Echoes of heart

Chapter 5: Shadows of the Past

Zorak stood at the edge of the city, where the tall buildings of the Dominion seemed to touch the grey sky. The wind was cold, biting against his skin, reminding him of the emptiness that filled his heart.

He looked out at the barren land that stretched beyond the city. It was a wasteland, much like the feeling inside him — empty and desolate.

But there was still one light in his life: Kaia.

Every day, he saw her, and spoke to her, but it was like talking to a ghost. Kaia had changed so much since the Dominion took her.

The warmth and laughter that used to fill her eyes were gone. Instead, she moved through her daily life with a blank expression, as if she were just another part of the crowd.

Zorak remembered their childhood vividly. They had spent countless hours underground, playing in the dark tunnels that felt like a haven.

Back then, life was simple and full of dreams. But now, everything is different. The Dominion had taken everything, including Kaia's memories.

Today, he stood in line behind her at the ration kiosk. As he watched her, his heart ached. He wanted to reach out, to tell her how much she meant to him. But what good would it do? She wouldn't remember.

"Do you ever feel like you've forgotten something important?" he asked suddenly, trying to sound casual.

Kaia turned to him, her brow furrowing slightly. "Sometimes," she replied softly. "But I can't remember what it is. It feels like... a part of me is missing."

Zorak felt a surge of hope. Maybe there was still a chance.

He wanted to shout, to tell her everything, but before he could gather his thoughts, the line moved. Kaia turned away, and Zorak watched as she collected her rations, a piece of his heart breaking with each moment.

As she walked away, Zorak couldn't help but follow her. He wanted to be near her, to feel the connection they once had. But as he walked, he noticed something strange.

A figure stood at the edge of the crowd, watching him closely. It was just a regular person in the same uniform as everyone else, but something about their gaze made Zorak uneasy.

He quickened his pace, hoping to shake off the feeling of being followed.

But the figure seemed to mirror his movements, staying just close enough that Zorak could sense their presence. He had learned long ago that in a world like this, there were always eyes watching.

Zorak ducked into a nearby alley, pressing his back against the cold brick wall. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. What did they want? Did they know about his feelings for Kaia?

He felt a knot tightening in his stomach. The Dominion thrived on secrets, and he had worked hard to keep his hidden.

After a few tense moments, Zorak peeked around the corner. The figure was gone. He let out a sigh of relief but remained on edge. Whoever it was, they hadn't been friendly.

With Kaia on his mind, Zorak returned to his thoughts about the Dominion. It was a harsh world where emotions were controlled.

People were taught to suppress their feelings, to fit into the rigid structure that the Dominion enforced.

Zorak often wondered if anyone else felt the way he did — if anyone else longed for the past, for the joy and love that once filled their lives.

He reached his home, a small space in the underground where he lived alone. As he sat in the dim light, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change.

He had to find a way to break through to Kaia, to bring back the spark that had been extinguished. The thought filled him with both determination and fear.

He closed his eyes, imagining a future where Kaia remembered him. Where they could laugh and play again, free from the chains of the Dominion. It was a dream worth fighting for.

And deep down, Zorak knew he wouldn't give up. Not now, not ever.