Nika hadn't expected to find anyone in the forest that day. Mist lingered between the trees, and the air smelled of damp. When she heard a faint rustle, she thought it was game. Instead, she saw two boys standing by a moss-covered boulder. They were similar, the same age, though it was immediately obvious how different their personalities were.

Elios had a sensitive gaze, soft movements, and a shy smile, as if afraid to offend anyone. Lukas, on the other hand, was serious, cool, and thoughtful, his eyes scanning the surroundings, calculating every detail.

"Are you lost?" she asked them, and they only nodded.

She took them to her house. They took baths, ate a warm dinner, and then fell asleep in the guest room, on a separate bed. Nika, wrapped in a blanket, heard their nightly whispers from behind the door. "She's so good..." "I want to stay with her..." "We'll never give her up..."

Nika's smile faded. She knew she was a lithroromantic—the spark within her quickly faded when someone directed warm feelings at her. In the morning, she gave them breakfast, but she was silent, even cold. The boys looked at each other, convinced they'd done something wrong.

When rain enveloped the day and Nika decided not to go into town, she lay down on her bed and fell asleep. She didn't wake up peacefully, though—her wrists were tied.

Elios sat beside her, his eyes full of gentleness and a strange glow. Lukas bustled about in the kitchen, slicing bread and pouring juice, as if the situation were perfectly normal.

"Mommy, you're awake," Elios whispered gently, stroking her hair with tenderness, yet something urgent. "Don't worry, nothing will happen to you. We'll take care of you. Lukas and I."

Nika tried to say something, but he only leaned closer, almost pressing his cheek to her shoulder. His voice trembled as he continued:

"You're ours. Mine... and Lukas's too. Mommy." His voice trembled, as if each word were an oath. "You don't have to love us. We'll love you for three."

"I'm not your mother," she whispered tremblingly.

Elios's face grew sad, but he didn't let go of her hand. "I know you don't want that word. But… if you don't push us away, we can be your family. Always."

the brothers were connected, alone, and yet Nika knew nothing about them, but one thing was certain, they loved her and she had to escape.

Lukas was cooking breakfast on the lower floor of the house.