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The darkness of the nite enveloped the room, plunging it into a heavy and suffocating silence. Jessica, the young woman with winter skin and emerald-green eyes, tossed and turned restlessly under the blankets. In her mind, the images of the past mixed into a nightmare that wouldn't let her be. Suddenly, with her heart racing and breath caught, she woke up abruptly, a name escaping her lips like a muffled scream in the darkness:
— Reuben!
The name echoed in the stillness of the nite, laden with pain and desperation. Jessica sat up quickly, her trembling hands clutching the wrinkled sheets, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to calm her quickened breath. Her mind, still trapped in the remnants of the nightmare, relived that fateful day over and over: the day the Wither Storm was defeated, but at too high a price. His faithful friend, the bravest little pig of all, Reuben, had fallen from the height of the monstrosity, sacrificing himself so that victory could be achieved.
A year had passed since that terrible event, but the grief still nested in his heart like a wound that refused to heal. Every corner of the city, every path they had walked together, seemed to whisper to him the absence of the little pink one who had been his inseparable companion. Even though she tried to deceive herself, even though every morning she pretended that Reuben had simply gone out to look for carrots or that he was sleeping in another room, the harsh truth imposed itself brutally: he was no longer there, and he would never return.
Jessica squeezed her eyes tightly, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. She, the leader of the Order, the heroine destined for greatness, could not afford the luxury of showing weakness. The city depended on her, her friends relied on her strength and determination. She had to be a beacon of hope, an inspiration to everyone, and not let the weight of her pain consume her. But, in the silence of the nite, when no one was watching her, grief and loneliness would catch up with her, wrapping her in a shroud of sadness that seemed endless.
Nevertheless, Jessica knew she had to move forward. Each day was a new battle, not only against external dangers but also against the shadows lurking in her heart. And although sometimes she felt her strength wane, a part of her, the part that Reuben had helped forge, urged her to stand firm. To honor his memory not with tears, but with the determination to keep fighting, to keep being the leader everyone needed, even when the pain gnawed at her inside.
With a trembling sigh, Jessica lay back down, trying to find some peace in the embrace of the darkness. Her mind was still plagued with memories, but now, more than ever, she understood that she had to learn to live with them, to carry them as a reminder of what she had lost, but also of what she had gained. Reuben, in his sacrifice, had taught her the true meaning of courage and unconditional love, and that, although painful, was something Jessica would never forget.
The room was shrouded in a tranquil twilight, but inside Jessica was a whirlwind. The echoes of the nightmare continued to resonate in her mind, making it impossible for her to return to the refuge of sleep. Finally, accepting that the nite would offer her no more rest, she slowly sat up, with confused thoughts and a heavy heart. For a moment, he considered the idea of seeking comfort from his older brother, Jesse. Perhaps the simple act of listening to his calm breathing would bring him some peace, but he dismissed the idea as soon as it arose. She didn't want to disturb his rest, not even in the midst of her own torment.
With a sigh, she slid her legs out of bed, her bare feet touching the cold floor with a shiver that made her feel strangely alive. In an attempt to comfort herself, she wrapped herself in a white silk robe that matched the nightgown she was wearing. Although her outfit was light, the winter skin of the dark-haired girl did not complain about the chill seeping through the closed windows; there was something in the coldness of the nite that matched the loneliness she felt inside.
Slipping out silently, Jessica left her room, carefully closing the door so as not to wake her friends, who were resting peacefully nearby. She passed by her brother's room, followed by Lukas's, Petra's, Olivia's, and Axel's, all immersed in a deep and restorative sleep, completely unaware of the turmoil shaking the leader of the Order. The dark-haired woman couldn't help but feel a pang of envy at the peace with which her friends slept, a luxury that seemed to elude her nite after nite.
Finally, after walking through the halls, he arrived at the newly finished Hall of the Order, a monument to the victories and achievements of the New Order of the Stone. The white marble walls shone under the soft light of the torches, while the burgundy tapestries with golden edges swayed gently with the breeze coming through the windows. Banners, stained glass windows, and treasures adorned the hall, each representing a story, a triumph, a memory.
Jessica walked slowly through the main hall, her soft steps barely echoing on the marble floor. The stars and the moon shone through the stained glass, casting silver glimmers that seemed to whisper to her from the nite sky, drawing her outside, as if those nocturnal beings understood the pain she carried within. Without hesitation, Jessica decided to go out. Her robe billowed around her, and her bare feet barely made a sound as she crossed the threshold into the outside world.
The nite air was fresh and revived each of her senses as she walked through the room. As she passed by the golden shelves filled with trophies, the dark-haired woman couldn't help but stop. Her eyes fell on the Wither's Nether Star, which shone with a dark and mysterious light; the small golden crown of the eternal fountain; the white pumpkin; and Pama's Redstone heart, all reminders of the great battles she and her friends had fought together. Each object was imbued with memories, moments shared with those who now rested.
Her eyes lingered on the dragon costume from the end, the same one Reuben had worn with such enthusiasm that day. Jessica stood still, contemplating the costume with a mix of nostalgia and pain. She remembered how, back then, everything seemed so normal, so simple. Reuben, with his unwavering loyalty and bravery, had gone out onto the battlefield covered in disguise, his small body trembling with fear, but determined to stand by his friend's side, no matter what happened.
The memory of those moments, which at the time seemed so ordinary, now overwhelmed her with their weight. No one, not even she, had known that those days would be the last they spent together. That innocent mission: to win the Endercon building contest to meet Gabriel the warrior, which began with so much laughter and expectations, ended with the most devastating of losses.
Jessica felt the knot in her throat grow, and unable to hold it back any longer, tears began to roll down her face, hot and salty. Her eyes did not leave the costume, as if looking away would be a betrayal to her friend's memory. She fell to the ground, unable to stand before the wave of pain that overwhelmed her.
She brought a hand to her mouth, trying to muffle the sobs that escaped from her chest. She didn't want to wake anyone, she didn't want them to see her like this, so broken. But the pain was unbearable, and in that moment, under the cold light of the moon, Jessica allowed the tears to flow freely, expressing all the suffering she had tried to hide for so long. There, amidst the trophies and memories of the Order, the winter-skinned leader, strong and determined, let herself be carried away by the grief she had kept silent for a year.
A small altar dedicated to Reuben was located next to the banners of Boom Town and Magnus, and of Redstonia, with another altar to the late Ellegaard. Nearby, the banners of Soren and Gabriel the Warrior hung proudly, alongside the Order's emblem, represented by a stone pickaxe. Each of those icons represented a part of her history, of the people who had been important to her, and who now only lived in her memories.
Jessica remained there, embraced by the solitude of the nite, crying silently for all that she had lost. But she also knew, deep in her heart, that she had to move on. That Reuben, wherever he was, wouldn't want to see her like this. He had taught her that, despite the pain, she had to find the strength to get up, to keep fighting. And although at that moment she felt more vulnerable than ever, Jessica knew she couldn't give up. For her, for the Order, and for the memory of her dear friend.
After a moment of crying alone, where Jessica's tears fell silently, hiding in the burgundy of the ground as if they had never existed, she decided to resume her plan to find a place that would give her peace. At this hour of the nite, she knew that Ciudad Faro would be deserted, and that was precisely what she needed.
She got up with determination and, without worrying about changing, stepped out onto the cold streets dressed in a light and delicate white silk. She walked barefoot, feeling every small pebble on her path, while the icy nite wind enveloped her, tousling her mane that, little by little, seemed to lose its life, becoming straighter with each passing day.
He walked silently through the city, his footsteps softly echoing against the cobblestones, while he hummed a relaxing ballad. It was a melody he had heard many times, but now it seemed to have a deeper meaning, a connection to the memories he kept in his heart.
After a good while, he arrived at the place he considered the most beautiful in Lighthouse City: the monument and mausoleum of Reuben. It was an imposing structure, yet full of tenderness, that paid tribute to the little pink pig who had been the most beloved companion of all.
— Hello, little friend... "—murmured Jessica with a slight sigh, before sitting on the cold marble of the monument." Around her, there were a couple of wilted flowers, letters, and candles left mostly by her and Jesse, although some were also from Lukas, Petra, Axel, Olivia, Ivor, and other citizens. Not everyone had known Reuben, but his mark had been left on so many hearts, like a legacy that transcended time and distance.
Would he know? Jessica wondered if Reuben could see everything that had happened since his departure. Would he now be a spirit, watching over them from some place beyond? They were questions that fluttered in her mind, with no answer that could satisfy her. Maybe she would never have them, or maybe, someday, she would find the answers, but not today.
"I've missed you quite a lot, my friend..." –she said softly, her gaze fixed on the image of Reuben, as if he could hear her attentively. "I know it's something I've told you every day, but it never stops being true..." The feeling is more and more genuine, if that's possible.
The silence that followed was deep, but not empty. It was a silence full of memories, of shared moments, of a connection that neither time nor death could break. Jessica remained there, sitting next to Reuben, letting herself be carried away by the peace that only he could offer her, while the nite continued its course, indifferent to the pain and love intertwined in the heart of a heroine.
Jessica had so much to say to Reuben. She wanted to mention to him how difficult it was to be strong sometimes, but also how she had experienced wonderful things that filled her with hope for the future. She was sure that if she had enough strength to endure his departure, the day would come when they would reunite never to part again. However, just as she was about to speak, a soft voice interrupted her.
— Jessica...
Lukas's call made her turn toward the direction of the voice. She found him there, standing in the dim light, with an expression that mirrored the same state of emotional exhaustion she felt. He was wearing a warmer pajama, wide awake, but clearly worried.
Lukas took a couple of steps toward her, his gaze fixed on hers. — I stepped out of my room for a moment and saw that your door was open... I imagined you would be here.
— Lukas! –Jessica, nervous at Lukas's presence, lowered her gaze, feeling the weight of her sadness. — I couldn't sleep... –he confessed, his voice barely a whisper.
Lukas moved a little closer, noticing the vulnerability in her words. "I heard crying," he said softly, knowing Jessica well enough to understand what this place meant to her. — I know you only come here at nite when you're sad.
Jessica felt trapped by Lukas's sincerity, but also relieved not to have to hide her pain. She knew that Lukas was the one closest to her after Jesse, and at that moment, she didn't have the strength to pretend. "I miss him so much, Lukas..." –she admitted, letting down the barrier she had built to protect herself.
Lukas, with his heart full of empathy, sat next to her on the cold marble of the mausoleum. — There isn't a single day that I don't miss him too, —he began, his voice laden with shared pain. — I know that for much of our lives, you, Jesse, Axel, Olivia, and Reuben were almost like enemies to me and my team... The Ocelots. –His words evoked memories of the rivalry they had left behind, but also of the bonds they had formed afterward.
— But, –he continued, — despite all that, Reuben... he welcomed me into the group as if I had always been his friend. In a short time, he made me feel a great affection for him. A fondness that only makes his departure even more painful.
Jessica looked at him, finding in his eyes an understanding that only someone who had shared her journey could offer. Lukas's sadness was palpable, and although he didn't have the answers she was looking for, his presence offered her unexpected comfort. In that moment, they were not alone in their pain; they shared it, and that made the burden a little more bearable.
Jessica lowered her gaze, her eyes filled with tears that reflected the deep pain that still tormented her. Her words began to flow, interrupted by sobs and pain, as she relived the nightmare she had been repeating in her mind over and over again.
"I have replayed Reuben's death in my head so many times that I no longer know what is real and what is my imagination," she began, her voice trembling. "I remember how the Wither's tentacles had me trapped, and in that moment, I dropped the enchanted weapon that Ivor had given me to break the Command Block." Reuben, bravely, took the weapon and brought it to me.
Tears began to stream down his cheeks more intensely, his voice breaking as he described the horror he had experienced. — Reuben was brutally struck by the Wither. I saw him fall, his body shaken by the impact, and his pink skin began to fade into a grayish hue...
Lukas looked at her with deep understanding, his heart heavy with the pain he saw in Jessica's eyes. Despite his desire to interrupt and calm her, he understood that she needed to vent. He remained silent, allowing her to continue with her heartbreaking story.
Jessica tried to continue, but her voice broke with sobs. "I remember how, when we heard Reuben's cries in the distance, Jesse and I ran in desperation..." We headed toward the place where the sound was coming from, hoping there was still something we could do. But when we arrived, we found Reuben dying, taking his last breaths. Reuben was crying and suffering, his skin was no longer the vibrant pink it used to be. It had turned gray, and everything was falling apart.
Lukas felt a sharp pain in his own chest upon hearing Jessica's vivid and painful account. He knew that she needed to express herself fully to find some relief. The sadness and anguish in her words filled the air, and Lukas moved a little closer, offering a reassuring presence amidst the torment.
Jessica paused for a moment, her breath hitching with tears. — My heart broke seeing how Reuben, with all his effort, tried to get up unsuccessfully. Each failed attempt only worsened his pain. I watched him try to fight, but there was nothing he could do to stop the suffering... and then, in the end, he simply left.
Jessica's voice broke completely, her tears falling uncontrollably. Lukas looked at her with tenderness and sadness, his hand extended in a gesture of comfort. Although he couldn't erase Jessica's pain, his presence and support offered a small comfort in the midst of the emotional storm. Lukas, lost in his thoughts, was recreating that tragic day from his perspective, which, although equally sad, was not nearly as heartbreaking as Jessica's or Jesse's, who had also been there.
Hearing Jessica blame herself over and over again, Lukas felt his own tears beginning to form. His heart broke seeing Jessica's suffering and the weight she felt as a burden on her shoulders. Unable to bear it any longer, he also let a few tears escape, feeling a painful connection with the suffering she was experiencing.
Jessica, noticing Lukas's crying, looked at him with a mix of gratitude and surprise. Despite her own pain, she thanked him with a trembling voice. "Thank you for being here with me, Lukas." Jesse is always by my side in these moments, sharing the pain like brothers. But I really appreciate that you stay with me too.
Lukas smiled, blushing slightly at Jessica's gratitude. — You don't have to thank me, Jessica. I am always here for you. I will never leave you alone, he assured her sincerely, his voice firm despite the sadness.
There was a brief silence between them, one filled with silent understanding and mutual support. Lukas broke the silence with a soft voice. — You know...? I also have nightmares about my greatest trauma.
Jessica, with curiosity, stared at him intently and asked in a low voice. — Is it about the Endermen?
Lukas let out a light laugh, shaking his head. — No, it's not the Endermen... —He took a brief pause, gathering strength to continue— It's... it's about Pama.
Jessica was taken aback. Lukas's revelation about Pama was unexpected, and her eyes reflected a mix of surprise and curiosity. — Pama? I never imagined that it still affected you so much.
Lukas nodded slowly, his expression showing the emotional burden he still carried with him. — Yes, Pama. Although it's something I'm trying to overcome, the memories of what happened are hard to erase. The nightmares haunt me, and sometimes I find myself reliving the fear and despair of those moments.
Lukas looked at Jessica, his eyes reflecting a mix of fear and sadness as he continued speaking.
— There isn't a single detail from that time that I've forgotten. Pama knew how to enter my mind and play with it. She could see and hear everything, and she knew exactly what to do to break us.
Lukas's tone grew more somber as he remembered.
— Petra and I... we both felt it. After we freed ourselves from Pama's control, we talked about what we experienced... and Petra confessed to me that during those moments, the only thing that kept her fighting was her concern for Jesse.
Lukas paused, his gaze falling to the ground.
— And for me... it was the same, but for you, Jessica.
Jessica looked at him, surprised and moved. She had not known the depth of the bond Lukas felt for her during those dark moments. — Lukas, I had no idea..., —she murmured, her words soft and filled with a new understanding.
Lukas took a deep breath, gathering strength before speaking, with the latent fear in his voice. — I was not only aware of the moment I tried... to kill you on Pama's orders, Jessica, —he began, with a trembling voice, —but of everything I did and said as well. When Pama inserted that horrible chip in my neck, there was a moment when everything turned to darkness, but then I woke up... in what seemed to be a very dark room.
Jessica listened to him in silence, her eyes filled with concern as Lukas continued. — Immediately, a large red screen lit up in front of me, and I saw myself alongside Petra and other innocents, all controlled. We were in front of you, Ivor, and the others, and I saw the terror on their faces at what they were witnessing.
Lukas closed his eyes for a moment, reliving the pain he felt. — There was a horrible pain in my head all the time, but it intensified every time Petra and I attacked our friends. I felt relief for a brief moment when you discovered how to fry the circuits... it gave me hope that we could be saved.
Lukas's voice broke as he remembered those moments. — Jesse had managed to save Petra by pushing her toward a waterfall. I knew you would try to do the same with me, Jessica... but you couldn't. Pama controlled me to attack you and take Harper, and I felt so guilty. I wanted to scream, with all my might, but I couldn't... I couldn't stop him. –His breathing quickened as he relived the panic attack that consumed him at that moment.
Jessica, sensing the growing panic in Lukas's voice, approached slowly. Her eyes reflected the pain and empathy she felt for him. Without saying a word, she wrapped him in a warm, strong, and protective hug. Lukas, surprised by the gesture, felt an unexpected relief as he felt Jessica's arms around him.
— Lu..., –whispered Jessica, her voice soft and comforting. — All that is in the past now. You are here, now, and I am with you. You don't have to carry that guilt, because it wasn't your fault. Pama made you do those things, but it wasn't your decision. And most importantly, all of that is over.
Lukas, feeling the comfort in Jessica's words, began to relax his tense muscles. The tears he had been holding back began to fall, and he allowed his head to rest on Jessica's shoulder.
Still with a trembling voice, Lukas continued speaking. — What tormented me the most, without a doubt, was when I had to fight you, Jessica, —he confessed, his voice breaking as he relived those dark moments.
Jessica, worried about the evident pain those memories were causing him, tried to stop him. — Lukas, you don't have to tell me this... it's not necessary, —she said, her tone full of empathy.
But Lukas shook his head, his grip on Jessica's embrace tightened for a moment. "Please, let me do it... I need to," he pled, his voice imploring.
Jessica remained silent, respecting his wish. Lukas took a breath, searching for the courage to continue. "I don't know how much time passed," he began, "but when they took me to Harper, I remember fainting for a good while." It was as if my mind couldn't take it anymore and just shut down.
Lukas paused, his hands trembling slightly as he remembered. "But I woke up immediately when I heard your voice, Jessica... Jesse's and the others', in what was the center of Pama." It was as if that voice had called me from the darkness, but it wasn't me who responded. Pama used me... forced me to attack you, and I fought you in the most cruel and ruthless way possible, trying to truly hurt you. And in my mind... I was screaming, struggling to stop myself, but I couldn't do anything.
Jessica felt a lump in her throat upon hearing his words. Her heart broke at the thought of the pain Lukas had endured in silence for so long. Gently, she placed a hand on his cheek, forcing him to look her in the eyes. — Lukas, — she said firmly but with her usual warmth, — All of that was by Pama's orders. I know that you would never do any of that on your own accord.
Lukas looked into those eyes full of compassion, feeling a mix of relief and sadness. "I know, Jessica, I know," he murmured, "but even so, the guilt is hard to erase." Seeing how he attacked you, how he tried to hurt you... it's something I will never be able to forget.
Jessica held his gaze, conveying all the confidence and understanding she could. — You don't have to erase those memories, — she said softly, — but don't carry them alone. We are a team, Lukas. I will be here to remind you that, in the end, what matters is who you are, not what Pama made you do.
Lukas felt a warmth in his heart, one that only Jessica knew how to give him. It was a deep, comforting warmth that he would never tire of. At that moment, as their eyes met, he understood how important Jessica was in his life. She had been the only one who, from the very beginning, defended him tooth and nail. Since she joined the group, Jessica had been there for him, protecting him from his own friends and, at times, even from his own brother. It had been she who descended into Ivor's basement to rescue him from the Golem when no one else dared, the one who risked herself to stop Aiden when he tried to attack him, and the one who always defended his innocence, even in the most desperate situations. Lukas knew that the bond that united them was strong, and for him, that bond was imbued with a love that went beyond what words could describe.
But now, in that moment, he still had the hardest part left to say. The weight of what happened that day with Pama continued to crush his heart. Finally, she decided to continue, her voice trembling slightly. — Jessica... there's something else from that day that I will never be able to forgive myself for, —he began, feeling how the words struggled to come out of his mouth.
Jessica, who had been listening to him with all the understanding and compassion in the world, braced herself for what was coming. But when Lukas spoke again, it was as if the air around them had grown cold.
— When Pama took control, it was my voice... my voice that said those words. "Why do you keep trying, Jess?" "If you're just going to fail," Lukas recited, his tone full of pain, without the distorted robotic sound that had accompanied it the first time. Hearing those words again, Jessica felt her body tense up, remembering the emotional impact those words had had on her.
On one hand, Jessica wanted to ask him to stop, that it wasn't necessary to relive those moments, but seeing the determination in Lukas's eyes, she decided to remain silent and let him continue. It was evident that he needed it.
Lukas took a deep breath, as if he were preparing for a blow. — "Just as you failed to save Reuben, you failed to bring your friends home..." –he continued, reciting word for word with a precision that only a traumatic memory could have. Jessica felt the tears threatening to fall again, but she remained calm, gently squeezing Lukas's hand as a sign of support.
With their eyes locked on each other, they both completed the phrase, as if closing that circle was the only way to free themselves from its weight. — "You will fail in trying to defeat me." –they finished together, their voices united in a painful echo that resonated in the silence surrounding them.
Neither of them said anything. The silence that followed was absolute, but not uncomfortable. It was as if that shared moment, though painful, had allowed them to understand each other on an even deeper level. The words had been spoken, the wounds reopened, but there was also the unspoken promise that they would heal together.
Jessica for a moment looked at Lukas and, in an instant as vivid as it was unsettling, before her, the current Lukas transformed into that Lukas controlled by Pama: shaken, with an expressionless face and those bright red eyes that she now knew were like windows for Lukas in those dark moments. Her heart tightened at the sight of that image, but when she opened and closed her eyes, Lukas was before her as always, with his warm and worried expression.
Lukas noticed her sudden change in expression and asked gently, "Are you okay?"
Jessica, still doubting what she had seen, nodded slowly, responding with a stutter, — Yes... I'm fine. And you?
Lukas, just like her, responded with a hesitant smile, — Yes, me too.
The silence that followed was one of reflection, a moment in which both allowed their thoughts to settle, each dealing with the chains of the past that continued to torment them. Lukas broke the silence after a sigh, lowering his gaze to the ground. — Forgive me, Jessica. Not just for what that... Lukas pampered you, but also for talking about my own battles when I know you have yours too.
Jessica, with a gentle firmness, silenced him. — You don't have to apologize, Lukas. Friends help each other, and this conversation... has helped me feel better. So thank you.
Lukas smiled gratefully, returning the gesture. They both turned their heads to look once more at Reuben's grave, which lay before them as a silent reminder of all they had lost and the bravery of the little pig.
Jessica broke the silence with a question that had been lingering in her mind. — Lukas, do you think Reuben is still with us in some way, perhaps differently?
Lukas, curious and touched by the question, smiled. — Yes, I think so. I'm sure Reuben is here, taking care of you and Jesse, watching how you move forward.
Jessica let out an innocent smile, illuminated by the beautiful possibility that Lukas's words evoked. The idea of Reuben watching over them from some place beyond was comforting.
Lukas, enchanted by that smile that seemed to dispel any darkness, decided to joke a little. — You know? If there is a heaven for pigs, I'm sure it's full of piles of carrots, a low and warm river where they can cool off whenever they want.
Jessica laughed joyfully, letting herself be carried away by fantasy. — And surely there are beds made of clouds where Reuben sleeps and travels through the sky all the time, watching over us from above.
They both laughed together, sharing that moment of lightness they so desperately needed. For an instant, the weight of the past faded away, replaced by the image of a happy Reuben, running freely among the clouds, always close to them, always watching over them.
After a while of laughter, where they both managed to transform their sorrows into something more bearable, Jessica, although wishing to stay with Lukas all nite talking in the short term, and all her life talking in the long term, suggested that it was better to go rest. The nite was still long, and she trusted that now they would both be cradled in more beautiful dreams.
Lukas, secretly sharing those same desires as Jessica without her knowing, nodded. He knew that when the sun rose, he would have the chance to see her again, and that filled him with a strange peace. As they walked back to their rooms, the cold nite air finally affected Jessica, who was wearing light clothing and no shoes.
Lukas, noticing her discomfort, without hesitation, took off his robe and placed it over Jessica's shoulders, wrapping her in a warm embrace of fabric. "Here, Jess." You can give it to me whenever you want, it will help you. –he said with a gentle smile.
Jessica, feeling the warmth not only of the robe but also of the gesture, looked at him with innocent, grateful joy. "Thank you, Lukas," she murmured, her voice full of affection.
Upon returning to the Order's hall, they both walked in silence, moving stealthily so as not to wake the others. Jessica, passing by the place where she had recently shed tears, smiled this time. She no longer suffered for what could not be, but celebrated what was and what it left her: memories full of happiness and valuable lessons. She knew that her little pink angel was waiting for her, eagerly, both for her and for her brother.
Finally, they arrived at the hallways that led to their rooms. The silence remained between them, but it was not uncomfortable; it was a silence full of mutual understanding. Before parting, they stopped and, without saying a word, hugged each other tightly. The hug, unexpected and full of unspoken emotions, was followed by something even more surprising: Jessica, in a burst of affection, leaned in and gave Lukas a small kiss on the cheek.
Lukas, surprised, felt his heart pounding, but before he could say anything, Jessica stepped away with a gentle smile and a sparkle in her eyes that left him speechless. — Goodbye, Lukas. Thank you for everything... –Lukas smiled as best as he could and with a gesture said goodbye, without more, they both said goodbye in silence, letting that last gesture speak for them. They knew that, even though the nite would end, what they felt would accompany them until dawn.