Excerpt

Chapter IV
Eteo’s eyes were fixed on two small perch feeding on the barnacles
around a dock pile. The water was so clear he could see them biting
the barnacles and twisting their bodies to pull off the prey. Nature
and its wonders, Eteo thought, smiling in appreciation. Then he felt
the vibration of the phone in his pocket.
“Hello, Eteo.” Susan’s voice made him feel warm and eager.
“How’s my sweet Susan?”
“I’m good, and you?”
“Excellent. See you later tonight?”
“Yes, come by the house around seven.”
“Sending you a sweet kiss until later”
“Back at you the same way.” Susan’s voice sounded as melodic as
ever, and Eteo wished he was with her at this moment to give her that
kiss in real.
After taking care of dinner for the boys, Eteo dressed carefully
and drove to the east side of Burnaby where Susan lived. She opened
the door and hugged him when he stepped inside. Their lips locked
in a long kiss. He admired her smiling face and exquisite makeup.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WP3LMPX

Disturbance

Soldiers with long, dirty legs, mixed with the blankets,

their breaths full of stagnant air when the cleft moon

appears, and gunshots are heard from down towards

the slaughterhouses, “Thanassis, Thanassis” women

call from behind the window shutters. No one turns

to look at lost names, lost consciousness; dogs roll

pitchers down the asphalt; steel drums roll down from

the hillsides; “Thanassis, Thanassis” while a bunch of

leaflets pop out of the blind man’s hat as he tries to protect

the violin in his coat.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1926763726

III
I saunter around this city with such curiosity. Serenity
reigned in my heart indeed I was singing between
my teeth, a song from my childhood.
The men I met were very tall and wore long foustanellas* down to the ground. Their walk was slow, graceful, I’d say, as it is usually in the East. Some others wore caps on their grey heads and others large, tragic women’s hats with feathers.
However, suddenly, an inexplicable sadness covered my heart. These people didn’t have any eyes. I paid attention to them: their glances had already worried me. The fear stopped me for a while and rendered me motionless
and silent. When I managed to stir somewhat and run
after them I finally realized that they’d vanish once
they reached the corner like a dream. They’d vanish to
reappear on the other corner from where they came to
continue their despicable saunter, unaffectedly.
There was no doubt anymore. A horrible scam was
put together for me. I understood I was the victim of
a terrible trap. Then, as I realized the seriousness of
my mistake, I sat down and cried bitterly.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1926763734

Ρωξάνη Νικολάου, Από το βιβλίο “Οι ερχόμενοι”