The worst nightmare
As usual, the train trip was boring and dull. And, also, unbearably long. Albert had lots of time to think, and unfortunately, he could only think about when he last saw his sister. She had looked beautiful, her green eyes lit by the summer sun, her dark hair shiny and silky, her skin covered in little freckles. And she looked so fragile when she stood up to run to the edge of the cliff, but also so free when she jumped off. He could feel the tears falling down again and wiped them away with the back of his hand. He needed to focus on something that made him happy, so he started thinking about Myriam, and about seeing her again. He drifted to sleep even if it was only midday, just to see her face.
He found Myriam on the grass in the campus, laying in the sun talking with Dalia. They were both barefoot, wearing shorts and summer tank tops. They had clearly spent some days in the sun, Myriam’s skin was a dark copper color, Dalia’s was merely a shade darker than her usual, but it took her longer to get a tan. They were laughing at something, and they both looked beautiful. Albert realized, once more, how lucky he was to have her. He was tempted to let her know that he was around, but he decided against it, it was their time alone after all. He decided to make it even more pleasant for them, though, creating a soft breeze out of nothing that refreshed their skin. When he was happy enough to see that they were safe, he left them and woke up again.
He saw that he hadn’t slept for long, he was glad about it, otherwise, he would not be able to sleep in the night, and he knew that sleeping was the only way to make the night trip bearable. He walked to the restaurant carriage and got himself something to eat, not that there was much to choose. For once he was glad not to have Robert around complaining about tuna since pretty much the choice was limited on tuna with something or something with tuna. He grabbed the only thing that didn’t look too disgusting, a tuna sandwich, and headed back to his seat. He took off his shoes and ate the sandwich cross-legged on the seat. He did miss his mother’s food spectacularly at that moment, just thinking about the breakfast he had had that same morning made him want to get off the train and go back to his hometown. However, he knew that he had things to tend to and that he was the only one who could do them.
His afternoon passed by slowly, and it included a couple more trips to the restaurant. It was clear that the effort he had made the previous night had taken its toll. As soon as the lights were turned off and the day gave way to the night he fell asleep, sitting uncomfortably on the train seat. And he immediately started dreaming.
He hadn’t seen Myriam enough during the day, so he decided that he would spend the night by her side. She had gone to the city with Dalia and Robert, and they were drinking some beer at a crowded terrace of a bar in front of the castle. It was not the best place, but it had great views, still, he wondered why they had chosen it. He saw Octavia getting out of the bar with a drink in her hand. Albert was glad that she was with them, she had been through rough times and was in need of some close friends. He saw how Octavia sat down and explained them a funny story about something that had happened with Professor’s Smith. She had them in tears in no time. They were interrupted by the blazing of fireworks. Of course, the firework competition, that was why they were up there instead of in some of their usual, and better, places. The castle square was possibly the best place to see them, except for the castle itself, but it was closed at that time of the night, so the square was packed. He could hear the people proffering exclamations of delight. He couldn’t take his eyes from them either, there were swirling balls of multiple colors, tall palm trees, bursts of neon lights, and the smell of powder everywhere. It reminded him of the times he had gone with his mother and his sister to see the fireworks over the sea. Albert felt the urge to see Myriam’s face under the lights and looked back at where she was seated, but she was not there anymore. He thought that maybe she had stood up to see them from a different place, and he knew that it would be impossible to find her among the crowd. However, when the fireworks finished and the people started leaving, Myriam was nowhere to be seen. Dalia, Robert, and Octavia started looking around puzzled. She had completely vanished, Albert went inside of the bar, looking for her around, he tried to think of her to go wherever she was, but he couldn’t. He started to be worried, what could have happened?
Suddenly everything went black. He was still dreaming, but there was someone else there with him. Another presence that was impeding him of doing anything. It started talking.
-Hello, little rabbit, what you did wasn’t nice at all, you know? I didn’t know you could do that. I have to admit that I was impressed, however, if I had wanted a tattoo I would have gone to get one of my liking, myself. Anyway, since you have stepped up your game I’ve stepped mine too. I guess you are missing something, or should I say someone?
-What have you done to Myriam?- Albert shouted at the blackness.
-Don’t worry little rabbit, she is whole… for now. How much longer does she stay safe depends on you.
-What do I have to do?- he was resolute.
-Just come find me.
-Where?
-If I told you it would spoil all the fun.- her voice fade away.
At that moment Albert woke up screaming. He was still on the train and it was pitch black outside.
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