The next day, it was all over the news that a peaceful café had exploded.
Kael was heading to his shift as usual when he noticed helicopters and flying cars
rushing toward Ethereal Café.
A sickening wave of dread rolled through him.
His eyes narrowed, his face hardening instantly.
A man who had been casually whistling seconds ago now wore the expression of a
corpse.
A murder? A terrorist attack? At a place like that?
What happened to Lyra?
He bolted toward the café, every step heavy, sweat dripping like rain, lungs
screaming for air—but he didn't slow.
It can't be real. She's alive. She has to be.
The thought surged through his mind, wild and merciless.
At last, he reached the scene—only to find it swallowed by a swarm of police cars,
flashing lights painting the ruins in chaotic red and blue. Officers crowded the
perimeter, their tense voices blending into a muffled blur.
Kael froze.
For a moment, it felt as if a thousand invisible blades pierced straight through him,
hollowing out everything inside. His breath hitched, his legs trembled.
"Wh-What happened…? I—It can't be…"
His voice cracked, barely escaping his throat.
"WHAT THE HELL EVEN HAPPENED?!"
The words tore out of him, raw and shaking, but they couldn't contain the torrent of
fear and disbelief flooding his chest.
"Excuse me, sir. Can I help you?"
A deep voice cut through the chaos.
Kael turned to see a tall, dark-skinned man approaching him, the brim of a light-blue
police cap casting a shadow over his sharp eyes.
"Yes… yes, please!" Kael blurted, breath shaking. "Have you seen a girl? Light pink
eyes, tall—five-eight—beautiful smile… her name is Lyra. Please, officer. Please."
The words barely held shape, his face tightening as he struggled to stop the tears
burning at the corners of his eyes.
"I'm sorry, sir," the officer said, lowering his voice. "But we found no one. Not a single
body. Somehow."
No bodies.
None.
Either a miracle… or a nightmare wearing a miracle's face.
Calm down. Think.
Maybe she never went. Maybe she changed her mind.
Maybe she's alive.
She has to be.
"If you'd like, sir, we can file a report—"
Kael shook his head slowly, eyes empty. "No. It's fine. She… went to her aunt in
Vilecon. I forgot. Sorry for the trouble."
"Alright, sir. Take care."
Splash.
A heavy drop of water slammed onto his shoulder, cold and sharp, as if someone
had poured half a bucket from above. But the sky… it was still bright. Sunlight glinted
off the pavement, clear and unbroken. Not a single cloud.
Shit… only rain was left to come, he thought, unease tightening in his chest.
He squinted, scanning the horizon. The birds overhead moved… strangely. Jerky.
Mechanical. Unnatural.
Sudden water but clear sky.
Birds moving in a stranger manner.
And now even air smelling weird?!
What the hell is going on thought Kael as he headed home.