"Ever since your contract appeared in the database, these nightmares started." Cron gestured indignantly.
I shifted in my chair. Tension weighed on my body, motionless for so long, and my muscles ached with every movement. I cleared my throat, trying to regain some composure. My heart, however, smiled. Stars danced inside it.
I had explored new waters, for the briefest mention of a fraction of who Maia was could flood me. Another piece had fitted into that immense puzzle. I laughed softly, spilling happiness.
Cron watched me with an understanding expression. He understood.
I bit my lip. "Thank you."
He shook his head. "No thanks. A favor, remember? I'll collect."
The threat didn't affect me. I was far too radiant for that.
"Hey, you two." Kiara appeared, her presence filling the small space between the cabinets.
Cron rolled his shoulders. "I'll collect." He pointed at me before leaving.
The android frowned.
"He told me about Maia, about the favor. Now I owe him one."
Kiara pinched the bridge of her nose. "What favor?" The message was palpable: What have you gotten yourself into?
"I'm going to try to cure Cron." Yes. I would do it.
Kiara relaxed and shrugged. "If that's it… alright. Ready? We need to go."
Without time to absorb everything that had been poured over me, I followed her. Euphoria rose in my chest. It was undeniable. Even if the emptiness prevailed and my destiny was a future without Maia, even if the road I traveled made me bleed with every step, it was her road. I was beginning to understand her pain and what chained her soul. I was part of it. I had become part of Maia's world. I will understand. I promise. My determination was renewed. I walked toward the exit.
Saymon remained leaning against the desk, assessing my every step. Kiara and I were about to cross the doorway when his voice reached us. "Kikky… remember…"
"I know." She didn't even turn. Her eyes remained ahead, fearless.
Outside, a drizzle fell, mingling sky and earth in a silver, taciturn landscape. The warehouses' grayish nanometal blended with the gray of the early hours, composing a sorrowful scene. The zephyr seemed to recite its anguish, enveloping us in a melancholy that spread through the air.
Denden and Cron had already left.
Trix leaned against her car, ready to leave. "Be on time, huh." She crossed her arms.
Kiara tilted her head over her shoulder, smiling. "Stay alive."
"Worried about me, Kiki?"
I frowned and held back a laugh as I watched the android.
Her smile became a scowl. "You'd better stay alive so I can fucking kill you." Kiara got into the car, and I followed close behind.
Trix's laughter cut through the air. "Can't wait. If it's you… I might even enjoy it."
Kiara started the car. Her gaze wound its way to mine through the rearview mirror. "Keep quiet about that."
I nodded, smiling.
The car tore through the air toward chaos.
I was about to reach the crest of the tsunami. Up there, the air would be thin, and breathing would become difficult. I would fear the fall and the landing, because shortly afterward, I would fall. Plummet. Hit the ground in pieces, shattered like Parliament's glass. My soul would be devastated, my spirit broken. I already knew I would come apart. The truth was that part of me had already chosen it.
Yet in that car with Kiara, heading toward Centrália, I watched the wreckage below. Sky and earth mingled, as did metal and wind. Gray upon gray. Only the memory of Maia shone in my mind and in my heart.