Wandering souls and an espresso.

You
December 5, 2023

She was there, in her café, as she did every day, a coffee between her hands and behind her, the
dark gloom that saddened even the shadow itself. Her pale face contrasted the gloomy sight of looking
outside—’It’s forbidden, darkness kills,’ they said. The girl finished her coffee and saw the shape of
the grounds left in the cup. Startled, she knew she couldn’t escape anymore. She stood up and walked
towards the main corridor, always avoiding looking through that large windowpane. She reached
the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror—she no longer recognized herself. She only wished
to cry, but her eyes were dry and devoid of emotion. She returned to verify the image seen in the coffee.

Studying it carefully, she realized without a doubt that malevolence lurked behind her. She knew
the answer lay beyond the window, but it was forbidden; no one could ever look through there. The
suggestion began to corrode her; she started to die as people left the café. Suddenly, she was alone,
seated at the table that stood with its back to the truth, a forbidden and accursed truth, concealed
from the clear eyes of a seventeen-year-old girl. Silence lingered for at least an hour; a myriad of
thoughts raced through her mind. She felt observed, like prey guarded by a predator without limits,
seeking only her suffering. She wondered if it was just a whim or if this was happening.

She looked at the fruits near the window and caught a glimpse of the darkness and depth within it.
Abruptly, she grabbed the cup and hurled it against the window; the glass shattered, the lights went
out, and darkness deliberately began to seep in. Strangely, from that moment on, a smile illuminated
her face; she felt the joy of death but lacked the courage to exit through the window and explore
the outside. Suddenly, with utmost courage, she leaped through the broken glass and, surrounded by
dense darkness, began walking among the shadows cautiously yet tranquility, covering great distances.
The café was no longer in sight, and that plunged her into deep panic. She started running back, and
a light turned on behind her. Something told her she could finally be at peace, but her body kept
escaping endlessly from the light. Tears streamed down her eyes; she wanted to finally be able to leave,
knowing that the light was the answer. Suddenly, her hand was on the café door; she opened it and
sat down...

There she was, in her café, as she did every day, a coffee between her hands, and a dark gloom that
saddened even the shadow itself. Once again, she completed her cycle; once again, her soul begged for
salvation. Once again, she failed to realize that her end had occurred long ago...”