Last night, while I was busy chatting with Olivia under the moonlight, a strange feeling crept into my heart—a sense that someone was standing not far from me, watching in silence. And I was right.
Without me realizing it, my brother had returned. He stood at a distance, behind the pillars of the bridge, holding a small basket in his hands. His body was fully covered, his face hidden, only a silhouette I knew by heart—someone who had long been by my side, caring for me, becoming everything to me.
He gazed at me for a moment, then descended to the place where we lived. Quietly, he set down the basket, tucking something inside it—a small piece of paper that had gone unnoticed last night. His eyes wandered to our bedding, to the patched-up cloth walls, to the remnants of charcoal and stories. As if he was saying goodbye—not with words, but with a wistful glance... before fading into the darkness of night. Without a sound, without a trace.
This morning, I woke up earlier than usual. Olivia was already standing there, looking at me with hopeful eyes.
"So, have you made your decision?" she asked, her voice gentler than usual.
I was just about to answer when her parents appeared from the opposite direction. Bundles and belongings hung from their backs, as if they were about to set off on a long journey. They smiled kindly at me.
"Oh, are you living alone, son?" Olivia's mother asked, her voice tender and full of affection.
I gave a small, awkward smile, slightly embarrassed. "No, Ma'am. I'm waiting for my brother to return. I think... he came back briefly last night and brought me dinner."
Olivia's father let out a soft exclamation, as if remembering something. "Ah! I saw him—your brother, yes. He came by last night. I thought he was someone suspicious, so I avoided him—worried he might be dangerous." He chuckled lightly, then looked at me with regret in his eyes. "Forgive me, son. I misjudged him. But... if I remember correctly, he seemed to write something before leaving. Have you seen it?"
I paused for a moment. "Huh? Wrote something?" My fingers immediately searched inside the basket I had thought only contained bread and milk.
And there it was... a worn-out piece of paper, rolled up and hidden between the folds of cloth. My hands began to tremble as I opened it.
"What is it, Alberttt?" Olivia stepped closer, looking at me with curiosity.
I slowly unfolded it. My brother's distinct handwriting, slanted and hurried, pierced straight into my eyes. And slowly... I began to read:
"My dear Albertt, I love you. I saw you with someone—your friend? I'm sorry, because I will not return to live with you again. Please eat this bread and milk. I might leave this place. Take care of yourself well, my beloved little brother."
The paper in my hand began to shake. A pressure rose in my chest, like a breath held for too long. The paper... slowly grew damp with my tears. I couldn't hold them back.
"Brother... why did you leave me?" My voice cracked, small and trembling, like a son lost in the dark. "You said you wouldn't leave me... Why are you like Mom... leaving me all alone..."
I lowered my head, hiding my tear-streaked face. My tears and snot blurred my vision. The world seemed to stop.
Olivia stepped closer, placing her hand gently on my shoulder. She looked at me with heartfelt sincerity.
"It's okay, Alberttt... Maybe what your brother did isn't what it seems. Maybe... he'll come back. Or maybe... he's doing something for your sake." She smiled, forcing hope into her expression. "Let's go find him together. Come with me..."
I looked at her—confused, uncertain, but just a little... a little spark of light began to flicker in the gloom of this morning.
That morning, I sat alone in silence. Empty. Confusion crept back in, slipping between breaths that still hadn't found their rhythm. That feeling returned—the feeling of being left behind. Just like when Mother drew her last breath… And now, my sister had left me too, without a promise to return.
I felt hollow. My world crumbled. But amidst all that emptiness, something else emerged. Or rather… someone.
My eyes lifted—and there she was. Olivia. She stood quietly, gazing at me with gentleness. She looked like an angel descending from the sky. The morning light streaming through the leaves made her hair glisten softly, her eyes clear, like a tranquil lake. She said nothing… but her gaze spoke more than a thousand words.
I met her eyes, slowly. Tears still stained my cheeks, but I forced a faint smile. Then, without hesitation, I reached for her hand—and in that moment, Olivia embraced me. Tight. Warm. Her hug… gathered the broken pieces of my heart scattered through the night.
Now the four of us—Olivia, her parents, and I—sat inside a horse-drawn carriage. The wooden wheels creaked gently over the gravel road, carrying us farther and farther from our village. The sky was overcast, and a silent wind accompanied our quiet departure.
I looked outside, watching our small village shrink, slowly vanishing from sight.
Then I turned to Olivia and asked softly, "Olivia... where are we going?"
She turned to me and smiled. "We're going far away from here… to a better place," she said, wrapping her arm around mine, warm and reassuring.
Still puzzled, I asked, "Where is that?!"
Olivia's father, seated in the front, responded promptly. "We're going to my place, kiddo. My little laboratory."
He glanced back and gave a comforting smile.
Her mother added, "It may be small, but there's room for all of us. It'll be a better place to live… better than staying under a bridge like before."
My fragile heart slowly felt warmer. I nodded, smiling, and said sincerely, "Thank you, Uncle, Auntie. I'm truly grateful that you welcomed me with open arms."
Time flew by, and as the sun climbed higher, we finally arrived at the place they'd spoken of.
I was left speechless, utterly in awe. This place… was breathtakingly beautiful.
The small laboratory stood atop a hill overlooking a vast valley. Just behind it lay a quiet marsh, reflecting the sky like a giant mirror. A thin mist hovered over the surface, adding to the magical feel. From this hill, the view stretched endlessly—rows of green trees from the eastern forest waved gently, as if beckoning us to explore. Little birds fluttered low, and the fresh scent of earth filled the air.
I stepped down from the carriage, my eyes wide with wonder. "Waaahh… this place is even better than I imagined." I smiled widely, from the heart.
Olivia nodded, pleased. "See? This is my father's laboratory. A place he loves… and so do I." Her cheerfulness brightened the air around us.
Her father, after paying the coachman, chuckled at our conversation. "Hahaha, is that so, kid? I haven't brought you here in ages." He ruffled Olivia's hair, then mine.
Olivia's mother came close. "That's right. This place holds so many sweet memories from when you were little, sweetheart." She smiled softly and kissed Olivia's nose.
Her father then turned to both of us and said firmly, "Alright, Olivia, Alberttt… Starting today, we'll live here, and… you can explore it together."
I looked out at the distant marsh, the forest like a painting, and the sky that seemed bluer than ever. Deep in my heart, I whispered:
This… is the picture of peace.
And I couldn't wait… to discover it all with Olivia.