Wet cobblestones, yes, that’s what I remember. The evening was just turning into a night but it was already dark. The Rain. It was cold as the cruel wind blew through the clothing and made its way to the bone, freezing our bare souls. Lily. Lily was crying on the arms of a woman that had wrapped herself in a dark cloak as we walked swiftly through the alley’s and streets of the city. Tonight, this city wasn’t one of hope and glory. Shadows dwelled in every corner and waited patiently to strike on their next prey. I’m sure if you started long enough into them, the abyss itself would have stared back.

We arrived there, in the middle of nowhere. All I remember around was houses after houses with empty dark windows gazing at us like endless pairs of black eyes carved into the walls. The woman quickly eyed around as if checking that no one had followed her there and gently moved me into a shadow, laying the small, fragile girl on my arms and pulling the cloak more firmly around her, givin us both a faint smile that seemed to be ready to crack any moment.

”Adrian, wait here, I’ll be right back to get you two. There’s just something I need to do before that. Promise me, take care of her. Good boy Adrian, be brave and take care of your sister”.

The woman disappeard into the darkness and the rain seemed to pour down harder on the two of us. I pulled her closer to me, trying to keep her as warm as possible as I shivered myself while a tear ran down my cheek.

”… Mommy?”