Debts and desperation

Aurora

The days passed in a blur of work at the café and responsibilities at home. Every penny I earned was quickly consumed by the debts that continued to grow like a menacing shadow over our lives. The debt collectors became increasingly insistent, their daily calls and occasional visits adding a constant weight of fear to our daily routine.

I was in the middle of an especially busy shift at the café when my phone vibrated in my pocket. It was an unknown number, but I knew exactly who it was. With a sigh, I let the phone vibrate, unable to deal with another threat or ultimatum at that moment. Damian, who had become a regular customer and a curiously comforting presence, was sitting in his usual spot, watching me with a serious expression.

After serving a table, I approached him, trying to maintain my composure. "Is everything okay, Damian? Can I get you something?"

He looked at me with those penetrating eyes that seemed to see through everything. "You seem worried," he said, stating rather than asking.

I sighed, feeling a wave of fatigue wash over me. "It's hard not to be. Things at home are not easy."

Damian leaned slightly forward. "Sometimes, when life pressures us too much, forces we don't understand begin to manifest. Do you believe in that?"

I frowned, intrigued and a little unsettled by the direction the conversation was taking. "Forces? What are you talking about?"

He just smiled enigmatically. "Just something for you to think about. Remember, Aurora, that help can come from where you least expect it."

Before I could respond, he stood up, leaving enough money to cover his bill and a generous tip. "See you soon," he said, leaving the café with the same aura of mystery that always surrounded him.

Damian's words stayed on my mind for the rest of the day. There was something about him, something I couldn't understand, but that seemed to promise answers to questions I didn't even know I had.

When I got home, I found Sol sitting in the living room, looking at a storybook. Our father was in his room, either sleeping or passed out, as usual. I sat down next to Sol and wrapped my arm around him.

"How was your day, Sol?" I asked, trying to bring some normalcy to our routine.

"It was good. I read more of our favorite story. Do you want to hear some?" he asked, his eyes shining with expectation.

I smiled, despite my fatigue. "Of course, Sol. I'd love to hear it."

While he read, my mind wandered back to Damian's words. What did he mean by "forces we don't understand"? And why did it seem like he knew more about me and my situation than he should?

That night, as I tried to sleep, a disturbing thought emerged. What if Damian was right? What if there was something more, something beyond normal understanding, that could help our situation? It was a crazy idea, but desperation can make a person consider the impossible.

In the following days, I began to notice strange things. Pieces of paper with unknown symbols appeared in places where I had never seen them before, and a constant feeling of being watched started to haunt me. One night, while I was reviewing the bills, the kitchen light flickered repeatedly before going out completely.

I jumped out of the chair, my heart pounding in my chest. In the corner of the kitchen, a shadow seemed to move on its own. "Who's there?" my voice came out louder than I intended, but the shadow didn't respond. Instead, it disappeared, leaving me alone in the silence of the night.

I remembered Damian's words again. Were these the "forces" he was talking about? Forces I didn't understand but that were now manifesting around me?

The next day at the café, I could hardly concentrate on work. When Damian came in, I felt a mix of relief and apprehension. I waited until he was seated before approaching him.

"Damian," I began, trying to keep my voice steady, "last night, strange things happened at home. You mentioned something about forces we don't understand. What do you know about that?"

He looked at me for a long moment before responding. "Aurora, there's more in this world than most people realize. Sometimes, desperation can open doors that normally remain closed. These forces, as you call them, can be both a blessing and a curse. It all depends on how you deal with them."

"But what should I do?" I asked, feeling on the verge of tears.

Damian smiled softly. "Keep seeking answers. Trust your instincts. And remember, help can come from where you least expect it."

I wanted to ask more, but he stood up, signaling that the conversation was over for now. I watched as he left the café, once again leaving me with more questions than answers.

I needed to find out what was happening and, if possible, use these forces to my advantage. Because, in the end, I would do anything to protect Sol and find a way out of our desperation.