• Outside, the wind tenderly rocked the leaves on the trees. It smelled of water and salt.

    -- Rain – she murmured.

    There was nobody at her side. "Better", she thought. "Better for me, and for them."

    She walked slowly down the hill. She liked that valley. The city now seemed to be several miles apart. The soft light of sunset bathed the place with pinks and yellows and the figures of the buildings are blurred in the distance. In the distance, some late sparrow’s triune. In the distance, some trees showed their first flowers. In the distance, the fish’s swim formed small waves on the surface of the lake.

    She took her shoes and stepped the moist soil. She definitely liked that distant valley. She sat on the floor, watching the horizon, grazing the grass with her fingers. "Definitely."

    She looked at the watch she kept in her pocket and smiled almost instantly. She often forgot that it no longer functioned, that already five years within the time had frozen inside it. She often forgot why she was still using it. Sometimes she'd like to forget it. She tucked the watch into her pocket; the moment was close.

    She heard steps in the distance. Silent, cushioned by the soft grass and soil. She smiled melancholically. It was time. The steps finally stopped just a few meters away. She stood up, but did not turn around. She continued grazing at the horizon, the sun still hiding.

    -- I was waiting for you - she said to the newcomer
    -- How did you know I was coming? – he asked
    -- I didn’t

    She turned around and dedicated him a smile. She walked up to him and grabbed his face between her hands.

    -- I thought you were dead - he whispered
    -- We have a promise, don’t we? -- She replied, laying one of her hands against his chest.

    The man’s face contracted in pain.

    -- Still? – she asked him as her smile disappeared.
    -- Always. For the past five years.

    She turned back on her steps and took the bag she had left behind. She placed it at his feet.

    -- You remember, right?
    -- How… forget - he said coolly, looking at the bag
    -- You remember our promise as well?

    The man nodded, still looking down. When he lifted his head, his eyes were filled with tears. She smiled and caressed his cheek.

    -- Yes… of course I do - he said at last.

    He approached and hugged her tightly.

    -- Goodbye

    In that instant, everything became silent. It was no longer heard the triune of birds, nor the sound of water, nor the whisper of wind. And among the silence, a shot was heard. And the sound returned as fast as it had left.

    -- Goodbye - replied the other one, while closing their eyes.

    And among all the sounds, the tic-tac of an old clock could be heard.