A Wave's Echo

Lighthouse Library

"I'm Viktor. It's nice to finally meet you."

Time stops for a second as I try to process that brief but eerie sentence. For starters, his name instantly sends shivers down my spine. Viktor. The man behind that ominous painting that almost had me spiraling. He pronounces it differently than how I did; when I tried, it felt natural and light, with an enigmatic and foreign aftertaste. When he does, it sounds like royalty; like it should be called with head held high and reverence. It is that much more magnetic.

But the second thing that leaves me with my jaw hanging slightly open is a detail that I can't help but notice right away. Finally.

It's nice to finally meet you.

Thoughts rush into my brain all at once, and I can hardly organize them. What is he trying to say with that? Does he know me? Has he been waiting for me? Am I missing something here? I'm sure I've never seen him; he's not a man that can be forgotten, I could bet my life on that. He also doesn't seem like the type of person to choose his words recklessly, I'm positive. There's something in the way he speaks that lets me know he doesn't do it just to exchange a few pleasantries. He talks with purpose and meaning.

So it must not be a coincidence that he let that one thing slip out.

Silence hangs over our heads like a heavy blanket, and I can see him studying my reaction, as if testing me. As if waiting for my next move. But unfortunately, I cannot offer much besides a dubious reply.

"Finally? What do you mean?" I say, still slightly flustered, and I almost regret it as soon as I'm finished.

Viktor purses his lips, and for many, it would be an almost invisible movement to detect; but for me, who's been staring at him as if a ghost had just risen from the sea, it is impossible not to catch. He seems to be pondering, maybe on what to say next, before smiling innocently.

"Well, it's just that I've heard from Sylvia that someone would be moving here soon. I assume it's you, since your face is new to me."

"Right... Yes, I came here this afternoon. I thought I'd look around a bit. Actually..." I'm not sure if I should continue with my sentence, but something inside of me is telling me to do it. I want to surprise him. His eyes give me the impression that what I've told him so far wasn't what he wanted, and it might be just my mind toying with me once again, but one thing I'm sure of, no matter how strange and incomprehensible it is: I don't want to bore him. "You know, there's a painting in the house I'm buying from Sylvia. I think it's yours. She seems to be a fan."

"Oh?"

Viktor's ears perk up, his whole demeanor shifting ever so slightly. I caught his attention.

To be truthful, it's not only a desire to impress him that is motivating me. After all, that painting is still a mystery; and it just so happens that his creator is sitting right in front of me. So, it may go against the alarm system built within me, but I should probably take the chance to try and understand what is going on. Or at the very least, allow myself to clear some doubts.

"I remember selling it to her husband. I thought it would look great in their home. Did you like it, Ezra?"

There's a twinkle in his eyes, but it could as well just be the reflection of the moon above us. However, I can't ignore the childish, unintentional grin cracking the side of his lips.

I swallow, my throat dry, a feeling similar to fear rising to my chest.

"No. The technique is good I think, but the image is just... scary. I hated it."

Silence.

Nothing but silence surrounds us, the only exception being the crashing of the waves against the rocks.