Pedro Bala 2

The sun had already set, and the light from the lantern at the edge of the pier barely illuminated the sands of Bahia. Dinná was sitting in a corner, hugging her knees, staring 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 near her, he was just a boy with a heavy heart. He sat beside her, leaving a space, like someone 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 coming in strong from the sea."

She didn't turn her face, but he saw her eyes glisten, reflecting the moonlight. Pedro sighed, running his hand through his messy hair.

"I know you don't want to talk. And that's okay. I didn't come to ask for anything. I just... missed having you here by my side."

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

"Sometimes I think Zé is watching us from up there. He was a hell of a friend, you know? The best of all. We'll never forget him, no."

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

Pedro remained motionless for a second, then let his arm slide slowly to wrap around her shoulders, squeezing her carefully, as if he were protecting the entire world.

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

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