Close Encounters
Aelira had settled into her new life at Lou's pub, adapting quickly to her tasks with the help of Nancy and her assistant, who remained in the form of a small, loyal dog. She was growing more comfortable with human customs and was now ready for a new challenge. That morning, Lou gave her a new responsibility—working as a delivery girl for local businesses and offices. Though Aelira was still unfamiliar with the city's layout, her assistant acted as a discreet guide, helping her navigate the streets and reminding her of Earth's rules.
Her first assignment took her across town to deliver lunch to a large corporate building. She packed the food carefully, adjusted her Earthly attire, and set off. The city's grand architecture and the constant motion of people amazed her, especially the towering skyscrapers that loomed over the streets like sentinels.
When she arrived at the company's headquarters, two stern security guards stopped her, asking for a gate pass. Aelira, unfamiliar with the need for such credentials, hesitated, unsure of what to do. Her assistant, sensing her uncertainty, gently reminded her of her abilities. With a subtle nod, Aelira activated her teleportation power, slipping past the guards in the blink of an eye. She materialized just inside the lobby, unnoticed by anyone, and made her way to the elevators with the food package in hand.
As she waited for the lift, Aelira noticed a sudden burst of activity nearby. A tall man, surrounded by a group of security personnel and assistants, moved swiftly down the hallway. His presence was commanding, drawing the attention of everyone around him. Her assistant whispered that this man was important—likely someone of great influence.
Aelira, however, was focused on her task. She had no interest in the powerful man or his entourage. All she cared about was completing her delivery. To avoid any further interruptions, she subtly activated her freezing power, causing a temporary stasis around her. The people nearby seemed to slow, giving her enough time to enter the elevator without drawing attention.
But just as the doors began to close, something unexpected happened. The tall man, now standing nearby, blinked in confusion as if he sensed something out of place. For a brief moment, his eyes locked with Aelira's. There was a flicker of recognition in his gaze, though neither of them understood why. It was as if, for a split second, he could see through the veil of her power.
Unbeknownst to Aelira, this man was Arthur—the very person whose life she had saved not long ago, and the one whose fate was tied to hers. But in her hurry to complete the delivery, she dismissed the strange encounter and focused on her mission.
She stepped out of the elevator and navigated the maze of cubicles until she reached her destination. After handing over the food and thanking the office employees, she teleported out of the building, satisfied with the success of her first delivery.
Meanwhile, Arthur stood frozen in the hallway, trying to make sense of what had just happened. For the briefest moment, he had felt time slow around him, and he was certain that something—no, someone—unusual had been near him. The feeling of an otherworldly presence lingered, tugging at the edges of his mind, but he quickly dismissed it, attributing it to the stress of his hectic schedule.
As Aelira continued her deliveries throughout the city, she remained blissfully unaware that she had come so close to Arthur, the man she had once saved. The thread of fate connecting them had tightened, but neither was yet aware of its significance. Still, the faint recognition in Arthur's mind would linger, drawing him closer to the truth about that mysterious night of his accident.