Rest was a constant struggle against my thoughts that night. Lying on the living room sofa, I stared into the darkness, haunted by Ethilos's words. His warnings about intertwined worlds and invisible dangers looped in my head, keeping me from sinking completely into sleep. My body craved rest after that exhausting day, but my mind refused to cooperate. Finally, a semblance of peace settled in, fragile as a spiderweb.
Suddenly, a faint noise pulled me from my reverie: soft footsteps descending the stairs. The rhythm was calm, almost inaudible, as if the person was careful not to disturb the house's silence. Curious, I cracked one eye open, still feigning sleep. The silhouette took shape in the gloom—it was Karla, dressed in flowing, lightweight clothes that hugged her graceful movements. She headed into the living room, settling on the sofa near the cold fireplace.
I squeezed my eyes shut tighter, imitating a peaceful snore, but she wasn't fooled. She sat down with a sigh, scratching the back of her head to shake off the accumulated fatigue. "Stop pretending," she murmured in an amused voice, leaning slightly towards me.
I opened my eyes again, a half-smile on my lips. "You, are you a night owl or what?" I shot back, with a teasing look despite the weariness weighing me down.
She froze, staring at me with a puzzled expression. "Huh? What are you talking about? I just wanted to talk with you privately. It's important."
"Can't it wait?" I retorted, feeling my eyelids grow heavy. My eyes stung, and sleep was beckoning me again. But her next words jolted me like an electric shock.
"I think there's someone from your world. In the capital, specifically at the civil registry center."
The idea seemed surreal. Another person from my universe, here? My heart raced. "What makes you say that?"
She pointed to my phone on the dark wooden table. "That thing. He has one too. He uses it all the time, at least whenever I see him."
I sat up abruptly, the blanket slipping to my feet with a soft rustle. The cold bit my skin, but excitement took over. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. At first, I had doubts, but thinking about it again on the way back, it's identical."
This news opened immense possibilities. If someone else had arrived before me, he had surely explored ways to get back. And if he was using his phone constantly, it meant he had found a charger or a compatible power source in this magical world. Hope swelled inside me like a refreshing wave.
"Thank you, Karla. Really, you did well to tell me."
She seemed surprised by my sincere gratitude, her eyes widening before a nervous smile stretched her lips. "If you want, tomorrow, while taking you and Raysley to the center, I'll introduce you. I know him personally."
"Ah, great. And... what's your relationship, exactly?"
Her gaze became evasive, avoiding mine. "It's complicated..."
I didn't press, sensing her discomfort. "Thanks again for everything."
"Don't mention it. Sleep well, it'll be a busy day." She rose gracefully, heading back up the stairs after a little wave.
Lying down again, I let sleep take me, not without a touch of unease. Who was this stranger? Friendly? Wary? Since Karla knew him, he must be reliable... at least, I hoped so.
...
The next morning, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the windows, caressing my face with an insistent warmth. Despite the comfort of the blanket, I had to force myself to emerge. I rubbed my eyes to chase away the remnants of fatigue, then stretched long, feeling my muscles protest with unpleasant creaks.
Standing up, I carefully folded the blankets, proud of the neat arrangement. Hesitating for a moment, I stepped out onto the polished wooden balcony, where the humid morning air, mingled with the softness of the sun, revived my brown skin.
Around, teenagers in uniforms were heading off to school. The girls wore a sleeveless dark blue dress, fitted at the waist, with a full skirt falling just above the knees. Underneath, a white blouse with billowing sleeves, adorned with light ruffles for an elegant, vintage touch, as if from a fairy tale.
The boys sported a loose light shirt, a fitted navy blue long vest, a dark leather belt, trousers tucked into tall boots. Elegant, with a vibe of a noble adventurer.
They seemed to be around my age, between 17 and 19. Some passersby cast inquisitive glances my way, as if I didn't belong here.
"Spying on the students? What a pervert!" Karla called from inside, teasing.
She joined me, leaning on the balcony to breathe in the fresh air. "A good night's sleep, and bam, all better!"
The students streamed by, observing us intently. Several greeted Karla.
"Good morning, Miss Karla!"
"Hello, kids!" she replied, smiling warmly.
"What kind of school do they go to?"
"A magic school. Maybe you too, one day..."
"No way! I'd rather laze around than go back to school, even here."
"There are pretty girls, and you'd make friends! Come on!"
"No, you won't get me."
She laughed and went back inside. "Get ready, I'm making breakfast and then we're leaving."
"Okay."
The thought of meeting this stranger made me anxious, but excitement prevailed. Inside, Raysley was already alert in the living room, while Serenith was still dozing.
"Hey, Serenith, wake up! You've slept enough, right?" I shook her gently by the shoulder.
"What... leave me..." she mumbled, drooling a little.
"Nico is right. Get up! We're leaving soon," added Raysley.
The smell of breakfast filled the room: toast, fresh eggs, juicy fruit. Karla set down the tray, and we settled in, chatting animatedly. Raysley asked questions about magic, Serenith still grumbled, but the atmosphere was warm, strengthening our unlikely bonds in this foreign world.
While eating, I thought back to the previous night. Karla was right: the day promised to be intense. My phone, sitting there, reminded me of the hope of a possible return. The simple flavors—the crunch of the bread, the sweetness of the fruit—anchored this moment of calm before the adventure.
After the meal, we cleaned up quickly. Karla adjusted her coat, ready to guide us to the capital. "Let's go," she said with a wink. "Surprises await you."
Stepping outside, the sun was climbing higher, illuminating the lively streets. Merchants were setting up their stalls, birds sang in dew-laden trees. The city was awakening, vibrant with magical life.Senerith walked with a curious step, observing everything, while Serenith dragged a little, still sleepy.