— Kael, hurry up, we’re falling behind. Two cappuccinos and three lattes, move it, — the cashier said.

  That was another day in the boring café. Same thing over and over again: orders, noise, the smell of coffee, and the feeling that time here never moves.

  Until they walked in.

  Three girls. They looked around, chose a table by the window, and sat down.

  The first had dark hair just below her shoulders and a serious, assessing gaze.

  The second had soft bangs and warm eyes; she smiled lightly, almost shyly.

  The third had short blonde hair, a playful smirk, and an expressive look.

  They ordered coffee and sat talking among themselves. I tried not to look, but still caught myself glancing in their direction.

  And they were looking at me too.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Not constantly — just in passing. Each of them. A few times, I clearly caught their eyes. It felt strange, as if each lingered on me in her own way.

  I couldn’t understand what it meant.

  They stayed for almost an hour, finished their coffee, and left, laughing as they went. I remained behind the counter, wiping cups and trying to figure out what that was all about.

  In the evening, after my shift, I noticed a cat. It stood near the road, pressed against the curb. Cars were passing too close.

  I didn’t think.

  I just stepped forward.

  I managed to grab it and push myself back, but headlights flashed in my eyes. The impact was sharp and brief. The air was knocked out of my lungs.

  I fell onto the asphalt.

  The cat slipped out of my hands and ran away.

  I lay there, staring at the sky. Streetlights blurred, sounds faded, my thoughts scattered.

  Then everything went dark.

  ?

  And suddenly — light.

  I opened my eyes and found myself standing on a cliff. Below stretched a strange forest, its trees softly glowing, the air thick, as if filled with something foreign.

  They were standing in front of me.

  The same three girls from the café.

  — Hello, Kael, — the first one said. — You’ve come to our world.

  — This is… what? — I managed to say. — How did you…?

  — We chose you, — said the second, smiling gently. — And it seems we were not mistaken. Your kindness is too great for the world you came from.

  — People like you are rare here, — added the third, narrowing her eyes slightly.

  The first frowned.

  — Still… are you sure he can handle it? He looks kind of… unfortunate.

  — Hey, don’t be like that, — the second laughed softly. — He’s sweet.

  The third smirked.

  — It’ll be interesting.

  — Interesting?.. — I repeated.

  — You’ll find out later, — said the first. — This world is dangerous. Monsters emerge from the Gates of Abominations, and people need protection.

  I looked toward the glowing forest and understood:

  the life I knew was over.