Author's note: this story is more dramatic than I usually write, and the characters don't behave like in the series, which was geared to a family audience. Here they are more human, they make mistakes and as we could say, they screw up really bad.
The chapters do not follow a chronological order, but the time in which they are developed is reflected in the titles, so when the whole story is published you will be able to read it in order from chapter 2 onwards.
Chapter 1. Without the Sense of Time.
Diego swam in the dark, unable to find his way to the surface. The cold water stiffened his muscles, and he continued to struggle, even though he was getting more and more tired. The waves lapped around him, dragging him aimlessly.
He felt a presence nearby, the water seemed warmer when he moved his right hand. He tried to follow the current, but again the waves pushed him away. In the murmur of the moving water he seemed to hear voices, distant sounds that he could almost make out. A few words formed for a few moments.
"my family" a male voice said.
"I can't" a woman's voice whispered.
For a moment he remembered, the woman's name was Victoria, and he had to marry her.
Now he felt his body weighing like lead, sinking hopelessly without ever settling to the bottom.
"Nothing more," a worried voice said.
In the darkness Diego could not stop searching, he still struggled blindly. "a ring" he heard the woman say, and his resolve increased. He had to reach her by any means necessary. The ring was important, though he didn't remember why, he only knew it was related to her. He whispered the only thought he was clinging to, that they had to get married.
He kept hearing voices; one of them also familiar, accustomed to celebrating life and accompanying in death, asked him about Victoria, and he answered. In his mind, or perhaps also out loud he repeated the words he had heard dozens of times and always wanted to say for her, then he heard the female voice again, "until death do us part." he heard her say through tears. Then a warm feeling on his forehead, which spread to his chest, and at last he could rest, floating in the now calm waters, he knew that if he sank again the water would not hurt him, he would find peace, but he did not want to leave yet, because he had not yet been able to talk to her.
Now Diego had the sensation of swimming through flames that consumed his flesh. He realized that he was not swimming, he was crawling on the hot sand of a desert, under a scorching sun. Thirst devoured him, and he felt soft hands bringing liquid to his lips. He managed to drink a little, though his throat didn't seem to be working well.
"Small sips" said a man's voice he had heard before, and he concentrated with all his might on swallowing the liquid.
More darkness, he walked aimlessly, trying to guide himself with his hands. He felt he was in a maze of black silk walls, soft and cool to the touch, but open to the sky, because he could feel the breeze and the sun. For a moment he felt a hand on his, but when he looked there was nothing. Tired and confused, he lay down on the ground, and noticed something warm beside him, a shape snuggled against him. Its warmth comforted him and he fell asleep.
Diego realized he was trapped in his dreams. Strange sensations disturbed his rest, moving images, feelings of happiness and regret intermingled. He knew it was important to go somewhere, unable to find the right way. Then he felt something, soft hands again, stroking his hair, and the sensation of a brush untangling it. also something wet on his face. Was someone shaving him? He tried to open his eyes, but couldn't remember how.