Blue Horizon: Alejandro Altaha and the Single Thing.

305-word Blue Horizon flash-fic written and posted on 02/10/25.

Author's notes: A drabble I wrote up today after some thoughts yesterday.

Blue Horizon: Alejandro Altaha and the Single Thing.

Antonio was fretful as they passed the Jowar Markets. Fruits; flowers; so many trinkets; endless trinkets; so much yelling, and perfumes galore. Especially of food! The scents of cinnamon and turmeric overwhelmed him as they began walking past the stalls and up their usual route home; towards the cliffs. The seas continued their lulling song under grayer skies. Their stranger whispers.

“He’s never asked me for anything.” Antonio managed.

“He asks you,” Layla said.

“He gave me things all the time,” Antonio said. “Rings. I asked for them. I had a nightmare. I took away the one thing he wanted!”

“A locket?” Layla asked. Her amble was relaxed at his side, the way it got. They were 23 and 21 respectively.

“With his mother’s portrait.” Antonio said.

“In your mind?” Layla wondered. “Like a dream you shared? Or was it your own dream?”

“I fear it,” said Antonio. “In truth, I imagined something dreamy. The colors of the beach. The clarity of water.”

“A lock of your hair?”

“No!” Antonio burst out. He spun, saying hotly, “I hate you! How did you know?”

“You’re too easy to read, Antonio.” Layla shrugged. “Even if we weren’t Spectral, I’d be able to read you. And let me tell you something. Alejandro wants something more than that from you! That’s our trouble these days. We never know what to tell you.”

“I already know what he wants,” Antonio said. “I have my own path.”

“You’re afraid of it coinciding,” Layla said. “Let it coincide.”

“You should ask nicely,” Antonio decided. “Well, it might not hurt to go near him again. I don’t have any locket. I can’t tell him about his mother.”

“I’m unsure what to do,” said Layla. “We’ll figure out our way. You should be less afraid to imagine your portrait in the damned locket, though.”

( fin. )