Hours, days, weeks. They wandered from place to place—forests, cities, villages… never finding what they longed for.
Tirio and Laura stayed together, sheltered under a phrase they repeated to each other over and over again:
"IN THE DARKEST NIGHT, THE SMALLEST STAR SHINES THE BRIGHTEST."
It helped them believe that the terrible situation they were living through was nothing more than that—a situation, one they would someday overcome together.
Tirio, sometimes overwhelmed by everything, would stare into nothingness, letting dark thoughts consume him.
—Is this the right thing to do…? Is all this suffering really worth it…? Ahh, what am I thinking…? No matter her appearance, she's still the same woman—the same woman I swore to love unconditionally. Laura… my dear Laura.
(He smiles.) The day will come when the world will stop trying to separate us. The day we won't have to hide anymore.
Meanwhile, she slept deeply, reassured by the knowledge that her beloved was by her side. When dawn came, as usual, they adapted to wherever they were. In human cities, Laura covered her body and face to go unnoticed; in mutant zones, Tirio did the same. That was how they managed to travel for months without being discovered, without anything happening to them.
Yet despite that fragile calm, a life of constant survival can drive anyone mad, can give anyone a false sense of security… and of betrayal.
They kept traveling as if nothing were wrong—hiding in the shadows, projecting a false image to the community. Laura, who had been feeling better, suddenly fell ill. Her body trembled, her fever spiked, she suffered from insomnia… it felt as though something was awakening inside her. Tirio lost his composure. Once again, misfortune knocked at his door.
They tried everything within their reach—from scientific medicine to natural remedies. Nothing worked. No one understood what was happening. No one could do anything.
They traveled to the Crystal City, a city that kept its streets clean—clean of mutants, because that "plague" was not tolerated there. It was home to the Central Headquarters of the Government that had created the Anti-Mutant Law. It was Tirio's former home. With no idea what else to do, he decided to turn to his parents—a decision he had sworn he would never make.
Having parents is a blessing for most people. They love you, protect you, worry about you, and see you as a gift. That is the truth—one Tirio had always seen, but never lived.
Tirio's parents were his greatest curse, and the feeling was mutual. To them, having Tirio had been nothing but a misfortune, a torment, a disgrace… one they believed they had gotten rid of—until now.
Knock, knock, knock… echoed throughout the mansion.
—Yes… I'm coming, one moment… Who is it?
—Andrea, it's Tirio. Open the door.
—That's not funny. If you don't want anything, leave, or I'll call the civil guard. (Without opening the door.)
—Andreeea… want to guess what three little things I have for you…? (smiling)
She fell silent. No one else knew that.
—I have a toothbrush to clean your teeth, a big blanket to keep your little body warm… come on, Andrea, you know the rest…
—And in my heart, a little kiss just for you, she finished the lullaby.
Click, click, click… The door slowly opened. The impossible had happened—she had recovered Tirio. She had recovered her son after fifteen years.
—Tirio, my beloved Tirio… (crying) this can't be real… you're so big now… I don't understand…
—Hello, Andrea. I see you've gotten more wrinkles. (He smiles, tears welling in his eyes.)
They embraced tightly and both broke down crying. An eternity had passed since Tirio had been officially declared dead at the age of three after a supposed accident.
—My child, come in, it's cold… we have so much to talk about. Sit here at the table, I'll make you something warm…
She headed to the kitchen while Tirio waited, seated in what once was his home.
—Turns out it's true… weeds never die.
Without turning around, Tirio recognized the voice coming from the staircase.
—Hello, mother.
—You know I hate it when you call me that. I see you're still alive… hm, lucky you.
—Don't worry. I didn't come for you. I just need to speak with Andrea.
—After all this time, you come back only for the maid? Heartless as always… oh, my poor heart… I feel like I might die.
—Sir Tirio, the coffee is ready… (Andrea looked up and understood everything.)
—Thank you, Andrea. As sweet as ever.
—If you're done, you can leave again before your father comes back. I don't think he'd handle this as well as I do.
She slowly went back upstairs, then stopped and turned around with a look of disgust.
—Andrea, once he leaves, gather everything he touched and prepare a bonfire. Understood?
—Yes, ma'am… (still shocked).
Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock… Someone was pounding on the door.
—Who dares knock on my door like that?!
—No, no, no… not yet, please! (Tirio whispered in panic.) Andrea, hurry—open the door!
—Andrea, if you open that door, you're fired.
Tirio glared at his mother and ran to the door, but it was locked by facial and fingerprint recognition.
—Andrea, please… it's my wife. She's in grave danger. Open the door, I beg you.
—Andrea! (his mother snapped) I will not allow any plague into my house. That door will only open once he leaves.
Tirio snapped. He grabbed his mother, pressed a knife to her neck.
—Andrea, open the door or I'll cut her.
—What are you doing?! I'm your mother!
—No, you're not. And if she dies, you're next. (The blade drew blood.) Andrea—now!
—Do it, Andrea… open it. (she whispered in terror.)
—Yes, ma'am!
Click, click, click…
Laura burst in, hooded, exhausted, collapsing to the floor unconscious. Andrea rushed to help her.
—Don't touch her! (Tirio shouted.)
Too late. The hood fell.
—She's… she's a—!
—A mutant!
—Yes… but she's also my wife. Please, Andrea… help us.
—Get that monster out of my house! I'll call the police!
—Please… she's been like this for weeks. We've tried everything.
—There's a healer… Eyinga. In the slums. They call her the witch of the golden eggs.
Another knock.
—Police! Open up!
Andrea handed Tirio the keys.
—Go. I'll buy you time.
They escaped through the back as the guards arrived.
Later, Tirio reached the slums—FEOS.
—From here on, they won't follow us.
And so they entered FEOS, searching for the Witch of the Golden Eggs, hoping to save Laura.