The Last Pythagorean: Book 1 Read online

  Homero entered the room carrying two helmets.

  -This is Lorena, my aunt. -Oh.

  - Nice to meet you, ma'am. I'm Homero. - He said it in a kind tone.

  -Pleasure is my Homero, but please don't call me ma'am, if I don't feel old. -The funny tone remained in the sentence.

  - Excuse me, Lorena. - He said it emphasizing the name. - So are we going to Cecilia?

  -Yes. -I did.

  - Don't come back too late. - You recommended Lorena.

  -Don't worry about it if... -Oh! I mean, Lorena. We won't be long.

  As Homero drove his motorcycle to a place I had no idea where it was, I wondered if I was in danger that night. The sentence from the last note remained intact before my eyes.

  After five minutes, he parked in front of a Brazilian food restaurant.

  -This is it. – Homero said while he was helping to remove his helmet.

  - You really know how to make a surprise. I didn't know this restaurant.

  It's new, opened just over a month ago. Shall we go in?

  -Sure.

  The inside of the restaurant was fascinating. An image of Rio de Janeiro with the Christ redeemer had been painted on one of the walls and the floor had a curious coating that imitated the sidewalk of Copacabana. An exotic smell invaded the four corners of the place.

  Homero chose a table for two that was next to the door and pulled out a chair so that I could get comfortable.

  An impeccably dressed waiter brought us a green and yellow cape menu. The options were so many that I needed almost five minutes to choose.

  Different names like tucupi, pequi and tapioca were part of the huge list of typical foods from several Brazilian states.

  I ended up asking the same as Homero: tropeiro beans accompanied by rice and chicken with okra.

  The soft seasoning and texture of the food formed a unique flavor for the palate.

  When we finished dinner, we ordered açaí ice cream as a dessert.

  -This is one of the best ice creams I've ever tasted... – Homero said after tasting some of the sweet ice cream.

  -It's very different, but it's great. - I said I agreed.

  We left the restaurant at exactly 9:30. By then everything had gone as smoothly as possible. Until then...

  Homero drove the scooter through the dark alleys for six interminable minutes. At the restaurant he said I needed to meet a special place in Siena.

  The journey became more and more blurred as we entered a street full of buildings, bringing out the fear that had been hidden during the week.

  Homero parked in front of a building of about fifteen floors.

  -Come on.

  We hid in the garage that was ajar. We climbed a staircase with about three hundred and fifty steps.

  - What are we doing here? - My voice was panting for breath.

  -Calm down, you'll know... -Oh! - He whispered.

  When we reached the last step and stepped on the terrace, something revealed itself: the most beautiful landscape in Siena that anyone could photograph.

  -It was worth climbing each step. -Oh! - I thought I was surprised.

  It was possible to see the whole city from that angle, with a lot of lights fighting against the darkness of the night. The gothic Siena was even more enchanting from that place.

  For a moment we remained silent, silent by the dazzle.

  -This is my favorite place.

  -It's beautiful... - I said still ecstatic. -How did you know about this place?

  -My father owned this building. When I was about four, he used to bring me here every night. He paused for a few seconds. - Until he died...

  -I'm sorry.

  - It's been a long time, I'm fine now.

  We kept admiring Siena for a while until the building guard came suddenly.

  -You can't stay here. - He said in a reprehensible tone.

  -We're leaving now. – Homero said peacefully.

  -Homero? - The man approached. - Is that you?

  -Do you know me?

  -You mustn't remember, of course... -Hmm. I'm Lucius, I was a friend of your father's and I met you when I was little. I'm still a lookout for the building.

  -Lucio? Of course I remember! I saw you every day...

  - How you've grown! You're almost a man... - The gray-haired man said surprised. -How is your mother?

  - She's fine, Mr. Lucius.

  - And this beautiful young lady, who is she? Is she your girlfriend? - He asked me by blushing.

  -She's just a friend. -He said after looking in my eyes for the best answer.

  -I'm sorry, kid, but I can't let you stay here. -I'm sorry. If you find out I could get fired.

  Don't worry, we're coming. It was good to see you, sir, until another day.

  -Till, send my best to your mother! -Oh! - He said before we got in the elevator.

  Homero drove fast as we got home. An unexplained joy arose within me, perhaps because I discovered that everything had worked out that night, and that the fear I felt at some point was unnecessary and ridiculous.

  Vespa's engine made a soft noise when something strange began to happen.

  A rain of paper formed before our eyes causing Homero to lose his sight of the street. He became disoriented while he had to divert his motorcycle from parked vehicles to avoid an accident. I tried to hold on and find a balance for both of us while the motorcycle lost its way north. The papers kept falling incessantly when I felt everything spinning. We had fallen.

  Although I felt my shoulders and ribs hurt, I managed to get up amidst the dizziness.

  - Homero, Homero, are you all right?

  No answer.

  - Homero, please talk to me. - I asked in distress.

  He had a cut on his head, disagreed.

  I looked around, looking for help, but there was no one. The street, which looked like an alley, now had a sea of papers covering every inch of the sidewalk. I counted the desire to cry, which the dread had brought, and stretched out my right hand to get a folded piece of paper.

  I TOLD YOU.

  The Secret

  -Cecilia, Cecilia... - He said as soon as he woke up.

  -Hey, I'm here, I'm okay. -Oh. You need to be quiet.

  -Where am I? - The words come out whispered.

  - You're in the hospital, but you're okay now, don't be afraid. I'll call your mother.

  I went to the hall to look for Rafaella. Homero's young mother, who had the same brown hair as her son, was talking to the nurse in charge of care.

  -Hey, Rafaela... - She turned around with a tired expression. – Homero woke up.

  -Graces to God. - The black eyes lit up.

  I accompanied Rafaella to her room. Homero seemed to be bothered by the needle in the

  serum.

  -Son, I'm glad you're awake. -Oh! - She said taking his hand.

  -Mom, I want to go.

  Relax, you'll be discharged tomorrow. Until then, you'll have to stay here for observation.

  -Cecilia was hurt?

  -No, she's fine. You need to eat. The nurse will bring you a meal.

  Rafaella left the room when she noticed that the nurse was taking too long. Homero whispered my name calling me.

  -Cecilia... Cecilia... - The voice was very subtle due to her condition.

  -Hey, I'm here.

  - You need to tell me everything that's going on.

  -Homero, you're weak. -You better not talk too much. - I advised with real concern.

  -You're getting the tickets too, aren't you? -Yeah. - He insisted.

  -I am. - I answered after a long silence.

  -Cecilia, listen to me. This has nothing to do with you, do you understand? You need to get away from me.

  -I'm not gonna walk away from you... -Oh! Not before you explain to me what's going on.

  -I can't. But I want to keep you safe and I need you to stay away. I shouldn't have come near you, I'm sorry.

  -I'm sorry about what, Homero? -Oh. Can you explain it to
me straight? - I asked for confusion.

  -I can't.

  At this moment, Rafaella arrived with the nurse with her hair caught and covered by a white net. A plate of soup with vegetables was on a portable table.

  - I'll talk to Giovanna and Lorena and he woke up.

  - Okay, honey. - Assented Rafaella.

  I left the room and walked toward the large reception. Giovanna and Lorena were sitting on the light green sofa. Both had empty eyes, from whom they expected some news.

  -Homero's awake.

  -How nice! - Lorena said a little too loud in the quiet environment.

  -And how is he? -Hmm. - Giovanna asked.

  -He's fine. He'll be released tomorrow.

  -Cecilia, you need to rest, get some sleep. -Yes. If he's okay, we can go home now.

  - I want to stay Lorena.

  -I think you should go. - She disagreed. -Tomorrow I'll drive you to his house, I promise.

  Although I wanted to stay the need to rest that Lorena had mentioned was something real.

  -Okay. -I finally accepted. - I'll say goodbye then.

  I went back to the room and accidentally heard Homero talking about a strange secret. I thought of going in immediately, but curiosity paralyzed me for a few moments, with my ears open in front of the door.

  Mother, you must tell me everything. You said that when the time was right I would know. This moment has come.

  -I know, son. I know it's time for you to know.

  -Excuse me, I said opening the door. -I know.

  -Hey, Cecilia, come on in. - Ralph said.

  -I just came to say goodbye. - I said looking at Homero. - When I'm home I'll come to you.

  visit.

  -Okay... - He just said.

  - Thanks for everything Cecilia, you were an angel. - Rafaella said with an emotional tone.

  - No need to thank him. Well... I have to go.

  -Hey... Cecilia! – Homero called when I was leaving.

  -Hey... - I turned my face to him.

  -Thank you.

  -For nothing. -Oh. - I said closing the door.

  That Sunday afternoon was the hottest of the month. The air conditioning was on all day while Giovanna and I were having cream ice cream. When night came I picked up a fiction book from Lorena's mini-library in her office. I was reading the first chapter when I heard the phone ring.

  -Hello. - I answered it on the third ring.

  -Cecilia?

  -Yes, it's me.

  -This is Homero.

  -Hello, Homero. -How are you? -I said trying to disguise the joy of hearing your voice. -Yeah.

  -Well. I'm already home.

  -Already? -Yes. But weren't you gonna be discharged tomorrow?

  -The doctor said I could come now.

  -How nice. -Oh. So you're really better now.

  -Yes...

  -You're going to class tomorrow? -Yes.

  - I can't yet. Three days' rest.

  -I see...

  -Cecilia, I really need to talk to you.

  -You can talk.

  -Not on the phone, it's better in person. It's about the tickets... - He whispered the last sentence.

  -What do you know about the Homero tickets? -Hmm. I'm scared.

  -Tomorrow you'll come home? -Yes.

  Yes... Lorena will take me.

  -Then tomorrow we'll talk... Now I have to go.

  -Okay... See you soon then.

  -Till.

  I put the phone on the hook and kept trying to read the book. Although the story was very interesting, I couldn't keep up the reading. The scene of the scooter losing direction remained in my thoughts, as if it was happening all over again.

  How did that rain of papers happen? And the written sentence?

  Everything extremely surreal.

  -Maybe I was too dizzy not to realize the reality. -Oh. - I thought of the silence of the office.

  -Cecilia... Are you there? - Lorena asked by opening the door.

  -I'm Lorena. I was reading a book.

  -That's great. Now come to dinner, then you go on.

  After dinner I took a shower and went to sleep. I was so exhausted from the night I'd spent in the hospital that my eyes were tearing from sleep.

  The day dawned gloomy with some gray clouds that indicated the possibility of a brief bump of rain in the afternoon. I'd appreciate it if that happened.

  Every time I looked at the classroom window I felt that the day passed more slowly than usual. The empty wallet next to me stared at me lonely, making sure Homero didn't leave my thoughts for even a second.

  What did he know about the tickets?

  When the last class of the day closed, I left the room quickly being the first to leave school. Lorena was parked right next to the entrance.

  -Giovanna going with you? - She asked when I got in the car.

  -No. -She's going to a friend's house, she won't need a ride.

  -So come on, buckle up. Do you know where he lives?

  -Giane gave me the address. - I said delivering a piece of paper.

  - I know where it is... It's not too far. - She said after reading the street name.

  The traffic was stressful at that time. Cars, motorcycles, people and horns.

  It took us almost fifteen minutes because of the traffic jam. The dark clouds on the horizon were gathering more and more, warning us that a storm would fall at any moment.

  - This is it. - Lorena said parking. - What time do you want me to pick you up?

  -I brought the phone, I'll call you when I'm leaving. -Yeah.

  Homero's house, with a light-colored façade, was on a narrow street, like most Siena houses, near a small canteen. I rang the bell once and Rafaella answered.

  Hello Cecilia, I'm glad you're here, please come in. Homero was waiting for you.

  The living room had abstract paintings that I couldn't interpret. The dark green curtains gave the place an air of mystery.

  When Rafaella left, Homero appeared immediately with a small bandage in the corner of his forehead.

  -Hey, how are you? - He said he was getting closer.

  -I'm fine and you?

  -Well too. I just can't stay long at rest.

  -It's necessary for your recovery. - I said trying to convince him.

  -I know. - A long silence followed. - Cecilia, I need you to tell me all about the tickets you got.

  - And I need you to tell me what you know about them.

  - It's a long story, but you will know, I promise. First I want you to tell me.

  -All right... - I took a deep breath. - I found the first note the day I arrived in Siena. -Then it was before you met me... -Oh.

  -Yeah, before you fought me over a seat in the back... -Oh. - I said almost laughing.

  -I'm sorry... - The tone had come out extremely embarrassed.

  - No need to apologize again, I just commented because it sounds so ridiculous now that we're... friends.

  -Yes... - He agreed. -But I behaved that way because I was nervous, for the note I got.

  -You were getting tickets, too? -Yeah. - I asked scared.

  -Yes... -But keep counting.

  I opened the bag and grabbed the little box I had kept the yellow papers in.

  - Here's the first ticket.

  -Is the handwriting identical to yours? -Yes. - He said examined the paper now unfolded.

  - It is... How do you know that?

  -He's sarcastic... He did that to me too. Surely to make us confused...

  -He who?

  -Calm down... I said I'll tell you everything...

  -The second note I got the Sunday after the day we went to the movies. I had gone to Pienza with Lorena and when I arrived I found him inside the wardrobe. Here it is

  him.

  - Stay away from Homero? - He said astonished.

  - Yes... You don't know how I got scared when I read that.

  And the third?

  - I found the third one in my school closet. That's the one.
>
  - Don't go out with Homero... - A silence reigned in the room. - Did you think of canceling the invitation?

  - Yes...

  - I'm glad nothing happened to you. I think if something had happened to you, I'd wish I died.

  - Why is that?

  -Because you have nothing to do with it, it would be too unfair. -Oh. - He said stumbling on words.

  -And here's the room... Which was part of the paper rain that I don't know where it came from. - I shivered involuntarily when I remembered the episode. - Now can you explain to me what this madness is?

  - I can. - The eyes seemed to see beyond me. -You'll have to believe everything I say from now on, because what I'm about to tell you is not a lie or an invention.

  -Why wouldn't I believe it?

  -Because it's gonna sound like a fiction movie story. -Oh. - He said raising his eyebrows.

  -Count me in.

  -Do you like a philosophy story?

  -Yes... But what does that have to do with anything? - I asked confused.

  Everything... - The conviction was present in the voice. -Do you remember Pythagoras?

  -Sure, who doesn't remember! -Oh! The most famous theorem in the world is his!

  -Pythagoras was the founder of a mystical and philosophical school. -Oh! - He began by explaining.

  -I know that. The Pythagoreans...

  -Yes. -Save this information.

  -Okay.

  -You know the theory of relativity? -Yes.

  - Sort of... But Homero, I don't understand anything! I said even more confused.

  -You'll understand, take it easy... -Okay. The theory of relativity states that time is a fourth correct dimension?

  -Yes. -Yes.

  -That means that if there were means or equipment, it would theoretically be possible to travel through time.

  - I'm understanding less...

  -Stop being anxious Cecilia, calm down! Einstein's theory of relativity was discovered long before by Pythagoras. It was not exactly the same theory, but she already understood that time was a fourth dimension. Understand so far?

  -Yes, go on.

  The Pythagoreans discovered through the triad mysticism-mathematics- philosophy that the human mind has unlimited power. From mystical and mathematical studies with the help of ontology and physics, they discovered the conditions for the mind to manipulate any form of energy.

  -How do you know all this? I am sure I have never read this in any book of philosophy, history or even physics.