"Vio," a voice whispered.
It was soft, female-steady, almost nostalgic. As if my ears had heard its gentle sound once before.
But I can't remember.
Slowly, I open my eyes, only to be blinded by the searing blaze of flames, roaring as if they might swallow everything around me. And yet, no matter how high they climb, their crackling play between the wooden furniture feels strangely insignificant. As if they were frozen in time, burning, but never spreading, never fading.
"If you had one wish..." the voice spoke again, rising even above the fire's hiss and snap.
Carefully, I try to lift my arm - or at least I think I try. I think I could. But it doesn't move. Not even a millimeter.
"What would you wish for?"
All at once, the flames shift. They surge and coil, waves crashing upward. A spark leaps free, only to vanish again. And then, where the fire breaks open, a figure steps through. Wreathed in fire, flickering, yet somehow cool to the touch. She drifts toward me, her movement weightless, as if she doesn't touch the ground at all. A spirit, maybe. Or something higher, something wrathful, born for revenge.
But she doesn't feel threatening.
If anything, she feels lost. Floating aimlessly, not dangerous - more like someone familiar, someone kind.
As if I know her.
But again, I don't remember.
Not at all.
"I think... I'd wish to go back to the old days. When we were younger."
Old days.
The old days?
Do I know her?
Did I forget something?
Or does she only know me, while I don't know her?
Suddenly, I wake.
Abruptly.
In my bed. Back in a room I know.
"My... room," I mutter, sweat running down my face as my eyes roam the square walls painted plain white.
They fall on the small desk to my left, its silver legs carrying a pale wooden surface. Then to the long wardrobe of dark oak on my right. And finally, to the blue door straight ahead. Warm sunlight loosens the tension in my neck, birdsong presses softly through the closed window, while I draw in a deep breath of the stale room air and form one last thought.
"The nightmares are coming more often lately."