Pedro Bala 2

The sun had already set, and the light from the lantern on the edge of the pier barely illuminated the sands of Bahia. Dinná sat in a corner, hugging her knees, gazing at the dark sea. Years had passed since Zé left, and since that day, her voice had gone with him. No one expected her to speak, no one insisted anymore. She was the silent presence, the sad gaze that accompanied the Captains of the Sands.

Pedro Bala arrived slowly, with that air of a leader that everyone respected, but next to her he was just a boy with a heavy heart. He sat beside her, leaving a space, as if afraid of breaking something fragile.

"It's cold today, Dinná," he said softly, more to break the silence than expecting an answer. "The wind is blowing strongly from the sea."

She didn't turn her face away, but he saw her eyes sparkle, reflecting the moonlight. Pedro sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

I know you don't want to talk. And that's okay. I didn't come here to ask for anything. I just... missed you being here beside me.

He looked at her calloused hands, hands that had already suffered much.

— Sometimes I think that Zé is watching over us from up there. He was a great friend, you know? The best of all. We never forget him.

Dinná then turned her head slowly and looked at him. Her eyes were full of tears, but there was a calmness in them that Pedro Bala hadn't seen in a long time. She moved closer, slowly, and gently rested her head on his strong shoulder.

Pedro stood still for a second, then let his arm slowly slide down to wrap around her shoulders, holding her tightly as if he were protecting the whole world.

"I'm here, Dinná," he whispered, kissing the top of her head. "I'm not going anywhere. You don't need to say anything, you don't need to scream, you don't need to cry if you don't want to. Your silence already says everything to me. I understand. I'll take care of you now."

She closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of his body.