CHAPTER 214: The Unexpected Encounter

CHAPTER 214: The Unexpected Encounter

The dim lights of the tunnel cast elongated shadows on the damp walls. The constant sound of water running through the gutters accompanied every step of Joe and Selene as they advanced cautiously, alert to any strange noise.

For a few seconds they walked in silence, until Joe glanced sideways at Selene.

—Hey… earlier you asked me about my past. Now it's my turn to ask. What was your childhood like?

Selene hesitated for an instant, but kept walking without stopping.

—I grew up within a fairly powerful vampire bloodline. We lived in a good house, we wanted for nothing. You could say I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth.

Joe nodded, listening attentively.

—I never knew my mother —Selene continued—. She died during childbirth. My father I did have for a while. He took care of me, taught me many things… but one day he died too. Or at least that's what they made me believe.

Joe frowned slightly.

—Who made you believe that?

—Lucian. He was the one who finished raising me after my father's death. He always said the war between lycans and vampires was inevitable, that there was no other way out.

Selene clenched her fists slightly as they advanced.

—Over the years I learned the truth. Lucian was the one who killed my father. It suited him for the war to continue. My father believed a truce was possible, that both species could coexist without killing each other all the time. That didn't fit with Lucian's plans.

Joe looked down for a second.

—I'm very sorry, Selene.

She let out a small sigh.

—Thank you. It's been a long time, but it still hurts when you remember it.

Both of them kept walking in silence through the tunnel, with the echo of their steps fading into the darkness of the sewers.

A strange noise emerged from a pile of garbage accumulated next to one of the tunnel walls. Something moved, dragging rusty metal and damp debris.

—Did you hear that? —Joe whispered, instinctively bringing his hand to his weapon.

Selene also went on guard, fixing her gaze on the darkness.

—Come out. We know someone's there.

From inside the pile of waste, a hoarse, calm voice emerged.

—Easy… I'm not here to hurt you. We're on the same side.

Both of them exchanged a distrustful look. Then something small moved among the garbage and, to their surprise, a turtle appeared, advancing slowly toward the light.

—A… turtle? —Joe murmured, incredulous.

The turtle raised its head a little.

—My name is Lucian. I was Fenix Roger's companion, many years ago.

Selene's eyes widened in surprise.

—Lucian?

—Yes —the turtle replied—. In the year 2000, Enid tried to get rid of me. They shot a silver bullet between my eyebrows. I didn't die instantly, but I was at the edge of death. My body was thrown into these sewers as if it were worthless.

Joe and Selene listened without interrupting.

—When I woke up here, I could barely move. The only thing that kept me alive was the desire not to give up. One day, a turtle approached me. In my state, I clung to it… and then everything went dark. When I opened my eyes again, I no longer had this human body. I had awakened like this.

Lucian slowly moved one of his legs, as if confirming his own existence.

Selene crouched down and carefully took the turtle in her hands, observing it attentively.

—That's… incredible.

—It's not something I'm proud of —Lucian replied—, but I'm still alive. And that's what matters.

Joe crossed his arms.

—And what do you want from us?

—To help you —Lucian said without hesitation—. I know part of these sewers and some accesses that don't appear on the maps. I can't fight, but at least I can guide you and give you some advantage.

Selene looked at Joe and then back at the turtle.

—Any help is useful to us right now.

Selene observed Lucian for a few more seconds, as if something in his words had awakened an old memory. She lowered her voice a little as she held him carefully.

—When I was little… my father used to tell me a story before bed —she said—. He spoke of a man who died, but didn't disappear completely.

Joe tilted his head, curious, without interrupting.

—They said his body had been destroyed, that he no longer had a way to return to it. His soul wandered for a time, without direction, until it found another empty body. It wasn't his, it wasn't perfect, but it was the only thing he had to keep existing.

Lucian remained silent, attentive.

—In the story, the man didn't change bodies out of ambition or for power —Selene continued—. He did it because he didn't want to disappear. Because he still had things pending, memories he wasn't willing to lose, people he didn't want to forget.

Selene lowered her gaze to the small turtle in her hands.

—My father said something like that couldn't happen to just anyone. That only one person in a million is capable of continuing to cling to life when the soul has already abandoned its body.

Lucian blinked slowly.

—And you think that…?

Selene nodded softly.

—I think you are that one in a million, Lucian.

For a few seconds no one said anything. The distant sound of water running through the tunnels filled the silence.

Joe was the first to speak, in a lower tone.

—I suppose not just anyone endures something like that.

Lucian let out a small, dry laugh.

—I never thought I'd end up being part of a children's story… but thank you. That helps more than you can imagine.

Selene sketched a faint smile and adjusted her grip so Lucian would be more comfortable.

A deep, torn roar ran through the tunnel like a wave of echo and vibration. The sound made the ground tremble beneath their feet.

Selene and Joe immediately raised their gaze, going on guard.