Fragmented

E. E

- E-Ethan...? What the heck...?

- Hey Evelline! It's been a long time, hasn't it? - Ethan said very sympathetically, although he was slightly back because of the knife.

Evelline was embarrassed, immediately put the knife down, she was not ready for a reception, she was all disheveled, her eyes were swollen from crying and it was a bad day.

She even tried to dress up a bit, fixing her hair and trying to cover the purple mark that was on her neck.

- How did you get here? - she asked blandly.

- I was going to see you when you left the training, but the Lieutenant said you would be here.

- Ah, so you heard ...

- Yes, I thought you might, I don't know, want to talk. Of course, if it doesn't bother you.

She invited him in, even though she didn't know where to put her face.

- Ethan, I don't...

- I know, Evelline, I know. Do not worry. I recognize a scoundrel when I see one.

And she was much more relieved.

- Sit down please, I'll just get some tea.

- No thanks. I am fine.

So she went into the kitchen and made tea for herself, then came back and sat down with Ethan.

- Look, you really shouldn't be here, I live alone you know and...

- The doorman informed me of everything, there is a guard there at the door, I can't take long. It looks like you reinforced security well huh.

- Sorry about that, today was very traumatic.

- I can't even imagine...

- So why did you come after me?

- I missed you, Evelline.

- Yeah, but today is not a good day for that.

- Yeah ... I'm not very good with that kind of thing, I thought a lot if I should come here, but when I heard the Lieutenant talking, herself recommended me to support you, so ...

She blushed.

- I met the guy when I was climbing up here.

- Really?

- The guards kicked him out.

- And why did you take all this time to go up?

- A little hesitation, I think. And I wanted to give you time, too.

Evelline was happy to see Ethan, but she was still very angry, so she was unable to be as receptive as she would like.

- How are you doing? I mean, after all that happened last month... - she asked.

- Very well. Nobody knows who we are. - Ethan said this with very strange naturalness.

- How come nobody knows?! - asked Evelline, puzzled.

- Ahh it's a long story, but basically I asked the police not to let our identities be disclosed, since the camera filmed only superficial, and then fell to the ground, even before the fight was over. Only the people who were there at that moment know who we are, the rest of the city of Pilgrim is nowhere near suspicious, everyone there promised never to divulge anything.

This explains why all that uproar never bothered Evelline directly.

- I see.

- So how are you doing?

- How did you think I would be? - she replied discouraged.

- Sorry...

The two were silent for a long time, just staring at each other.

- You know, the first time we met, I was dying, and you were the only one who noticed that, Evelline, although my appearance suggests a little, it still wasn't that obvious. Why you? Of all people there, only you realized how I was.

She looked a little thoughtfully at Ethan, and replied:

- This may sound a little strange, but it's like I could feel you, I could feel that you were sad the first time I greeted you, and in class, I felt your feeling of peace there in the middle of everyone, it's strange, I can't tell for sure, but it's like I felt you were dying...

And he was not at all surprised to hear that, but he replied very willingly:

- We have a call, I can also see things through you.You can be stronger than anything they try to bring you down, I know you must be sad for your friend, but still, don't give up.

- Not everyone will believe this.

- I believe, many people will believe and soon everyone will know the truth.

- Of course your opinion is worth, but ...

- So don't give up, you don't necessarily need to be empowered to be strong or do the right thing. You encouraged me to face difficult times, I think now I need to give back, right?

She let out a tear.

- T-Thank you, I mean, I ... I don't know how to thank you, you don't know how it relieves me to know that you believe me.

And Evelline thought she saw for a moment that Ethan was also slightly flushed, but it seemed to be more of his imagination.

Evelline felt much lighter now, being there, in the company of someone who understood, was something that only Ethan had been able to offer her since she moved to Pilgrim.

They were talking and laughing a lot, until the moment was interrupted by the guard at the door, he came in and gently asked Ethan to leave.

- Thank you so much for coming! - Evelline hugged him tightly.

She felt lighter after that conversation, it was something she really needed.

- Although I really enjoyed your visit, and your support really means a lot to me, you can't come here anymore, Ethan, my family wouldn't want to know that I...

- I understand, do not worry. I just thought you might want a friendly shoulder. - he said with an open smile.

- I'll be going ... call me if you need to.

Ethan and the guard got out, carefully touching the door.

The young woman rolled her eyes and sank on the sofa, she felt her face flush with all her strength, it was as if she were in the clouds.