The Suit of Sins

Chapter 19: The White Rose

Alexanderplatz was a sea of movement. Even at this hour, the square was alive with tourists, street performers, and the constant hum of the city. For Adam, the crowd was a double-edged sword: a place to hide, but also a place where a blade could find his ribs without anyone noticing.

His eyes scanned the area, moving past the World Clock and the towering television tower. He was looking for a sign—something that didn't belong. His wound was starting to throb with a feverish heat, making the neon lights blur at the edges of his vision.

Near the fountain, he saw it. A woman in a charcoal grey coat was sitting alone on a stone bench, holding a single, fresh white rose against the backdrop of the cold concrete. She wasn't looking for anyone; she was staring at the water as if waiting for time to stop.

Adam approached cautiously, his hand never leaving the weapon hidden in his pocket. He sat on the opposite end of the bench, his back to her.

"The rose is out of season," Adam said, his voice a low rasp.

"Truth is always out of season in this city, Subject Zero," she replied without turning her head. Her voice was calm, melodic, but carried an authority that made Adam's blood run cold. "They didn't just want the cylinder, Adam. They wanted the man who knows how to activate it. And right now, you are the most hunted man in Europe."

She stood up, leaving the rose on the bench. "Follow the trail of the rose, or stay and die. The choice, as always, is yours."