The Calm Before the Storm

Chapter 2: The Calm Before the Storm

Camille and Luca walked slowly through the dark streets. As the cold wind struck their faces, Camille quickly pulled up the collar of her coat, trying to protect her body a little more. The streets were lit by old street lamps. Tonight, as the temperature dropped with every passing minute, the city became even quieter. The distant sound of metal creaking and a low hum coming from somewhere made the city feel, as always, as if it existed entirely on its own. Camille glanced briefly at the man beside her. There was a deep sense of calm in Luca's eyes. She had never felt so at ease before; it was as if being with him was enough to lighten the weight on her shoulders. She trusted him. With him, she could forget her fears.

“Is this your home?” Luca asked, stopping in front of a building.

Camille shook her head. “Yes. Thank you… for everything today.”

Luca smiled gently. “Always.”

They said their goodbyes. Camille opened the door and stepped inside, taking a deep breath. The weight on her chest had lightened. She thought about the time spent with Luca. How scared she had been... and the peace she felt when Luca appeared. Perhaps, for the first time, she didn’t feel alone.

The next morning, Camille arrived at work a little later than usual. She had stayed up thinking about Luca and their evening walk. She tried to focus on the experiments in front of her, but she couldn’t stop remembering the time they had spent together. The hum of the lab, the sound of her lab coat rustling as she moved, felt distant.

“Camille!” Sarah’s voice broke her thoughts. Sarah, her only friend in the lab, stood at her desk with a bright, almost mischievous smile.

“What’s up, Sarah?” Camille asked, pretending to focus, but noticing her cheeks turning red from the attention.

“I was thinking... do you want to grab a drink after work? You know, to celebrate another day of saving the world with science?” Sarah said, winking playfully.

Camille smiled softly. Sarah was always trying to bring some joy to the cold environment of the lab. She was full of energy, cracking jokes and making everyone laugh—even when things were at their most stressful. But Camille could see through her. Behind Sarah's laughter, she knew that Sarah, like everyone else, felt lonely. She would often try to get closer to Camille, seeking some kind of connection.

“I don’t know, Sarah…” Camille hesitated, glancing at the computer screen. “I’m a bit tired today. Maybe tomorrow?”

Sarah raised an eyebrow, not buying Camille's hesitation. “You’re thinking about someone, aren’t you?” she teased, her tone light but full of curiosity. Camille’s thoughts immediately went to Luca.

“Maybe,” Camille replied, feeling a warmth in her chest as she thought of him.

Sarah’s smile softened for a moment, and she placed her hand on Camille’s shoulder. “You deserve him,” she said sincerely, then quickly regained her playful tone. “But don’t forget about the stars while you’re thinking of him, I’m still here.”

Camille appreciated Sarah’s support, even if it was delivered with humor. She didn’t know why, but Sarah always had a way of making everything feel lighter, even as she carried her own burdens. Yet Camille couldn’t help but feel guilty. Sarah had always been there for her, but Camille felt that she couldn’t share the entire journey with her.

After work, as Camille was getting ready to leave the lab, she found herself pausing at the door. Sarah had already gone, but Camille couldn’t shake the feeling that Sarah had silently been waiting for her to realize something deep. This feeling was something Camille had always sensed when Sarah cracked jokes or tried to fill the silence. Camille valued her, but at the same time, she knew Sarah was more attached to her than she let on. With a small sigh, Camille stepped out of the lab.

When she stepped outside, she noticed someone was waiting by the door. It was Luca... and he had fallen asleep. Smiling, she approached him.

“Luca?” she called.

Luca opened his eyes, looking sleepy but happy as he gazed at Camille. “Camille!”

“Were you waiting for me?”

Luca scratched his head and smiled. “I guess I fell asleep while waiting.”

Camille smiled and shook her head. “Then come on, let’s go for a walk.”

From that day on, they walked together every evening. Each walk felt like an exploration to Camille. The city was being rediscovered, as if every street held a different life. Over time, every moment they spent together became more meaningful. Camille told Luca about her work, where she lived, and the things she loved. Luca shared his dreams with her, showing her the city through his eyes. Camille felt like she was truly living for the first time. She was no longer just working and surviving; she was focused on truly feeling.

“I’ve always wanted to go to Earth. Everyone says life ends there, but I’m curious. Living in this flying concrete pile called Elysius makes me feel like a rat caught in a trap,” Luca said, his eyes sparkling as he spoke.

“I’ve always been fascinated by Earth too. Since I was a kid, I’ve been interested in space. But my dad’s a renowned scientist, so whenever I’d think about such things, he’d scold me,” Camille’s voice carried the bittersweetness of those old times. “To me, the meaning of everything was to go to space. But my dad would always say, ‘You have things to do here in Elysius.’”

“I get it,” Luca said, moving a little closer to Camille. “Maybe we want to see the world and explore the outside because everything here has limits. But maybe, as we push those limits, we can find ourselves. Who knows?”

One evening, as they were walking home as usual, Luca suddenly stopped. Camille turned to him, curious.

“Luca?” she asked.

Luca took a deep breath and locked his eyes with Camille’s. “Camille, I need to tell you something,” he said, his voice trembling, but his eyes were determined.

Camille’s heart started beating faster. She had felt this coming, she knew it... but still, her heart raced as Luca continued:

“I’m in love with you, Camille. Every day I spend with you makes me happier. Being with someone finally feels meaningful. Will you be with me?”

For a moment, Camille’s mind went blank. She had felt this, she knew it... but still, hearing it from Luca made her emotions crystallize. His sincerity in those words made everything clear for her. She smiled and nodded. “Yes, Luca. I want to be with you too.”

From that moment on, they spent nearly every moment together. They went to amusement parks, roamed the city until dawn, and tried new foods. One evening, as they silently held hands while gazing at the stars, Camille’s fear slowly faded away. Everything felt so right... as if this was a chance fate had given them.

For the first time in her life, Camille felt truly alive. She was no longer just living for work. She was no longer alone. She was no longer unhappy. Because now, Luca was there.

But not all happiness lasts forever.

As Luca and Camille strolled hand in hand through Elysius Square, panic suddenly spread through the city. On the giant screens, a warning in red letters flashed: "Red Alert!" People stopped and stared at the screen, whispers quickly turning into murmurs. The usual crowd disappeared, everyone in a panic.

Camille froze, her eyes locked on the screen, a bad feeling growing inside her. Luca held her hand tightly, and Camille could feel her calm turning into fear. But Luca remained calm, as if he knew what was coming. Camille’s fear grew even stronger seeing him so composed. Everything felt unnervingly quiet. What was happening? Why was Luca so calm?