He stood by the window, watching as everyone went about their business. They went on their merry way, some grumpy, others happier than not.
Placing his hand against the glass he'd watch the people walk tho and fro further from where he could see them, it felt rather lonely. There was a melancholy undertone to the morning; yesterday, he waited for Leora, but she never arrived.
They removed the blue liquid that had been injected into him, and he developed quite an appetite overnight.
There was a light tap on the door, and the nurse entered. "Hi, good morning," she said with a warm smile.
"Hi," Varo responded.
Her green eyes scanned the room, surprised that he was standing and did not need the IV drip. The night shift nurse filled her in, but she needed to see for herself.
"Earlier this morning, before breakfast..." He interrupted the nurse's thoughts. "The other nurse kept a close eye on me as I brushed my teeth and took a bath."
His face was shriveled with concern. "Can't I leave?" he asked.
She gave him a sympathetic look. "Just be patient, Mr. Setti; your guardian will need to fill out your paperwork," she replied.
Varo gave a weak smile. He feared what Ink told him because the thought of being her lab rat terrified him.
"I just wanted to say hello," she said comfortingly. "If you need anything, press that button." She pointed to the edge of his bed, where there was a button Varo had not noticed.
"Take care of yourself now," she said, waving before leaving. As if Varo had anywhere else to go that he would need to 'take care of himself.'
He would smile back at her and sigh with frustration as he watched her leave.
The once-busy streets had emptied, leaving behind only the muted hum of the town's stillness.
Varo's gaze flicked to his reflection in the glass. His own dark, weary eyes stared back—until something shifted. A shadow. A flicker. Melinoë. Panic surged. He stumbled back, heart hammering, falling on his cushion.
Another rhythmic knock sounded at the door, and Varo quickly stood up. "I'm okay," he called out, ensuring the nurse could hear him. The door flung open, it was Leora. His eyes widened, and words failed him. She rushed to him, wrapping him in a hug that was almost too tight. She smelled nice like lavender it was comforting, even though it was a long hug.
She took his arm and guided him to the bed, a soft smile playing on her lips, almost a chuckle. Varo was a mess—joy, happiness, relief, and a trace of sadness surged through him all at once. One glance at Leora told him she felt the same. They sat in a quiet that spoke volumes, words could not suffice.
Varo wanted to say something, but they talked over each other. They burst out laughing.
"You are really okay," she said cheerfully. "I'm so glad." she hugged him once more.
She let go of him and looked at him, tracing her finger across his chest. "You look brand-new. Are you immortal, or something?"
"Well, I died and was sinking, but I thought of you and swam back up," Varo said, smiling.
Leora buried her face into her hands. "You say the silliest things," she said shoving him playfully.
"I had to erase your slave mark or you would not be able to receive this health care," she explained.
"I am glad you did that for me; I am just happy to be alive."
Leora smiled a fulfilling smile. Varo felt complete, the only person he truly trusted through his broken stream of consciousness was with him. Before Varo could process his relief, another knock echoed through the room, cutting through their shared moment. Leora straightened, her smile shifting to curiosity.
"Is that you, Beryl?" Leora asked at the door.
"Yes, Bitu is also here," the voice replied, opening the door.
As they stepped inside, Varo welcomed them with warmth.
"Varo, this is Beryl," she said, gesturing to a tall teenage girl. She had brown curly hair and light freckles scattered across her cheeks. Surprisingly, she wore a brown leather jacket and baggy jeans with sneakers. She also carried a purple backpack.
"And this is Bitu." Bitu was a tall buff man; if Varo was his mark, he appeared to be in his early to mid twenties. He wore a beanie, a fitted turtleneck that flexed his muscles, brown trousers, and office shoes.
Their attire stunned Varo—too modern, almost jarring. It completely threw him off.
Leora smiled. "Sorry, they are making a statement with their old-fashioned clothing." She commented on Varo's reaction.
"Nah, I think he likes our style," Beryl said with a cheeky smile. "He really looks cute, way better than when he a bloody mess, I almost threw—"
Bitu caught her mouth and shot a cold stare at her.
"My bad," she said through the hand that muffled her.
"I'm glad to see you better you really had us worried," Bitu said. His voice sounded calm and soothing.
"Thank you for worrying about me," Varo replied.
He turned to Leora and whispered under his breath. "Who are they?"
"They are my family," Leora replied.
"Oh," Varo muttered, his eyes flicking between the three of them. They looked nothing alike. He wanted to ask but hesitated, afraid it might come across as rude.
"No, no," Leora laughed. "I kind of adopted these two, it's complicated."
Varo was surprised, his thoughts raced, leaping from one possibility to another, trying to piece together this new information.
"I understand," he said slowly, putting emphasis on 'understand'.
Bitu cleared his throat. "If you don't mind me interrupting. My clan was swept away by a great flood, I and Beryl are a part of the few survivors."
"Leora saved our butts," Beryl added as she sat by Varo's bedside.
Bitu rolled his eyes. "Like you were old enough to remember anything," he jested. "Anyways, legal matters came up and she is by law our foster mother," he said facing Varo.
Varo smiled, happiness washing over him paying no attention to what Bitu meant by 'she is our foster mother'. He couldn't help but think of Leora as a kind, yet delightfully silly goof.
Leora chuckled nervously. "Well I sort of had to do the same to you."
"Huh," Varo exclaimed, confused and bemused. It was all too silly and weird. "So are we like a foster family?"
"We're more like an organization—the Lampros Foundation," she said, her gaze fixed on the air as if the words were printed there in invisible font.
Varo tilted his head, processing the name. 'The Lampros Foundation?' The weight of it felt both strange and comforting, like a name he'd heard in a dream.
"More like 'team crazy,' Beryl jested.
Leora playfully tickled Beryl, sending her tumbling off the bed in a fit of laughter.
"Serves you right," Leora said with a smile. She shifted her gaze to Varo, who sat quietly, just happy to be surrounded by everyone. After all, he had been through so much. "I hope to create a family that loves and is kind to everything and everyone," Leora declared, her eyes glinting with purpose.
Bitu bowed his head, a small smile playing on his lips. 'Dream big, Leora. Just don't forget reality.'
Beryl pouted. "Silly."
Varo felt a warmth in his chest, a feeling he hadn't known in a long time, as he gazed at Leora. She was a radiant light—distant yet close. Leora's words weren't just hopeful—they were healing. In that moment, she wasn't just someone special; she was his beacon in the storm.