Back to the Present

  A Few Minutes Later

  Beatitudo Amusement Park

  Near the Main Exit

  David and Mila, Victoria's parents, could be seen talking to each other after enjoying the park together-just the two of them-while Téo and Victoria were allowed to play safely on their own inside the amusement park.

  That little outing between David and Mila had gradually become something more romantic without them even realizing it, which in the end was exactly what they needed after such hectic months in their lives as parents.

  [Mila - Thoughtful & happy voice] It's been a while since we took a moment just for ourselves, hasn't it, love? -

  [David - Attentive & affectionate voice] Yes, love... After Kaida was born, it feels like everything became busier in such a good way... [A soft nostalgic & happy laugh] -

  At the same time, they were standing near the park's exit, waiting for Victoria and her best friend, Téo, to meet them at the scheduled time so they could all go home together, after multiple closing announcements had already echoed through the park.

  [Mila - Relieved & happy voice] Speaking of that, David... did you notice something different about Victoria these last few weeks after she introduced her best friend, Téo, to us? -

  [David - Attentive & affectionate voice] I didn't notice many changes, but she does seem happier and more cheerful than usual, playing and having fun with him at school and at our house during the afternoons these past weeks. -

  [Mila - Thoughtful & happy voice] Men being men... you really didn't get what I meant, you big goof. [Playful laugh] -

  [David - Confused & amused voice] Hey, I'm not as good as you at seeing beyond people's expressions. And she's still too young. I doubt she's... [Slightly incredulous breath & speechless pause] -

  Seeing Mila looking ahead with a smile, she then turned her face toward David beside her, her gaze and smile confirming that he wasn't wrong.

  At that moment, David began connecting the dots about changes that had initially seemed trivial to him, as he recalled seeing Victoria beside Téo-both ten years old.

  David began remembering the many moments he had seen Téo and Victoria together, playing and smiling simply because they were next to each other.

  [David - Confused & amused voice] Wait-don't tell me that with that random question you're trying to say our little Victoria is experiencing that "feeling" for her best friend Téo? [Slightly incredulous breath & speechless pause] -

  [Mila - Nostalgic & slightly emotional voice] Victoria is still so young and innocent to fully understand these complicated things... this certain "feeling." My love... [Soft incredulous breath] -

  At the same time, in those same memories flooding back to him, David noticed the innocent and na?ve expressions not only in Victoria, but in Téo as well-how, over the past weeks, they exchanged glances that revealed a strong and beautiful bond.

  [Mila - Nostalgic & slightly emotional voice] Our little Victoria will soon start giving us a few "small" problems... just like her older sister, Mia, started giving us a few years ago. [Genuinely happy soft laugh] -

  [Mila - Nostalgic & slightly emotional voice] When she also began experiencing those "feelings" for a certain "boy" in her class, remember? [Genuinely happy soft laugh] -

  David was, for a moment, consumed by jealousy at the thought of his little girl showing signs of something genuinely romantic toward her best friend from class, Téo.

  And yet, to their eyes-as the two children were entering early adolescence-it was something still imperceptible in its full beauty: the gradual blooming of a feeling so pure and innocent.

  [Mila - Nostalgic & slightly emotional voice] That "feeling" always ends up blossoming the moment two hearts connect in such a singular way. [Genuinely happy soft laugh] -

  [Mila - Nostalgic & slightly emotional voice] I remember that phase... before we met in high school, my love... [Genuinely happy soft laugh] -

  David then felt Mila's hand holding his, knowing he is a very protective father who never wanted to see any of his daughters get hurt.

  Mila knew that for David, age didn't matter-he was the kind of affectionate father who couldn't stand seeing his daughters cry or sad.

  [Mila - Nostalgic & slightly emotional voice] Or did you forget the looks similar to the ones Victoria and Téo exchange... -

  [Mila - Nostalgic & slightly emotional voice] The same looks we exchanged before the day everything changed and we officially started dating? You big dummy. [Happy & affectionate soft laugh] -

  And with that, Mila spoke in a happy and at the same time comforting tone, which made the jealousy consuming David's heart give way to a feeling of genuine happiness.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  [Mila - Nostalgic & slightly emotional voice] Our little Victoria is still far too young to understand that feeling in its entirety, since she's only ten years old, just like her best friend Téo, but... [Happy sigh] -

  [Mila - Nostalgic & slightly emotional voice] I feel deep inside that this best friend, Téo, is someone who wants to see her happy and, above all, wants to be a safe harbor for her. Just like you became for me many years ago, my love. [Happy & hopeful sigh] -

  A Few Moments Later

  Beatitudo Amusement Park

  Still Inside Its Premises

  And then, in the blink of an eye, the focus shifts again, returning to the inside of the park. There, Téo and Victoria are revealed running hand in hand and laughing.

  Their expressions carrying the unmistakable bond now solidified after that shy and embarrassed first kiss during the fireworks show.

  [Téo - slightly breathless & worried voice] ...We're still really far from the exit, and your parents must be really worried about you, Victoria! [Fearful sigh] -

  After he says this, Victoria lets out an even happier laugh. Téo thinks of something risky but finds a way to avoid being seen and to keep Victoria out of trouble.

  [Victoria - slightly breathless & happy] We really need to run, Téo. But I doubt my parents will be mad at me or at you. [Cheerful, good-humored laugh] -

  [Victoria - slightly breathless & happy] Not after we tell them we got lost twice because we thought the exit was on the opposite side of the park. [Cheerful, good-humored laugh] -

  Unnoticed by her, Téo snaps the fingers of his free hand - the one not holding Victoria's - creating a small pulse that spreads rapidly, traveling several meters around them.

  [Téo - slightly breathless & ironic voice] Only you would find this whole situation funny! As your best friend, it's my duty to put some sense in your head, you brat! [Soft, funny & happy laugh] -

  That subtle pulse produced by Téo's finger snap seems to shut off every surveillance camera in the park for a few minutes, preventing them from receiving power even though they're plugged in.

  This gives Téo the opportunity to move toward the exit much faster and more efficiently while avoiding being spotted by anyone.

  As he runs beside Victoria, he feels in his chest a warm, comforting sensation - something that keeps his fears and worries from ruining that simple yet special moment of being by her side, his best friend.

  Téo smiles, slightly embarrassed, as he remembers what happened a few minutes earlier: the kiss he received from Victoria during the fireworks show.

  Victoria then hears Téo stating that they are now late because of that unexpected event - an event he never once implies was bad - and that the blame for their delay is entirely hers, not his.

  Téo hears Victoria reply with an ironic, genuinely sarcastic expression, smiling with eyes that carry shyness, embarrassment, and happiness, remembering what had taken place during the fireworks.

  Her expression makes it clear that she, too, cherishes the memory of their first kiss. A kiss that happened in such a meaningful moment.

  Under the brilliant explosions of fireworks in the sky, while all the lights in the park were turned off - making everything visually magical for each of them.

  Still running, Victoria looks at Téo with a smile that radiates happiness and a feeling that was only beginning to blossom in her still-innocent heart.

  And it's in that moment that she notices Téo's eyes gradually turning completely white as he looks forward, smiling slightly - embarrassed and happy.

  [(Victoria - whispering, incredulous & stunned) Wait... Why does it look like Téo is using his Oculi abilities?]

  Right at that moment, after asking herself this in her mind - while also hearing those strange words from Téo as he holds her hand, running just a bit ahead of her -

  [Téo - whispering, ironic & funny] I hope you're still not afraid of heights, Victoria, because... [Soft, good-humored laugh] -

  [Victoria - whispering, faltering & slightly scared] ...Téo? What are you planning to do? Don't tell me you're going to do that again? [Slightly unsteady breath] -

  Victoria feels herself being gently pulled closer by Téo, who tightens his grip on her hand just slightly after taking a deep breath.

  She feels her body not only moving forward but also rising several meters above the park in just a few instants.

  [Téo's playful and teasing laugh]

  [Victoria - broken, incredulous voice] Téo!! Téo!!! -

  This sudden and unexpected movement made her so happy that she shouted in excitement, amazed by the sight all around her, while Téo, smiling beside her, continued holding her hand firmly, showing her that he was right there guiding her.

  [Victoria - broken, incredulous voice] We're... We're flying!! You and me, Téo!!! [Trembling breath of happiness] -

  [Téo - happy & amused voice] Yep - flying and taking a "little" shortcut to the exit so we can get to your parents faster. [Soft, excited laugh] -

  Observing them from a slightly distant perspective - the two of them floating with their clothes swaying gently - they advanced through the air while, at the same time, slowly descending toward the exit of the park.

  This unexpected and astonishing movement made by Téo, holding Victoria's hand and making her float as well, carried them several meters forward in the direction of the park's exit with much greater efficiency.

  [Téo - Happy & Playful Voice] Now I want to see if you can find your parents before I do. I doubt you'll find them before we reach the park's main entrance. [A playful, joyful little laugh] -

  [Victoria - Surprised & Cheerful Voice] At this height, it'll be super easy for me to find my parents. [A small, excited laugh] -

  Victoria's expression of pure happiness made it clear how impressed and enchanted she was with the view of the park below and the city lights shining brightly on the horizon.

  They floated swiftly, cutting through the sky gently, far from the sight of anyone who might notice them against the darkness above the park.

  [Téo - Happy & Playful Voice] How about we make a bet? Winner gets a free ice cream from the loser - whoever finds their parents first wins. [Playful, cheerful little laugh] -

  Victoria accepted the challenge with excitement, scanning the ground below from her widened vantage point as they approached the exit of the park, flying above the tall rides they had played on together throughout the night.

  After passing over the roller coaster - its lights completely off, being one of the first rides to shut down - Victoria finally spotted her parents talking to each other as they waited for her and Téo at the main exit.

  [Victoria - Confident & Playfully Ironic Voice] I found them, Téo! And you owe me the most expensive ice cream at school tomorrow, you big annoying loser! [Ironic & joyfully playful laugh] -

  Téo looked to the side with a smile after losing the bet to Victoria - a loss that was clearly intentional, since he had already seen her parents before she did.

  He chose to turn it into a "game" so Victoria would never feel afraid of floating beside him, considering the height they were at above the park.

  [(Téo - Whispering, Slightly Confused & Moved) That feeling tightening my chest again... (Subtly trembling, emotional breath)]

  But Téo was caught off guard by an even stronger tightening in his chest as he saw, right before his eyes, while the world seemed to slow down, the beauty of Victoria - her long hair dancing in the wind beside him, smiling so brightly.

  [(Téo - Whispering, Slightly Confused & Amazed) I still don't understand this mysterious "feeling" at all, the way you seem to understand it already, Victoria. (Subtly trembling, joyful breath)]

  It seemed as if they were submerged underwater, enveloped by the invisible, rippling force that emanated from Téo, wrapping around Victoria as well, allowing her - a human - to float like an Oculi.

  [A gentle echo of Victoria's delighted, emotional laughter]

  This made the moment even more magical, even more beautiful to Téo's eyes, for he could see Victoria - his best friend - becoming, in that moment, the most beautiful person in the world as she laughed excitedly, floating at his side, holding his hand.

  [(Téo - Whispering, Slightly Confused & Amazed) But deep down, I know it's you... you're the one who makes me feel like I'm among the clouds, just with a single, beautiful, happy smile on your lips. (A deeply affectionate & joyful breath)]

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  - (Act 6) - A Great Fear -