The warm orange light from the sunset bounces off the white snow outside and floods the tavern’s dining hall through the windows with a comforting atmosphere, a comfort that is quite contrasting to the expressions of deep concern on Thaís’ and Jorge’s faces.

-        So it was just a nightmare?

  You nod twice, unwilling – and too embarrassed, honestly – to speak and risk revealing anything even slightly insane.

-        About… ?

  Thaís question resonates her unsatisfaction in quite an understanding manner, yet horrifying images of the disfigured beast continue circling about your mind, keeping you from feeling safe. You shuffle a little on your seat, failing to conceal your disquiet and so, after pondering a little longer, a reply parts way with your mouth:

-        I… I fell into some rapids and almost drowned…

  A half-truth… Indeed. As much telling them the whole truth may end up helping in your quest to unveil your past, there is an almost palpable block inside your head that refuses to let any of those lost memories out and any help in. What you remembered was just an illusion, a mere nightmare… Nothing not even close to its contents ever happened, “no-nothing”…

  Thaís and Jorge trade looks of realisation, almost as they had just found a missing piece of the puzzle that is your story. Spontaneously, Jorge inquires:

-        Are you sure about that? Do you remember where those rapids were?

-        Ye-Yes, but… All I remember is seeing some trees… And then, I was in the water. W-Why?

  Other half-truth, but even if you were not surprised with their sudden interest, you still would have chosen its comfort.

-    Bom… When we found you, your clothes were all drenched and your body lying in a clearing near a river.

-    That means it wasn’t just a dream… It was a memory!

-    … So maybe, if we check which villages that same river runs by… We could find your home!

-    Oh, graças ao Sem Nome!

  The sheer happiness in Jorge’s and Thaís’ words is almost palpable, yet you do not share of it. For if the nightmare was indeed a memory, then everything was real… Including the beast; the massacre; all  of the deaths and even… even… Irene’s and the baby’s!

  At the very moment you are about to enter a panic attack, an echo of a glass bottle shattering outside of the tavern’s entrance startles you. Thaís woeless looks out of the window and then turns to Jorge in a tone of surprise:

-        The fair! We almost forgot about it.

-        A, we still have to finish preparing the banquet!

  With the end of her husband’s words, Thaís looks your way and seems to ponder something for a second.

-        Orion, do you remember what happened last night?

-        Ehh… We were attacked by the Beast… There was a wall of fire or something like that and… and… I, I can’t remember… What happened?!

  Jorge crosses his arm with a look of concern storming on his face, then, asks Thaís with a barely recognisable tense voice:

-        What are you thinking?

  In turn, Thaís gestures as if her mind is still to be made but soon directs her words to you:

-        How are you feeling, Orion? Are you ok?

-        Umm… Yes? I think I am.

  Your words are as confused as you feel, completely lost as to what might have motivated such random question.

-        Ok! Well, short long story: Today Lady Marie decided to launch a fair to celebrate the death of the Beast and we volunteered to prepare the banquet but… Turns out the celebrations are about to start and we haven’t finished the food yet. So, let’s leave this conversation for later, tudo bem?

  All the indagations spawning inside your mind quickly begin to overwhelm your brain, so you decide to simply nod in agreement and have a break from it all.

-        Good! Go get dressed then, we leave in half an hour, haha.

  Another nod and the two of them are quick to return to the kitchen as you get off your seat and up the stairs. Though, at the halfway point of the first flight of steps, you stop for a second as the couple’s words echo distantly:

-        Amor, êcov met azetrec euq ele át meb? O otiej omoc o Orion avat odnatirg… Ue men oreuq ranigami euq soledasep ele avat odnet…

-        Hmm… E es ele uorbmel ed amugla asioc omsem? Ogla euq uecetnoca moc ele uo...

  Yet, given how they are speaking in their mother language – which, try as you might, you cannot understand enough to make any sense – your legs automatically resume scaling the stairs with your mind submerged in thoughts.

  At your room, whilst dressing, you wonder how Thaís and Jorge managed to find clothes that fit your body so well: Obviously they do not belong to Jorge as he is much taller and bigger, yet could it really be that they bought it just for you? Is such kindness still a thing? And if so, then how will you pay them back? Your mind fails – nor wants – to remember enough of your past  to even know where you come from, let alone what was/is your economic situation. What if it ends up being a case where you cannot pay them back?

  A severe peak of anxiety makes itself – quite – known for a moment, but soon is ignored by your wavering attention that now is directed at your reflection on the mirror… Or more precisely to your trembling hands struggling to button your shirt. In disbelief you bring them up to your face’s level and indeed they are shaking:

-        Strange…

  Unconscious syllables escape your lips almost hesitantly. For whatever reason, they highlight something even more bizarre: A subtle discomfort on your chest, your heart seems to be… Palpitating (?).

  Unexpectedly, such palpitation becomes a certainty as it picks speed, bringing a desperate sensation much akin to having your survival instincts triggered. You look back at the mirror scared, but instead of finding your own reflection, you find the beast’s from your nightmare: The half-burnt skin now presenting some cracks from which a thick, petrol-black secretion leaks; its lips are retreated almost to the silhouette of its muzzle, exposing sharp and yellowed teeth almost as if it is growling in anger, yet, no sound is even close to making its way into your ears; those bloody amber-yellow eyes however, shoot right at yours, in such a way that causes you to far rather hear its growl than to endure such malicious stare for even a second longer. Finally, a strong sentiment of aggression, wild and nearly palpable, strikes your soul so brutally that you retrocede a step, nearly tripping into another hysteria. Yet:

-        Orion! Are you ready? We’ll be waiting for you down here, ok?

  Thaís’ collected and tranquil voice echoes from the hallway bringing your senses back to reality. You look to your bedroom’s door and then to the beast’s reflection on the mirror repeatedly, until finally grabbing your coat from a nearby chair and dashing downstairs, trying your best to not look back.

-        Hehehe… I hope you’re very hungry today, Orion. Because the banquet is just AMAZING! Hahaha.

  Jorge laughs enthusiastically, making no effort to hide the pride he feels for his and his wife’s work as you are faced with a literal line of kitchen helpers taking trays upon trays of food outside.

-        Did something happen, Orion?

-        Oh. N-No, no… umm, shall we?

  They must have noticed your lingering unease and the poor excuse for an answer leaving your mouth does not seem to help much. But, after briefly trading worried looks, the couple simple consents to your invite and lead the way out to the cold – yet heart-warmingly festive – night.

  Before stepping off the wooden porch an onto the muddy street however, you have a paranoid look back for the last time, only to find the beast’s dreadful eyes plastered on every reflective surface… Still staring directly at you.