Morgan began to dream… This was the second time he'd dreamed since arriving in this world.
At first, everything seemed normal.
Morgan was at home, sitting at the table. His parents, his sister, his friends… everyone was there. The atmosphere was warm, pleasant. They laughed, talked, nudged each other playfully. Morgan felt happy—truly happy—almost as if he had forgotten where he actually was.
His mother leaned toward him with a big smile.
–Come on, sweetheart, it's time to blow out the candles.
Everyone began to sing a birthday song. Morgan, cheerful, nodded and blew out the candles on the cake. Everyone clapped and congratulated him. He looked around, smiling, feeling that human warmth he had missed so much.
–What did you wish for, son? You didn't forget to make one, right?
( Said his father with a smile )
–No… I didn't forget. I wished for happiness for everyone here with me. There wouldn't be a better gift for me than knowing you're all happy.
( Said Morgan very happily )
–You're so sweet, honey.
( Said his mother, leaning in to hug him )
–That's a great wish, son.
( Said his father proudly, standing behind him and placing a hand on his shoulder )
–You're the best brother… the best.
( Said his sister as she hugged him )
Morgan was happy. Very happy.
Too happy.
That was when everyone began to speak at the same time, as if a single voice were talking through all their mouths:
–Bite it, bite it, bite it…
–See, son? Everyone wants you to take a bite of the cake. Go on.
( Said his mother, smiling )
Morgan, seeing his parents nod, leaned closer to the cake. He opened his mouth to take a big bite when a feminine voice—soft but icy—whispered just a few centimeters from his ear:
–Did you wish for me too?
Morgan froze.
That voice… he knew it, but couldn't remember whose it was.
He slowly lifted his head… and saw that, at the opposite end of the table, a girl was sitting there. Her face was covered in black scribbles that moved as if they were breathing. The ink seemed to want to crawl off her skin.
When he blinked, his parents, his sister, everyone… was gone.
Only he… and that girl remained.
–Y-you… who are you?
( Said Morgan, frightened )
The girl tilted her head. Her voice sounded distorted, like when you switch your TV to a channel with no signal—only static.
–Have you really forgotten me, Morgan?
Morgan stood up so fast he tripped, falling to the floor. When he tried to look up, she was already there, right in front of him, approaching with slow, clumsy steps… as if her bones weren't properly arranged inside her body.
He crawled back as best as he could. She began to crawl toward him.
Dark, thick blood began to ooze from her arms, dripping and staining her clothes. Each drop hit the floor with a wet, heavy sound.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Morgan hit the wall. The girl brought her face just centimeters from his. Her smell was metallic, cold. With those blood–soaked arms, she touched his cheek. Her hand was freezing… and trembling.
–Did you also wish for my happiness, Morgan?
The phrase began repeating again and again. Not only from her mouth… but from the walls, the floor, from inside his head. As if drilling into him.
–Did you wish for me too, Morgan?
–For me, Morgan?
–My happiness…?
–My… happiness…?
–Stop…!
( Shouted Morgan, covering his ears, terrified )
–Stop it!! Stop iiiiiit!!
( Shouted Morgan with all his strength )
The voice stopped.
The world shattered like glass.
And Morgan woke up with a jolt.
He had returned to his human form. The fishbowl was broken, water spilled all over the floor. His breathing was rapid, uncontrolled. He was sweating, trembling. Satana, who had already woken up, rushed toward him immediately after seeing him like that.
–What's wrong? What's happening to you?
( Said Satana, worried )
Morgan didn't answer. He kept panting, his gaze empty and his eyes wide open. Satana grabbed his face and turned it sharply toward her.
–Look at me. Look at me. Everything's fine… everything's fine.
( Said Satana firmly )
She pulled him against her chest, stroking his hair strongly, trying to calm him.
–It's over… it's over. Breathe… breathe.
( Said Satana warmly )
It took a while before Morgan could calm down. His breathing slowly returned to normal. He pulled away, lowering his head.
–I'm sorry… I don't know what happened to me.
( Said Morgan, embarrassed )
–Was it a bad dream?
( Said Satana, a bit worried )
Morgan remembered the scene, the voice, the blood… and that face marked with living scribbles.
–Yes… I guess so.
( Said Morgan, still shaken )
Satana gently held his hands, a faint blush on her cheeks.
–If you ever need to talk about something… I'll be here. I'll listen.
Morgan forced a small smile.
–Thank you… I'll keep that in mind.
Satana returned the smile. They stayed silent for a moment until Galahad began to stir, finally waking up.
–Where am I?
( Said Galahad, confused )
Morgan rushed toward her at once.
–Are you okay? How do you feel?
Galahad looked around the room, then at Morgan… and fully woke.
–Ah… how did I get here? What happened? I was with the princess and she was… and then… I'm here.
( Said Galahad, confused )
–Don't worry, it's alright. You're okay. You fainted, so we let you rest. You're in my room, don't worry.
( Said Morgan, smiling )
–I see… you saved me again.
( Said Galahad with a melancholic smile )
–Is something wrong?
( Asked Morgan, worried )
–No… nothing. It's just that… because of me, you're having trouble with Miss Kalista, and now with the princess too. And even so, you let me sleep in a bed… I don't know how I'll ever repay you.
( Said Galahad, almost crying )
–Don't worry. You don't owe me anything. I did what I did because I wanted to—because it was the right thing to do. So don't worry about it.
( Said Morgan, smiling )
–But… what will you do about the princess and Miss Kalista?
( Said Galahad, sobbing )
Morgan wiped her tears and smiled warmly.
–Don't worry. I'll find a way to fix that, alright? You… don't worry about it.
Galahad, seeing that sincere smile, placed a hand over her heart. It had been so long since someone treated her like this…
–In any case… I'm the one who should apologize. I managed to heal the wounds the princess gave you… but I couldn't heal this.
Said Morgan, touching the mark on Galahad's face, the injury that had taken the sight from one of her eyes.
–I could only heal your recent wounds. The rest… I couldn't.
With tears in his eyes, he lowered his head.
–So I ask you to forgive me.
Galahad, embarrassed, lifted him up quickly.
–No… don't apologize. I'm not worthy of your apologies. And besides, don't worry about this.
( Said Galahad, touching her face )
–You've already done so much for me, and I'm grateful. I'll find a way to repay you… even if it takes my whole life.
( Said Galahad with a slight smile )
–No, no, no… you don't need to repay me anything. I already told you, I'm the one who should apologize.
( Said Morgan, a little sad )
–I don't want to interrupt, but it's getting late… and Miss Luzbel is waiting for us.
( Said Satana, breaking the moment )
Morgan wiped his tears and stood up.
–Yes… I don't want to worry her.
He looked at Galahad and offered his hand.
–Would you like to come with us?
Galahad hesitated… but Morgan's sincere smile made her take his hand and return the smile.
–Yes… I would love to.
( Said Galahad with a tearful smile )
Finally, Galahad stood up and the three of them approached the door.
–Alright, then let's go.
( Said Satana cheerfully )
The door opened, and they walked out.
As Morgan stepped out of his room, he thought:
–I don't know what awaits me in this place… but I'll do my best to bring change. Yes… I will. I'm sure of it.
End of the chapter.
Next chapter: The 5 houses