"Yes, sir, I am free tonight. So, what do you want?"
"Well, nothing much. Just a dinner date… I guess?" he said, wearing a smile that
was anything but pleasant.
Finally, it's in motion. I hate them. I absolutely hate them.
They must be erased from this world. All they do is destroy, Kael thought.
The orange sky faded as darkness devoured the last rays of day—and hope.
Lyra entered the staff room wearing a deep red, form-fitting dress that amplified her
beauty. The straps rested gently on her shoulders, the above-knee length enough to
steal breath and silence any room. Her bare shoulders and the elegant ruching made
her look like a goddess carved into mortal form.
"So, you took your sweet time, huh?" Kael said, still washing dishes.
"Oh my! A sweet baby is doing the dishes," Lyra teased. "At least look at me! I am
doing YOUR work, Kael!"
"Fine, fine. Well yeah, you are loo—"
Kael froze.
And stared.
And stared.
And kept staring.
"Stop staring."
"You… you look absolutely beautiful. Like a rose freshly sprinkled with water,
glowing under the morning sun," Kael murmured, completely lost in her presence.
"That's… the best I can describe you."
Lyra's cheeks flushed as she turned away.
"Let's get some fresh air, shall we?" she said, trying to tame the smile tugging at her
lips.
The bell above the restaurant door chimed as they stepped outside into the quiet
night.
"What in the world is THAT?!" Kael shouted, pointing toward a big blue sphere in the
sky.
"Did you hit your head? That's the moon, duffer."
"Bu-But… isn't the moon supposed to be white?"
Lyra smirked. "Yeah. You definitely hit it."
"Well… whatever. Anyway, you're getting late. I don't usually say this but—you look
beautiful tonight."
You don't even know what's happening, Lyra… do you? Kael thought.
"Here, take this. Go quickly. Don't be late to your first date," Kael said, handing her a
purple stone glowing faintly with white specks.
"If you say that again, I swear I'll kill you!" Lyra snapped.
Wait. What IS that stone? Why did I give it to her? What does it even do?
Kael's mind churned.
"Okay. I'm leaving! Bye!"
"By—"
Before he could finish, the stone flared.
A flash of white light swallowed Lyra whole.
And she disappeared.
"What the actual shit is happening?!" Kael gasped.
This wasn't normal.
This wasn't anything he remembered.
Or had he remembered it once?
Did he know what the stone did?
Why was he doing this?
This wasn't a normal world at all.