Change-2

— Davis... Davis...

I couldn't help but yawn. As I opened my eyes, I saw a beautiful woman with short black hair and deep, dark eyes. She wore a simple dress and a white apron. It was my mother.

— What is it? — I whispered, eyes already closing again, wanting to sleep.

— Get up, take a shower, and come to the living room. We have guests!

I sighed.

— I want to sleep...

— If you're not in the living room in ten minutes, I'll come back — and I won't be gentle, she said, leaving my room.

I groaned, forcing myself to get up. I walked like a zombie to the bathroom. As I undressed, I turned on the shower. The cold water made me scream, but it woke up my body, shaking off the sleep.

After a quick shower, I dried off and put on some clothes. Looking at myself in the mirror: short black hair, deep dark eyes, fair skin. I put on a short-sleeved black shirt and some loose pants. I left the room and slowly went down the stairs.

On the first floor, I saw three people sitting on the couches. One of them was my mom. The other woman I had seen a few times before — a friend of hers. But the girl sitting beside her, I had never seen before.

She had short, wavy brown hair and honey-golden eyes. As soon as I entered, she looked at me. Our eyes met.

— Hello, Davis. How are you?

The voice came from the girl, although she was looking at the woman beside her. I nodded slightly.

— Hello, Ms. Lanna.

My mom looked me over from head to toe, then sighed — probably judging my clothes. I ignored her look and walked toward her. When I got close, she put her hand on my waist.

— Son, this is Sheila, Lanna's daughter.

As she said that, she leaned in and whispered in my ear:

— It seems she's having a hard time making friends. Maybe you could be her friend?

Although she phrased it like a request, I knew it was basically an order.

I looked at the girl, who stood up because her mom insisted — and my mom gave me a little push. We were face to face. She looked a little shy.

I raised my hand.

— I'm Davis.

Sheila looked at my hand and, with a timid look, took it. Her eyes met mine again.

— I'm Sheila.

[Transition: Flashback ends]

— Davis... Davis...

A muffled voice echoed in my head. Slowly, I opened my eyes. My vision was blurry, and pain coursed through my body. As my sight slowly returned, I saw a woman staring at me in desperation — black hair, dark eyes. It was my mother.

— Davis, my son… how are you? Oh my God, Davis!

She sounded desperate. I looked at her, then around.

— Where... where's Sheila?

She looked at me, visibly relieved that I was at least conscious.

— Son, forget that girl. She left with those men. Rest now. The healer said you probably have internal injuries. You need to rest so your body can recover.

— No... no, Sheila...

I forced myself to sit up. The pain surged, but something worse burned inside me — a feeling more intense than any pain.

I started walking, ignoring my mother trying to hold me back.

— What are you doing? You need to lie down!

I pushed her away and ran. I ran and ran.

— Sheila! Where are you, Sheila?!

Memories rushed through my mind. We had been together since we were kids. We promised we'd get married when we grew up. We were always together. Why did this happen? Why did she act like that? I didn't understand.

I stopped running and looked around. I was in a place surrounded by trees. This was our place — we came here almost every day. It was just for us.

— Sheila... where are you?

That's when a voice came from behind me:

— So, you really came here.

I raised my eyes and looked toward the voice.

— You...

Platinum blond hair, golden eyes, golden robes... it was the man who had sat behind me in the carriage.

— Where is she? Where did you take her?

He looked at me with a mixture of pity and detachment.

— Boy... after everything you saw, you still chase after her? Even after she ignored you? Do you know why I came here? That girl... she has an extraordinary talent. Something we never expected to find in this forsaken place. My master ordered me to kill you, just to avoid future problems. But do you know what she told me?

He paused.

— "He'll be in the forest. Go there, and you'll find him."

He examined me.

— The very girl you care about so much... told me where to find you. And still you call for her?

I stared at him.

— You did something to her! Sheila would never do that! Where is she?!

— Disappointing. Maybe I should show you... before I kill you.

He walked toward me. I braced myself, but once again, my body froze. I couldn't move. He reached me, raised his hand, and touched my head.

Suddenly, I had a vision.

I was in the carriage. The door opened, and a girl entered — brown hair, honey-colored eyes. She looked timid, confused. She glanced at me, then around, then at Paloma, sitting in the corner. Her eyes lingered on him... then came back to me.

— Hi... I'm here for the test.

I looked past her body and into her — into what she was hiding. I turned to the man in the corner and shook my head. He looked surprised.

— What's your name?

— Sheila. That's my name.

— Sheila... come closer.

He pointed to the seat beside him. She walked over and sat. He gently ran his hand through her hair.

— You look a little nervous. Don't worry. You passed the test. From now on, your life will be completely different. Anything you want — we'll give you.

She gave a timid smile.

— Anything?

— Everything.

And then... I saw it. A subtle smile. In that moment, I saw who she really was. She leaned in close.

— Can you help me with something?

— What do you need?

She took his hand and placed it on her chest.

— I need someone to ease my body. Can you?

He grinned, amused. His hands undressed her, teased her. In no time, she was on top of him, moaning as she moved.

— ENOUGH!!!

I screamed. Tears ran down my face. A deep emptiness opened inside me.

— Tell me, boy. What do you want? What do you feel now that you know the truth? That girl is an opportunist. She needed an anchor, someone to help her in this new world. And you... you were just that. Do you still seek her?

Everything became blurry. Aros's voice faded in my mind. Memories surfaced... moments with Sheila... and then shattered. It was all a lie. Everything we lived was fake. Worthless.

I clutched my chest. It burned. But something had always been there, deep inside me.

I looked at him.

— Where is she?

Aros sighed.

— After everything...

— Where is she? What's his name? Where are they going?

He stared at me — and then he saw it. Finally. This is what he had been waiting for. He looked into my empty eyes and saw the twisted smile on my face.

And for the first time... Aros smiled back.