Tainted Shadows

Chapter One : Faded Fragments

Yvain Lyz Cordelia's POV

It's been weeks since I experienced that night. It may be a nightmare, yet I feel so drawn to its danger, and it's what makes it risky. I looked at the clock, and it was already 8:30 in the evening. I just have to stay for a little bit more before my shift ends. I stretched my arm above and took a deep sigh of relief as finally the last customer left. I just have to clean the table, count the total earnings today and finally close the book café. I took off my apron and walked to the last table at the counter carrying the cleaning materials. As the lights outside flickered, from the side angle of my eyes, I saw a man standing under it. I couldn't see his face clearly, but I suddenly felt this familiar. It felt safe, as if I knew him. It almost feels like we are meant to meet. What even is this feeling? I'm supposed to be afraid. I am afraid, but at the same time, I feel safe. His presence felt familiar, as if we knew each other already. My heart suddenly skipped a beat when our eyes met. I couldn't see it clearly because of the flickering of light, but I could feel his gaze. Suddenly, a noise is heard in the kitchen. So, I looked behind me and when I looked back at the lamp post, the man disappeared. Am I just hallucinating?

Zavion Xy's POV

I can still vividly remember the first time I saw her in my dreams. It felt real, as if it was fragments of memories. Her smile was so wide and she just glowed. Beneath the touch of the sunlight, under that yellow wooden tree, her hair shines so bright and so is her smile. Her eyes brightened as I watched her a few steps away from where she is standing. She stared at the fields in front of her before turning around. And finally, she looked at me with those golden-brown eyes. Then suddenly, I find myself staring back, wanting to run to her. My breath hitches my voice disappear. I want to reach her just to ask who she is. As I was about to take a step, suddenly she just smiled and mouthed, "find me," before I woke up. It's been so long since that happened, yet I couldn't forget about it. My heart pounded just from thinking about her, as if she is the air I breathe. So, I started looking for her. I realized how this dream isn't just simply a fantasy. My heart and mind are telling me something. And so, I was right. So here I am, watching her as she cleans her shop. Her tired eyes shine brighter, especially brighter than the ones in a dream. Her hair waves. Even if the lights were dimly lit, she still glows as if she's a light because she really is my light. I finally found you...my lovely, my queen, my soulmate.