WOULD YOU RESCUE ME?

1. Halloween nights

Friday, October 31st, Dublin. A magical city, it's late at night and the rain is falling again, yet no one seems to care. People wander the streets, untouched by the warm raindrops on their skin and the cold wind tousling their hair.
Bars remain open, and through the windows, you can see groups of friends laughing and celebrating together as if there's no tomorrow. The music pulses loudly along the main street, drawing in even the shyest souls, who let go of their inhibitions, at least for tonight. It's Halloween, a night when you can step outside your usual self. Just don some heavy makeup and a mask, play it cool, and enjoy the wildness of the dark hours. Tomorrow will come, bringing reality back, but for now, it's all about the magic of the night.
Yet even on this enchanting evening, loners, deep thinkers, and outsiders linger at the edges, observing from afar. They stand alone at tables or drift along with the flow of the crowd, quietly watching as others revel in the festivities.

Vanessa was one of the few who didn't quite fit the mold; she wasn't a loner or an overthinker, yet here she was on her favorite day of the year, alone. Despite lacking friends around her, she reveled in the vibrant atmosphere. This wasn't the first time she found herself in solitude, she had grown accustomed to it. Back in her old university, she had been well-known and beloved, surrounded by friends. But now, starting over felt like an exciting challenge rather than a setback. To her, it was a fresh start, a new beginning, much like two years ago when she moved away from her hometown to study in Milan.

Right now, Vanessa was staring intently at the guys playing on the small stage. The bass player had a peculiar tattoo that covered the lower half of his forearm and part of his hand. Even beneath all that ink, a scar was visible, raised against his skin. It appeared to be old, and since the edges weren't straight, it was definitely not from a surgical incision. It was likely from a burn during a car or motorbike accident. As she shifted her focus, Vanessa noticed that the man had similar scars on his chest and legs slightly different, but somehow connected. Yes, definitely a bike accident, she thought. But what she couldn't quite figure out yet were the burn marks on his arm and chest. Vanessa was lost in thought, trying to gather as many details as possible before moving on to observe someone new.

"Can I get you something else?" the bartender asked Vanessa, pulling her back into the real world and out of her thoughts. "Ehmm... Sorry, what?" Vanessa replied, turning her attention from the bass player to the bartender. "I know their music is great; I didn't mean to interrupt your listening, but I noticed your glass was empty. Would you like a refill?"
Vanessa paused for a moment, then gave a small smile, pushing her empty glass toward the bartender. "Sure, I'll take a refill, thanks. And by the way, I'm Vanessa," she said, glancing over Astra's way as she started pouring.
Astra's green eyes lingered on Vanessa, the hint of a smirk playing on her lips. "Astra," she replied, leaning in slightly as she slid the glass back over, closer than necessary. "So, Vanessa, you seem pretty interested in the band. Are you a fan, or is it just the music that's got you so captivated?" Vanessa chuckled softly, feeling the warmth of Astra's gaze. "Honestly, I'm new in town, just trying to get a feel for the place. But the band's not bad." She nodded toward the bass player. "I was actually wondering about him noticed those scars on his arm and chest. Looked like he's been through something intense." Astra's eyes flicked over to the stage before returning to Vanessa, her expression more serious. "Yeah, you could say that. He had a pretty bad accident last year. It was a bike crash. He's lucky he even made it through." Astra's voice softened, but her gaze remained fixed on Vanessa, studying her reaction.
Vanessa raised an eyebrow, leaning in a little closer, intrigued. "That explains a lot. I couldn't help but notice the burn scars... like there was more to the story." Astra's smirk returned, and she leaned closer over the counter, closing the gap between them. "You've got a sharp eye, Vanessa. Not many people notice the details like that. You'd make a great detective." She paused, her voice lowering just a bit, as if sharing a secret. "But some stories are better told over more than just a refill, don't you think?" Vanessa felt a flicker of heat between them, the electricity in Astra's gaze making her smile widen. "Maybe I'll stick around for another round, then," she replied, her voice teasing, as their eyes locked for a moment longer than necessary.