Chapter 2 - The Dream and the stranger
The night wrapped around the quiet apartment like a comforting blanket. Leon lay on his simple futon, the soft rhythm of his breathing blending with the distant hum of the city outside. Sleep claimed him quickly… but what awaited was not the familiar darkness of slumber.
It began in silence.
A black void stretched endlessly in every direction, so still it felt as if time itself had stopped. And there—standing alone amidst the emptiness—was a young woman.
She looked no older than him, perhaps twenty, but her presence was unlike anything Leon had ever seen. Long, silken hair the color of sunlight cascaded down her back, each strand catching a light that didn't seem to exist in this place. Her eyes… crimson, deep and unwavering, glimmered as if holding a thousand untold stories. Her white dress swayed gently, though there was no wind here. She stood like a star descended to earth—lonely, yet radiant.
Leon's breath caught. His feet began to move on their own, each step echoing faintly in the void. As he walked, something impossible began to happen—life bloomed around him.
From the blackness, blades of emerald grass pushed upward, swaying under a newly-born breeze. Trees rose tall, branches heavy with blossoms. A river glimmered into existence, its surface catching the light of a sky that had not been there moments before. Butterflies danced through the air; deer and foxes appeared among the grass as though waking from a long sleep.
But as the beauty grew, so did a hesitation in his chest.
Is it okay… to reach her?
The thought twisted in his mind like a thorn. All his life, he had been unlucky—everything he cared for was taken from him. If he approached her… would she also be dragged into that misfortune?
As doubt swirled, the woman turned her head. Her eyes met his, and a gentle smile curved her lips—warm, patient, as if she had been waiting for him all along.
A fragile spark lit in Leon's chest. He forced himself forward.
But then it struck him—this was a dream. He had gone to bed after dinner with Granny, and dreams were fleeting, no matter how beautiful. The realisation hollowed him, slowing his steps. He turned away.
Yet… something tugged at his heart. Just once more, he wanted to see her.
When he looked back, his breath caught. She was kneeling, shoulders trembling, tears welling in her crimson eyes. Her hands clutched at the hem of her dress as if holding herself together. The sight froze him in place.
The ache in his chest sharpened. His knees gave way, and he fell, catching himself on his hands. His breathing quickened, each inhale shallow and painful. Around them, the dream's world began to crack—the trees splintering into light, the sky shattering like glass.
No… I can't leave her like this.
Gritting his teeth, Leon pushed himself up. Step by step, he closed the distance until only four meters remained. Hiding his own pain behind a faint smile, he extended a hand toward her.
Her gaze lifted. She wiped at her tears, trying to smile back, though her eyes still shimmered with sorrow. She rose slowly and began walking toward him, the space between them shrinking—
—until the world tore apart.
Leon's eyes flew open. His heart pounded against his ribs like a war drum. He sat upright in bed, drenched in cold sweat, lungs dragging in air as if he had run a marathon.
The dim light of early morning seeped through the curtains.
He stumbled to the bathroom, twisting the faucet and splashing cold water on his face. The reflection in the mirror stared back at him—disheveled hair, flushed cheeks, and wide, shaken eyes. His heartbeat thundered in his ears.
Without thinking, he turned the shower knob, letting icy water cascade over him until his breathing slowed. When he finally stepped out, he toweled off, dressed, and slung his bag over his shoulder.
---
The university gates loomed ahead, tall and imposing against the clear sky. Leon walked through the courtyard, the sound of chattering students and rustling leaves filling the air.
The main building stood proud in pale stone, with ivy creeping along its sides. Inside, the hallways were polished and filled with a familiar buzz of footsteps and voices.
Leon made his way to his usual seat—last row, corner by the window. The teacher entered, greeting the class before beginning the lecture.
But Leon's mind was elsewhere. The girl from his dream still lingered in his thoughts like a shadow.
That's when he saw her.
Third row, middle seat. Her posture perfect, her focus sharp on the lesson. Her long golden hair shimmered under the fluorescent light, and her crimson eyes—those same eyes—were fixed on the teacher.
Leon froze. Every detail matched.
A mix of awe and disbelief swirled inside him. She's real…?
He frowned, realising with a sting of embarrassment that he didn't even know her name. Six months in the same university, and not once had he spoken to her. A frustrated sigh escaped him, and he buried his face in his hands, silently cursing his own inability to connect with people.
The final bell rang.
Leon packed his things slowly, glancing around only to realise the classroom was already empty. He slung his bag over his shoulder and headed outside.
Walking along the sidewalk, the late afternoon sun painting everything gold, he noticed her again—ten meters ahead, walking in the same direction.
He decided to keep his distance.
At the zebra crossing, they stopped side by side. Leon planned to let her cross first, but the distant screech of a horn split the air. A car hurtled toward her, its brakes failing, the driver's face pale with panic.
Leon didn't think—he moved.
He sprinted forward, shoving her out of the way as the car roared past. For a moment, he saw her eyes widen in shock… and then pain exploded through his body as the vehicle slammed into him.
The world slowed. Blood splattered in the air. His body was thrown, striking a nearby building before collapsing to the pavement.
He gasped, coughing crimson, his right leg numb and useless. Above him, the sky blurred into a mess of color.
Footsteps pounded toward him, and then she was there—kneeling beside him, tears streaming down her face.
---
"Why did you do that…?" Her voice cracked, trembling. "Why did you risk yourself to save me?!"
He tried to speak, but another cough wracked his body, blood spilling over his lips.
"Please…" she begged, gripping his hand. "Don't die. Not when I was just about to tell you the truth about yourself."
Leon's mind reeled. Truth? What truth?
Her tears fell faster, her voice breaking with urgency.
"You have no idea… how important you are. I can't lose you now— not when I've finally found you."
The words barely reached him. Darkness was closing in. His vision faded, her crimson eyes the last thing he saw.
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