In that one moment I felt many sensations. I was affected by senses that I hadn't felt in a long, long time.

The most expressive sense was probably the sense of smell.

The smell of the forest. I involuntarily took a deep breath, trying to enjoy the scent.

I kept my eyes open the whole time, but it was difficult for me to understand what I saw. In front of me, behind me, next to me, everywhere there were trees covered with leaves or needles. At the foot of the trees there were bushes, and even lower there were earth, moss and some smaller plants.

I understood that I was in the forest, but I didn't know why. What led to this?

Ah... I remember what happened a moment ago... but can I consider it true? Wasn't that a hallucination? Or maybe a hologram? It's also very possible that I was given some kind of drug.

However... it looks too real. If what I see is really not true, then they did a good job, or maybe it's just my imagination that's so good? I smell the forest, the bright sun hits my eyes, a light breeze caresses my skin.

....What I see... what I feel... is true.

However, if I'm wrong, it will hurt me a lot mentally. To have hope and expectations and then lose them.

I thought I was used to it by now, but apparently it's not that easy. I'm afraid.

However, I finally have to take a step forward. Even if I return to this hell, nothing worse will happen to me than what I experienced.

So I took another deep breath and looked ahead.

Beyond the forest and trees, a girl stood in my field of vision.

I have met many people in my life. Very many. I have also seen many beautiful girls, but I can say without hesitation that the girl standing in front of me is the most beautiful.

I thought so before, and I think so now. Her beauty cannot be matched by anyone else. She is perfect not only from the face, but also from the body.

She's wearing... rags. I can't put it any other way. It's hard to call it clothes, it's just a piece of larger fabric wrapped around her body, but even with such clothes, she is the most beautiful.

"Um... is everything okay...? Suddenly you went quiet, and also... I have the impression that suddenly... you became different..."

Stolen story; please report.

Her voice was quiet, her words stopped and she spoke timidly. She couldn't maintain eye contact and her eyes wandered to the trees behind me.

"I mean...! I-I'm sorry if I offended you, saying that you've become somehow different is... it's quite rude, isn't it...?"

In one second she looked at my face, but immediately looked away.

I knew exactly why. She wasn't afraid of me at all, but she felt uncomfortable. Looking at me is like looking at a doll, or a figurine, or even a statue.

I have no expression on my face and my eyes are empty. It's not every day you can enjoy such a view.

And because I have no expression, I'm hard to look at. It's like looking at something abnormal.

I could start pretending, smile, or make my eyes not look so empty. But I decided against it.

Only to her, I want to show the real me.

There's something I need to do, but before I do that, I need to make sure.

"Are you real?"

I asked in a normal, emotionless tone. My voice showed no emotion, nor did my face or eyes, or even my body language.

"Real? Um... I'm not sure what you mean..."

She tilted her head, thinking about the meaning of my words.

"You know, you can touch me, and you can talk to me... so I'm rea-"

She stopped mid-sentence as if something occurred to her.

"Oh... you meant those... legends and rumors, right? If it's about them..."

She suddenly became moody and looked at the ground as if ashamed. I made a mistake, I knew what kind of life she led and I knew how much she suffered because of it. I should have phrased the question differently. I need to improve.

"My question has nothing to do with these rumors."

I said sure, but still emotionless.

"Your first response is what I wanted. You said I could touch you, right?"

I walked up to her. If I reached out my hand, I could touch her. I waited for her answer.

"..Yes"

She replied confused. I then grabbed her hand and pulled it towards me.

Huh... I'm scared. Normally for such an act... no, I don't want to think about it. I escaped. I am free... I don't have to fear punishment anymore. I should only think about this moment, this moment, her. Yes, only about her and nothing else. Forget it.

I focused my thoughts on her hand. It was warm and gentle. I grabbed her hand with my other hand too.

It's real. I'm not 100% sure, but I want to believe it's real.

I looked at her face. She was slightly blushing, but she didn't mind. She also wanted contact with another human being, even if that human being was as strange as me.

"Thank you"

I replied and let go of her hand, but remained close to her.

We stood there in silence for several seconds. I had to get myself together to say it too. Yes, my next words are my desire. The second largest. I have to make sure I have it, if not now, then next time, or the next time, or the next time. But I have to have it. To... to never experience this again.

I opened my mouth and for the first time in a long, long time, I asked for such a selfish request.