As soon as sleep embraced him, Evion felt as though he was floating in an infinite void. A sea of dense darkness surrounded him on all sides. The cold air brushed against his skin, but instead of fear or anxiety, he felt a strange sense of comfort. The world around him was not just darkness; it was serene and mysterious, like that fleeting moment before awakening from a cryptic dream. All his senses sharpened, as if he were shedding the bounds of reality, diving deep into the subconscious, where time and space dissolved.
Suddenly, his heart pounded with intensity.
Evion opened his eyes slowly to find himself seated on a wooden bench in a public park. Confusion painted his face at first as he looked around, sensing the weight of the place and its peculiar stillness. Towering trees surrounded him, casting shadows that danced on the ground as the sunlight played with them. The air was thick with the scent of fresh grass and blooming spring flowers.
He ran his hand along the cool surface of the wooden bench, its slightly rough texture bringing him an odd sense of comfort. Questions swirled in his mind:
How did I get here? Where is this place?
He heard faint laughter and the distant sounds of children playing, mingled with soft musical notes drifting from somewhere. Yet, he felt completely isolated, as though these sounds were distant illusions he could never reach. The faces around him were blurry, like moving shapes in the background. He tried to focus on their details, but something kept him from doing so. Gradually, the noise faded into a faint echo, leaving the place with a dreamlike ambiguity.
Eivion sat motionless, his hands clasped on his knees, as his mind struggled to comprehend the situation. Is this a dream? he asked himself. Yet, everything felt unnervingly real. Slowly, he looked at his hands, observing the details of his skin and fingertips. The texture was astonishingly tangible—cold but palpable—making him question everything around him.
He rose from the bench cautiously, his hesitation visible in every movement. He walked with quiet, deliberate steps, his breathing calm and measured. As he observed the trees and surroundings, a peculiar sensation began to creep in. A delectable scent wafted through the air, stirring a new curiosity within him.
Drawn by the aroma, he followed its trail with steady steps. The threads of the fragrance led him to the door of a confectionery shop that seemed strangely familiar. His heartbeat quickened as he approached the door. He opened it cautiously and stepped into an entirely different world. His eyes widened as they took in the sight before him: neatly arranged tables displaying an array of confections that looked like sugary works of art.
He inhaled deeply, savoring the sweet aroma that filled the air.
Settling into a comfortable chair at one of the tables, he was enveloped by the calm and quiet atmosphere. He cast another glance at the beautiful desserts, imagining their taste. Some of them were familiar to him.
Before him lay a variety of intricately decorated cakes, like spongy delights layered with fresh cream and assorted fruits. There were also colorful French macarons, a fruit tart adorned with perfectly sliced fruits, and pieces of chocolate filled with diverse flavors. Near them sat éclairs brimming with custard and topped with a glossy layer of chocolate.
As Evion was lost in the beauty of the details around him, his focus was suddenly interrupted by a soft voice calling out to him:
"Hello, dear customer. What would you like to eat today?"
He lifted his head, his eyes widening in astonishment. Standing before him was a young woman with light brown hair, shimmering under the sunlight streaming through the window. Her hair fell gently over her shoulders, and her green eyes sparkled with warmth. Her fair skin seemed to glow softly under the shop's tranquil light, while her white dress paired with a simple apron gave her an aura of elegance and grace.
She smiled at him—a warm, comforting smile that seemed to welcome him with a kind spirit. For a moment, Eivion was transfixed, unable to tear his eyes away from her. Her soft voice caressed his ears like a gentle breeze.
"Would you like to try our special chocolate cake?" she added, extending her hand gracefully. "Welcome to my humble shop; I hope you'll enjoy it."
Evion nodded, feeling his heart race without understanding why. She presented him with a small, perfectly shaped cake, its surface gleaming with a glossy layer of dark chocolate. He took the cake in his hands carefully, as if holding a delicate masterpiece he didn't want to ruin.
When he took the first bite, an explosion of rich, complex flavors overwhelmed him. The chocolate was silky, and every bite transported him to another world.
"This cake... it's unbelievable. It's absolutely delicious!" he exclaimed with genuine admiration, his face lighting up with delight.
The young woman's smile deepened, radiating warmth. "I'm glad you like it. This is just the beginning; we have many other sweets for you to try."
As Evion savored the cake, a profound sense of joy washed over him. But slowly, the environment around him began to fade. The sounds, colors, and even the woman's presence started to dissolve, as if being pulled away by an invisible force.
Without warning, he felt a jolt—an abrupt, powerful sensation that yanked him out of the dream.
He opened his eyes suddenly, finding himself lying on the bed in his darkened room. He stayed still for a moment, feeling the rapid beat of his heart as he tried to process what had just happened. Taking a deep breath, he touched his face and hands cautiously, as if confirming he was truly back in reality.
"What was that? That dream... it was so strange, but it felt completely real." He spoke to himself as he scanned his room, trying to recall the details of the dream. The memory of the beautiful young woman and the delectable cake lingered, filling him with a mix of confusion and curiosity.
"It must've meant nothing," he murmured. He sat at the edge of his bed, lost in thought, attempting to calm himself. Raising a hand to his lips, he brushed them lightly, almost tasting the remnants of the dream's flavor still etched in his mind.
"Why do I still remember the taste of that cake? It was truly delicious. But what intrigues me even more is the feeling I had. I think... I liked it." He spoke softly, his words trailing as if directed more at himself than anyone else.
"And that girl..." He paused, her image vivid in his thoughts. "That girl was... beautiful."
He decided to start his day as usual, but a strange feeling lingered—something out of the ordinary seemed bound to happen.
Evion recalled the meeting Sára had mentioned to Lucas. Checking the time on his phone, he decided to call Lucas to discuss the details.
"Hey, Lucas. How's it going, man?" Evion asked.
In the background, the sounds of video games and gunfire filled the air. Lucas, deeply immersed in the game, replied, "Uh, what? I'm just sitting here playing King of the Wilds, the game we talked about."
"Really? How's it going?" Evion asked, genuinely curious.
"It's amazing! But there's this one level—it's ridiculously hard. I've tried to beat it so many times," Lucas said, his voice tinged with frustration. Then, with a sarcastic chuckle, he added, "The game's literally trying to kill me! It's brutal!"
The sound of defeat blared from the game, and Lucas yelled in exasperation, "Damn it! I lost again! How can that goblin be so overpowered?" He tossed the controller onto the couch, leaning back and taking a deep breath.
"What about the meeting? Are you coming?" Lucas asked, shifting the topic.
"About that—I've been thinking, and I guess I'll be there," Evion replied seriously.
"Wow, that's unexpected! You usually skip these kinds of things," Lucas said, surprised.
"I'm just bored, and honestly, I don't have anything better to do," Evion muttered to himself.
"Do you know what the meeting's about?" Lucas asked.
"I'll tell you," Lucas began, his voice lighting up. "It's about all of us going to a training program at a hospital. The idea is to gain experience and help patients struggling with mental health issues."
"How are we supposed to support them?" Evion asked, genuinely curious about their role.
"Sára will explain everything and give you the details," Lucas assured him. "We'll be organizing activities to help reduce their stress and create a safe space for them. So make sure you show up."
"Do you think I can handle something like that?" Evion asked, his voice laced with doubt.
"Of course! You're empathetic, and you've got a way of connecting with people. It'll be good for you to be there. Anyway, see you this evening." Lucas ended the call.
After hanging up, Evion began changing into fresh clothes, getting ready to head out toward the hall.