While Steven and Marc had their adventures across Egypt, Mira wandered around like a tourist. Don't get her wrong, she was worried about Steven, she truly was. But it's not everyday where you get to travel and see Cairo.

A perfect opportunity to finally put in practice her Arabian was a bit rusted, but she managed to explore the city pretty well, it was full of color, people, culture and movement, vibrant like nowhere else.

If Steven was alright he'd be so excited, imagine how many places they could visit together, so many history within those lands.

But his sudden travel wasn't for knowledge, there was something wrong between that sudden trip. And she needed to find him.

The hotel the doorman spoke about was indeed with the guest she looked for, but that was the thing: it was under Marc Spector's name, not Steven.

She wondered around downtown since she couldn't find him there, but there was still no sign of her friend.

Mira looked at a man selling some juice, she was quite hungry but her mind kept telling her no. It was always this dilemma, her body against mind, her needs against her wishes. Her nightmares against reality.

Guilty for common acts.

Walked towards the man, decided to buy a juice, she'd take care of it later.

But, in the action, as she had just finished paying, bumped into something. A strong arm held her just in time, the Juice Man was barely paying attention, already had another client, oblivious the schocking moment that was about to happen.

The arm pulled her, making her body close to the figure's, and she finally could look beneath the cap that hid their face.

Brown into brown, eyes widened, breaths holding.

-You.-He muttered.

-Steven.-She opened a smile.

At first, she thought her eyes were mistaking her, but after looking once again, realized: it was him. It had to be.

He was wearing grey, and had a cap above his head. His clothes did not look like those he generally used to wear, but maybe he had that change of visual because of the weather, she thought.

-Oh, God, you're alive!-She exclaimed and put her arms around him.

Marc did not know how to react, didn't embrace her back of course (the idea was an absurd to him), but neither pushed her instantly away, thought for a solid second, processing the information of what he should do now that she was here.

"It's Mira." Steven exclaimed "Mira's here!!"

She aparted from him and looked into his eyes, surprising herself by how serious his expression was, and how he lacked reaction towards her.

"Marc you need to let me talk to her!"

-What are you doing here?-He complained.

-What are you doing here?-She interjected- You turn into some white suited high class executive with a ski mask, then at a mummy with batman's cape style, and now suddenly go to Cairo? What is going on?

-You shouldn't be here.

-Neither should you.-She complained- I guess...

-Didn't you see what happened yesterday?! Are you blind?!

-No, that's exactly why I came.

-That's exactly why you shouldn't, it's dangerous!

He looked over the buildings, nowhere was safe, they couldn't just stand there, on plain sight, for someone to attempt to kill them. After the trial with the Gods, Harrow would do anything to fulfill his goal.

-Come with me.-He said.

-To where?

-Stop questioning.-He complained as he walked foward.

-Alright! Alright-She finished the juice quickly.- And what's with your accent anyway?

🌙

He opened the bedroom's door, entering first, with angry steps on the floor, as Mira followed a bit shy, observing the mess the room was, unable to not notice the empty bottles on the floor.

Marc stopped, put his hands on his waist, and exhaled heavily, stressed. At the mirror, Steven looked at his friend.

"She came all the way until here." He looked at the woman dressed in dark pants and beige shirt. "You need to let me out Marc"

Marc was about to answer when she  touched his shoulder, it was weird how natural it was for Mira to touch Steven, but for Marc, it was so different and somehow intense:

-Hey, where's the bathroom?-She asked.-Just want to throw the juice bag away.

He knew that she was lying. Unlike Steven, he knew who Mira truly was.

-At the right-He pointed.

But that was none of his bussiness, he did not care about her.

-Thanks.

She went to the bathroom, while Marc tried to ignore Steven's reflection, he couldn't stop saying to let him take the body.

How would he talk to her? She did not know about his existence, but the idea of pretending to be Steven once again was terrible, she knew his deeply other self, his diguise wouldn't work.

The toilet was flushed, sounds of water of the sink, Mira came out, observing the view of Cairo from the window, walking towards the balcony:

-Wow.-She let it go, as she observed the huge pyramids on the horizon- Is this what heaven looks like?-She chuckled.

Marc observed as she smiled the city, her expression quite peaceful, excited, her traces strong, she was a strong person actually. He could not think about anyone else who'd travel all that way for someone.

He didn't know if he should think that she was insane or admirable.

But her appearence was something to admire for hours.

She turned around, her curlied hair shaking by the wind.

-Okay Mr.Mysterious, what's going on?-She asked, Marc got back to his senses- You're too quiet, something's definetly fishy.

-Where's your passport?-He asked.

-Um...in my bag?-She replied confused.

-Where is it?

She pointed to the bag beside the bed, he went after it and grabbed, giving it to her (pratically pushing it to her).

-I'll call you a taxi to the airport.

-What?-She asked confused, he walked towards the door.- Arre (Hey)!-She put the bag aside and pulled him by the shoulder- What's wrong with you?

He took a deep breath, it was impressive how she managed to interfere in everything, get in the way and annoy him. The least thing he wanted now was someone besides Steven as an obstacle, but there she was.

-You tell me.-He replied sharply- What kind of person comes all the way to Egypt after almost getting killed?

-I came here to help you!

-How could you possibly help me? You can bately help yourself!

-Excuse me?!-She furrowed her eyebrows.

-There's nothing that you could possibly be useful in this.-Marc did not take easy on her- You'd just bother actually. Another thing to take care of.

-Watch your tone with me.-She pointed to his face- You're the one who involved me into this, I stood by your side all this time. So don't act like a brat now.

Their glances almost had sparkles with the rage invested in them, they couldn't avoid it, it was intense, thrilling and dangerous.

-What is wrong with you?-She asked again in almost a whisper.

-At the moment?-He glanced slightly at her lips, taking a deep breath- You. - he replied - You are the problem.

She closed her fist summing up her anger. Steven did not look like himself, wich confused, twisted her mind. How was it possible for the man she used to cherish so much to act that way sudddenly?

-Now take your things and leave.-Marc finished, stepping away from her. Recovering his breath and calming his speeded heartbeat.

-And what is your plan?-Mira asked.

-It's none of your bussiness

-Let me see...- She put a hand on her chin in a provocative thinking act -  you're going after what those and that guy with the tattoo want-She said -The scarab is like a compass to whatever the hell they involved the goddess Ammit in it.- He surprised himself by how she connected the docts- But you have no clue on how to get there, right?

-Wrong.-He turned around- I do know.

-Oh, you do?

-I do.-He walked towards her again.- I'll find a map.

-So you still needs to find it...great.-She mocked.

-You talk as if you had already found it.

She gave a mischievous smile, his intimading posture disappeared. How the hell did she find it?

-You might be smart Steven, but you forget that I am the extroverted one here.-She took a card from the pocket of her shirt.- As I realized all of this, I thought "the location for a Goddess obvioulsy must be a secret contained in somehwere very well hidden".-She explained.- And do you know what's the best way to keep a secret?

-...Taking it to the grave.-They completed each other's sentences.

-There's a man, he's called Anton Mogart, very rich by the way, who keeps many ancient artifacts and also sell them to also rich buyers.-She spoke- One of his items is nothing less than Senfu's sarcphagus.

Hia jaw dropped for a moment, he had to admit, she was amazing in this.

-I already knew it was in Senfu's sarcophagus.-He told her.

-Oh wow, so my guess was correct!- She lifted her eyebrows surprised.

-What-

-That was just a theory, I had no idea if that was really the right path to follow, well, guess I'm right then.-She chuckled excited.

He didn't know if should clap for her poker face or hate her for it.

-You were bluffing?-He complained.

-Not bluffing, my theory is pretty consistent. Don't discredit me.-She showed him the card again- And I got an invite to meet Anton at his exposition tonight.

Marc widened his eyes, tried to grab the card but she avoided it just in time.

-Too slow -She told him.-Come on Steven, why are you making things so hard? Don't do this all by yourself, I can help you. See? I already did.

Marc groaned, if he had to keep that disguise for the whole day he'd turn nuts.

-And how did you get all this information? Huh?

-Sometimes you just need to smile more.-She said.- You know, kinda awkward that my mom actually was worth for something.-You could feel a bit of pain in her voice when she said those words.

Marc knew her story when she told Steven about it, how Mira was raised to be a submissive lady in society, but ran away. She developed incredible charisma skills, knew how to obtain information easily, infiltrate into a crowd like no one else, but also gained traumas and scars for the rest of her life.

But her intellegence was something mesmerizing and to be astonished at. Certainly, the most impressive person he has ever met.

"Oh, she's brilliant, isn't she?" Steven sighed over Mira's performance.

Marc rolled his eyes, finally admitting that he had lost it.

-When is this exposition anyway?-He asked, and she opened a victorious smile.

🌙

He didn't help her get into the boat, she tripped and fell, he laughed.

It was night and the glowing lights of the boat made everything purple and blue, an spectacle of color into the darkness.

Mira was completely mesmerized by the city's night vision. Marc on the other way, couldn't help but chuckle at her slight funny reactions, making "O" shaped mouths whenever she saw something new.

But whenever she looked back at him, he'd turn serious again. He did not like her, Steven did. They had nothing to talk about. And as soon as that would be over, he'd sent her back home, and he'd never see her again.

-So what exactly are we gonna do here? What's the plan? -He finally talked.

- Oh. So now you're speaking to me.-She replied sarcastically.

-Are you gonna start it again?

-Start what?

-To do that annoing thing you do.

-What was that supposed to be?

-Being stubborn, nosy, and believe that you are always right.-He replied- Do you want a list?

She lifted one eyebrow at the many adjectives, sniffed at his comment.

-I did not start, because I never ended being it.-She mocked.- Yes, I'm all of these, and more. -She lifted her shoulders indifferent- Thought you were already used to it.

-Who could ever get used to it? You're not normal.-He shaked his head.

-That's why I'm so memorable.-She chuckled.

Something in her presence was indeed memorable. After all, he watched her friendship all this time with Steven, how annoying, yet caring she was with him. How passionate she was about history, and how terrible she was when contradicted.

Marc Spector did not want to know about her, but inevitably knew her better than everyone else.

He rolled his eyes again at her, she sighed:

-For real, what is up with you?-She asked- I mean, you've never been like this.

He got nervous for a second. Could he have blowed up his disguise?

-What do you mean?

-I don't know, you just look...different.-She muttered- Trying to act tough.

-So I'm not tough?

-Nope. Well, not how you're trying to be.

-Ha.-He said sarcastically- And you are, I suppose?

-Pretty much.-She joked- Well, I don't push people away for no reason, unlike you.

-I have reasons.

-Then share them.

-It's better for you to don't know.

-There you go again.-She relied her back at the boat and crossed her arms.- Again with secrets. Do you know how tiring that is?

He felt a bit irritated by her accusations, little did she know that all of that was a way to protect her, but no, instead, she continued to mock him.

-You? Speaking about secrets?-He sniffed- Quite hypocrite, don't you think?

She stopped for a moment, only the egyptian music on the background playing now, as she stared at him:

-You-

-The hospital, when you fainted.-He explained.- I took you there, remember?-She was schocked, Steven told her that he didn't remember any of that, but, there he was talking. Little did she know who that really was- Yeah, they did exams on you.-He explained.- And according to the doctors your body has less nutrients that you were supposed to, but you don't have anemia...-Mira paralyzed- no, and, with your sad past story, everything leads to one option..

-Don't you-

-Bulimia.

Mira didn't have the strentgh to reply at his level. In fact, she was very embarassed about that topic, she really was, and being exposed like that did not help either.

-You act tough and want to help, but also have problems of your own.-He  continued.- So don't speak about me.

She looked down, her hands on her lap, fists closed, as she tried to be strong again.

-Well, that was a low move.-She looked at him.- Never expected it from you.-She gave a bitter smile.

Something inside of Marc made him have an instant regret for that sour attitude of his.

-I-

-I do.-She nodded- I do have bulimia abnd hid it from you.-She spoke- Even when you trusted yourself with me, with all the things that are happening, I did not wish to share this.-She looked into his eyes- I'm a listener, Steven. I talm, but not about me. I compliment others, I make them laugh, I bright up their days. Not mine.-She tilted her head- And just as you said, it's my secret to keep, if I do not wish to share it, I won't

- Iam sorry-

-I do have a problem with weight.-She said finally- I'll say it to prove that you do not need you do not need to hide anything from me.-She affirmed- I'll say it not for being exposed, but because I want to.-She concluded- I do have a pronlem with weight. Not that I am overwight or not, but whenever I look at myself...-She shaked her head- It just feels...wrong, distorted. -Mira sighed- I tried to escape my mother's power on me, on my life, on my body. But the scars never healed after all.-She said frustrated- It repeats everyday, she's not here but I can still listen it "Mira, you're fat" or "Mira  you'll never find a husband like this". And I'd spend days without a single meal, and when I did, I'd vomit. I started to do it so often that it became a vice. I know that it's not healthy, but turned out to be something that I can't control it anymore.-You could see tears forming into her eyes.- I never controlled it to start it with. So, if I kept it from you, I'm sorry.-She whispered.- But I think you understand when you don't want anyone seeing you like this.

-You want to appear strong enough.-Marc said- To overcome what you're going through.

-Yeah.

His hands reached for her slowly, in an impulse, brushing slightly her fingers against hers, as the boat continued into the river.

-I'm sorry-He whispered.- I shouldn't have said that-

-Yeah, you're a jerk- She nodded.

They both chuckled, he looked into her bright eyes, shielded by tears.

-It's never easy to keep trying to look string.- He was unable to take his eyes from her.- To protect when you feel weak.

-Do you have burdens of your own?

-More than you could possibly imagine.-Their faces were close to each other now, fingers touching.

He looked down at their hands for a moment, as they intertwined briefly.

-Who did this to you?

He looked up to her, his mind confused, in conflict with his heart. Something inside of him burned  ached to open up all his feelings and tell her.

-Why do you care?

-I've told you already.-She whispered,  he leaned foward.

-Say it again.-He whispered at her ear now.

Chills went down her spine, there was something in his behaviour, something spicier yet intriguing, mysterious and dangerous, but vulnerable and broken. It reminded her of when she met him for the first time.

-You're quite convinced, aren't you, Steven Grant?

Her perfume was driving him insane, the night, the music, everything drown him into her essence. He closed his eyes, absorving the moment, and loosing himself into that sensation.

-Call me Marc...- He begged in a whisper.

She glanced at him with curiosity, but also bewitched by his presence, by his breath on her neck now.

-What...?-She asked back slowly.

He seemed to be fighting against invisibld ghosts again, but thr ghosts were emotions against logic. Falling for her would irracional, yet marvelous.

The boat seemed small, the darkness seemed shifty, narrow, and there wasn't anything else besides them, their heartbeats, and words in the air.

-Call me Marc...-He asked again, his voice and that hot breath on her ear made her tremble, taking control of her body in a way she couldn't possibly describe.

She just did as he asked. She could barely think at that moment.

-You're quite convinced, aren't you...Marc?-She asked again.

The sound of his name being spoken from her mouth collapsed the interior fight. Just by saying his name, he felt like the whole world spinned around her, that the gravity was pulled to her, that she was the magnet who stuck her mind glued to her.

He did not wish to feel what he felt at that moment, he did not wish to speak, to give attention, or help that woman.

No, she shouldn't even be there. She was an obstacle, an annoying rock on his shoe, a stubborn mind and intense, intimidating presence. But also delicate, brilliant, fascinating, and sensitive, wich twisted the hate he had towards her into something magical that he feared about.

-I wish I've never met you.-He exhaled heavily.-This way...it wouldn't be so hard.

T

hat was pure torture. If he submissed himself to those wishes, she'd believe that his other self loved her, he'd complicate everything even more, he'd put her in danger.

-Then don't make it be.-She held his face with one of her hands, turning him towards her.

But God  how difficult it was to distinguish good from wrong at that moment.

He hated it, he hated the fact of how he was drowning into her, into someone that could never be his, to someone that loved another side of him, but not himself. He envied his own self.

And for that, he found her the most cruel, aggravating and monstruous being to ever exist: because she did not  choose him.

-You're maddening.-He whispered finally, with their lips barely touching and hot breaths mixing into the cold air.

-Guess that won't be an issue for you, who's already crazy.

It's hard to tell wich one of them started it, probably both. The feeling, the fire, it all started at the same time, and it consumed their beings furiously, it craved to be burned into falmes.

When his lips touched her, for a moment, he felt healed of everything, he felt saved from himself, but at the same time, burning into sins of hell.

Their lips synced perfectly, hungrily, and his hands pulled her closer, in an instinct to don't let her go, to not turn into a shattered piece again.

No, she made him feel...

...Complete.

At that moment, he wished to never give Steven control again, because deep inside he knew that all the love she showed now, how she kissed and embraced him in her lovely touch, was not for him, and also, him. But he'd illude himself, would allow himself to think it was meant only for him, and, for a short moment into that chaos, he felt in heaven.

[Continues...]