Tomorrow

“You're the man I love, aren't you?”

Dragomir didn't answer.

“Then... why can't I remember this face?”

A single tear escaped before she could wipe it away. Milena gently cupped the young man's face and held it there for a moment.

Dragomir gently wrapped his fingers around hers.

Not to stop her.

Just to feel them.

But then, he lowered her hand.

“I think that’s enough for today.”

Dragomir turned away, leaving Milena alone beside the old windmill.

***

That night, Dragomir lay in silence, watching the moonlight creep across the wooden ceiling.

Will I be chasing after her again tomorrow?

I promised myself… and yet…

If only she would never see another sunrise.

***

The next morning, Dragomir found his way towards the courtroom.

The square outside was already alive.

“I’ve heard you’re looking for men.”

The courtroom smelled of candle wax and old parchment.

“We are?” A formally dressed clerk barely looked up from the stack of wanted notices in front of him.

Before Dragomir could answer, another official burst through the door, struggling to catch his breath. “The condemned is due to be executed in fifteen minutes, but the executioner hasn't shown up!”

“What? Again?!”

“I know! How can this keep happening?”

“Hmmm…” The man frowned at Dragomir. “Ever held an axe, kid?”

“Yes.”

“Can you hit the neck?”

“Only the neck.”

“Are you not afraid to take lives?”

“It was their decision, not mine.”

“Wonderful! I’ll show you to the armory and-“

“Down the stairs, behind the painting with the crooked frame, first door to the left, on the south wall.”

The men blinked and exchanged confused glances. “How do you…?”

“I just have one condition. You can pay me less than what your budget allows, but you will pay me daily.”

Minutes later, a young woman rested her neck on the execution block.

Dragomir tightened his grip. Scarred fingers wrapped around worn wood of the axe.

The woman looked him in the eye. “You’re not wearing an executioner’s cloth over your head…”

“I don’t need it.”

“I don’t want to come back…”

Dragomir looked at her for a long moment.

“That doesn’t depend on you anymore.”

One precise swing, and the prayer ended.

***

“The townsfolk said you were looking for an extra pair of hands. Something about the windmill.”

It was already noon but Dragomir did not rest. Instead, he offered his help to the local miller.

“Ah, great timing!” The old man smiled as he was standing by the wooden construction. “We need to replace a cracked blade. The storm nearly tore the whole thing apart.”

Dragomir climbed the frame without another word.

He knew exactly which beam would groan beneath his weight.

Which peg refused to fit unless turned twice.

Which rope would snap if pulled too hard.

The old miller frowned.

“You're quite skilled for someone your age. Have you done this before?”

“Yes. I already helped you with repairs several times before.”

“Oh? Looks like my old memory is failing me.”

“Father! The lunch is ready!”

Dragomir gulped. It was the voice he would recognize anywhere.

“We’re almost done, Milena! Did you bring it?”

The blade caught the wind.

Once.

Twice.

Then the whole windmill slowly came alive.

The miller reached for a small pouch of coins that Milena held. “Thank you for your help, young man. I would have never done it so quickly!”

Dragomir shook his head. “No, it’s fine. I didn’t do this for money. Would giving me some bread be acceptable instead?”

Milena raised her eyebrow. “You don't happen to be one of those charming thieves, do you?”

“Charming?”

“The kind who earns everyone's trust first, then stabs them in the back, drags the body into the forest, digs a grave, covers it with leaves and walks home just in time for dinner?”

“No, no!” Dragomir took a step back as Milena closed the distance between them. “I just heard your bread is the best in this town!”

“Oh?” She folded her arms. “And who told you that?”

Dragomir smiled gently.

“You did.”

She blinked.

“Excuse me?”

“I mean, you might not remember, but-“

“Huh?! My memory is excellent! So you’re not just a thief, you’re a liar, too!”

“Milena, I don’t think-“

“Silence, father!” She raised her hand the miller’s way. “Let the grown-ups talk!”

Flour dust clung to her sleeves.

Dragomir inhaled. “I guess I’ll get going.”

“Nonsense! You said our bread is the best bread in the world!”

“I didn’t say ‘world’…”

“So I suppose you should join us for the lunch!”

“I really don’t want to intrude…”

“No, she’s right,” the Miller stepped in. “She always makes food for four people, even though it’s just the three of us here.”

“A strange habit of mine,” she chuckled, “But really. I insist you join us!”

Dragomir paused as he glanced toward the house. A tiny silhouette perched on the roof beam was already watching him. It met his gaze and gave him a small nod.

“I’d be honored.”

***

After the lunch, Dragomir knew he should not overstay his welcome.

The longer he stayed…

…the more tomorrow hurt.

Thus, he decided to head for the town again.

“So… why exactly are you tagging along, Milena?” He turned his head toward his sudden companion.

“I don’t have anything to do, so I thought I’d accompany you for a bit.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Well… to keep you company, since you helped my father.”

“You already provided lunch. That’s more than enough.”

“Dragomir.”

No.

She grabbed his hand suddenly.

Please, stop.

Milena stared at him in silence.

If you do this, I’ll…

And then…

Damn it.

…he pulled her into a tight embrace.

Her scarf slipped from her head, revealing her long pitch-black hair, waving in the wind.

“I knew it,” she whispered.

“Please, don’t talk for a second,” Dragomir squeezed a little harder.

“These feelings…”

“Of course you can’t keep your mouth shut.”

“These feelings… what are they? Why am I feeling them? Why does it hurt so much?”

“It’s your muscle memory, probably.”

“If it was somebody else…”

“I know.”

“…I would have pulled away.”

“I know.”

“ I'd have thought they were trying to kidnap me.”

“Yeah, tell me, what else?”

“I could have ended up under some weird prince’s ownership in some faraway eastern kingdom. I could have slept with the cows in the barn.”

“I think they could have even fed you grass.”

“Oh, that’s good, I have to remember that one.”

“Milena, I’m sorry but…”

“I can’t explain it,” She pulled back slightly, brushing at her face with the back of her sleeve. “I am waiting for somebody to return every day. But I don’t know for whom.”

“I’m so sorry…”

“You’re the one, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Then why... why can’t I remember you?”

Dragomir said nothing.

The wind was the only thing that answered.

Milena lowered her head.

By the time she looked back at him, her eyes were dry again.

“Will you come tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“Promise?”

Dragomir lowered his gaze.

“Promise.”

“But…”

She forced a small, fragile smile.

“…will I be there with you?”

Chapter 1: END