Chapter 7
Katarina
“Kat! Kat, come here.” The voice of a little boy echoes in the distance as I whip around.
“Mateo?” I call out, but I don’t hear my voice. Instead, I hear a little girl's voice.
“Come here! I’ll show you something!” My heart warms at the realization it’s my big brother calling me: my best friend, my hero.
“What is it?!” I shout and run towards his voice. I could only see the ocean and the sand on the beach that lay before me.
“I found a crab!” he shouts back with excitement in his voice.
I run faster until I see a pyramid of sand, the top of his head peeking above it. His long, brown hair dances as the wind blows.
“Where?” I halt and stare while he’s busy digging in the sand. “Careful, it might bite you, Mateo!” I warn him.
“Look!” He raises his hands, holding two sticks together, clamping a baby crab in them. I squeal, and he bursts out laughing.
“Don’t worry, it doesn’t bite!” he says, then places the crace on the sand. We watch it crawl sideways, and Mateo imitates its movements. I start laughing and join him. We laugh and hold hands following the crab as it makes its way to the water.
We stop when the water reaches our feet.
“This is as far as we go!” he says, pulling my hand.
“Let’s swim!” I say, jumping up and down, looking up at his smiling face.
“Be careful, Kat. Don’t let go of my hand,” he says, as we intertwine our fingers together. A gesture we’re so used to. He’s always held my hands like that, tight, and sure. And I love that I always have his hand to hold, no matter what.
“I love you, Mateo!” I shout to the sea, and I hear him giggle. Only this time, his giggle is no longer that of a small boy. My heart tightens at the sound. I turn, and he is there. Smiling at me, his eyes that are the same color as mine, reassuring as always.
“Lia…” He whispers, and I frown.
“I love you, Teo,” I say, and a lump in my throat cuts the oxygen from my lungs.
“I love you, Lia.” He says it again.
“No, it’s me, Kat!” I shout, but it feels like he can’t hear me at all.
“Always remember what I taught you. Trust yourself. You’re strong enough.” he reaches for my face, and I press my cheek against his hand.
“I don’t want to live a life without you, Mateo. Take me with you, please.'' He doesn’t respond, but his arms envelop me. My body relaxes in his hold, and for one moment, I feel safe again. Complete and whole. I open my eyes to look up to him, and my stomach drops.
His face is bloodied, his eyes are black, his skin grows cold, and he freezes.
No. No, please, God no!
“Mateo!!!” I scream, my body bucking against the bed, the movement sending an impaling pain through my shoulder.
“Hey, hey… It’s me. You’re okay. You’re safe.”
My eyes take a moment to focus as I groan from the pain. When I see Damiano’s face, his eyes are filled with worry.
“It’s just a nightmare,” he whispers.
“Where am I?” I say as he gently pushes my body, guiding me to lie down, the pain is easing a little as I do so.
“You’re at my place. You’re safe,” he says, sitting on the edge of the bed beside me.
“Mateo?” I ask, my voice hoarse.
He shakes his head slowly, his lips pulling into a line. I close my eyes and feel tears streaming down my temples, then I feel Damiano’s lips brush against my forehead.
“Rest, you’ll be safe here. I’m so sorry, Dolcezza.” I hear him say.
Then I black out.