Chronicles of the Unexpected

By Américo Moreira

In "Chronicles of the Unexpected," the reader will embark on a journey through 40 fascinating and surprising tales that explore the many facets of human existence in parallel and mysterious settings. Each story unravels a mystery, reveals hidden secrets, and delves into moral dilemmas as characters confront impossible choices and find themselves facing unimaginable challenges.

From magical mirrors reflecting unsettling truths to doors leading to alternate realities, enchanted objects granting wishes, and disruptive technologies reshaping the world, "Chronicles of the Unexpected" captivates the reader with its creativity and originality. Each story is a gateway to a different universe, where the rules of reality are challenged, and the decisions made by the protagonists have a profound impact on their lives and the world around them.

Prepare to explore the paradox of invisibility, discover the meaning of silence, and unravel the mysteries of mysterious museums that hold secrets of the past and the future. As you delve into each tale, you will be confronted with intriguing questions about ethics, destiny, and the nature of reality.

"Chronicles of the Unexpected" is a book that pushes the boundaries of imagination, delving deep into the human condition and the choices that shape our lives. Get ready for an unforgettable journey through parallel universes and discover the unexpected consequences that await those who dare to explore the unknown.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Américo Moreira
• Release date: Dec 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215663035

Book preview

The Mirror of Truth

It was an ordinary morning when Daniel found the mirror. He was walking hurriedly through the city's crowded streets on his way to work, avoiding bumping into passers-by, when something on the ground caught his attention. Among the paving stones, he saw what appeared to be the end of a metallic object.

He bent down to examine it and found it to be a silver frame, partially covered by leaves and dirt. Carefully, he lifted the object, wiping off the dust with the sleeves of his coat. It was a medium-sized oval mirror, with a frame intricately worked in arabesques.

For an instant, Daniel saw his own face reflected in the object. Then, to his surprise, the image suddenly flickered and changed. Instead of his face, he saw the face of a complete stranger staring at him. Was it a momentary illusion or was the mirror magical in some way?

Intrigued, he put the artifact in his backpack to examine it later. Rushing to work, he soon put the curious episode on the back burner. Only many hours later, at home, did he have the chance to take the mirror out of his backpack and look at it closely.

The silver frame glittered, engraved with symbols he didn't recognize. He ran his fingers over the intricate arabesques, feeling the smooth, cold metal. Hesitantly, he lifted the mirror until it was in front of his face. This time, however, he didn't see his usual reflection.

In the mirror, there was a clear image of an older man, with strange clothes and a long gray beard. Daniel widened his eyes, surprised. Was it just your imagination playing tricks ? But the image remained stable, blinking naturally.

Who are you? - Daniel asked, astonished.

I'm just a traveler in search of the truth. - replied the man in the mirror, with a calm and deep voice.

Daniel hesitated, confused as to whether he should continue the conversation with a possible hallucination. Finally, curiosity won.

A traveler? But how did you get into this mirror?

This is no ordinary mirror. It shows not your reflection, but your true essence.

My... true essence?

Yes. Hello a fragment of your consciousness, I came to guide you in your search for the truth. Many are not prepared to face this path. But for those determined enough, great revelations await. Do you want to proceed?

Daniel remained silent, reflecting on those strange words. Would it really be possible for that object to contain magic and mysteries beyond human understanding? Or would it just be a common decorative piece?

The only way to know was to immerse yourself in that extraordinary experience. Taking a deep breath to gather his courage, he nodded:

Yes. I want to discover the secrets of this mirror.

Very good. Come back tomorrow at this same time, and then we will begin your journey towards the truth.

Saying this, the man's image trembled until it disappeared, giving way to Daniel's usual reflection. With his heart racing, he carefully put away the mirror. I couldn't wait for the next day and what that magical artifact would reveal.

The next day, Daniel arrived home anxious, counting the minutes to remove the mirror from the drawer where he had hidden it. When he finally found himself alone, he locked the door, turned on the light and placed the artifact on the table.

Like the night before, his reflection was soon replaced by the image of a distinguished man. This time, however, it was not about the gray-bearded old man. The face staring back at him from the mirror was that of a middle-aged man, with an intense gaze framed by thick eyebrows.

Hello again, Daniel. Are you ready to start the walk?

Yes, Hello ready. - he replied, unable to contain his anxiety.

Very good. To uncover the secrets of this mirror, we must first break the veil of illusions that we all carry over ourselves. No one better for this than those who know us well. Therefore, your first task will be to talk to your closest friend, Ernesto tomorrow.

Daniel agreed. He had known Ernesto since childhood, there must have been few secrets between them. It would be a good start to this strange investigation.

The next day, he went to Ernesto's house determined to find out what truth his friend had about him. After the initial greetings, he briefly explained his experience with the mirror and the purpose of the conversation. The friend laughed and shook his head, skeptical.

You and your amazing ideas, Daniel! But since you called me here, I'm ready for your analysis.

Taking a breath, Daniel asked the crucial question:

Ernesto, bluntly, tell me: what would you say is my biggest weakness?

The friend scratched his beard thoughtfully. Finally, he replied:

Well, if you really want my honest opinion, I'd say it's your excessive perfectionism. You always want everything to go exactly as planned, with no room for unforeseen events or flexibility. It makes him grumpy when things don't go his way.

Daniel listened, surprised. He had never thought of himself as a perfectionist. He considered himself dedicated and meticulous with his projects. Was your friend right?

He thanked Ernesto for his sincerity and said goodbye thoughtfully, eager to consult the mirror later. Arriving home, the image of the mysterious man soon appeared to listen to him.

So, what did you discover today?

My friend called me an excessive perfectionist. I said I get grumpy when things don't go as I planned.

The man nodded sagely.

Interesting. And do you agree with this assessment?

Daniel hesitated.

n't seen it that way, but maybe he's right. I need to reflect more on this.

Great. Self-knowledge requires looking at ourselves from different angles. Tomorrow we will talk to one more person. Until then, reflect on what you learned today.

Daniel nodded, feeling already changed by that simple exercise. For the first time, he glimpsed how distorted or incomplete his perceptions of himself could be. What else would the mirror reveal as you delve deeper into that path?

In the days that followed, Daniel continued the guidance of the mirror counselor, talking to those close to him and asking questions to reveal his hidden traits.

His sister Yasmin commented on his stubbornness and difficulty in recognizing his own mistakes. Pedro, a former colleague, mentioned his pessimism and tendency to only see the negative side of things. One after another, small pieces of information expanded his perception of himself.

One night, when consulting the mirror about the progress of his self-knowledge, Daniel asked a crucial question:

These revelations all came from others. But what about my own secrets, desires I never revealed? Can the mirror also reveal these hidden truths?

The man in the mirror smiled empathetically.

The question is pertinent. Over time, we will also learn to unearth the secrets we hide from ourselves. For now, continue observing your life with careful eyes. Sometimes, only with our sincere search will important data come to the surface naturally.

Encouraged, in the following days Daniel tried to look at himself and his choices from a new perspective. He began to notice patterns in his behavior that he had previously ignored.

He realized how he chose safe and familiar paths to avoid disappointment, even if it limited his experiences. He saw how he projected onto other traits that he didn't like in himself. Little by little, he uncovered layers of his mind that had remained obscure.

One night, after an exhausting day, Daniel was preparing to sleep when a long-buried memory came to the surface. It was a scene from his adolescence, when he discovered that his best friend was dating the girl Daniel was secretly in love with.

At the time, he had swallowed his jealousy and pain, pretending to support the relationship. But the hurt had always remained latent within him. He had never had the courage to admit, even to himself, how much that had impacted him.

Lying in bed, digesting this belated revelation, Daniel understood that the mirror was already working its magic. Each new layer of self-knowledge brought him a little closer to his true essence. With patience, all the shadows within you would eventually come to light.

And when he finally saw himself in totality, without masks or illusions? Daniel had no idea what he would find at this point in the walk. But he couldn't back down now. Driven by a deep thirst to reveal his most intimate secrets, he was determined to continue.

In the following weeks, Daniel continued immersed in the journey of self-knowledge. His conversations with the mirror counselor became more and more profound. One night, he expressed his concerns:

As I uncover more layers of myself, I feel myself coming closer to unpleasant truths. I'm afraid of the man I'll meet when all the masks fall.

It is natural to feel afraid of the unknown. - replied the counselor calmly - But we should not fear our own essence. Remember, don't judge or condemn what you encounter. Just observe, without attachment to previous expectations about who you are or should be.

Comforted by these words, Daniel continued. In the days that followed, old memories frequently surfaced in his mind. He remembered the many times he lied to his parents as a teenager to go to forbidden parties.

He relived the overwhelming but fleeting passions that inflamed his impetuous young heart. He recalled moments when he had hurt loved ones in outbursts of anger. All of this was part of his journey, and he had to face it with equanimity.

One night, a particularly disturbing memory surfaced. The scene of the fateful afternoon in which he found his girlfriend kissing his best friend was once again before his eyes. At the time, he had gone into a blind rage, punching the boy until he was bloody before leaving in tears.

He tried to forget this violent episode, ashamed of himself. But now, it was time to face his shadow head on, without false illusions. That extreme anger was also part of him, as much as it hurt to admit it. Over time, Daniel hoped to integrate and transform even this dark side.

And so the revelations continued, day after day. As the counselor promised, as his self-knowledge increased, Daniel felt increasingly whole and at peace with himself. He no longer feared the unknown within himself, but longed to reveal it. He felt close now, very close, to the luminous center of his truth. All I had to do was continue a little further...

Finally, after long weeks, the big revelation that Daniel had been waiting for was about to happen. That night, the mirror advisor appeared with a solemn look, indicating that the crucial moment was approaching.

Daniel, we are approaching the climax of our walk. As you yourself sensed, challenging discoveries await you. But now he is prepared to face them head on and without fear. The only question that matters is: do you want to proceed?

Daniel took a deep breath. There was no turning back. Weeks ago, when he found the mirror, he would never have imagined where that decision would take him. It had been an arduous journey, sometimes painful, but one that had profoundly transformed him. He was ready to reveal his true self, even if there were still shadows left.

Yes. I must proceed. I've come this far, I need to finish what I started.

The man nodded solemnly. His face shimmered, taking on diffuse contours, until a new image appeared in its place. In front of the mirror, Daniel now saw himself reflected. Not an idealized version, but so realistic that it was unsettling.

His reflection seemed to stare at him with a penetrating gaze, as if peering into the recesses of his soul. In silence, they just observed each other, until the reflection decided to speak:

Daniel, the time has finally come to face the truth. All your life you have tried to suppress your essence. He feared his own potential, which is why he limited himself to a mediocre and lackluster existence. But it's not too late to change. It's time to let your true self emerge!

Daniel backed away, scared. What was that image talking about?

My true self? What do you mean by that?

Now, don't act like you don't understand! - the reflection thundered, with a fierce shine in its eyes - You know very well the power you carry within you. The vital force that he always tried to deny, out of fear of himself. But now is the time to let it flow freely,