Chapter Text
The sweat ran down her face in thin, glittering streams, dripping from her forehead and gathering in the small folds of her neck before soaking into her clothes. Her breathing was heavy but steady, accompanied by the rhythmic pounding of her shoes on the asphalt.
Again and again, she lifted her wrist to check her watch, which meticulously tracked the distance she had covered. The small digital display showed six kilometers – a mark she had set for herself to indicate the turning point of her run. It was time to slowly turn back.
Pernille paused for a moment, her hands resting on her thighs to catch her breath. As she let her shoulders circle to relieve the tension, she lifted her head and looked up at the sky. It was a flawless blue, so intense it almost hurt to look at it for too long. Not a single cloud in sight, no shadow offering a promise of coolness.
The sun stood high above, a blinding, glowing ball of light and heat, its rays relentlessly beating down on her. She could feel the heat pressing in from all sides – from above, from the ground that had stored the day's warmth, and from her own skin, heated by movement.
A gentle breeze brushed her face, bringing with it a cool April touch that offered a small but real sense of relief. She took a deep drink from the water bottle attached to her belt. The water was no longer cool, but it was enough to momentarily quench the burning thirst in her throat.
Glancing at the road behind her, she tried to gather her thoughts. The street she had just run along seemed endless and empty, lined with fields that appeared to be glowing under the scorching heat of summer.
Pernille wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and brushed the damp strands of hair from her face. She knew the way back would be just as demanding as the first six kilometers. But she liked this challenge, the burning in her muscles, the feeling of pushing her own limits.
With one last, assessing glance at the sky, she let her arms hang loosely at her sides, took a deep breath, and set off again. Each step brought her closer to her goal, and with every beat of her heart, she felt alive – tired, yes, but also full of energy and determination.
Soon, she would begin her second season in Sweden, and the thought of it filled Pernille with a mix of anticipation and contemplation. The break was over, the weeks of rest during which she could simply switch off and put her feet up were behind her. But it didn’t bother her in the least. On the contrary, she felt a warm excitement rise within her as she thought about the upcoming training and the games ahead.
She was glad that it was starting again – glad to be able to stand on the pitch once more. The smell of freshly cut grass, the familiar crunch of her studs on the ground, the adrenaline that surged through her body when the game began – she had missed all of it. Football was more than just a sport to her; it was a part of her identity, something that fulfilled her and drove her to keep getting better.
But it wasn’t just about the sport. She was looking forward to seeing her team again – this group of people with whom she spent so much time and who were far more than just teammates. It was like a second family she had found in Sweden. The laughter in the locker room, the shared experiences on and off the pitch, the mutual support in difficult moments – all of that she had come to appreciate. And then there were her friends, the ones she had met during her first season, people who had made her transition into a new country and a new league so much easier.
Despite all the joy, there was a small shadow hanging over it all. The only bitter aftertaste was that she would see her family in Denmark less and less. During the break, she had cherished the moments with them – the long conversations, the warm embraces, the feeling of home that she only experienced with them. Her family meant everything to her, and even though she was proud of her journey so far and the decisions she had made, it was hard for her to keep saying goodbye over and over.
However, she knew this was the price she had to pay to live her dream. Football was her passion, and Sweden was the place where she could currently pursue that dream most fully. With a quiet sigh, Pernille set her doubts aside. She would see her family again soon, she was sure of it, and until then, she would give her best – for her team, for her sport, and for herself.
She arrived back at the small park in front of her apartment, her steps slowing as she walked along the familiar path between the trees. Sweat clung to her body, making her clothes uncomfortably damp against her skin, and her legs felt heavy – a clear sign that she had pushed herself to her limits. But it didn’t bother her. She was exhausted, yes, but satisfied. It would take a while before she reached her usual level of fitness again, but for now, she was proud of herself.
To regain control of her pulse and heartbeat, she took the last few meters to her apartment at a slower pace. Her breathing calmed, and her gaze wandered through the park. The air was filled with the hum of insects and the occasional chirping of a bird. The morning sun made the leaves of the trees glow in a warm, rich green, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass.
Then her gaze fell on a young woman lying on the grass, leaning against a tree. She had pulled a dark hat low over her face, so much so that her eyes were almost completely hidden in shadow. Pernille furrowed her brow, recalling that she had seen the woman before, over an hour ago when she had started her run. She had been sitting in the same spot, in the same position, almost motionless, as if time had not moved for her.
As Pernille drew closer, she slowed her pace even further. Something about the scene made her hesitate, though she couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was. The woman appeared calm, almost too calm, yet there seemed to be an unspoken tension in the air, something Pernille couldn’t ignore. Her gaze returned to the figure, which had barely moved since she first noticed it.
But just at that moment, as Pernille reached her, the woman lifted her head slightly for the first time. For a brief moment, their eyes met. The hat shifted a little, and under its brim, green eyes gleamed, looking directly at Pernille. They appeared clear, yet tired and somehow lost.
Only two seconds later, the woman lowered her gaze again and pulled the hat further down over her face. But that brief glance was enough to reveal something else: a clearly visible bruise, a blue eye that stood out starkly against her pale skin.
Pernille froze instinctively, her thoughts racing. What had happened here? Why was the woman sitting alone in this park, seemingly for hours, with a black eye? She felt an uncomfortable tug in her chest, a conflict between the urge to help and the uncertainty of whether she should intervene.
She bit her lower lip, threw a quick glance over her shoulder, and finally decided to keep walking. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe the woman had just bumped into something, maybe she just needed a moment of rest. But the unease wouldn’t leave Pernille.
As she slowly made her way back to her apartment, she felt strangely uncomfortable with her decision not to stop, not to ask. Her mind was full of questions that had no answers, and she could feel that she wouldn’t be able to easily make peace with this feeling.
Freshly showered, Pernille walked through her apartment, wrapped in a large, soft towel. The water still beaded on her skin as she strolled barefoot across the cool floor. She went into the bedroom and stepped up to the window to look outside. From here, she could see only a small part of the park, but not the spot where the woman had been sitting.
A quiet sigh escaped her as she leaned her forehead against the windowpane. Something about the encounter wouldn’t leave her, even though she kept telling herself it probably didn’t mean anything.
Suddenly, the ringing of her phone pulled her out of her thoughts. A name lit up on the display, and a small smile crept onto her face: Fridolina. She pressed the answer button and took the call.
"Hey!" Pernille said, her voice bright and light as she grinned.
"Hey, Pipi!" Fridolina called back, laughing, and Pernille couldn’t help but laugh too.
"Did you get back okay, Frido?" she asked as she sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Yeah, just got in, actually. How about you?“
"Already last night," Pernille answered, turning on the speakerphone so she could get dressed at the same time. She stood up, opened her closet, and looked for something comfortable for the day.
"Bet you can hardly wait to get back on the pitch, huh?" Fridolina teased, her voice full of energy.
Pernille laughed softly and pulled a t-shirt over her head. "Yeah, something like that. Don’t you feel the same?“
"Oh, definitely," Fridolina admitted, and both of them laughed together. It was a familiar, warm laugh that reflected the excitement for the upcoming weeks.
Pernille took the phone back in her hand, turned off the speaker, and held it to her ear as she walked into the living room. "So, what’s on the agenda?“
"We're meeting at the bar tonight," Fridolina said. "Are you in?"
"Of course," Pernille answered quickly, reaching for a water bottle in the fridge. "Is everyone back?"
"As far as I can tell, yeah. At least everyone in the group has replied and said they’re coming.“
"Good," Pernille said, her smile growing wider. She took a large sip of water before asking, "How was your break? Did you have a good time?“
The two of them exchanged stories about their time off, sharing tales of family visits, small trips, and their excitement to play together again. Eventually, they ended the conversation, promising to see each other in the evening.
When Pernille put the phone down, she realized that during the call, she hadn’t thought about the woman in the park for a moment. But now, in the silence, the thoughts returned. The image of the green eyes and the bruise, so clearly burned into her memory, wouldn’t let her go.
She didn’t hesitate for long. Something inside her urged her to go check. She quickly put on her shoes, threw a light jacket over her shoulders, and grabbed her shopping bag from a hook by the door. If she was going out anyway, she might as well run some errands. But she knew that shopping was just an excuse.
Her real reason was the park – and the woman who had been sitting there.
With a slight shiver, one that had nothing to do with the temperature, she stepped outside and made her way toward the park.
When Pernille reached the spot in the park, no one was there anymore. The grass, the trees, everything was still and empty. The woman who had been sitting there was gone. Pernille stopped and let her gaze sweep over the surroundings, as if she might still spot her somewhere. But nothing. The only thing left behind was a lone water bottle lying in the grass, gently swaying in the wind.
She sighed quietly and brushed a strand of hair from her face. Maybe that was a good sign. Maybe the woman had just rested and then left, nothing more. Perhaps she had worried for nothing.
With a feeling of unease, she turned around and continued on her way. The supermarket wasn’t far, and as she walked, she tried to push the encounter from her mind. She didn’t want to dwell on it. But the green eyes and the black eye stayed with her, like an image that wouldn’t erase.
A few minutes later, she entered the supermarket. The cool draft from the air conditioning was a welcome relief, and she grabbed a basket before moving through the aisles.
Cheese, ham, bread, cottage cheese – the usual things she needed for the next few days.
She also picked up some apples and bananas as a small snack for training.
But something felt different. Her thoughts weren’t really on her shopping list; they kept wandering back to the woman in the park.
When she reached the beverage aisle, she suddenly craved a cold cola. She set the basket down and walked over to the shelf. But just as she was about to grab a bottle, she froze. Her gaze fell on a figure a few meters away, who was busy sorting through the water bottles.
There she was again. The same woman. The same hat, pulled low over her eyes, almost as if she wanted to hide. She held a bottle of water and a bag of chips in her hands. Pernille felt her heart rate quicken as she watched her. It was as if time stood still for a moment.
The woman seemed to sense Pernille’s gaze, and she suddenly turned around. Their eyes met once again. It was only for a few seconds, but the green eyes locked with Pernille’s, and it felt like an eternity. This time, her gaze was even more intense, almost challenging, yet there was a deep weariness in her eyes that Pernille couldn’t decipher.
Then, as quickly as the moment had arrived, it was over. The woman looked away, pressed the chips and the water bottle against herself, and hurried toward the checkout.
Pernille wanted to say something, wanted to stop her, maybe ask if everything was alright. But the words stuck in her throat, as if her voice had suddenly abandoned her. She just stood there, her gaze fixed on the spot where the woman had just been.
When she finally found the strength to move, the woman was already gone. Pernille remained uncertain, a strange feeling in her chest. Something about this encounter wouldn’t let go, but she didn’t know how to deal with it. She picked up the bottle of cola from the shelf and placed it in her basket, but her thoughts were already elsewhere.
On her way back to her apartment, Pernille scanned the park once again with her eyes, but the woman was nowhere to be seen. It seemed she hadn’t returned to the park and had disappeared without a trace. There was no sign of her on the streets either.
Pernille felt a faint sense of unease rising within her, but she shook her head, trying to let go of the thought. Maybe everything was fine. Maybe the woman had simply left, and there was no reason to worry.
When she arrived home, she unlocked the door and walked through the quiet stairwell up to her apartment. There, she set down the shopping bags and began putting the groceries away in the fridge and cabinets. The everyday routine helped her push the strange encounters of the day to the background.
Once she was done, she sat at her small kitchen table, pulled out the training schedule for the upcoming week, and skimmed through the dates. It felt good to have structure back in her life. The anticipation of the training and the upcoming games allowed her to breathe a little easier.
Time passed more quickly than Pernille had expected, and before she knew it, it was time to get ready for the evening. She went into her bedroom and opened her wardrobe. She chose a pair of fitted, dark blue jeans and a comfortable sweater. Despite the unusually warm day for an April morning in Linköping, she knew from experience that the evenings in Sweden could be chilly. After a final check in the mirror, she grabbed her light jacket and headed out.
When she arrived at the bar, Pernille immediately felt the familiar, vibrant energy of her team. Almost everyone was already there, and the atmosphere was filled with a palpable sense of excitement and joy. Laughter and voices filled the room as the players greeted each other warmly. Pernille went from one to the other, giving each of them a tight hug and feeling completely at home in that moment. This was her second family, her team, her friends.
Once the greetings were over, the conversations flowed wildly. One player was talking about her vacation, another about her family, and yet another about an exciting book she had read. The voices overlapped, but no one minded. It was as though, during the weeks of the break, they had accumulated so much to share that everything had to come out all at once.
Pernille leaned back, relaxed, and enjoyed the moment. She had missed these evenings—the warmth, the familiarity, and the feeling of being part of something bigger.
Fridolina came—like so often—too late, which didn’t surprise anyone. But when she finally appeared in the bar, glowing and out of breath, she immediately fell into Pernille’s arms.
The two friends embraced tightly, and Pernille couldn’t help but laugh loudly as Fridolina jokingly mocked her own tardiness. “Well, did you take your time again, Frido?” Pernille asked with a grin.
“Of course! Who wouldn’t want their grand entrance to be celebrated?” Fridolina replied with a wink, before both of them burst into peals of laughter.
They goofed around, exchanged little jabs, and enjoyed the reunion. Pernille felt a warm sensation rising within her. She was just so happy to have her best friend back by her side. During the break, they had kept in touch regularly, but it was still different to spend time together, crack jokes, and simply enjoy each other's company.
As the evening progressed, Pernille completely forgot about the events of the day. The conversation, the laughter, and the familiarity of her team distracted her, allowing her to fully immerse herself in the moment.
Fridolina was, as always, the heart of the group, captivating everyone and ensuring that no minute was ever boring. Pernille occasionally watched her with a smile, grateful to have such a friend by her side.
In the following days, Pernille barely had a free moment. The training schedule was intense, the sessions long and demanding—exactly how she loved it. From early morning until late afternoon, she was on the field, practicing tactics, improving her technique, and working with her team on their fitness. The smell of fresh grass, the clattering of studs on the asphalt, and the coach’s instructions were ever-present, and they allowed her to lose herself in the rhythm of the game.
Every evening, when Pernille came home, she would collapse exhausted onto the couch. Her muscles burned, her legs felt heavy, and sometimes she believed she could feel every single step of the day still lingering in her body.
But for Pernille, that was exactly the feeling she loved. It was the feeling of being back in the middle of the season, testing her limits, and getting better. She knew that the pain and exhaustion were signs that she had given it her all.
Sometimes, she would stretch out on the couch, her legs propped up, a bottle of water in hand, and let the day replay in her mind. There were moments when she almost fell asleep before she could even make it to bed.
But each time, she would wake up with a small smile on her lips—a smile that spoke of contentment and anticipation. The season had begun, and for Pernille, there was nothing better than doing what she loved most: playing football.
A few days later, Pernille and Fridolina were sitting in a small café just a few minutes' walk from the training facility. It was their favorite café, a cozy place with old wooden tables, colorful cushions, and a large window front through which the warm spring light streamed in.
Although the morning session had been intense and both of them felt tired, they had decided to take advantage of the nice weather and spend a bit more time outdoors. The thought of going straight home felt too dull, so they headed to the café, which had almost become like a second home to them.
Pernille slouched into one of the chairs in the outdoor area and stretched out her legs, while Fridolina sat next to her. "I swear, the coach is trying to kill us," Fridolina said with an exaggerated dramatic sigh as she reached for the menu.
Pernille chuckled softly and leaned back, her gaze on the small pedestrian street in front of the café. People were strolling by, many carrying shopping bags, and a light breeze brought the scent of freshly baked bread from the bakery next door.
"Maybe he just wants to get us fit," Pernille replied with a grin, raising her eyebrows. "Or maybe you're just lazy.“
"How dare you!" Fridolina put the menu aside and gave her a mock-indignant look. "I'm in top form, thank you very much. I could easily run another five kilometers right now. But why should I, when I can just sit here and eat cake?“
Pernille laughed and raised her hand as the waitress approached them. "Two large latte macchiatos, please. And a slice of that chocolate cake for my overenthusiastic friend here." She winked at Fridolina, who pretended to be offended, wrinkling her nose before bursting into laughter.
As the drinks and cake were served, both of them leaned back, relaxing. The conversation initially focused on training, the upcoming match schedule, and their teammates. But eventually, the topic shifted. Fridolina began to talk about her family, and Pernille listened attentively. She loved how lively Fridolina became when talking about her siblings, how her eyes sparkled, and how she gestured animatedly.
"And you?" Fridolina finally asked, taking a bite of her cake. "Did you spend much time with your family during the break?“
Pernille nodded and told her about the days in Denmark, the family meals, the walks they had taken, and the relaxing evenings they enjoyed. But as she spoke, her thoughts briefly drifted – to the woman in the park and the encounter in the supermarket. She hadn't seen her since then, but the impression lingered in her mind, like an unfinished chapter.
"Hey, where are you right now?" Fridolina pulled her out of her thoughts and looked at her with a questioning expression.
"Oh, nothing." Pernille shook her head and smiled. "I was just a bit distracted. The cake is really good, isn't it?“
"Definitely," Fridolina agreed, but she didn't let the topic go. "You seem kind of thoughtful. Is everything okay?“
Pernille hesitated, then decided to steer the conversation in another direction. "Yeah, everything's fine. I'm just thinking about the season. It feels good to be back on the field."
Fridolina nodded understandingly, and the two continued talking as the sun slowly began to set behind the rooftops of the city. It was one of those afternoons that felt just perfect – unhurried, yet full of warmth and familiarity.
In the late afternoon, as Pernille made her way home, she consciously chose to take the path through the park. There were other, quicker routes, but something drew her here. Perhaps it was the quiet hope of seeing the woman again – though at the same time, she wondered what she would do if that happened.
Deep down, she expected the park to be empty, just like the last few times. But as she turned the corner, she stopped abruptly.
There she was again.
The woman sat in exactly the same spot as the first time, with her back leaning against the tree. The hat was once again pulled low over her face, almost as if she wanted to hide from the world.
Pernille’s gaze lingered on her, and for a moment, she wondered if the woman had noticed her. She appeared still, almost motionless, as if she were a statue, seamlessly integrated into the landscape of the park.
A soft breeze rustled through the treetops, and the sound of the leaves seemed to freeze time for a moment. Pernille took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure whether she should go closer. Part of her wanted to know who this woman was and why she always sat here, alone and so withdrawn. But another part hesitated. She didn’t want to intrude or make the woman uncomfortable.
After a moment of stillness, Pernille slowly began to move again, her steps cautious, almost sneaky. She couldn’t take her eyes off the woman. The closer she got, the more she felt that there was more to this than met the eye. Something in the woman’s posture – the way she seemed almost curled in on herself – stuck with Pernille.
As she finally passed her, she paused for a moment and looked over at the woman. She didn’t move, but Pernille felt that she knew she was there. Her throat felt dry, and the words she wanted to say caught in her throat. So, she kept walking, but cast one last glance over her shoulder.
The woman had slightly raised her head, and for a brief moment, their gazes met. Green eyes, glowing in the afternoon sunlight, flashed at Pernille. Again, she felt that hint of something – worry, pain, or perhaps just deep exhaustion? She couldn’t say for sure. Before she could figure it out, the woman lowered her head again and stared at the ground.
Pernille continued on her way, the quiet weight of the unspoken thoughts accompanying her all the way to her apartment.