Kafft's Tower - The heir of "The Valley"

In the spotlight

Right now, I have mixed feelings: I'm not sure if I feel more joyful than sad... or furious and calm... I've experienced too many emotions in less than a day. The unexpected arrival of my mother fills me with joy and excitement, but it seems my luck isn't complete when I discover that Urk, that young man I left behind in the Nation sixteen years ago and haven't heard from in months, has shown up here, and not just for a visit.

I don't know why he's currently in the recognition room, but I can't help feeling a deep anger seeing him in this situation. I'm in the office, waiting to process him, as it's one of my duties in the tower when new inmates arrive, to assign him his designated room where he'll spend the rest of his life. I'm holding back as best I can, leaning against the table in the adjoining room, nervously waiting while they conduct his medical examination. I have to stay calm and not reveal any of my emotions, nor the connection that binds us, because otherwise, my father would assign someone else to monitor him, keeping me away from him.

The door opens, and Urk appears. I look at him, still feeling overwhelmed by the emotions surging within me.

They've dressed him in the official uniform worn by the prisoners in this facility—a light gray pair of pants and a matching shirt, with the Nation's emblem in white on the back, where the angel's wings are visible. He's showered, shaved, and they've cut his hair just above his shoulders, yet he still looks a bit gaunt.

Fatigue is evident in his dark, tired eyes, and his curly, chestnut hair looks somewhat unkempt. But despite all that, he remains as handsome as he was when he was 15. His tanned skin and fine features don't seem to show any signs of aging. Now he looks at me, and I see a person who is beaten down, defeated, and at this moment, humiliated. I quickly grab his arm roughly, as I can't let the other staff see even a hint of the pain I feel for him.

— Leave him to me - I quickly snap at the guard who brought him from the examination.- I'll take care of him. You can go; I won't need your help for now. If I do, I'll let you know. Thank you.

The guard leaves the room, and once we're alone, I deactivate the electronic shackle to embrace him.

He releases himself and grabs me so tightly that I almost can't breathe.

— Leean, I can't believe I'm looking at you. You look so handsome- he says enthusiastically, but I can't reply with the same energy as I'm still disoriented by his arrival.

— But Urk, what are you doing here? What have you done? You still look as handsome as ever... -

Without thinking, he grabs my face and kisses me. At that moment, the last day we spent together in the Nation comes rushing back to me.

It was a sunny day, and I remember being in the garden at home. He had his arms around my shoulders, and I was crying. He just wanted to comfort me:

— Remember, this won't be our last day together. I promise I'll come find you wherever you go. I swear that no matter where you are, we'll see each other again. No matter what, we'll be together again.

At that moment, when everything seemed perfect for a heartfelt goodbye, my father appeared, grabbed me roughly by the arm, and dragged me back into the house, not letting my feet touch the ground. I could see Urk at the entrance, linking his middle finger with his index finger and bringing his hand to his left side of the chest.

That was our signal to say to each other, "Always with you, until the end."

After that kiss, which so brutally transported me back to the past, I quickly gather the data that central is waiting for so as not to waste another second.