Blurred by The Rain

 After her “date” with Eterrai, Aurora arrived home feeling the weight of the day pressing on her shoulders. She opened the door to her apartment, greeted by the welcoming silence of the place she called home. The soft lights of the hallway guided her path as she made her way to the bathroom. Each step seemed to release a bit of the accumulated exhaustion.

In the bathroom, warm steam began to fill the room as water cascaded from the showerhead. Aurora let her clothes fall to the floor like a cascade of fabric and stepped under the stream of hot water. The comforting heat relaxed her tense muscles and washed away the worries of the day. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to savor the moment of peace.

After the shower, Aurora dressed in her work clothes to save time the next morning. The familiar fabric was comfortable, and she felt prepared for the tasks awaiting her. She walked through the rooms of the apartment, each adorned with personal touches that reflected her vibrant and creative personality. The curtains swayed gently with the breeze flowing through the open window, carrying the distant sounds of the city and the fresh scent of rain.

Aurora lay down on the bed, pulling the soft blanket up to her chin. Her eyes fixed on the ceiling, where the faint light from the bedside lamp cast dancing shadows. The rhythmic sound of rain tapping against the windows formed a soothing melody, blending with the hurried footsteps of people passing by on the street below. She could hear fragments of conversations, laughter, and even the faint sound of a car driving by.

For a while, Aurora lay there, lost in thought. Exhaustion began to take hold, but her mind remained occupied with the lab tasks awaiting her the next day. She knew she had important work to do, but at that moment, all she wanted was to surrender to the comfort of her bed.

Gradually, her eyes began to close. The sound of rain and the distant murmur of the city became a lullaby that cradled her gently. Her thoughts slowed, and soon Aurora was enveloped in the welcoming embrace of sleep, ready to face a new day when she awoke.

Aurora's dreams carried her back to a memory from ten years ago when she was just fifteen. At that time, there was a great nation floating above all others on a colossal flying continent. The inhabitants of the land below looked up in awe and curiosity, but few truly understood how that world in the skies functioned.

One fateful afternoon, the grand continent began to collapse. Without warning, the entire place fell apart, causing panic and destruction among those living below. Ordinary people, like Aurora's family, didn’t know exactly what had caused such a catastrophe. Her parents were traveling on the road when they saw the impending collapse.

— What’s happening? — her mother cried as debris began to rain down from the skies.

Her father, with a determined look, sped up the car, swerving around the massive falling debris. It was a scene worthy of a skilled pilot: each turn, each swerve, a desperate dance to escape destruction. The sky, once clear and serene, was now filled with fragments of a once-prosperous civilization.

Aurora, sitting in the back seat, clung tightly to her seat, watching the surreal scene through the window. The chaos around her felt like a nightmare, but adrenaline kept her focused on her father’s supposed bravery and skill (You know, you can't always trust a child’s memory). With every passing second, they moved farther from the imminent danger.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they found a safe place to stop. The car was covered in dust and small debris, and everyone inside was gasping for air, trying to catch their breath. The silence that followed was broken only by the sound of heavy breathing and pounding hearts.

Then, they heard a strange sound—someone groaning in pain. Aurora and her parents exchanged worried and curious glances. Stepping cautiously out of the car, they followed the sound and found a figure lying among the debris. It was a boy from the flying continent, injured and frightened but still alive.

— Please… help me. — the boy murmured weakly.

Aurora’s mother, astonished that the boy had survived, quickly decided they would take him to the nearest hospital in a small town nearby. Weeks passed as the boy remained hospitalized, recovering from his injuries. During that time, they received news that he likely had no parents, as they had probably perished in the fall of the continent.

Moved by compassion and a sense of duty, Aurora’s family decided to adopt the boy. On the day they brought him home, they tried to gently talk to brighten the mood.

— What’s your name, dear? — Aurora’s mother asked softly.

— Cláusio, Cláusio Anteu. — the boy replied calmly, his voice tinged with sadness.

They spoke lightly, trying to lift his spirits and make him feel welcome. Over time, Aurora and Cláusio grew closer. Despite his initial reluctance, as he was very reserved, Cláusio eventually began to open up, and Aurora found herself growing fond of him.

Living together, they discovered shared hobbies and interests. Both had a fascination with genetics and engineering, which became common ground for their budding friendship. They spent hours discussing ideas, tinkering with projects, and dreaming of possibilities. Their bond grew stronger, becoming an inseparable duo united by a love for science and innovation.

Three years later, on a seemingly ordinary day, Aurora left home to attend a robotics event. Cláusio, feeling unwell, stayed home. At the event, Aurora presented a project that improved the energy efficiency of refrigerators. Her hard work and ingenuity were rewarded, and she earned a scholarship to work and learn at the prestigious Wonder Tower. Filled with excitement, she could hardly wait to share the news with her family.

When she returned home, eager to tell everyone about her achievement, her joy turned to horror. Half of her house had been destroyed in an explosion, apparently caused by a gas leak. Firefighters and police surrounded the area, their flashing lights casting an eerie glow over the scene. Her heart raced as she absorbed the devastation.

Aurora’s parents were dead, victims of the explosion. The only survivor was Cláusio, who had miraculously escaped the worst of the blast. He was sitting amid the wreckage, his face pale and stunned, surrounded by first responders.

Aurora’s world crumbled in an instant. The joy and warmth of her home were replaced by the cold reality of loss and despair. Rushing to Cláusio’s side, she felt a mix of relief and sorrow. She held him tightly, tears streaming down her face, knowing their lives had changed irrevocably.

Aurora woke in the middle of the night, tears streaming down her cheeks. The remnants of her dream lingered in her mind, stirring emotions she thought she had long buried. The darkness of her room was punctuated by the soft patter of rain against the windows, a constant reminder of her turbulent memories.

Feeling a tightness in her throat, she decided to get a glass of water. She slid out of bed, her feet touching the cold floor as she made her way to the kitchen. The apartment was steeped in shadows, with the only light coming from the occasional flashes of lightning outside.

Aurora filled a glass with water and walked toward the window. She could hear the rain pounding against the glass, a steady rhythm that matched the beats of her heart. As she drank, she caught sight of her reflection in the windowpane.

For a moment, she stared at herself, noting the tired eyes and tear-streaked cheeks. The rain outside seemed to amplify her sense of loneliness, creating a barrier between her and the world. Her reflection gazed back at her, mirroring the pain and loss she still felt after all these years.

The clock is always ticking