Kael, hurry up, we're falling behind. Two cappuccinos and three lattes, move it, — the cashier said.
That was another day in the boring café. Same thing over and over again: orders, noise, the smell of coffee, and the feeling that time here never moves.
Until they walked in.
Three girls. They looked around, chose a table by the window, and sat down.
The first had dark hair just below her shoulders and a serious, assessing gaze.
The second had soft bangs and warm eyes; she smiled lightly, almost shyly.
The third had short blonde hair, a playful smirk, and an expressive look.
They ordered coffee and sat talking among themselves. I tried not to look, but still caught myself glancing in their direction.
And they were looking at me too.
Not constantly — just in passing. Each of them. A few times, I clearly caught their eyes. It felt strange, as if each lingered on me in her own way.
I couldn't understand what it meant.
They stayed for almost an hour, finished their coffee, and left, laughing as they went. I remained behind the counter, wiping cups and trying to figure out what that was all about.
In the evening, after my shift, I noticed a cat. It stood near the road, pressed against the curb. Cars were passing too close.
I didn't think.
I just stepped forward.
I managed to grab it and push myself back, but headlights flashed in my eyes. The impact was sharp and brief. The air was knocked out of my lungs.
I fell onto the asphalt.
The cat slipped out of my hands and ran away.
I lay there, staring at the sky. Streetlights blurred, sounds faded, my thoughts scattered.
Then everything went dark.
And suddenly — light.
I opened my eyes and found myself standing on a cliff. Below stretched a strange forest, its trees softly glowing, the air thick, as if filled with something foreign.
They were standing in front of me.
The same three girls from the café.
— Hello, Kael, — the first one said. — You've come to our world.
— This is… what? — I managed to say. — How did you…?
— We chose you, — said the second, smiling gently. — And it seems we were not mistaken. Your kindness is too great for the world you came from.
— People like you are rare here, — added the third, narrowing her eyes slightly.
The first frowned.
— Still… are you sure he can handle it? He looks kind of… unfortunate.
— Hey, don't be like that, — the second laughed softly. — He's sweet.
The third smirked.
— It'll be interesting.
— Interesting?.. — I repeated.
— You'll find out later, — said the first. — This world is dangerous. Monsters emerge from the Gates of Abominations, and people need protection.
I looked toward the glowing forest and understood:
the life I knew was over.