POV RICHARD A sailor heard my ordeals, as did my father, Lilian, the captain, and the rest of the people on board. A boat was tied up with a rope and being suspended outside the ship, the bravest man among all, or, perhaps, unaffected by panic, ventured into the tiny craft and climbed down as two of his companions wielded the rope in parallel. As the boat sat in the sea, the boy jumped into the water and dove, tearing through the waves. My terrified eyes didn't shy away from the mission for a second, and frankly I trembled inside with all the regret in the world. It is one thing to want to scare Akira Selena, to hold her hostage to my madness and obsession to have her all to myself. It is another to carry the guilt of her death. She went from being a simple savage that it was my duty to seduce, to being the center of my life. If I were to treasure her, Skyfall or Akira Selena, what is my sense of living? And so, in one thing, the Gypsy I met on the pier, is right. My entire exi
POV SelenaMy soul watches my body being swallowed by the waves. It is a tragic end for one who once dreamed so much. I didn't delude myself that this act would lead me to an end to pain. I know that it is stored in our essence and that death is not a refuge to escape from it.On the contrary, between life and death, the veil of wisdom falls and everything expands. Memories are no longer the solitude of our blind self that saw only our version of ourselves. It is a recapitulation of ourselves and the lives of those close to us.Poor Richard, I don't hate him right now. He is much more lost than I am and confuses desire with feelings. A soul lacking affections, since the only way to have them in his whole life was to please his father and have rewards that he dubbed love.My body and purity also symbolized having my love and not having them, he felt rejected and driven by a hatred that is subtly fueled by his father's image. I am waiting for the guardians to come for me or open the ga
POV ALFRED"Alfred, please sit down! Everyone is looking!" Teresa forbid me quite embarrassed."I'm sorry, Teresa, but I can't..." I walk on and thank the guardians that there are no seats in front of us and the only obstacle I need to overcome is a stage.With the flexibility and agility of my body, in three times I find myself on a surface made of wood and covered with flowers that keep falling as she continues the show.Her singing is for them, but her gaze is for me. And although I am not the old mother or the gypsy, I can read what they say and they are hard on me. They judge me a barbarian when I judge their fairy mistress."You are not Akira Selena..." I state surprised as I stand closer.It is the same face, yet not the same look. Hers is that of one who has lived much and would have much to tell, complete with sad episodes. "Of course I'm not, you idiot" she says in the small pause of the song "Get out of here" she recommends."I won't, I need to talk to you, milady!" I reso
POV LUANANoon strikes the clock and it's just another day like any other. The dreams also remain as usual, as well as the head aching from last night's punches. The only things that change are the ambitions.One day, a part of me laments that I am not a high society lady, that I cannot wear luxurious dresses and jewelry. Another morning, the other part of my self, is thankful for the freedom.My classmates still sleep in their rooms. Good thing we have a house we can call our own. Luckily, my friend and colleague Cecilia ensnared an old man and he granted her the deed before he passed away. The man had no children, which ensured that we would not be evicted a week later. Laws don't usually apply to people like us, while those who belong to high society, their word is enough.So it's no sin to delight in the old age and withering away of petty men who in their youth, by daylight, would kick women like us like a freckled dog, and at night, rub themselves on our bed shamelessly and wit
POV LUANAWith difficulty, Father Augustine leads me into a small room where host and wine are kept."I came to bring you this here..." I place the money in his hands and squeeze his fingers tightly so he won't let them go to the floor."No daughter, it's sin money. I can't accept it" He refuses, and deep down I already expected that attitude from him.He never accepted that I did not want to follow the mission of being a novice and becoming a wife of God. And being a woman of life affronted his values as much as he cultivated that everyone deserves God's forgiveness."It's not from sin. I will remake my life with a good and serious man. I need your blessing" I speak the truth."I give it to you, but I don't need the money. Distribute it to the poor on the street. Each one of them is our brother, God's family" He refuses the money again."Speaking of brother, family, priest, has no one ever come looking for me?"So many years have passed, but I never lose hope."No, you were left by
POV Alfred "Now can we talk?" I am more confident of a positive answer now that the man has left and only the two of us are left on a deserted street. But, what I have to receive from her, is a beautiful slap given to my face. "That's for disgracing my last chance to change my life. I don't know who you are, but stay away from me!" She says and walks off without looking back. "My name is Alfred, I am a skyfaller, indigenous as you speak. I met your sister and I need you to listen to me..." This information spoken out of my desperation to see her go, does slow the brave girl down, but not enough for her to look at me or give up on leaving. "I know you were left as a baby in a church. I have come for you, Miss, whatever your name is..." I am forced to speak the whole truth and hope that she feels prodded to know about her past. And apparently, this time it works. "How do you know I was left in a church?" She stops walking and turns to stare at me. "Your mother lived with my peopl
POV ALFRED"Luana?" I call out and enter without permission finding the door open.Involuntarily, my attention is caught by a scenery full of reddish objects, from curtains, carpets, and only the white of the sheet is saved."Alfred, welcome..." Luana who was hiding behind the door, closed it after I entered, and she is definitely no longer the same woman who almost took my eye out since we met.She bounces on my lap and in guardians name, that very light dress doesn't spare me from feeling her warmth and smelling her skin. However, that is not what I came here for."Luana, please..." I throw her on the bed and look into her eyes that turn to confusion."Yes, you are right, one night is not enough to reward you for the diamonds. How about, four seasons?" She smiles from the bed and gets up to wrap my body in a hug, but I need to resist."No, Luana! I've already said what I want from you, that we're going to London to find your sister!" I undo the snare of her embrace even though it fe
POV ALFRED"Luana?" I call out and enter without permission finding the door open.Involuntarily, my attention is caught by a scenery full of reddish objects, from curtains, carpets, and only the white of the sheet is saved."Alfred, welcome..." Luana who was hiding behind the door, closed it after I entered, and she is definitely no longer the same woman who almost took my eye out since we met.She bounces on my lap and in guardians name, that very light dress doesn't spare me from feeling her warmth and smelling her skin. However, that is not what I came here for."Luana, please..." I throw her on the bed and look into her eyes that turn to confusion."Yes, you are right, one night is not enough to reward you for the diamonds. How about, four seasons?" She smiles from the bed and gets up to wrap my body in a hug, but I need to resist."No, Luana! I've already said what I want from you, that we're going to London to find your sister!" I undo the snare of her embrace even though it fe
POV AKIRA SELENA It's Alfred wearing white men's clothes, but it's still the Alfred I know, who has the courage to cause a stir for the sake of his happiness at seeing a woman who is identical to me. And even though it is not me, I feel elated by the longing he feels for me . However, my heart squeezes to know that she insists on talking to the woman even though she recognizes that she is just a copy of me. I am glad he leaves the stage, but to my double dose of disappointment, it is to talk to another woman. The one who has accompanied him since his arrival in this splendid hall, and like me, she is uncomfortable with the possibility that Alfred is interested in the girl on the stage. I see the emotion of jealousy as a giant cloud around this Teresa. And it annoys me that she interrupts Alfred when he was going to explain why this girl is so important. Apparently it concerns me too, because Teresa mentions my name. However, she is not important to me, when I know now that Alfred
POV ALFRED"Luana?" I call out and enter without permission finding the door open.Involuntarily, my attention is caught by a scenery full of reddish objects, from curtains, carpets, and only the white of the sheet is saved."Alfred, welcome..." Luana who was hiding behind the door, closed it after I entered, and she is definitely no longer the same woman who almost took my eye out since we met.She bounces on my lap and in guardians name, that very light dress doesn't spare me from feeling her warmth and smelling her skin. However, that is not what I came here for."Luana, please..." I throw her on the bed and look into her eyes that turn to confusion."Yes, you are right, one night is not enough to reward you for the diamonds. How about, four seasons?" She smiles from the bed and gets up to wrap my body in a hug, but I need to resist."No, Luana! I've already said what I want from you, that we're going to London to find your sister!" I undo the snare of her embrace even though it fe
POV ALFRED"Luana?" I call out and enter without permission finding the door open.Involuntarily, my attention is caught by a scenery full of reddish objects, from curtains, carpets, and only the white of the sheet is saved."Alfred, welcome..." Luana who was hiding behind the door, closed it after I entered, and she is definitely no longer the same woman who almost took my eye out since we met.She bounces on my lap and in guardians name, that very light dress doesn't spare me from feeling her warmth and smelling her skin. However, that is not what I came here for."Luana, please..." I throw her on the bed and look into her eyes that turn to confusion."Yes, you are right, one night is not enough to reward you for the diamonds. How about, four seasons?" She smiles from the bed and gets up to wrap my body in a hug, but I need to resist."No, Luana! I've already said what I want from you, that we're going to London to find your sister!" I undo the snare of her embrace even though it fe
POV ALFRED"Luana?" I call out and enter without permission finding the door open.Involuntarily, my attention is caught by a scenery full of reddish objects, from curtains, carpets, and only the white of the sheet is saved."Alfred, welcome..." Luana who was hiding behind the door, closed it after I entered, and she is definitely no longer the same woman who almost took my eye out since we met.She bounces on my lap and in guardians name, that very light dress doesn't spare me from feeling her warmth and smelling her skin. However, that is not what I came here for."Luana, please..." I throw her on the bed and look into her eyes that turn to confusion."Yes, you are right, one night is not enough to reward you for the diamonds. How about, four seasons?" She smiles from the bed and gets up to wrap my body in a hug, but I need to resist."No, Luana! I've already said what I want from you, that we're going to London to find your sister!" I undo the snare of her embrace even though it fe
POV Alfred "Now can we talk?" I am more confident of a positive answer now that the man has left and only the two of us are left on a deserted street. But, what I have to receive from her, is a beautiful slap given to my face. "That's for disgracing my last chance to change my life. I don't know who you are, but stay away from me!" She says and walks off without looking back. "My name is Alfred, I am a skyfaller, indigenous as you speak. I met your sister and I need you to listen to me..." This information spoken out of my desperation to see her go, does slow the brave girl down, but not enough for her to look at me or give up on leaving. "I know you were left as a baby in a church. I have come for you, Miss, whatever your name is..." I am forced to speak the whole truth and hope that she feels prodded to know about her past. And apparently, this time it works. "How do you know I was left in a church?" She stops walking and turns to stare at me. "Your mother lived with my peopl
POV LUANAWith difficulty, Father Augustine leads me into a small room where host and wine are kept."I came to bring you this here..." I place the money in his hands and squeeze his fingers tightly so he won't let them go to the floor."No daughter, it's sin money. I can't accept it" He refuses, and deep down I already expected that attitude from him.He never accepted that I did not want to follow the mission of being a novice and becoming a wife of God. And being a woman of life affronted his values as much as he cultivated that everyone deserves God's forgiveness."It's not from sin. I will remake my life with a good and serious man. I need your blessing" I speak the truth."I give it to you, but I don't need the money. Distribute it to the poor on the street. Each one of them is our brother, God's family" He refuses the money again."Speaking of brother, family, priest, has no one ever come looking for me?"So many years have passed, but I never lose hope."No, you were left by
POV LUANANoon strikes the clock and it's just another day like any other. The dreams also remain as usual, as well as the head aching from last night's punches. The only things that change are the ambitions.One day, a part of me laments that I am not a high society lady, that I cannot wear luxurious dresses and jewelry. Another morning, the other part of my self, is thankful for the freedom.My classmates still sleep in their rooms. Good thing we have a house we can call our own. Luckily, my friend and colleague Cecilia ensnared an old man and he granted her the deed before he passed away. The man had no children, which ensured that we would not be evicted a week later. Laws don't usually apply to people like us, while those who belong to high society, their word is enough.So it's no sin to delight in the old age and withering away of petty men who in their youth, by daylight, would kick women like us like a freckled dog, and at night, rub themselves on our bed shamelessly and wit
POV ALFRED"Alfred, please sit down! Everyone is looking!" Teresa forbid me quite embarrassed."I'm sorry, Teresa, but I can't..." I walk on and thank the guardians that there are no seats in front of us and the only obstacle I need to overcome is a stage.With the flexibility and agility of my body, in three times I find myself on a surface made of wood and covered with flowers that keep falling as she continues the show.Her singing is for them, but her gaze is for me. And although I am not the old mother or the gypsy, I can read what they say and they are hard on me. They judge me a barbarian when I judge their fairy mistress."You are not Akira Selena..." I state surprised as I stand closer.It is the same face, yet not the same look. Hers is that of one who has lived much and would have much to tell, complete with sad episodes. "Of course I'm not, you idiot" she says in the small pause of the song "Get out of here" she recommends."I won't, I need to talk to you, milady!" I reso
POV SelenaMy soul watches my body being swallowed by the waves. It is a tragic end for one who once dreamed so much. I didn't delude myself that this act would lead me to an end to pain. I know that it is stored in our essence and that death is not a refuge to escape from it.On the contrary, between life and death, the veil of wisdom falls and everything expands. Memories are no longer the solitude of our blind self that saw only our version of ourselves. It is a recapitulation of ourselves and the lives of those close to us.Poor Richard, I don't hate him right now. He is much more lost than I am and confuses desire with feelings. A soul lacking affections, since the only way to have them in his whole life was to please his father and have rewards that he dubbed love.My body and purity also symbolized having my love and not having them, he felt rejected and driven by a hatred that is subtly fueled by his father's image. I am waiting for the guardians to come for me or open the ga