LONLEY ANGELS

3 - THEO REYES

The dude calls himself Theo. What an ugly name. He sits across from me at the table.
“Lauren and James are in town, don’t worry. We won’t be disturbed. Although it would be nice if you would like to come to my house…” he finally said, after just staring at me.
“No thanks. I’m good here. What do you want?” I ask, coldly. I have never been this cold.
“I would appreciate it if you would be nicer to me. I have done nothing wrong, but to give you a better life.” He says, then continues. “But, you are here, not only because you were chosen by me. You are the daughter of Samantha Ash. Former ruler of this world.”
“I’m sorry. What? My mom? A ruler?”
“Yes, indeed. Chosen by Antonio Doom, eleven years ago. She spent a long time here, until she freaked out. She realized what she was doing, and she swore never to sleep again. That angered Antonio, making him go outside of this world, to your mother and father. He killed your dad, going after you. But your mother gave herself up, only to let you live. She hid you so well, he never found you.”
“When she sent me to my grandma in another state. She rushed me out faster than the light. I never knew why, but…” I add, while he explains my mom’s story, one that I never knew.
“At some point, Samantha found a way to banish him away from this world, or any other world.” he said.
I cut him off. “My mom used to tell me her favorite story about a man, who loved his wife so much, he almost destroyed the world. The Doors of Doom.”
“Yes. After she created those, she was weak. She died two months after. She came and said goodbye though. And told me to take care of you. I was her favorite from here. She talked about you and your dad all the time. Well, when Antonio wasn’t around. He suffocated your mother, and I don’t intend to do the same. You are free to leave whenever you want, but promise me you’ll sleep the way you have to. Don’t ignore me. All I wish is for you to be… safer than how Samantha was.”

I accept to go on a walk with Theo, although I don’t really trust him. His stories seem so real, just like my mom’s. The way he explains everything that happened a long time ago fascinates me. But my thoughts still go home, to a sleeping Julie, and a probably awake June. I wish I could go home right now, to them. To my family. But I was stuck here, and I had to accept my fate. While we walk around the town, he shows me from time to time places my mother used to like. Such as the museum. They had a museum. A bar. A mall. A cinema. A hospital. Every place a normal town has. It looked so real, I almost felt like I wasn’t stuck in a dream. But I always remembered it wasn’t real.
Theo turned to me, and came very close to my face. He had to lean his face a lot, as I was shorter than him. His lips were very close to his, and his eyes moved from my lips to my eyes. But I backed away, as he was ready to……. kiss me.
“Look. I’m not going to have a kiss with a dream dude, okay?” I say, practically annoyed by the situation.
“This dream dude is your future. You will never get rid of me. Now, let’s find you a nickname. How about…” he took some time to think about it. I wanted to stop him, to tell him I don’t need one of his stupid nicknames. But he already spoke before I could open my mouth. “Angel. That is just… perfect. Do you like it?” he asks me, moving his hand on my cheek.
“No. I do not like it in any way. Choose another one.” Angel is Julie’s last name. I really don’t want it as my nickname from a dream dude.
“Why? I don’t wanna change it, I like it. My little angel.” He says, already giving me a peck on the lips, smiling brightly. I start to walk angrily through the city, hoping I’ll just wake up sooner or later. This starts to feel more like a nightmare than a dream.
As I walk through the city, I stop at a bar. I technically am not allowed to enter a bar until I reach the age of 21. But here I am. Not caring about rules since this is a dream. Or a nightmare. Or whatever it is. I step inside, and a cute, blue haired guy catches my eye. He sits alone at a table of two.
“Mind if I join?” I ask with a crisp voice.
“Not at all. Have a seat. Jack Walker. You?” The guy welcomes me at his table, and seems very nice already. Why couldn’t he choose me?”
“Katherine Ash, nice to meet you. This is already a lot for me to process, please help me or I might go insane.” I say.
“Don’t worry. I get you.” he responds, putting a slight smile on his face.