The tale of Zayra [in Review]

07. VISIONS

||The sky a bit more purple than usual
A bit warmer the sun
But in the air, a good taste||

Extraterrestre - Eugenio Finardi

×~×~×

It's been a long and harsh winter since my father forced me to immerse myself in the deep study of my place of origin. Months of incessant commitment have brought us to the transition period between winter and spring, a moment when nature itself seems to awaken from its icy slumber.

The days rush by in a whirlwind between school and the parallel world I've created to immerse myself completely in my studies. Antony and Bastet are my constant companions, always there to support me as I delve into the depths of "Marian." The nuns who run the orphanage are visibly concerned about me. Studying school subjects and delving into "Marian" knowledge simultaneously is a titanic task, often accompanied by confusion and disappointing grades. But it's all right, or at least that's what I constantly tell myself.

×~×~×

My mind awakens slowly, heavy eyes strain to focus on the image before me, initially appearing as a vague blur. After a few blinks, I can finally see clearly what lies before me: nothing.

Darkness surrounds me, and I seem to be the only "colorful" thing in this dark world. Slowly, images begin to take shape in my mind, albeit dark, transporting me to a well-defined place. I find myself in a wheat field on a scorching summer day, oppressive heat enveloping everything without a breeze to provide relief. However, the wheat stalks move slowly, as if dancing to an inaudible melody.

I wonder why I'm here. I wander through the field alone until I find myself in the middle of a road where cars pass by at 30km/h and trucks carry logs, hay, animals, stones, construction materials "zooming" slowly. Why am I here?

In a matter of moments, I'm inside a house, in the heart of a city, yet far from any human presence. The houses seem like they're from an American setting. Inside this particular house, everything is perfectly arranged.

I enter through the front door and find myself already in the kitchen, which connects to the living room, then there are stairs, a bathroom, and other rooms.

On the first floor, I find three bedrooms: two large ones with double beds and a single room with two bunk beds, three beds joined, and one attached to the wall. But it's all arranged, as if the people who lived there before had handed it over to someone else, fully furnished with children's toys, bed linens, blankets, tables, chairs, desks. A room for children... But there's something unusual: I'm not alone. Even before entering the building, two strangers approach me, and soon their silhouettes become clearer inside the house. Then there's the terrace, overlooking a strangely familiar city, but a sensation of falling pervades it, making it eerie.

Then I find myself in another place, next to a mysterious boy whose face is shrouded in shadow. And then... yes, that... Well...

He takes my hand and suddenly kisses me, a long and passionate kiss. I close my eyes for a second, then reopen them, and he's gone: I'm back in the wheat field, but this time it's evening, with the first stars enchanting the sky. In front of me is a dark stone about four feet tall, which draws me in, and I start touching it. With the mere touch of my finger, it begins to glow.

"Identification," suddenly announces a voice, as a scanner emerges from the mysterious stone. "Subject identified: Princess Zayra from Marian. There's a message for you." A hologram materializes in front of me. My message is from... The image becomes clearer and I understand from the silhouette that it's him, my father.