The Threshold

By Mariano Diani

The tales take place in different times. They pass through sites with a mysterious atmosphere, where the characters seem confined. In the plot, suspense emerges, the protagonists walk the path of passions and memories. The stories advances, the unexpected breaks in and unbalances what looked like real.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mariano Diani
• Release date: Jun 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9780463744901

Mariano Diani

Mariano Diani, Argentina (1988), lic. en diseño gráfico, escritor. Autor de los libros El umbral, Realidades ilusorias y un estudio que versa sobre las características de la animación japonesa. Colaboró en diversas revistas literarias y en antologías, tradujo y publicó al inglés su primera obra, The threshold, y el relato distópico de ciencia ficción Promises of snow. Estos trabajos abarcan diferentes géneros y temáticas plurales; suspenso, policial, ciencia ficción, el drama o lo fantástico. En general, el estilo narrativo recurre a una narración fluida, con impronta propia.

Book preview

THE THRESHOLD

Mariano Diani

THE THRESHOLD

© Mariano Diani, 2020, Córdoba, Argentina. By the provisions of the law 11.723, the total or partial reproduction of this work by any means is prohibited, that does not have the prior, express and written authorization of the author.

Cover design: © Mariano Diani.

All rights reserved.

Table of Contents

Consequences of the past

Reminiscences

Determination

Premonition

The field

The threshold

Profane

Apparition

An incomplete dream

Fragment of a diary

Evocation

345

Consequences of the past

—It is true —he thought crossing the bridge under the starry night.

He planned what should happen, his work perfected that method, the consequences were thought. He waited for a long time with the certainty that it was the best thing to do.

Branches on asphalt creaked under his shoes, the long shadows of the trees spread like ghosts wanting to catch him.

He spent a month following him. He knew places he frequented and what his next objective would be. He was an expert in that, although sometimes what was planned didn’t work. That memory seemed like smoke, if he could, he would thank whoever let him escape from that condemned shed, under the looks and weapons that aimed at him while he fled.

Whoever chased him must be good because he was one of the best. Smoke gushed of the storm drain. He stopped, he felt a minimal sensation, alerted by an extra sense that the work allowed him to develop, an instinct known to men like him. In the lantern he looked back, the street was empty, he heard the noise of short-circuit cables and dry leaves dragging by the wind. He went up the sidewalk, stepped on a puddle, in the next street the fate.

He imagined a dream future, he had everything he wanted at that point in his life and the chances of leaving his job were good. He knew when and where to go, would never be haunted by the past.

At the pub door, a line of people waited to get tickets, allowed him to keep a close eye on his steps, like a precious object that he could not lose of sight. Everyone was expectant, the jazz band that would play that night was the best in many cities.

He hurried inside after him, went down the stairs, to the bar adorned with photos of artists, a few meters away, he was laughing with one of the waiters. He ordered beer and sat at a table for two, at a safe distance so as not to appear suspicious.

The band played to a surprised audience, lights alternated colours and intensity accompanying the rhythm. He ordered another glass of beer. She entered the pub and started looking for him, walking down the stairs through the colourful gloom.

They kissed and went to sit at a table set apart from the crowd, waited so long that enthusiasm not be hidden; he noticed it in their gestures, the way of holding hands or touching their face, seemed like first encounters in which they discovered each other.

He wanted to get out of that game and start a new life.

That night he believed to be converted, planning an uncertain future. They imagined possibilities, caught by fantasy.

He preferred not