Between Promises and Secrets

As night fell, the three decided to get up, since it was getting late. Theos said he would be sad when Sophia and Icarus left, as he would be alone with no one to play with. Then he said:

— I have an idea!

— What idea? — asked Sophia.

— I’ll go with you! That way, we won’t be separated.

— Stop it, Theos. How could you come with us? It’s impossible. Icarus and I are children of gods, and you’re not.

— I know I’m not, but doesn’t your mother want you to lead her army?

— Don’t even remind me of that…

— Well, there’s the solution! I’ll train hard and join her army. That way, the three of us will stay together. Forward, Team Theos!

— And then you say he’s not an idiot… — Icarus teased.

— Theos, just because Icarus and I are leaving doesn’t mean we won’t visit you. We will. It may take a while, but we will. Isn’t that right, Icarus?

— I guess so.

— All right, then. As proof of our friendship, I’ll do this.

Theos picked up a stone and carved their initials into a tree, along with their ages: he was 13, Sophia 14, and Icarus also 14, though two months older than Sophia.

— This tree will be the symbol of our friendship. Next time we meet here, we’ll come straight to it.

Theos extended his fist, and each of them did the same, sealing the promise of the three. After that, they each went home.

When Theos arrived home, his mother greeted him with a warm hug. Her name was Helena, a beautiful and kind woman with long straight black hair, dark brown eyes, and great love for her son. Only she and Theos lived in the house. He had no memories of his father, not even his face. All he 

knew was what Helena told him:

That he had been a good man, with a kind heart, always there when needed. According to her, his only flaw was stubbornness—the same trait Theos inherited. But whenever Theos asked what had happened to him, Helena always tried to change the subject. Most of the time, she simply said he had left during a storm and never returned, even though he had left them quite well. Compared to the others, Theos's house was quite comfortable and beautiful. After dinner, Theos went upstairs to his room to get ready for bed.

Suddenly, he woke up to voices — his mother’s, and another voice, a man’s, strangely familiar. He quietly got up and went down the stairs.

— He’s grown so much… — said the unknown male voice.

— True. He's just like you. Even his stubbornness... in that, you two are alike.

When Theos reached the kitchen, he found only his mother.

— Who was the man that was here? — he asked.

— What man, dear?

— I heard a man's voice here in the kitchen. It sounded like you knew him. You even said I was stubborn like him.

-Nonsense, dear. Mommy's just tired, I was talking to myself. Go back to your room, okay.?

— Fine…

— Good night, dear. I love you.

— I love you too.

Theos returned to his room, certain that someone was really there. But suddenly, everything disappeared, and he even thought he was imagining things. But as soon as he lay down, he fell asleep again.

— That was close… — said Helena, relieved.

— Yes… far too close — replied the unknown male voice.