***

- MITZRAEL - The Angel of Repair.

***

Once again, I find myself plunged into this dreamlike world. A space without light or color, a true void. A nocturnal reality I face every night.

– I should go look for the door. Maybe it's still open.

I start walking, relentlessly, but this time, a nightstand appears before me, catching my attention. I approach it cautiously and discover an object resting on top. As I search my memory, a wave of fear washes over me, stopping me just before I touch it.

– This is the thing that brought me here!

Not wanting to end up in another surreal place, I decide not to touch it. However, I study it carefully and notice a crack running through the center, splitting an infinity symbol in two.

– This crack. I wonder what could have happened in this room after I closed my eyes.

Setting the enigma aside, I crouch down and try to open the small piece of furniture, but to no avail.

– It's locked.

On this black wooden piece of furniture, there is a small golden lock.

– Where am I going to find the key in this void? I wonder as I gaze around me at the infinite darkness.

An idea comes to mind. Without thinking further, I lift my foot and kick the piece of furniture as hard as I can to topple it over. 

When the glass decoration shatters on the ground, suddenly, the darkness that had prevailed transforms into a blinding white page. My eyes, dazzled by the intense light, close immediately and open several times, trying to adjust to the brightness.

A drop falls onto my face, then two, then three. I wipe my cheeks and notice the strange color staining my fingers.

– It's red, and the texture feels like...

Suddenly, a rain of blood begins to fall, staining this blank canvas around me drop by drop. I can feel each droplet as if they were sparks consuming my entire being.

The blood keeps falling, creating a true macabre masterpiece. Each droplet that touches my skin burns me, charged with a dark, powerful energy.

A searing pain spreads through every inch of my body, yet at the same time, I am fascinated by this surreal scene unfolding before me, watching until my vision is completely overtaken.

***

I feel very heavy, unable to move a single muscle. My heart races, and sweat beads on my face. A cool breeze brushes against my skin, offering a hint of relief, but my eyes remain closed, preventing me from seeing what's happening around me.

My body burns, I still feel the blood from my dream pouring over me, consuming me from within. Breathing becomes difficult, and I struggle with all my strength to open my eyes. Suddenly, a touch on my lips—soft and soothing—comforts me in this terrifying situation.

– Who is it?

I manage to move a finger slightly but keep my eyes shut, waiting for the unknown presence to leave.

After feeling my lips brushed again by another skin, the sound vanishes. 

There is no noise anymore; the intruder must have left.

I slowly open my eyes and glance to my side.

He's lying there, still unconscious. It couldn't have been him who kissed me.

I get up slowly, my muscles still stiff from sleep, and then the bedroom door opens to reveal Hailey.

– You're finally awake, she whispers. 

– Uh... Yes. 

– Here, I brought you some clothes. 

– That's kind of you, thank you, Hailey. 

– Thank you for watching over my brother. 

Immediately, I glance at the boy. 

– Sorry, I... I didn't know... I didn't mean to sleep with him..., I stammer. 

– Relax, I don't blame you. It's true, we placed him on the bed where you were supposed to sleep, and with the trip you had to make, I understand why you fell asleep. 

– So... you have two brothers? 

– Yes, Hayden is the oldest, followed by Hadrien. Hadrien doesn't look much like us, but he's still a handsome boy with golden hair. 

– Do you think he'll be okay? 

– Yes, don't worry. Angels like him are used to this kind of injury. That doesn't stop me from panicking every time I see him like this. 

She casts a glance at him that, to me, seems tender, even though her face shows no sign of it. 

– Alright, go get ready and join us in the dining hall. It's just to the right as you leave the room, and then keep going straight. You can use anything you need from my things, she adds. 

– Oh... that's cool, great. 

I give her a grateful smile for her kindness and watch her leave. 

After taking a refreshing shower, I dry off and wrap myself in a bath towel, then realize that... I remember my dream. 

I freeze while brushing my hair in front of the bathroom mirror, which is fogged up again. However, it allows me to lose myself more deeply in my thoughts. 

During that moment of waking, I remembered the drops of blood. What else was there? The little piece of furniture! Yes, that's it, and also... also... I can only remember that much, but it's already something. 

Since that consultation, I've been remembering more and more of my dreams, which had never happened before. 

While I reflect, a soft warmth makes itself felt on my back. Instinctively, I turn around and see Hadrien standing near me. Panicking, I try to cover his eyes, dropping my hairbrush, which falls to the floor.

– It's too late, I've already seen you. You can take your hands away, he breathes. 

– Are you insane? Get out! 

– Does my presence bother you? 

I feel like I've heard that line before. 

– Yes, just so you know, you don't barge into the bathroom when it's already occupied. And besides... we're both half-dressed, I say, noticing he's in boxers. 

So it was him earlier? 

– Wait, that was you earlier? I ask again. 

He grabs my wrists firmly, pulling my hands away from his view, and pins them above my head. 

– Are you talking about this... 

His face moves closer to mine, his eyes fixed intensely on my lips, then on my eyes. 

When our gazes meet, I finally see the one resemblance in their family... Their eyes are the same. 

His dark, hypnotic eyes pierce through my soul. They captivate me, rendering me unable to resist their magnetic power. My pulse quickens as excitement and apprehension mix in my chest. 

Sensing he's about to kiss me, I turn my head at the last moment, regaining awareness of what's happening, letting suspense hang in the air. 

This gesture displeases him. His brows furrow, distorting his face into an expression of rage and frustration. He slams me violently against the glass wall of the shower. His body, burning with both anger and desire, presses against mine. 

– Wha... 

– Shh, let me handle this and don't make a sound, he whispers. 

No, stop. 

Gripped by fear and confusion, I stare at the wall beside me. Suddenly, I feel something wet trace along my skin, from my neck to my ear. 

Not knowing how to get out of this situation, I close my eyes and remain motionless with terror, hoping he'll eventually stop. 

My hopes are heard, and that's exactly what happens. He stops moving and doesn't make another sound. 

What's he doing? 

His grip loosens, and his hands fall to his sides, followed by his head, which slumps heavily onto my shoulder. I instinctively catch him, though I'm unsure why my instincts can't seem to distinguish between good and bad people. 

Trying to hold him in my arms, I notice vivid red streaks. At their source, a deep gash in his skin forms, resembling a stab wound. It must have reopened during the night, or maybe during his attempt... Forget it, Marie. 

I shake my head and watch the crimson trails drip down vertically to the floor, forming a small puddle. 

– Hey... you! I call out, tapping his back carefully away from the wound. 

He doesn't respond. He's heavy, for God's sake. 

I lift his arm over my shoulder, pulling him onto my back, then position myself underneath him. I grab his other arm and adjust it so his armpits rest on my shoulders. 

Why am I doing this? Someday, something or someone is going to make me regret my kindness. 

Holding him by both arms, each over one of my shoulders, I lean slightly forward to balance the weight of his body on my back. 

– One, two, three, I whisper, counting to give myself courage. 

I pull with all my strength, struggling against his feet dragging on the floor, slowing us down. 

I wonder why I'm helping him after what just happened. 

I reach the bed—or should I say MY bed, where he had been lying earlier. Turning so my back is to the bed and standing at the edge, I let myself fall backward with him on top of me, still holding onto his arms. 

As I land, I feel something hard beneath me. 

– Ugh, gross, I grimace, immediately sitting up. 

In my sudden movement, my towel nearly slips off, but I catch it just in time. 

Once I've laid him down—or almost—I observe him. 

He's got some impressive abs. I'd love to know what it feels like to touch those. I place a finger on the top of his abs and slide it downward, feeling the firm ridges. 

Recalling how I landed on him, I realize that what I felt earlier wasn't what I thought it was. 

– I'm such an idiot, I chuckle. 

It was actually his abdominal muscles I felt earlier. That makes more sense now that I think about it. Anything else wouldn't have been possible—he's unconscious. 

As I try to position him more properly so his legs aren't half on the floor, I notice the same symbol I've been seeing a lot lately—the infinity sign. It's tattooed in small script under his left ear. 

That symbol again.