Mia stretched lazily in bed, the sunlight streaming through the window, gently warming his face. He could hear the birds squabbling, a cacophony that served as nature's alarm clock. The scent of Grandma's French toast wafted upstairs, prompting Mia to get up and change into his favorite Dinamo Bucharest t-shirt. As he descended the stairs, his mind wandered to the dream he had about vanquishing crocodiles with his archery skills.
Grandma looked up from the stove, her eyes twinkling with warmth. "Good morning, Mia! Come let me kiss you. I've prepared what you like." Mia grinned, accepting the embrace and the plate of toast. He asked about Grandpa, who was out running errands but would return soon to take them to see Vlad Dracul's well. Despite his initial reluctance, the prospect of an adventure piqued Mia's interest.
Dragoș, the neighbor's child, burst into the room, exuding youthful energy. "What are you doing here, Mia? Hi." Mia was engrossed in a Minecraft video on Grandma's phone, but curiosity pulled him outside with Dragoș. They were soon joined by Nino, the neighbors' Carpathian Shepherd dog, who bounded around them excitedly.
Grandpa returned, and after a quick preparation, the group set off for the well. Grandpa led the way, his backpack slung over one shoulder. As they walked, they played a game of fetch with Nino, enjoying the exercise and the fresh mountain air. Mia, though not as fast as Dragoș, found himself laughing and savoring the moment.
The boys gathered around the well, intrigued by Grandpa's story of its magical properties. Grandpa handed out wormwood leaves, explaining the legend associated with the water. Mia hesitated, then bravely tasted the bitter water as Dragoș made a face. Suddenly, Mia realized he could hear thoughts, a revelation that left him both amazed and bewildered.
Listening to the unspoken thoughts of Dragoș and Nino, Mia felt overwhelmed. Grandpa, aware of Mia's newfound ability, advised him to keep it a secret. As the tourists cycled past, Mia decided he didn't want the burden of hearing others' thoughts and swallowed the wormwood leaf, ending the spell. He felt a sense of relief, choosing to embrace the simple joy of the day.
