Rain hammered against the city window, and streets.
Thunder split the sky, Wind's that could make people's freeze, and drowning the city's neon veins in a pulse of light and shadow. People still hurried under umbrellas, taxis screamed through puddles, and deep inside the City Harbor, the real city showed its teeth.
A man's heartbeat thudded, frantic, louder than the storm.
Flames licked up the cargo containers, orange tongues against black water. Shadows screamed and clawed by fear of death and pain as the mafia boss watched, cigarette glowing in his mouth. His laughter cut through the rain as bodies burned alive - enemies reduced to ash by fire and fear.
Loud Thunder CRACKS!
The scene split apart.
In other side of the world, Winter clicks as warmth. Snow falls on windows like flower petals playing on them.
Fire and screames replaced by Golden light and melody playing on radio. Children laughed, chasing each other around a dinner table. A family gathered in warmth, safe, Pure Love and untouched.
-RIIIIING!
The alarm ripped it all away.
EzraGraves jolted awake, chest heaving, sweat clinging to his skin. For a long moment, he lay frozen, listening to the tick-tock of the clock on the wall. Each second landed too sharp, like nails in his skull.
"Ah… f**king shit." A crooked grin tugged at his lips. "Weird dreams, again huh?"
Dragging himself into the bathroom, he flicked on the fluorescent light.
The mirror offered no comfort.
Pale skin. Black hair, damp and tangled. But his eyes-black, flat, bottomless-seemed less like reflections and more like watchers.
He leaned closer. The reflection lagged, half a second off, as if it didn't belong to him at all.
Foam slipped down the sink as he brushed his teeth. He smirked at the glass."Weird dreams. Weird eyes. Weird blurry faces." and with grin "Yeah..well let's face the today."
The shower was cold. On purpose. Ice stabbed his skin, beating the heaviness out of his bones, until the storm in his head dulled to a low hum.
When he stepped out, he dressed with practiced precision. Shirt, buttons, collar, jacket. Each layer, a mask. A self constructed to survive the day.
The dining hall smelled of toast, morning veggie soup and eggs. His family was already gathered.
"Good morning," his mother, Rosey Graves, said softly, setting down a plate to all.
"Morning," his father, Miller Graves, added, and adjusting his tie.
"Big bro had weird dreams again, huh?" his little sister, Sophie Graves, teased with a grin, swinging her legs beneath her chair.
"Stop teasing," his little brother, Vale Graves, shot back. "He's fine."
Ezra smirked faintly and sat down. Their chatter filled the room with warmth, but none of it reached him.
Halfway through breakfast, Miller cleared his throat."Ezra, I got an appointment with the city's top therapist today for you. And you must visit him."
Ezra paused mid-bite, then set his toast down."What's the use? Therapy won't stop my dreams. And see it's raining-."
Miller, cutoff's "You. Should. Go. No more questions."
Ezra forced a grin. "…But....ah fine. I'll go."
Rosey smiled, but her eyes betrayed the worry she couldn't hide.
After Miller finished the breakfast, he stood up from the table and washed his hand, and look at Ezra, and said "Here the appointment card." He placed the appointment card on table near to him, and said "don't miss the therapy session and make me angry. Better go to Therapy." And said "Bye to all." left the house to his office.
And Ezra, took the appointment card and whisper the therapist name "Dr.Ezekiel."
And set the card aside on table and continued eating...
Outside, the rain still battered.
The storm never ended. It's Just beginned.