The luminous sky suddenly grayed itself with the quelling dusk. The wind stilled for a breath, then moved again — restless. The sound of steep footsteps reached the doorway.
My eyes caught the red heels stepping before me. Slowly, I scanned through the figure—her slit dress slightly revealing the pale white beneath. Her waist poised with elegance, one hand resting at her hip, painted deep wine crowning her sharp nails.
There was something unspoken in her presence. Like silence with a heartbeat.
I raised my head further to see her face.
Her lips, as if mocking, curved into a little smirk.
Without warning, the cherry lips crashed against mine.
They were soft—so soft, they might vanish any second, like dissolving cotton candy.
I sensed something sweet. Something running deep within me, as if I were treating myself with the richest Eszencia.
Like my soul dipped into nectar—just for a breath.
I gulped something.
What is that…?
No… I'm not sensing anything now.
What happened…?
I tried opening my eyes.
She was gone. Nowhere in sight.
No sound. No trail. Not even a scent.
What just happened…?!
I blinked, trying to recall her face—
I couldn't. I never got a chance to see it…
Shit. Something's wrong.
A sharp throb hit the back of my head like a warning bell.
My vision… it's getting blurred now.
My legs—numb. My breath—slipping.
I'm still standing at my doorway—
No. Shit. No—
I'm falling now.
My consciousness is leaving.
The sky bends. The ground opens.
I collapsed—right in front of the doorway.
I tried to open my eyes one last time…
I see the twitching lights of my shop's board: La Querencia.
Flickering… as if unsure whether to stay or disappear.
Beside the board, something flew through the air…
It landed right on my face—
The red camellias…
The ones that once bloomed bright—
Are starting to wither.
Their petals touched my skin like farewells.
The darkness swallowed the world before me—
as I fell deep
into the unknown.