I started to come back from a dream. I had been dreaming. That was for sure. I still had some images running through my head. Fragmented and distant images.
   I moved a little. Although I had not opened my eyes I was fully aware of where he was. I had already gotten used to my mattress and the weight of the blanket on me. It was comfortable and warm. So I tried to go back to sleep. It had been on the beach, in a corner hidden from view by several dense trees and rocks scattered everywhere. I remembered then that I had been watching everything from a clearing in the forest. And she wasn't alone. Adam was with me. And he pointed out to me a group of five pointed stones, very tall, illuminated in a strange way. A light that seemed to come from the same distant sun that was hiding on the horizon, beyond the dark clouds. And there was fog, around the stones, dense and gray.
   I tried to remember more details but only Adam's eyes staring at everything came to mind. Then I followed his gaze and remembered more things. There was a bonfire, burning in the center of the pointed stones. It was fed by large, fat logs. The red fire illuminated the people sitting around him.
   From where I was I couldn't see their faces, only their outlines. The fog covered them. But it was strange because I had the feeling that that fog was not simply floating around them but seemed to move between them as if it had a life of its own.
   I tried to get closer but Adam's hand stopped me. I tried to see the faces of the nine people who were there but I couldn't.
   Suddenly, after a few minutes of silence, the strangers stood up from the sand where they were sitting and removed from their necks what seemed to me to be garlands made of leaves. And they threw them into the fire. They stood still, watching the flames.
   The image suddenly became blurry and I tried to move in bed. I knew the dream continued. I focused on the fire and managed to see the scene more clearly. One of the strangers raised his hands. And I noticed that in one of them the blade of a knife was shining. He took a step towards the fire and in a quick act made a gash in his chest. Then he extended his arm over the fire allowing the blood from the knife to spill onto the flames.
   I thought I was going to scream from shock. And I think I started doing it because I felt Adam's hand covering my mouth, while he whispered in my ear:
   "Silence!"
   I calmed down and nodded but he didn't remove his hand from it. I looked at the fire again. The stranger now had both of his arms raised, pointing towards the sky. And suddenly, he spoke in a powerful way and so cold that he made my blood run cold:
   “Fight is the answer," he shouted.
   The others repeated the phrase. Then the stranger added:
   “The Fight is the answer, until we rise from the chains that separate one brother from another brother.”
   Adam's hand was squeezing me too much. I wanted to move to get away but I moved too much and then I opened my eyes. I had lost sleep. I sat down and uncovered myself. His body was soaked.
   "Hello, sleepyhead…"
   I recognized Adam's voice but was still startled. He sat near me. He placed his hands on either side of my body and looked at me intently. We were face to face. I could feel his breath on my face.

“Adam…,” I stammered, “what… happened?”

“You fainted,” he told me, brushing his long fingers against my cheek. His wool glove tickled me. "I got worried…"
   " I had a very strange dream."

“No, you didn't dream it,” Adam told me, lowering his voice.
   I looked at him stunned. And then I remembered.
   "The ritual…!" I exclaimed with barely a thread of voice.
   Adam looked at me seriously. His eyes were dull and his face was tense.
   "Who were they?" I stammered.
   “The Dark Ones,” he told me, looking down.
   "Adam…, it was…incredible!" I said. "Thanks for showing it to me…"
   Adam looked up and fixed his eyes on me. Suddenly his gaze seemed to regain its characteristic shine and a small smile appeared on his lips.
  "It does not scare you? Didn't that seem like something...bad?"
   "Did they sacrifice someone after I fainted?" I asked jokingly.
   "Not this time… But sometimes they sacrifice animals," Adam became serious again.
   "Why?" I didn't like that.
   "They need the energy to survive."
   "Do they drink your blood, like vampires?"
   " No, Emma," Adam barely smiled. "This is not 'Twilight'. The energy that is released in the sacrifice is what is used. The Dark Ones live dark lives. They have two convictions. And to maintain their powers they resort to sacrifices. In other times, sacrifices were human. Now, only sometimes, they are replaced by animals," That “only sometimes…” worried me. "Of course that energy is not the same. It is a lower quality, wild and less powerful energy. It is what gives them life."
   "And the Penitents…do they do it too?"
   "No," Adam responded in a low voice and I thought he was blushing. "They have chosen another path. They want to return to Paradise. They do not mix so as not to have the second sentence. And they maintain the privilege of belonging to their clan. But what they do is a very great sacrifice, they renounce immortal life. Instead, the Dark Ones mixed and continue to do so, marrying humans and having offspring. This is how they stay young and powerful. And for this they also make sacrifices."
   "And doesn't that condemn them even more?"
   "Yes," Adam looked at me intently. He was still tense and seemed nervous. "But they are already condemned. They will never return to the Father. So they choose not to die."
   "And the Penitents?"
   "They will eventually die. And they do it believing that they will be received again..."
   "And you don't believe that?"
   Adam looked down and bit his lip.
   "It is an act of faith. Life is an act of faith. Everything we do, everything we trust, is. We wake up every morning making an act of faith: believing that the world will continue out there, just like the one we left when we didn't go to bed. We think that the sun, every day, will appear again. It's an act of faith. The Penitents make their own leap of faith. They sacrifice the immortality of the flesh by an act of faith. Although they are not certain, they believe that once they die, the Father will receive them and they will be redeemed from his first condemnation..."
   Suddenly, Adam stared at me. And he shuddered. I knew he intended to continue talking but, for some reason, he stopped suddenly.
   I wanted to continue asking him. I wanted to know more about all that. But I didn't have the courage. I just looked back at him. Adam started to get closer to me, very slowly. He remained like that, as if petrified, with his gaze on mine, and his labored breathing. And for a second I thought he was going to kiss me. But before he could react, I heard a door slam downstairs.
   "Your mother!" Adam told me, jumping to his feet. "I better go. If she finds me here..., we will have to get married..."
   I laughed. And it seemed that his face lit up. He looked at me with his same smiling expression as always. Laughing and cheeky. He made me happy that he was back to being the same old Adam. He climbed through the window and winked at me.
   "See you," he told me.
   I nodded, smiling, as he disappeared. And then I heard my mother's footsteps coming up the stairs.
   Dinner was nice. Alice's chicken - with that sweet and sour mustard and cranberry sauce - fascinated me. While I was eating I promised myself I would learn that recipe. Because in theory I knew it very well but in practice I wasn't so sure that it would turn out that tasty.
   With every bite I felt better. I had lived a very special and very interesting day. I went over it in my mind as my mother told me about her work.
   "And you, how did you spend it?"
   I looked up. Alice looked at me expectantly.
   "Good," I said. "More classmates came and we ended up studying in a group."
   "That's very good."
   "Do you really believe that?" I looked at her again.
   We had never talked about my personal rules. But she knew what I thought about it: avoid making friends at all costs. I didn't like goodbyes. She wanted to avoid the pain that this caused me.
   “Albert has been behaving,” Alice said, pronouncing each word slowly.
   We looked at each other for a few seconds. Did this mean that we were going to stay in Crescent City longer than we usually stayed in other places? Those words - if they really meant that - only reinforced my rules. If we spent more time there—more than usual—my bonds were likely to deepen. And the farewell would be even worse.
   "Emma, ​​there are many ways to stay in touch. There is technology. You can't stay without friends. Solitude is not recommended."
   "You don't have friends," I snapped.
   She looked at me.
   "But I have colleagues. In every job I do, I end up meeting a lot of people. Also at your age it is different."
   I knew what he was trying to do and I thanked him silently.
   "I…will try," I stammered. And immediately Damien's face came to mind. The image of him always came to me without being summoned. But this time it seemed different. I had thought about him. I knew that if I wanted a friend, Damien would be my first choice. Although he didn't want to fool me. I was attracted to Damien in such a different and strange way that it couldn't be a simple friendship. I really liked that young man, and it was the first time I felt that way. And it was the first time that the same thing seemed to happen to the other person with me. Of course, I wasn't sure what Damien felt about me. But it was clear that it was not indifference.
His call that morning had confirmed it to me. And above all, his discomfort when he knew that Adam was with me. Could it be jealousy? What more could someone like me want than a person like Damien to be jealous of me? It was too good to be true.
   "And…, how are things going with Adam?"
   "Adam…?"
   Alice looked at me smiling.
   "Adam...he's a good boy," I said.
   “Just that…?” my mother asked me. “Don't you like him?” Not a bit…?
   "Of course I like him," I was surprised to recognize it. "He is very sweet and very gentleman. I have liked him from day one."
    "And then…?"
I knew exactly what my mother was implying. But for some reason I didn't see Adam in any way other than as a friend. Of course he knew the reason: Damien. But that was not the only reason. Adam had a lot of things going for him for me to notice him. Even - if I thought about it - more than Damien.
   Adam, to begin with, had the advantage of being called Adam. Just by calling himself that he had already secured my full attention. Also, the fact that he gave me candy on the first day of school was a masterstroke of chance. But there was something that didn't allow me to lower the barrier from the beginning. At first I didn't realize what it was. But then, thinking about it, I knew what it was about. Even though Adam seemed very interested in me, in spending time with me and always seemed to be attentive... Even though he always looked for a way to make me laugh and help me, there was something that alerted me that I shouldn't harbor it for him. another feeling other than camaraderie. And that something was called Marie La Croix.
   When I observed them talking after class, I realized everything. I realized that she was madly in love with him, as much or more than Maggie was. But I also realized that he felt the same way about her. Her reaction confirmed it to me. Her body language told me so: when he walked towards her, he was not completely facing her, but rather in profile, as if distrustful. And when he listened to her, he had his arms crossed at the level of her chest. He was protecting himself from her. She was his cousin. If she was indifferent to him, he would not have acted like this. He simply would have had another body language, more relaxed, perhaps, like, for example, the one he showed when he was with Maggie.
   Of course, Adam could be unconsciously protecting himself from Marie, for any other reason. After all, they had told me that his families didn't get along well. That was more than demonstrated by his interaction with Damien. And then…for a moment, I felt confused.
   But I think because of all that, I had gotten it into my head that Adam was out. He was either for Marie or Maggie. It was as if he put a sign in my head, letting me know that there was a line that should not be crossed.
   However, reflecting on all that I came to wonder why I had not been able to draw that same dividing line with Damien as well. Was it because I perceived that Marie was in love with Adam and not Damien? Or because I simply avoided drawing that line because I had already crossed it?
   I liked Damien a lot. He had completely taken over my thoughts. I should have been faster. As much as he had been with Adam to protect me from unrequited love. Still there were things I didn't understand. If Adam was in love with Marie—as I was sure he was—why was he rejecting her? Because his feelings towards him were very evident. Anyone could see it. Although maybe Adam himself didn't know it. Things always seem clear from the outside, to the observer who looks from afar. But what about the one he's involved with? When that is the situation, it is not easy to realize things, much less the feelings of the people around us.
   After a shower - which, as I was immersed in my intricate thoughts - lasted longer than expected. And I spent several minutes under the water until I managed to get rid of the foam. When I went down the stairs, I almost collided with Alice who was going up to her bedroom.
   "Good night, mom,” I said, giving her a hug.
   "Good night, Emma. Ah…," she stopped halfway. "Someone called you on the phone when you were in the shower."
   "Adam?!" I immediately regretted that that name had escaped me. Even more so when she was thinking about Damien.
   Alice smiled but she tried to hide it.
   "No. It was a girl. Marie. If that is. Marie La Croix. Her number is written next to the phone. She asked me to call her as soon as you could. Who is she?"
   " A…companion."
   "Ah, well," Alice yawned tired. "I'm going to sleep. See you tomorrow."
   I waited impatiently for my mother to enter her bedroom. I stood there for a few minutes, until finally the light went out. I went down the stairs clumsily and in a hurry. My whole body was shaking. I got to the phone and dialed the numbers as quickly as I could. Something told me that it was Damien who had called me. And for some reason he made her talk to her cousin in her place when she attended to my mother.
   It urged me to hear Damien's voice, although I didn't know what he was going to say to her. Someone answered me from the other side. I was disappointed. It was a female voice.
   "Hello, Marie?" I said, trying to keep my voice from shaking.
   What a fool! How wrong I had been! That wasn't Damien's number.
   "I am…," I cleared my throat again. "Emma La Rue…"
I waited a few seconds but heard no response. So I insisted again:
   "Hello? I'm Emma..."
   "Hi Emma."
   I had to sit on the couch. It was lucky he was nearby. My legs wouldn't stop shaking. It was that voice. His voice.
   "Hello, Damien," I said, looking askance at the stairs.
   "How are you?"
   "Good and you?"
   "I have bad news. Well, I hope it's bad for you."
   "What…is happening?" I felt a knot in my stomach.
   "I won't be able to return on Monday, as I had promised you," His voice sounded so sweet that I melted.
   "And when you will come? I mean... I hope everything is fine and it's not for anything serious..."
   "Nothing serious…But I have to stay here a little longer. I wanted to let you know so you don't think I've forgotten about you."
   It was final. That night I wouldn't be able to sleep. I would have that peaceful voice in my head, spinning around for hours.
   "Don't... worry, Damien," I didn't know what else to say.
   "You'll be fine?"
   I didn't respond immediately. Of course it wouldn't be good! I was going to miss you so much. He had been awaiting his arrival with great anxiety.
   "Yeah…"
   "What's going on…?"
   "It's just…," I bit my lip.
   I wanted to tell him so many things but I didn't know if I was capable.
   "Emma?"
   "It's just that I... really wanted to see you." I regretted it as soon as I said it. And I felt my face turn hot with shame.
   " I also really want to see you. You can not imagine how much. It's just...I can't go. If I could, I would be there with you right now."
   Oh! I had to grab the receiver with both hands because I dropped it for a moment.
   "Now," he told me. "I have to hang up."
   "Damien…"
   "Yes?"
   "Come back as soon as you can…"
   "I will…And, Emma…?"
   "Yes…?" my voice trembled.
   "Please don't be alone with Adam…"
   “Why…why?” I stammered.
   "We'll talk about that. But promise me you won't be alone with him. I will send you reinforcements…"
   " Jack…?"
   I felt him laugh.
   "I see that you are very intelligent," he told me with a mischievous voice.
   I did not answer. If I was really intelligent I wouldn't have allowed myself to let my guard down. Now it seemed like it was too late. Damien was taking over my every thought.
   "Emma?"
   "Yes, I'm still here…," I tried to make my voice come out naturally.
   "I should go now."
   "Yes of course. See you soon," my voice still sounded shaky.
   "Emma…?"
   "Yeah…?"
   "I will be thinking of you…"
   "Me too…"
   " I hope so. Look, I'm very perceptive. And I will know if it is not so..."
   I laughed, as much as my nerves allowed.
   "Goodbye, Emma."
   "Goodbye, Damien."
   Needless to say, I barely slept that night. I lay down, staring at the moon shining through the glass. I hugged the blanket as if it were a person. As if he were Damien. Because Damien had touched it those nights when he had tucked me in with it. So I caressed it as if I were caressing him. And his number—written down on a small piece of paper—was under my pillow as if it were a love letter.
   I was lost. That young man had gotten into my mind at an extraordinary speed. And I knew that nothing good could come of all that. However, that night I decided that I was not going to think about the consequences. Especially at the time of goodbyes. No. That night I was going to think about him. Damien was going to be the owner and lord of all my thoughts and emotions.
   I slept only a couple of hours, before dawn. And to my surprise, I didn't dream about Damien, I dreamed about Adam: he smiled sweetly at me and my heart raced every time he looked at me. When I woke up, remembering that dream confused me.
   And Sunday finally arrived, dull and gray. And without any possibility of improving. Well, I had woken up feeling sick, just like the previous mornings. I locked myself in the bathroom until I felt fairly recovered. And I was surprised that after almost an hour, my dream with Adam was still running through my head. It would have improved the outlook for that day if I hadn't had the bad news that Damien would not be returning that coming Monday. But upon knowing that he would not come, a deep sadness had invaded me. And I couldn't fantasize about his return either. He hadn't given me a specific date.
   And, to top it all off, he had asked me not to be alone with Adam. Adam would have helped me a lot to improve my mood. But Damien had asked me. And I had accepted, although I had not told him. But I didn't even have time to think of an excuse not to be alone with him, since – according to Maggie, who showed up at the house early – she told me that Adam had an important soccer game that same day. So she invited me to spend the afternoon watching it from the stands. And before I could answer her, she told me that Jack and Amber would probably be with us.
   As soon as I mentioned it to Alice, she agreed. She had a short watch after lunch and she might return very late. However, before she left, she drove Maggie and me over to the small stadium. And she reminded me, with a smile, that I should not forget to review - when she returned - for the History exam.
   History exam!? After everything that had happened? Damien, the ritual, everything Adam had told me about the Dark Ones and the Grievers... (How did Adam know so much about all that?) His mind was so full of it all that I didn't have room for any examination. I felt like everything he had studied had vanished.
I could already see myself, studying all night. Repeating by heart the dates and names of independence. But I knew that Damien's image would follow me through sun and shadow.
   I was thinking about him the whole trip. I followed Maggie down the stands and sat near Jack and Amber, in a part where the weak sun shined occasionally. And Damien was still on my mind. And his voice! That voice so sweet and sensual. He was melting me again...
   " Look! There he is!" Maggie shouted, nudging me.
   "What? Damien? Where? Could it be that in the end he had been able to go? I looked desperately for the place where Maggie was pointing. I felt like my heart would jump out of my chest. And then I saw it. It wasn't Damien. It was Adam, waving at us. And when he saw me, a wide and extremely sweet smile - just like the one in my dream - appeared on his face.
   "He's so cute!" Maggie sighed next to me.
   And contrary to what I thought I would feel: disappointment, because it wasn't Damien who was smiling at me, I felt special, encouraged, content. And suddenly that swept away the sadness. I looked back at Adam. He still had his eyes on me. And he kept smiling. And I felt something in my stomach. And I knew it couldn't be anything good.
   Had Adam also managed to break through the barriers I had put up? If that was so, I was in very serious trouble...