2 Victoria

Leon set aside his dream for a moment. It was almost time to leave for school and even though he would rather not go, he didn't wish to worry his parents even more.

He took a quick shower and went downstairs. His mom was making breakfast and his had probably left. She turned around when she heard the sound of his steps.

"Come sit, I'm making omelets, there's some apple cake too…"

"I don't feel hungry right now, I'll just grab an apple. I have to go anyway"

"I'll leave you at school when I go to work, you can take your time"

"You don't need to, I'll take my bike. Sorry, mom"

"Alright" She said with a meek smile

Leon left the house and got his bike on the garage. It was the first present (a rather expensive one) his adoptive parents gave him and only made him feel more horrible for not staying with his mom, but he really needed to be alone right now, expending some energy would made him relax.

The school was not that close to his house, just about 15 km, but he always got there in no time when he biked without even feeling tired. His physique was much better than anyone else his age, even if he looked no different than an average kid. This was one of the reasons of why he liked to keep things low and not draw attention to himself.

Today he decided to take his time though, his dream, or more accurately nightmare, really disturbed him somehow. Just reminding of it made he fell like throwing up and ruined his mood.

Leon noticed there were fewer cars on the street today, the weather was getting colder and it might start snowing soon. He got in the school 15 minutes later, most kids came with the school bus or their parents, so there was always space in the small bike park. He forgot his lock at home but left the bike there anyway because there was no better option.

The classroom was almost empty. Leon looked at the clock on the wall and saw there were more than 20 minutes left for the class to start. He proceed to the back of the class as always and lowered his head as he waited for the time to pass. Some time had passed when he felt someone knocking on his head, he didn't get angry as there was only one person who would that.

"You are early again, why didn't you wait for me outside? Do you like being alone in this smelly classroom so much?" Said a sweet sounding voice

As expected, the voice belonged to Victoria, his only friend, as sad as that sounded. She was a very pretty girl, she had a wavy hazelnut her and hazelnut eyes. Like him, she didn't like to mingle with other people of their class, but for whatever reason started talking to him when she moved in.

They met over a little year ago, soon before his dreams began. Despite trying to keep his distance to other people, he couldn't bring himself to do the same to her, he always felt like he knew her a long time ago.

Victoria had a small bracelet she liked to show off to him. The bracelet was carved in wood; there were some star patterns on it that looked like they were made of crystals. Although it looked simple, it gave other a mysterious feel. She said someone very special gave it to her, but would always refuse to say whom.

"Hey" acknowledged Leon without much enthusiasm

"Wow, you're even gloomier than usual. That's got to be a record or something,"

"I just had a bad dream."

"What kind of dream?" asked her, very curious.

"Just some random stuff. Forget about it."

"Well, alright. You know, it's my birthday next week so you have to come."

"Alright, you don't have to convince me. The class is about to begin. We'll take later"

Leon didn't pay much attention to the class though, he used to think the things being taught at school were very easy but now they just seemed pointless. He simply could not pay attention to them.

The class went through like a slow torture. His teacher was a middle-aged man that didn't seem quite happy with his life and would take any opportunity to share his misery with his students. Everyone knew better by now than doing anything to arouse the old bear and give him an excuse for retaliation.

By the end of the cycle of classes mostly everyone had already left, ready to enjoy what was left of their day. Leon and Victoria kept talking while heading outside.

"So… have you thought what you'll give me on my birthday?" asked her with hopeful eyes

"I have no idea what to give you." Leon frowned, making a face as if he was thinking hard.

"I'll be happy with anything, as long as you're the one giving it to me!"

Leon looked at her cheeky smile and felt guilty for some reason, even when logically he had no reason to do so. He had many thoughts on his head, thoughts he dared not voice aloud. He looked at her and asked seriously.

"Victoria, why did you start talking to me back then?"

"Where did that come from?"

"Just answer it, please."

Victoria glanced at her bracelet, seemly lost in thought; she seemed almost reluctant when she finally opened her mouth.

"You remind me of someone I used to know, but he's far away now."

"The person who gave you the bracelet?"

It was not hard to guess considering where she was gazing. Just when it looked like she was about answer, Leon noticed the place where he left his bike was empty. He rushed there in no time and asked some students who were nearby. After learning an older kid took it a while ago he run outside to where someone pointed out.

…

Victoria was going to run after Leon when she saw him rushing madly but stopped when a coated figure appeared beside her. No one else seemed to notice the newcomer.

"I knew something was off. What are you doing?" Asked her angrily

"I'm just doing what should be done." Answered an unaffected and aged voice which seemed to come from the figure and the same time not.

"You aren't supposed to interfere!"

She was almost screaming and the people around were looking at her as if she was crazy. She didn't care.

"No, I'm not." – the voice remained neutral - "Nevertheless, I must abide by the deal and you are meddling too much. Let fate run its course."

"This is not fate! You are directly acting!"

"As I said, you forced me to act. Besides, I only set the pieces in motion."

"What about me? Will I have to lose him again? I won't!"

Victoria's eyes were welling with tears, she grasped her bracelet with resolution and the crystals appeared to give some light. The man removed his hood with a sigh, revealing a face covered in a white beard, his eyes were strangely kind, yet they gave an ancient feel.

"Child, you'll only make things worse if you act. Do you not remember what happened the last time? The one you long for is no more. Let it go and you might find out there is happiness for you too at the end of this path. If you hold on however, there is only destruction waiting for us all."

Felling resigned, she released her hold on the bracelet, the lights dimming again as if nothing happened.

"What will happen to him?"

"He will die, of course." Calmly answered the man.