"You should already start to sleep in your bed, Aurore."
Although he was complaining, Atom surrounded with the arms his younger sister, who, as every night, had sneaked into his bed after an exhausting day of work in the house.
Her small body accommodated itself next to his with the familiarity of one who already knew the way.
Two worn pillows of gray color were sustaining the head of both children, while a blue sheet, thin and with frayed edges, was protecting them from the cold atmosphere that was filtering through the cracks of the room.
Both were knowing that they should do everything possible to survive. They were dividing the household chores as they could, without complaining too much, without expecting rewards.
"But this is because I keep having nightmares…"
Her voice was sounding timid, as if she was fearing that the confession would make her seem weak. Her exquisite appearance in company of that mix of fragility and sweetness, were creating a special chemistry, an irresistible charm that was attracting the others.
"And… what was the nightmare about?"
Aurore responded to the embrace with another equally warm. Atom felt a spark of joy upon receiving the sweet embrace of his sister, although the sadness was peeking in his eyes.
He caressed her head with tenderness, as if he was trying to erase the fear that still was clinging to her.
"Well… It was that they were separating us and we were ending with different masters…"
"Silly girl. You must not think in those things."
"Brother, what itchiness! Haha!"
Atom blew with mischief in the neck of Aurore. He was wanting to change the topic, to distance her from dark thoughts.
The girl, who had matured before what corresponded to her, burst into laughter. Her laugh filled the room like an open window to the sun in the middle of winter.
"Sorry. Did you not like it?"
"N-no, it is not that."
Upon hearing the worried question of Atom, Aurore denied with rapidity. Her reddish-brown hair, shiny and soft, swayed with the emotion that was invading her. Her beautiful brown eyes were reflecting a mix of joy and relief.
"Aurore… I will do what is necessary so that that does not happen. I swear that we will stop being slaves."
Atom lowered the gaze toward his chest. His face was showing a seriousness that was trying to hide the uncertainty that he was feeling. The conviction in his words was not reaching to erase the fear that was accompanying him.
"Huh? How?"
Aurore raised the head. Her large eyes looked at him with childish curiosity, as if she was expecting a magical answer.
"Only exist three ways."
The gaze of Atom was lost in his memories.
"And which are they?"
"The first way would be… To pay much money to our owners. With that we could have a tranquil life. But I do not have that amount of money…"
"Yup…"
Atom avoided telling her the exact figure. He was not wanting that the hope vanished completely.
The nations were issuing money to ensure the distribution of goods and materials. Although the system was convenient, without money, nothing could be achieved.
In that monetary system, a single silver coin was equivalent to one hundred copper coins, or one thousand steel coins.
Above them, a gold coin was worth the same as one hundred silver coins, which was converting it into a good of immense value.
A gold coin was equivalent approximately to the annual income of a plebeian family.
And so that a slave could buy himself, was required as minimum ten gold coins, or one hundred thousand steel coins.
A figure unattainable for them.
"The second way would be to serve with my life to this kingdom and achieve great merits at national level… Which probably never will happen. And the last option would be… To awaken."
"What is that?"
"It is to become an Enlightened. Beings that have awakened extraordinary powers."
The desire for warmth led to Aurore to approach even more. After a moment of hesitation, she sank the face with care in the shoulder of Atom. Her breathing became more tranquil, as if the contact was offering her refuge.
Thus, the two children remained embraced.
"She is really like a cat."
That thought crossed the mind of Atom while he was caressing the silky hair of Aurore.
The sensation was similar to that of caressing a cat particularly clingy. Upon thinking it a little more, he found many similarities between her and the felines.
Both were seeming docile, but in reality were cautious with the others. They were maintaining themselves dignified and elegant, rarely were showing intimacy. They were sensitive to their surroundings, attentive to every change, every threat.
Of course, also existed differences.
Aurore was not achieving to hide completely her emotions, but that was normal at her young age.
If she could do it, Atom would have suspected that she also was like him. A reborn.
Aurore was sensitive, but fragile. She was seeking to love and be loved. Behind her distant exterior, was beating a warm heart that was desiring connection.
Atom was knowing that he would have to cross many obstacles to help her reveal her true self.
As minimum, he had achieved to reduce the distance that had caused the sudden disappearance of the maternal love that she still was needing. He had alleviated, although it was a little, her loneliness.
"Brother."
"Yes? What is it?"
Atom was celebrating in silence his small victory when he heard the voice of the girl.
He turned the head.
Aurore had it supported on his shoulder. Her voice was sounding halting, as if something was oppressing her chest.
The tension in her voice increased.
She pulled of Atom with more force than before. It was as if she was fearing that he would disappear suddenly, as if the air could steal from her her brother.
Upon feeling it, Atom caressed her head with softness.
Something stirred in his heart upon seeing his little sister so sensitive, so vulnerable.
The room remained in silence.
Two hearts supported themselves one against the other. They beat without words, without promises, only with the certainty that, for now, they were together.