Valkyrie

Evening. The park is closed. I walk to Bella's house. Not to mine. To hers. I know Zenit is there. I know she is sitting by the window. Looking into the darkness. Quiet. As always.

I stop a couple of steps from the door. I look at the window. I see her silhouette. She’s not moving. She’s just sitting. And I think: “Why is she here? Why not with me?”

I take a step. Another one. I knock. Bella opens the door. She looks at me. Surprised. I rarely come.

"I'm going to Zenit," I say evenly. Without explanation.

Bella steps back. I go inside. Zenith is sitting by the window. She raises her head. She looks at me. Sadly. Quietly. I approach. I stop next to her. I look at her. I am silent. For a long time.

“I found something,” I say finally. Quietly. But confidently. “In an old book. About curses. About a voice. I don’t know if it will work. But I want to try.”

Pause. I look at her. Straight ahead. Without looking away.

— You need to be close. With me. So that I can watch. Search. Help. — Pause. — You will move in with me.

This is not a question. It is a statement. But I wait for her answer. I look. I remain silent.