THE UNBREAKABLE PIECE (FIRST BOOK OF THE HIDDEN WORLD) English version

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE MATILDA

One after another, the drops fell on the dull gray pavement of the street in Upper West Side. My nose against the frosty glass, and Roald Dahl's book, Matilda, rested on my lap. My hands were small again, and from what my reflection showed me, I couldn't be more than seven years old. I looked over my shoulder; the boxes with random words written on them— "FRAGILE: CHINA," "BOOKS," "AMY'S CLOTHES," "KITCHEN UTENSILS"—were scattered across the floor of my entire house. Only a moss-green armchair adorned the place. And the famous spiral staircase recently painted by William. I could still smell the scent of fresh paint and the toast burning from my father's kitchen.

The subtle movement of jet-black, as dark as the night, caught my attention. A woman with delicate and attractive features smiled at me from the other side of the sidewalk. She shook her hair once again and winked one of her icy eyes in my direction before continuing on her way. A feeling of familiarity settled in my chest, maybe I knew her, or perhaps she was trying to see my mother's face in another woman, soothing all the pain I now lived with.

I stepped back a few centimeters from the glass, securing that treasure against my chest. I was never alone if accompanied by a book, and now Matilda was here with me. I smiled at the reflection, framed by drops clinging to the window, descending at a constant pace. Still not understanding how Matilda and I, years later, would share the same gift. Telekinesis.

The air in my lungs froze halfway down my throat. The reflection had changed; it was no longer showing me. The smooth surface exposed a child, not much bigger than me. His coppery hair looked like a basket of peaches on his head, letting several curls fall loose on his porcelain forehead. But it wasn't that which caught my attention, but the emerald color that shone in his eyes, observing me as if life began in them. As if my life depended on them too.

All the muscles in my small body tensed, I could hear the beat of my heart joining his, and after a few minutes, I began to fall into that emerald, without stopping, letting myself be taken prisoner by the security they offered me.

"IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP," his voice said, lost in time and space.

I blinked several times and gripped the katana a few inches closer to my chest. My hands were huge and masculine this time, and the world seemed to be a different color, a bit more subdued than usual. Flames rose through the blue pines of Phoenix, while Lexi tried to guide us with the force of her gift. Jayden at her side protected her back, in case any of Drahceb's followers appeared unexpectedly. A few steps behind, William walked, digging his boots into the ground vigorously, closely following Lexi's steps. Savannah and Brandon shielded his sides, trying to extinguish the fire that now enveloped us.

I kept my pace, unable to stop thinking that I had to reach her because if I lost her, my life would go with her. I would give up everything to join her because my heart only knew how to beat when she set her beautiful hazel eyes on me.

I was awake. Awake because he was here.

I screamed, screamed with all the strength my lungs could offer. Everything was crimson, ascending to the sky, dissolving among the stars and the moon. My heart returned to its normal rhythm. The dark, gut-wrenching void had disappeared, replaced by anger and the thirst for revenge. And the strength these could offer me.

The sharp and chilling sound of swords clashing didn't take long to arrive, along with the screams of battle provoked by the Onpixes around me. In my mind, the sweet melody of violins replayed over and over, announcing the final moments, caressing the notes with each passing second. My head was tilted backward, my gaze focused on the sky. The battle around me continued despite my scream, but I knew he had heard me. I knew everyone had heard it.