Sometimes, the world plays tricks on us.
My father used to say, “A man must always have the strength to give his all, no matter the situation.”
Funny how I think about that now… because I don’t remember his face. Nor his voice. Just a few scattered phrases.
On days like this, I usually lie down and look at the sky. For some reason, it feels like the world takes away all the weight, the stress, the exhaustion. Maybe because that’s how my old man used to live.
But today… something was different.
The sky felt strange, and I didn’t notice.
Like a summer day on the Brazilian coast, a Tuesday sunset, 31°C heat, wind blowing from the west, and waves crashing on the rocks...
That was the moment I saw the end of everything—
And the beginning of a new world.
Tuesday – April 7, 2020
7:13 AM
Olga: “Lucas? Where are you? Hey, already gone? Don’t forget the mosquito repellent!”
Lucas: “Relax, Olga. It’s still early. I’m only gone for two days. Not packing much.”
Olga: “Geez, so grumpy. That’s probably why your dad left.”
Lucas (smiling): “At least mine showed up.”
As I laughed and packed my backpack, I noticed my heart was restless. I’d never felt it that strongly before. My eyes kept drifting to the only thing I had left from my father: an old calendar marked for today—a random Tuesday, with the word “beach” scribbled under the date. A message only I could understand… or so I thought.
Olga: “There you are, staring at the calendar again? Mom’s downstairs already, yelling for us to go to school!”
Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.
Lucas: “I’m not going. I’m going straight to the beach.”
Olga: “What? Who said you could?”
Lucas: “Miss Angela, just this once.”
Olga: “You asked who, beggar?”
Lucas (hugging Angela): “The wisest woman on Earth.”
Angela: “Before you go, I need to give you something.”
As she said that, her expression changed. Her voice softened, and her face saddened—just like the day she found me wandering alone through dangerous streets in Salvador, looking for the father who had vanished thirteen years ago without a word, leaving an endless void behind.
After getting dressed—white Naike shorts, a basic black T-shirt, and sandals—I walked out of my room with a strange feeling of farewell. My body trembled with a mix of excitement and fear. I couldn’t stop thinking about what that day meant to me. As I turned away from the door, I saw Angela, standing by her own door, looking at me with motherly sorrow. Her eyes pressed heavily on my soul.
Lucas: “Angela, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”
Angela: “Come here, I have something to give you.”
As I entered the room, the air grew thick. Heavy. I moved toward the old chair by the bed and spotted a simple chain with a ring hanging from it. Strange inscriptions I couldn’t read were carved into it. Without saying a word, Angela gently placed the chain around my neck. Then, looking me straight in the eye, she said:
Angela: “Never—under any circumstances—give or let anyone take this chain from you. One day, you’ll know when the time is right to wear this ring on your finger.”
Lucas: “Whose is it?”
Angela: “Someone who never forgot you.”
Even though I knew she meant my father, I couldn’t help saying something I’d never forget:
Lucas: “Thank you, MOM.”
Her eyes welled up with tears, and she slowly guided me out of her room, as if asking for space.
Olga: “Hey, you jerk, what did you say to my mom?”
Lucas: “Nothing!”
Olga: “Then answer me!”
Lucas: “Seriously? You? You know this house has thin walls.”
Olga: “Come on! This time, I didn’t hear anything!”
Lucas: “Liar. You’re always lying—”
Angela (bursting out): “Hey, both of you! Lucas, to the bus—now! Olga, go to school. And don’t forget our deal.”
Lucas: “Deal? She’s getting a gift for passing her grade again?”
Olga (running out the door): “Shut up, idiot. Bye, Mom. Bye, Lucas. Don’t get eaten by mosquitoes.”
Lucas: “I’m heading out, Angela.”
As I stepped outside, the sun felt warmer and more beautiful than ever. A perfect day to enjoy the beach on the Linha Verde and soak in the peace and quiet of a night by the ocean.
Angela: “Son, if it gets too hard… and you can’t come back… then don’t.”
Lucas (laughing): “Chill, old lady. I’ll be back tomorrow morning—I won’t miss football.”
Angela: “Old lady? Watch your mouth, punk!”
Tuesday – April 7, 2020
6:59 PM
Lucas: “Damn it… I forgot the repellent.” (throws himself on the sand)
As I felt the chain resting on my chest, my eyes were drawn to a new star in the sky. It shone so brightly, like it was getting closer—its golden light mixed with the orange sunset and the darkening sky painted by clouds and pollution, creating a poetic twilight.
I got lost in thought, staring at that star, when a sudden wave of panic surged through me. A deafening sound shook my entire body. It was so powerful it stirred the waves, the ground, the trees. But nothing—nothing—was more terrifying than seeing the sky crack and begin to fall before my very eyes.
My bones ached, my body felt like it was about to shatter. I tried to stand, to maybe crawl under a palm tree. Then… an eye opened in the sky.
Through the shattered heavens, a shadow descended, wings spread wide. Its flapping stirred the sea, its very presence destructive.
As it soared, drawing closer to the cities, dread filled my chest. I could barely breathe.
And then, in an instant, darkness. No light in the sky. Clouds hid the moon.
A burst of fire tore through the heavens.
It engulfed the cities.
And in the flames, I remembered Angela. And Olga.
I ran.
I sprinted across the sand, toward the city—toward the fire. Toward them.
And in the burning sky, only the flames illuminated the silhouette of the dragon, hidden among the clouds.
