hell, but it's far from being the most stinging thing I've ever experienced. I let myself be possessed by my gift and slowly lose consciousness, I cling tightly to Lenna's hand and finally fall into a state of unconsciousness.

Memories of when I met her come to me, that morning on the promenade when she came at my side and started chatting with me as if we were old friends, I almost told her my sad story about the perfect girl who was not so perfect at the end. She smiled at me, joked with me, joggling me away from my depressing thoughts and even gave me food, probably confusing me with some local homeless, but she did not stop treating me like a common human being.

When I first saw her, I thought she was some nymph who had come to visit me. With her long, jet–black, wavy hair, too white and perfect skin, and those eyes, bewitching, huge, vibrant, grey eyes like an iceberg hiding the secrets of the universe. When she spoke her voice reminisced an old Nordic tune sung by the Mother Goddess herself, and her mouth, that carmine and sensual mouth teased me into kissing her without doubt. It was hard for me to believe she was human, with a body that any deity would envy. The only thing that differentiated her from them, besides her short stature, was the good heart and generosity with which she conducted herself.

And yes, I know that what I did afterwards was wrong. And yes, I know that there will be consequences for my actions, but I could not pull apart from her. Each night, trying to escape the emptiness I felt in my soul, I went to visit her, and every night, as if it were a precious gift, she waited eager to meet me. When the sun began to appear between the mountains we returned to her house and modified her thoughts to make her believe that she was dreaming. I had never done anything like that before, I never felt the need for it, but Lenna awakened a desire in me, until then unknown, a desire that resists disappearing, a desire to keep her only for me.

And now... now she is about to die.

When I come in contact with the Lifestream my body feels weightless, I let myself go wherever it wants to be guided because as time went by I have learned that it’s impossible to control anything in this place. I watch my energy sphere giving off intense blue flashes; usually when I come here is just a barely visible point between the thick blackness that surrounds me, but on this occasion it’s different, it looks big and full of life, probably because I have used my gift in a human and it hasn't meant much effort, so why have I come in here? It doesn’t matter; at least I don't have my broers breathing on my neck, asking if everything is going well. I prepare to just flow, enjoy the solitude when something catches my attention.

No one knows exactly what the Lifestream is, we only know that it’s where our gifts regenerate. There are theories that say the Gods share water from one of the Élivágar Rivers. Knowing the deities, they would probably send us to Gjöll, hoping that at any time we'll be trapped there not able to get out. Coming here is not optional, is where we go when we fall into unconsciousness, as if this place had a life of its own and sucked us like a vortex or black hole would. Sometimes we even get there when we are about to sleep. That’s another aspect of our lives that we cannot control, making us vulnerable beings rather than invincible ones.

I try to get closer to my energy sphere, which has always been as deep blue as the sky itself, but when I study it carefully, I can notice gold flashes, little specks that it didn't have before. It begins to bounce like ping-pong, bouncing from side to side, expanding and contracting very quickly and strangely, appearing and disappearing at irregular intervals. Without knowing I become alert because I feel a strange presence, something new, something that shouldn't be here.

A second sphere of energy has somehow entered the Lifestream. Impossible! Nothing like this has ever happened before. The little speck is barely visible, but it feels like an intruder, I can't take my eyes off that little gold particle. It orbits quickly around my own sphere creating the illusion of Saturn, the motion of both bodies has me completely mesmerized, forgetting where I am or why I have come here.

I’ve waited too much for you today.

Dazzled, I lift my head and find myself lying down on a grass patch, the scent of rain permeates my nostrils. Something is wrong, we are in late autumn, all land in Corner Valley and its surrounding should be covered with snow, not green pastures sprinkled by morning dew. First thing that comes into my field of vision are a pair of stylized feet, its nails a pale pink tone. I push myself up with my arms; I look up a well–toned pair of legs and a short white dress that ends up in a familiar face. Lenna smiles at me tenderly, lending a hand so I could raise to my feet.

I'm sorry. I'm still a little stunned; I don't know where I am or how I got here.

It ok; I thought I'd never see you again.

Why?

I think something has happened to me.

Her voice is full of grief; I touch her face with my knuckles, and she closes her eyes, enjoying the caress.

Indeed, something has happened to you, but you'll be fine.

How do you know?

Because I'll make sure of it.

She gives me a smile full of emotion.

Thanks.

It's nothing. I look away a little awkward, I don't want to lie to her.

I'm willing to keep my promise but not the way she thinks. She comes near and holds me tight in her arms, after a few seconds I do the same, embracing her tightly. We walk for a long time but it seems it doesn't matter, the sky doesn't to change, it remains illuminated and clear, apparently not affected by the passing of hours.

Lenna, I have a question. She looks at me curiously.

What could it be? It’s the first time you wanna know something.

Where did you come from? I mean your family.

Mmmm... She strokes her chin with her index finger, thinking about it a little bit. I don't know exactly; I mean, my parents died before I was curious about my origins, but Miles, my cousin, and his whole family are from Kastoriá, I guess I'm also from there or the surrounding area.

What is your last name?

That's easy. She smiles brightly. Galanos.

Galanos?

Is there something wrong with my surname?

No, not at all.

Before I can ask something else, everything around us becomes blurred and begins to fade, like what happens to a watercolor when water is poured on it. I see Lenna moving her lips, I can't hear the words, but I understand what she said to me; «don’t leave me». She holds to my hand as I do to hers, but a pulling force drags me in opposite direction to her. I stretch my arm to grab hers, she tries to reach it, but darkness comes upon us.

First thing I notice is that I still holding Lenna's hand tightly, although I should say that she is the one holding mine, she clings to it as tightly as if her life depended on it. Her eyes still closed and her face is covered with dried blood, but fortunately her lips have gone back to their bright red. The room is partially illuminated by side lamps; looking at the windows I realize that is nighttime. Have I spent a whole day in the Lifestream? I rise slowly, it takes a little work to do without breaking contact with her, and the blanket my broers have covered us with slides to one side, falling to the ground.

I hear the low squeal of wood under the weight of light feet, one of my broers approaches, I get up and lean on the sofa, turning my back to Lenna; however, I don’t let go of her hand.

Are you back? Bragi speaks softly.

Where is everybody?

Dinner. I brought you something before Vidar devoured everything, I didn't think you'd wake up so soon.

Soon? I turn my head so fast that the bones in my neck squeak in protest at the sudden movement.

You were unconscious for a couple of hours at most.

I had never stayed so short in the Lifestream, just a couple of hours? It seemed like an eternity, although very confusing. I feel a tug in my hand and Bragi murmurs.

She's waking up. We'll be outside.

In other words, they will leave me to deal with her. I place myself in front of her, waiting for her to wake up. She slowly opens her huge gray eyes, blinks quickly a couple of times trying to get used to the light; I can sense the exact moment when she recognizes me as a sweet smile insinuates on her face; she raises her hand to my cheek and, for a second, I let myself be enfolded by the feelings her touch causes inside me.

You are real. Her sweet, soft voice sounds like a tender chirping. I take a deep breath to build up courage and do what I must.

I take her hand between mine and place it on the sofa, her look changes, her eyes no longer smile, and I want to kick myself for it; she tries to get up, but before she does, I gently push her by the shoulders.

No, Lenna. This is just another dream.

I pass my hand over her face and the moment she closes her eyes a tear slides down her cheek.

CHAPTER Twee

Lenna

Earth calling Lenna, heeeeyyyy.

I blink quickly a couple of times as I notice Serena waving her hand in front of my nose.

Sorry, what were you saying?

Babe, I'm offended that you're not paying attention, but I'm more concerned that you've been running out of this world more than ever. She lowers her voice and leans on the counter is there something you want to tell me?

I turn both sides conspiratively and with a hand gesture ask her to come closer; making sure also nobody is watching us, she leans more, practically resting her upper body on the surface and leaving her ass up in the air; Good day to wear a tube skirt I say to myself. I cover my mouth with my hand as if I were about to reveal the most important secret of our lives and Serena approaches her ear.

You're showing your ass to my clientele. I whisper in a gossip voice but at a normal volume, so people next to us can perfectly hear it.

She frowns and pushes me with one hand and returns to her stool, she straightens up her clothes and covertly glances around the place, noticing that some of the customers are looking at her with obvious interest.

Well, at least your clientele had something interesting to see today. She jumps out of her seat, goes around the counter and serves herself a cup of coffee, kissing me on each cheek says goodbye, and when she is at the door she turns to add by the way, you should thank me for the increase in sales, tomorrow this place will be full. She ends the sentence by patting herself on her ass and goes out wiggling it, and when she is finally on the street she yells I'll call you tonight.

What's wrong with her now? Miles asks as he comes out of the kitchen.

You just missed the morning show: Serena showing her ass.

My cousin puts up a weird face, pressing his lips like a sulking child, I don't get his reaction very well, but I don't have time to analyze it as the doorbell distracts me. My heart races beating against my ribs with its crazy rhythm. The doorframe has been filled with such a man, muscular arms, long legs, brown hair, and a groomed beard. I can't believe it, it's him, it’s really him. I pinch my arm to make sure I'm not dreaming but he exists in real life. He wears a very fashionable outfit, a black jacket and some hellishly fit jeans; the only drawback is that he wears some stupid aviator's glasses that prevent me from seeing his eyes. He approaches the counter as if in slow motion, my throat has dried up and I barely can breathe.

He come close to me and smiles, but I don't think I can smile back; he deliberately slowly takes off his glasses, I see that he moves his lips, but I don't hear what he is saying, I'm a little stunned after seeing those blue eyes. He takes off one of his gloves unfolds an elegant but stylish hand full of tattoos. Having him this close I realize that there aren't so many resemblance to that other man after all. He keeps talking, I know he does, but his words don't get to me. A strong dizziness sets up a terrible headache, making me stagger to one side, I try to hold on to something, but there's nothing can help me to not fall.

Hey, are you all right? The man tries to grab me, but the counter impedes him, fortunately Miles is by my side, although distracted.

Lenna, hey Lenna.

Between my cousin and the stranger, help me sit at a nearby table.

I'm fine, it was something... momentary.

Miles apologizes to the client and asks him to give us a moment; after the stranger asks me once again if I'm all right or if there is anything else he can help me with, he sits at an empty table on the other side of the cafeteria. I try to convince my cousin that it was nothing, but he doesn't believe me, so he puts me in a taxi on my way home to rest. At home I snuggle on a sofa in the main room, I cover my legs with a blanket and unintentionally fall asleep. Strangely this time it feels... different.

I am surrounded by a deep darkness. There is no one waiting for me on the other side, only shadows. That tall man with golden skin like the sun and brown hair has disappeared from my dreams. I miss the moments I spent with him, the conversations, those soft lips that contrasted perfectly with his well–kept beard, but above all, the way I thought safe in his arms. It's crazy, because he was only created by my mind, but every time those eyes, as the same color as gold, landed on me... it felt so real.

Every time I hear a motorcycle, I think it's him arriving suddenly to meet me, there are even times when I think I can hear his voice; loud, somewhat hoarse, with a strong accent that I cannot pinpoint. However, it’s his laughter what got engraved the most in my memories, so vibrant, so energetic. I wake up startled and a little disoriented, as my eyes get used to the dark I recognize my living room, I check that both doors and windows are closed and go up to my room, I get into bed but I can't sleep, I turn from side to side, I keep repeating myself that in order to meet him I need to be asleep, I feel that I need to see him, that I need him to tell me that everything will be fine, that he will take care of me; finally I manage to go to sleep at two o'clock in the morning but he doesn't show, like he didn't show the night before or the previous one. It's as if he had never