Since the day William had held Aurelia in his arms, he felt a powerful sensation within him. One could call it a paternal feeling, but for him, it was something deeper, something that made him want her to be safe at all costs. Especially after what Aurelia's mother had told him just before she passed away, her words echoed constantly in his mind like a haunted dream. Years had passed, but the question remained relentless: who was the one chasing Aurelia, and why? What was the reason behind this dark desire? The worry he felt inside was unceasing, as he never knew when evil would strike and whether he would be able to stop it.
That afternoon, he walked alone through the city streets, his footsteps echoing on the cobblestones as he thought about all that had happened and all that could come. Suddenly, through the silence, he heard something coming from afar. A melody. It was strange, filled with bitterness and melancholy, as if expressed through the notes was a world full of pain and loss. The melody seemed to travel through the air, pulling him into another place.
He moved toward the direction from which the sound came, and a little further, near a corner, he saw an old homeless man playing an accordion. His face was full of wrinkles, his eyes tired and deep, as if he had lived more lives than he could remember. The music he played was strange, sorrowful, as if it spoke of a time long past and a heart that had been broken.
William stood for a moment, watching the man, as though the melody was calling him to stay and listen. Every note of the accordion seemed to bring a sense of loss and uncertainty. The old man continued playing, indifferent to the glances around him. William felt something inside him tighten. There was a connection somewhere, perhaps not direct, but certainly a connection. The grief in the accordion, the melancholy of the sound...
The melody repeated constantly, but each time the notes turned back, they became heavier, darker, filled with an inexplicable sadness. William stopped suddenly, without even realizing it, and found himself standing before the elderly man playing his accordion. The melody enveloped him, like an invisible cloud that brought to the forefront his deepest fears. He thought about everything he had lived through. The tragic moments from his past, the doubts, and the losses, came alive again. Each note seemed to open a wound, awakening memories he wanted to keep closed.
The Company where William worked, along with the other Shinigami, operated relentlessly, with shifts following one another without end. Life there was perpetual and harsh, filled with shadows and countless secrets. Aurelia often visited the Company, not only because she wanted to be close to her father, but mostly for the incredible library that existed there. The books housed in that library were unique, the rarest and most forbidden texts that no human had ever dared to open. Their pages spoke of demons, monsters, but also of humans who had encountered these creatures.
Aurelia had always wanted to learn as much as possible about the world around her, about all the mysterious and inexplicable things. So, she often sat alone at William's desk, reading books on the behavior and lives of demons. When the lights of the library cast their gentle shadows upon the pages, she felt that the words came alive, that they reached out to her, almost as if they were speaking directly to her.
Adrian stood slightly behind Aurelia, watching her with an enigmatic gaze. The room had filled with an absolute silence, except for the sound of the wind coming from the open window, and the soft light that was starting to fade as darkness began to take over the city. Time seemed to stop for a moment as the tension in the room grew more intense.
Adrian: Am I bothering you?
Aurelia lifted her gaze from the books, and her thoughts were abruptly interrupted. She looked at Adrian and smiled awkwardly, trying to regain her composure.
Aurelia: Oh, it's you... No, not at all! Did you need something?
Adrian: No, I just thought I'd come for some company. You spend a lot of hours here alone. You didn't even notice it's starting to get dark outside.
He said with a calm yet playful tone, as he walked toward her and gently closed the door behind him.
Adrian: You know, Aurelia, you're quite popular here in the Company. Almost everyone talks about you!
With those words, he walked around her and stopped directly behind her. His hands gently rested on her shoulders, and without expecting it, she felt his breath near her ear as he whispered.
Adrian: Everyone wants to find a way to impress you...
Aurelia sighed lightly, trying to focus, though his presence had a way of pulling her away from every thought.
Aurelia: The truth is, I haven't really noticed much of that. I have... a lot on my mind lately...
Adrian: Oh, really? Maybe I could help with that? ~
His voice was soft, almost as if encouraging her to open up more. Then, his left hand gently slid from her shoulder to her neck, grazing her lightly. Aurelia tensed her shoulders and made a quick movement, pushing Adrian's hand away sharply.
Aurelia: I don't need anyone right now. I can help myself...
Adrian chuckled lightly, his tone laced with a certain irony that was evident in his eyes.
Adrian: Tough as always. ~
His arms wrapped around her waist, and his chin gently brushed against her left shoulder. Aurelia felt a shiver run down her spine from his touch, but she tried to remain calm, not giving in to what she felt.
Adrian: I don't think I've ever seen you with anyone. It's a shame, a girl like you not having someone beside her to protect her...
Aurelia: I don't need anyone. Don't forget... I have my father.
Adrian made a sound as if he understood something that had upset her. He paused briefly, his gaze analyzing every word.
Adrian: Ah, yes, right... William. But as your father, he can't do much...
His words were almost mocking, and Aurelia felt the tension growing.
Aurelia: What do you mean?
Adrian: There are some moments where William won't be lying next to you, offering what someone else could...
Aurelia felt Adrian's right hand slowly descending from her waist downwards. It was a movement so slow and subtle, almost as if he wanted to remind her of his power. Something inside her reacted, and with a sharp motion, she slapped his hand away from her body. Adrian stepped back for a moment, but his gaze didn't change, remaining almost impassive.
Immediately, Aurelia made a quick movement and ran away without saying a word. Her heart was pounding in her chest, but her reasoning pushed her to run as fast as she could. She ran through the streets, her thoughts clouded and filled with the tension she had just experienced. Her body felt weighed down, while worry and fear followed her like a shadow. Using her skills and the tools she always carried on her belt, she began climbing the walls of the houses, aiming to reach her home as quickly as possible.
I wish William were here... she thought, as she passed over rooftops and high windows. He was the only person she wanted to see right now, the only presence that could offer her even a small sense of absolute safety in this chaos that had surrounded her.
Arriving home, instead of finding William there, she discovered with relief that no one was inside. He was apparently busy. Perhaps he had some work or a mission. With the day already having passed quite a bit and the sense of tension overwhelming her, Aurelia made a decision. She needed something to calm her down. She needed to escape from her thoughts, to forget, if only for a moment, the weight she felt choking her.
She went to the bathroom, turned on the water, and stepped under the hot stream. As the warm water began to gently fall on her body, she immediately felt a huge weight lifting off of her. Her muscles relaxed, and her mind, if only for a moment, settled. The warmth of the water made her feel like she was washing away every thought, every fear, and every doubt that had been tormenting her. To the sound of the water falling and the sense of calm beginning to overtake her, she thought of William. She knew that whenever she was near him, she felt safer, almost protected from the chaos that existed around them.
Aurelia took her time in the bathroom, letting the warm atmosphere soothe the intense thoughts and emotions that had overwhelmed her. The water flowing over her made her feel a little calmer, as though she could, for a brief moment, escape the pressure she was feeling. When she finished, she wrapped her body in a towel and another around her hair, taking a deep breath.
However, just as she was about to leave the bathroom, she heard the front door creak open and shut slowly, a sound that made her clench her jaw. Her heart began to beat faster as she stepped out of the bathroom and slowly approached the bedroom door. There, she saw him. William stood in the doorway with a vacant expression, almost unable to stand.
His face was tired, and his skin seemed oddly dull, as if he had been through an endless night. His eyes, nearly shut from exhaustion, struggled to stay open. He looked at Aurelia for a moment, as if he didn't recognize her, and without saying a word, turned and walked into his room, closing the door behind him.
Aurelia felt a strange emotion overwhelm her. She didn't want to disturb him, didn't want to pressure him with questions or worries. All she could do was let him settle, and she decided she would ask him about what had happened that morning when he was ready.
With a heavy sigh, she walked to her own room, carefully closing the door behind her. She dried her hair and slipped into her black silk nightgown, feeling the velvety texture relax her body, but not her mind. She collapsed onto the bed, hugging the pillow tightly and burying her face in it. Her mind was filled with the face of the tall, dark-haired man haunted her thoughts.
Why again? She wondered and whispered to herself. Just go already... I don't want you. I don't want you... I don't want you!
She hit the pillow with her hands as if trying to drive his presence out of her mind. It was as if someone had placed a spell on her. Whatever it was, whether magic or something else, she needed to erase him from her thoughts.
For my own good... she thought with a sigh, staring at the silence of the room. But also for the good of my father...
Closing her eyes, she tried to erase his image, to push away the feeling that was choking her. But no matter how hard she tried, he kept appearing, tormenting her thoughts, and she didn't know how to banish him from her heart forever.