Lover's Dam

– I... was thinking on taking you somewhere.
– Huh? Where?
– That would be some sort of surprise... but you'll like it!
– Well... I am not in the mood for going out right now, also... everyone is busy around and you know there are a lot of strange things happening these days.
– I know...
– We wouldn't have much protection, I guess that would make them angry.
– Angry?
– They are worried. It's been quite a while since we got this low, I have to stay as some sort of example.
– You are absolutely not in position to be an example.
– How come?
– You...
– How dare you say that?!
– I was just saying...
– Listen I know how you all are feeling toward me, it almost feels like you all decided to stab me in the back. You all feel pity for me. I hate this shit, I'm always the one everyone has to take care of.
– But you once said you liked to be taken care of...
– NOT LIKE THIS, NOT ALL THE TIME!
The two stared at each other. Hatred versus death.
– See? You can't even be bothered by my reaction, I am just a toy for you!
– You're not.
– LOOK INTO MY EYES THEN!
– Done.
– Why do you treat me like this?
– Because...
– Because you feel like I CAN'T TAKE IT? I TOLD YOU, I KNOW THIS IS YOUR JOB AND THIS IS NOT YOUR FAULT, PEOPLE LOSE THOSE THEY LOVE DAY AFTER DAY!
– I know that.
– You know that rather well, don't you?
– Yes I do.
– And how many are dying just now?
– That's none of your business.
– So...
– So...?
– I don't know. I shouldn't be screaming at you right now.
– That's okay.
– No.
– Really, it is.
– Stop that bullshit.
– Well, if you want to, you can scream all you want where we are going.
– Listen, I know there is already someone at that door listening to our conversation, I know everyone is worried. I can't do this to them.
– And you can't do this to yourself! You need to get out a little, you need to... liven up!
– Liven...?
– Ah, come on, not again! You say all this "gotta be an example" thing but you are just holding back this anger. You are not fine, and that is alright, you let it out, vent it a little.
He sits down at bed.
– Okay, I know, I mean, I don't. I'm not sure you are right or I am just too tired to fight back...
– Doesn't matter.
She smiles at him.
– Do you really want to do this?
– I do, I think you deserve it.
– Can you promise you're not doing this out of pity?
She frowns.
– I can. Do you want to go or not?
– Maybe we can go then.
– Maybe?
– Nah... let's just... go.
The door opens.
– Master, you can't just leave home right now, we have no air support! And some of the angels are fighting out of the city!
She steps ahead.
– Don't worry about protection.
The scythe appears.
– Just you two?
– Just us. I am the first angel of his protection.
– O-okay. But, don't you guys want to bring the dog at least?
Hey eyes get darker.
– I promise it's all going to be fine.


– So... where to?
– You said you knew where we were going!
– Just kidding.
– Hm...


– Here we are.
– Nice. Big place and all, pretty isolated. Beautiful scenery. And now?
– Now what?
– Where are we? What do we do here?
– We just stay in here. Remember I said you could scream all you wanted? No one is going to bother now!
–Hm... indeed. If you come to think about it, it's quite scary.
– In what way?
– In a "no one can hear you scream" kind of way.
– Don't worry, I can protect you!
– It's not the others that would be the problem in this case... but, nevermind.
– You mean...
– I meant nothing.
– I am not going to drag you somewhere to end your existence.
– I didn't say that.
– You pretty much meant that.
– Okay, listen, it's okay, it just passed through my mind.
She gazed to a forest far, far away.
– Well, we can enjoy the view...
– Sure...
– ...and pretend we haven't been arguing with each other for the last entire week.
He looked at her. But she only looked back when he turned his face.
And they stood looking at the distance for a while.
– Hey, thanks.
– You're welcome.
– You won't ask me what did I thank you for?
– No need. I know you expected that, I just accept your gratitude.
– Well... I am going to say it anyway.
A shy smile passed through her face.
– I liked it here. Looks strangely abandoned however.
– It is.
– Abandoned? A dam this size?
– Not entirely abandoned but there aren't many visitors. The only people that come here are those who have to work.
– I see...
– I know you feel uneasy with some things I say, but...
– I can get used to it. Takes some time.
He nodded.


– This place is called Lover's Dam.
– Lover's?
– Yeah...
– Not because of visitors, or tourists, although it has a powerful view... right?
– Exactly. This is the place I came to claim a couple.
– I see.
– They loved each other very much.
– How do... you know that?
– That's some of the perks of being an entity above angels and demons, and others... time and space become less of a limitation, and more of a thought.
He looked at her, a mix of shock and curiosity dwelled in his expression.
– Can you... travel in time?
– Not like you picture it.
– How, then?
– I can be, everywhere, as you know it. And I can remember it. I can reconstruct timelines of what I see, and sometimes of what people feel.
– Can you read minds?
– Nope.
– So how do you know how do people feel?
– I can observe. A lot.
– And what am I thinking right now?
– I said, I can't read thoughts.
– Sorry, but, what am I feeling right now, then?!
– I'd say curiosity, but I can't be sure.
– How can I know you're not lying?
She looked at him seriously.
– By observing.


– You know, I wish I could stay here for longer.
– Me too.
She looked at the sky, and her head moved fast as if an idea just occurred, but it was so clever or so stupid that she couldn't process it.
– What happened?
– I was just thinking...
– What?
– There is a way. A way to stay here for a little longer.
– Nice, but how? We should be returning soon. I know you can protect me, I know that, but we shouldn't take our chances that far.
– We won't stay for much longer, not for most creatures...
– What do you mean?
– Remember I said time is more of a thought?
– Yes.
– I can alter the progression of time around my body.
– You never said that.
– It's not so easy, I'd have to focus some of my existances around.
– Are you... holding many existances right now?
– Not that many.
– So you stop killing people and then you can stop time?
– I focus, therefore I take longer to take all the people I have to... then I can alter the speed with which time goes on, around this body. Also, I told you once, I don't kill people. I just come to finish their existance in here!
– I see.
– But... you are not going to notice we are on a slower time.
– Why not?
– You are... human. It will all pass normally for you.
– I see.. well, do it. I will believe you if you said we stood here for an entire day, even if I feel we didn't.
– You sure?
– Of course, the worst that can happen is nothing happening.
– Okay, then!
– Just out of curiosity, you said time slows down around your body, how far from your body?
– It depends, mostly a few meters. Since I have to keep some existances to keep my job going, I can't focus that much.
– Oh, fine.
– Here it goes.


Sometimes the world gets colored in a way it looks way more sad.
As if there was a barrier around us, forcing the weight of the world anywhere we go.
But sometimes, people enter this small area. And although they can't destroy the barrier, nor can they change the way it deforms reality for those inside, they make it a ride we can endure.


– Oh. Slow time looks sad.
She looked at him shocked.
– Erm... I shouldn't be seeing it, right?
...
– I wonder...
The chain on his neck was shining, and moving as if it had been wronged. Not vigorously, more like a child than didn't accept it was time to go to bed and sleep.
– Looks like we are going to stay a little while here.
She held his hand. He looked at the trees frozen by a wind that never seemed to go, yet wasn't there.
The two lied on the ground, watching a world though the purple walls of a time that never passed.

What is going on

I am feeling kinda tired.
You want me to read you a story?
No, I don't think I'd last to hear much of it.
So... you wanna sleep?
I kinda do, but I don't...
How...?
I feel like my body need it, and I know I should because I have to wake up early tomorrow, but I wanted to stay awake, not sure what for.
Sound complex...
Maybe it is...
So... would you like to...
Hm?
You know... just... sleep. We can lie down in bed and just... wait for the time to sleep...
...
...
I'd love to.

Battle of the many rounds, part 2

So, I see then that you're uneasy.
I know that you'd rather not talk to me ever again.
You feel guilty, but it is not your fault. I know it isn't. It's like it was something you chose from the start. 
But I need you to overcome this, please. I need you here, I need you back, as soon as possible.
Don't leave me hanging.

I won't.

The two lie in bed. Back to back, hands held.


It is a mad world indeed. And I need much more focus in order to keep these people minimally prepared to handle it. I don't know what else to do, it feels like a bomb much bigger than anything we were teached to disarm.
I feel angry, I feel strange, I feel afraid, I feel sorry for a lot of people.
And then I feel angry again.
But don't move. This night your mission won't be of revenge. I want all of you, prepared to protect these people, make them sleep, make them calm, or just watch over them. DO NOT SEEK FOR REVENGE. I command you. This night, we protect them. Make me proud.

And you, I am divided between all these feelings, I am thrown into turmoil and I am not sure how to get out. You said you would do anything, so I tell you. You protect that woman, with whatever you fucking got. I don't want to scream at you but I feel like doing it. PROTECT HER. I know this was your job and it is not your fault, but I am not handling it all very well.
Look at my eyes and promise me, you will take good care of her.


Two visits of the angel of death in less than two weeks, huh?
These buddies are hitting hard...
I feel strong and I hear others saying I am. I guess we are doing a pretty good job managing the damage.
I'll be better as soon as I sleep a little, tomorrow will be even harder, I can't be this tired.
But what I really wanted now was some company, I know I must never say these things because you don't know what you get, but I can't run away from it. Maybe after I get some sleep this gets better, but right now it wouldn't hurt to have a girl by my side.

Battle of the many rounds

As we go rolling through the infinite dungeons that reality has imposed against us, we wonder, is that all? They don't stop coming but there is a certain pattern going on.
There's a pattern, I know there is.

Today I had a little breakdown, I remembered him. The food fell on the floor and my automatic response was to pick it back up, but then I remembered, there's no one to eat it on the floor anymore, this is not necessary.
Then it hurt.
Many things hurt in fact, but I guess that is just part of how the game is going to play for a while. I don't like it but these are the rules.
Sometimes I think I can win this shit, I think I am handling the situation better than expected, but then, there are other times when I'm not very sure...

– I... I feel weak. I remember that day. I remember him lying there. He didn't make it...
– Calm down...
– I don't know what to do, I don't want to erase my memories but then it looks so much easier..
– Just calm d...
– What do I do?
– Hey! Stop! What you are going to remember is what made it all feasible. You told me that yourself, that this time it felt like it was easier to stand your ground, because you knew you showed him that you cared. Remember? You could say that you loved him, and you said that. You stood there for him. Don't let these waves take you away, they'll pass eventually, and what will be left is your treasure.
– ...
– I'll tell you what you are going to remember. If you have to remember that day, remember how incredible his fur still was. He had the best fur we've ever seen on a dog. And then, you are going to reclaim your treasure, and those are the memories. How much he was happy when we gave him his first toy, that blue plush dog. And how he jumped so much when we took him for a stroll or gave him a bone cookie. When he fought against the hairdryer. Remember how awesome it felt when he welcomed you home. Every single piece of these memories. THAT, is what you are going to remember.

She won't look me in the eyes.
I know that's just her job. And I know that at the beginning of all this, I was a bomb just waiting for that single little spark that would blow it all up. But it passed.
Still, she is quiet. It feels so strange to see her that way. I know she feels guilty, even though that is just her job. I wish it wasn't. I guess many times she wishes too.
I hope someday I get the words to tell her that it is okay, that is a part of life. It is not her fault. Of all the angels that make me company, she was the one that was mostly there. Even though her presence calls for shivers and bad mood, I enjoy it when she is there.
Sometime in the future this will all be the past. I can't deny it feels... gratifying that it has taken such an impact on her. I wonder if I held her hands, would she... start to cry? I don't believe more tears have to be given. But it has been hard to go through. She is still around, I know that. Always protecting.
But the angel of death will take some time to look me in the eyes again.

You might have won this fight.
I can't lie, I am obliterated. Depending on people to join the bits together.
But you have just assured the war is lost.
I'm coming back.
And now I have to be strong to honor yet another buddy.
I don't feel angry or full of hatred, I guess. It is a very... new situation for me.
I just know, I'll fucking destroy you now. It's decided.
Your clock starts to tick. My pieces are getting together.

Strong to the very end

Perhaps the theory of living until you learn to love is real.
I'm not a very religious person or anything like that. You know I never was. But sometimes it just makes sense. You knew how to love ever since the beginning.
I've never seen a dog learn how to behave inside the house so fast without proper training. You were truly one of a kind. But it was all too soon.
I don't know how to say, I feel devastated as I haven't felt in ages. Yet, I feel strong. Because I've met a dog who fought against all the odds. You made she love you. That was beyond miraculous, I wonder if you ever knew that. Maybe it just didn't matter, some creatures don't need that kind of thing, they just want to live.
And boy, you lived.
I'm happy that I have witnessed your happiness. You were the light that shone the brightest, even if it was for such a short span. But I guess that's how it works. Thank you.
Yes, it is still hurting a lot, and I still don't know how to describe what I feel. But at least this time I'm sure I tried my best. I hope you enjoyed these brief months we've had. You made me feel the truly best owner I could be. I'm sure Bob would like to see it.
Actually, I'm sure you've already met him. You two take care of each other, you were the best dogs this boy could have ever had as company.
It still hurts a lot to think that you won't be here anymore. Call me selfish but it felt so good coming home to see you, all jumpy and full of energy. It is absurd to see that, it is almost as if you were the nicest person on earth. I couldn't feel bad.
I know daddy wasn't the best company you could have asked for lately, daddy has been feeling pretty down, but I tried. Remember when it was just the two of us for many weeks? We made it buddy, we walked at least twice a day. I hope you enjoyed it, I surely did. Even when it was too cold or dark in the morning, the rewards were still far bigger than the duty.
I'll miss running with you. Like when we ran for our lives, boy you were so fast, I'm still impressed. How could such a small creature run so much? How could....
I don't know, how could you be so much?
I hope you didn't suffer so much these last moments. Daddy wanted to be there. Please be sure of that. I would do anything to be there before the surgery. Don't worry, the image that I'll keep with me will be the happiest dog I've ever seen. I hope you forgive daddy for anything bad he did.
As I said to you before, daddy loves you.
And if there was anything I could do for you, I would do it.
I'm still amazed at how you stood strong. They said you had lost so much blood it was barely impossible you could even stand still. Yet you didn't even flinch.
I promise.
I'll show you I have learnt something from all this. Daddy is coming back as strong as you were.


I will carry your smile. And the tears will carry away the pain. And in the end, we'll be even stronger.