Nervously, I walked up and down in front of the café. Livinia wasn't even late but still, self doubt filled my mind.
Did she decide to dump me? Did she get hurt on the way here?
After torture like minutes of waiting I could finally spot her arriving. Quickly, I gathered myself and decided to prepare.
'You got this Joshua!', I thought to myself, 'You need to look cool!'
Leaning against a wall behind me I struck the coolest pose I could think of. Next I deepened my voice and said:
"Hi, Livinia."
"Good to see you Joshua! How are you?"
The confidence I had gathered with all my might vanished in an instant. It simply crumbled like a piece of paper under her smile. For a moment I even forgot how to talk. I just stared at her white dress with embroidered flowers. Trying not to blush and keep my cool I asked her:
"Wanna go inside?"
"Sure.", she replied curtly.
Even though I don't know why this felt like a test. A test harder then any test I ever did in our town school.
As we sat down it first took some time before our conversation started to flow. However, like an old wheel starting to turn it got better each second. We talked about literally anything, jumping from our hobbies to our goals in the future.
"And then aunt Maria said I am gonna kill you boy.", I recited a story while copying my aunt's strict voice.
"Pfft! Just because you seasoned the chicken wrong?", she asked with a smirk on her lips.
"For her it wasn't a chicken I seasoned wrongly. It was treason to the culinary world."
"Haha!"
Seeing her laughing and holding her stomach I decided to stay quiet for a second and just enjoy the moment. I loved it when she laughed. Her voice alone warmed up my heart.
The sun was already setting when I muttered into her ear:
"Come. Follow me."
As brave as I could I took her hand and led her into the forest. The only place where we could have our peace without being spied on by any adults. So, we walked in as far as we were allowed to.
"Close your eyes.", I whispered to her as I pulled out my gift. Gently I put the ring on her hand, waiting to see her reaction.
When she continued to keep her eyes shut I uttered:
"Ahm, you can open them."
With shock and a big smile on her face she looked down on the ring.
"It's beautiful!", she screamed so loud that she nearly busted my eardrums.
"I am glad you like it.", I stated in a soft smile.
Grabbing my head she kissed me. Her lips felt as amazing as ever.
"You're the best Joshua."
Cheekily I replied: "I know.", and kissed her as well.
Before we could continue our love play, I felt a drop of water hitting my head.
Voicing my confusion I said: "Huh? It's raining?"
Slowly one drop after another came down. More and more came until it was raining buckets.
'Frick! The weather report of that old mayor was never wrong!'
Gulping I tried not to stare at Livina who's white dress now clung to her.
"Ahm, let's go back."
Noticing my shyness she couldn't suppress a small chuckle:
"Haha! Okay, let's go."
As we walked back to the village I suddenly stopped in my tracks.
"What's wrong?", Livina asked visibly confused.
"Did you… hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"The scream.", I stated coldly before I started to run.
Trying to keep my up with me Livinia ran behind me. However, she slowly started to fall back. Still, I didn't turn back and just ran and ran. When I arrived at Haven, it was already to late. Humans in white coats where standing in the middle of a burning village. On their back was a large golden symbol which burnt its way into my mind.
Nearly the whole village was gathered and tied up in a thick rope. Additionally, corpses where laying on the ground making the grass blood red. I could see Leonard.
With dead eyes I stared at the scenery.
Then I saw her. A muscular woman with only one eye and scars overing her face that seemed to be the leader. With a loud voice she started to talk:
"These pest decided to disrupt the holy order. Against our laws they decided to betray their home countries! And what awaits traitors?"
In unison the soldiers around her screamed:
"DEATH!"
"Exactly! And that's what will await these pests. They wil die and rot in hell!"
Tears ran down my face and mixed with the rain. Before I could take another step my mother spotted me.
Her face was filled with fear and dread when she formed the word: "Run.", with her lips.
Slowly, the woman drew her sword and whispered.
[Severing Sword: Guillotine]
In a clean cut over thirty innocents died. Helplessly I started at the scene. My home was getting destroyed and the people I loved were killed mercilessly.
It felt to… easy. How could I lose my parents and everyone I grew up with in just under a minute. Trying to hold in my anger. I turned around.
Although I didn't want to accept it, there's nothing I could do.
As Livinia finally caught up, I blocked the scene with my body.
"We need to go.", I muttered coldly.
"What are you talking about Josh?!"
Roughly I grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind me:
"I will tell you on the way. We need to run."
At first she seemed to hesitate but as she heard my uncompromising voice she decided to trust me.
"Let's go."