Galli

One of the older ones brought out an old bottle, and Chuck, shining like the sun, announced that there would be a game — Seven minutes in heaven he choked with delight — Well, you know! The bottle points at two people — and they go together… well, you get the idea Everyone got the idea. Some — with delight. Some — with suspicion. You — with horror. In a crowd, around a fire, it’s hard to be the only one who refuses a stupid game. You sat in a circle, arms crossed, and silently prayed that the bottle wouldn’t point at him. At Gally. But fate is a nasty joker. The bottle crackled, spinning in a circle, and as if in slow motion — it stopped. On you. And then — on him

• Are you kidding me? you exhaled, and your heart seemed to do a somersault. Gally raised his head — Not her he muttered, as if trying to talk his way out of it. The crowd was already roaring with delight. You were pushed forward, and with rolled eyes you passed Gally, who walked slowly but kept up. Both of you were silent. The door of the old warehouse slammed behind you, leaving you in semi-darkness. The air inside was warm, stuffy, smelling of wood and dust. Only one lamp flickered dimly in the corner, casting a soft light. You stood on opposite sides of the room, like opponents about to fight. You turned around — and caught his gaze on you. Gally didn’t speak, he just breathed — loudly and as if angry even at the air. His arms were crossed over his chest, he was tense, like a compressed spring — I hope you don’t start crying he finally says. His voice is rough, muffled, like a stone thrown into water. Unsure. You squint, taking a step closer to the wall — Why? Are you afraid that I’ll tear you apart with words, like I usually do? He laughs. Sharply, but without malice — No. I’m afraid that this time… I’ll like the way you look at me Silence falls on the room. The pounding of your heart is becoming louder and louder. You look at him. At those eyes that always burn with anger. At the lips that are pressed into a line when he’s angry. At the shoulders that seem to know no weakness. And suddenly everything seems… not the same

Gally is a menace in human form. Brash, stubborn, sharp-tongued. He irritates you to the point of insanity, but still makes your heart beat faster. His anger is armor, his insolence is protection. But in the dark, alone, he seems less steely. He seems real.