16 The friendly wicked

—You can't stay close to me.—Alyra said, already far away enough that she couldn't be seen.

Meanwhile, the wicked who didn't leave her alone, started to speak.

—I can and I will.—he said, crossing his arms.

—I can't act normal with you after me.—Alyra said seriously.—Not wanting to be rude, but have you looked at yourself? You don't look very … friendly.

The wicked looked at her, and put a hand on his chest as if he were injured.

—That way you hurt me, you should look inside me, not my appearance!—The wicked replied, making it clear how offended he was.

—It turns out that you ARE the interior, you are literally the spirit, soul, essence …—Alyra said, until she was interrupted.

—Okay, okay! I got it. The point is that I will not leave your side.—he insisted.

—And WHY!—The girl started to raise her voice, but realized that it would attract attention.—Why?

The wicked then began to explain.

—I was talking to my superiors,—The wicked was interrupted.

—What? there even a hierarchy in the dead world?—She asked indignantly.

—Yeah, I was also shocked when I died and realized that even dead I have to obey.—he said and sighed, while the girl just nodded, understanding the Wicked.

—Anyway, I was talking to my superiors, I'm tired of having to bully others, I want to be able to have peace, you know?— He said.

—Okay, I understand, but where do I get into this story?—She asked, confused.

—Well, they told me that the only way I can become a normal spirit is to do a good action for someone...—he began—so I looked for someone with a difficult life, you know, to make sure I pass the test, and that's when I found you.—he said, pointing to her dramatically.

—Me?—she asked again, raising an eyebrow.

—Oh, don't play dumb, I doubt you know someone with a life complicated as yours, you are a tremendous unlucky.

And in a way, Alyra was touched by his story, after all, everything the spirit wanted was an opportunity to pass death peacefully and as close to normal as possible, at least both would win in this "agreement", in this moment, all help was welcome, and having someone really on her side, being wicked or not, caused her a certain comfort.

—Okay, you can stay with me.—Alyra said.

—So, are you really going to accept that I accompany you everywhere? —He asked, discrediting.

—Yes, it's not like you have given me many options, at least we're not going to walk around alone anymore.— said the girl, shrugging.

—And who said I am alone?— He asked sulkily.

—If you had anything better to do, you wouldn't be here filling my patience.—Alyra said.—Okay, after all, what's your name?

—Julien, my name is Julien.—he replied.

—Nice to meet you, Julien.—she smiled.—Being nice makes you 70% less scary.

—Really?—He asked curiously, and the girl just nodded.

Julien then smiled even more than usual, the girl didn't know why, but he always kept a mischievous smile on his lips.

When he noticed the way the girl was dealing with not only the situation, but with him, it was clear that she was good to accept others, considering that no one who was able to see him had a adaptation as easy as her.

The three days that had passed were peaceful, without too many problems, and the girl never left the group that had welcomed her with such affection, well, at least most.

As time passed, the girl got closer to the wicked, named Julien, and little by little they were already friends, even without telling the boy, Alyra already felt much more comfortable than when she was completely alone, the girl adapted to him, as fast as she had adapted to Vega, who the girl was missing, as well as her parents.

Alyra was sleeping peacefully when she felt her body being shaken.

When she opened her eyes, she saw Julien beside her and flinched for a moment, making the boy chuckle.

—Good morning!—He said.—Everyone is already awake, I think you better get out before that guy who hates you comes to kick you.

—Good morning.—she said, sitting up and stretching, still tired.

It was not long before the girl was up, after saying good morning to everyone, she went to a small lake that she had seen the day before, on one of her walks with Ellen, to take a bath.

Julien accompanied her, sitting behind a tree, without looking at Alyra, just waiting for the girl calmly, without rushing her.

—I thought it was going to be a quicker trip.—Alyra said loudly enough for the wicked to hear.

—Usually it is, but they look like a family who enjoys.—he replied, scribbling on the floor with a stick.

—How so?—Alyra asked.

—People here always travel with faster transport, you know? But they don't, they drive one day, and spend the next, they don't seem to care about how long it will take.— replied promptly.

After that, both were in a comfortable silence, in Alyra's head, she was already beginning to wonder why he had become a wicked, she had already seen others like him, but they were all much worse.

—Why did you become wicked, Julien?—She asked.

The spirit, surprised by the sudden question, thought for a while before, until finally answering.

—I did something bad, very bad, while I was alive …—he said and sighed.

When the girl was about to ask more, she heard a voice call out to her.

—Alyra, come on! We are already leaving. — it was Ellen.

The girl quickly emerged from the water, dried herself, and put on clean, dry clothes, passed the side of the tree where Julien was, and said:

—Come on, before Josh convinces her to leave us behind.—The girl laughs, and they leave.