EPISODE SIX
1367 Words
NICKLAS'S POINT OF VIEW
I knew something was wrong as soon as I entered my private clinic.
Flickering lights hummed softly, as if they were trying to whisper. It felt like someone had just stopped breathing, leaving an unsettling sense of fear lingering in the air. I didn't lock the door. What was the purpose? I would rather face someone than flee if they came for me.
Every step I took reverberated louder than the one before as I moved down the hall. Even though I could hear my heart pounding in my chest, I maintained a composed expression. I had witnessed worse. Much worse. Something still bothered me, though. A rotten thing.
He was in my office already. simply sitting there.
Grinning.
As if this were a joke.
The man was tall, well-groomed, and dressed in a clean suit. There was something so obviously wrong about him. He sat with one leg over the other, spinning my pen between his fingers as if it were his own. He was unfamiliar to me. did not have to. I could tell everything from the way he looked at me.
He wasn't here to talk.
"Doctor Weber, you're late."
I said nothing. Talking is pointless when someone else is going to reveal their own desire to die.
He laughed as if I were the strange one.
"Your life is going well. tidy setup. fancy equipment. The medical field requires a high level of respect. Giving it all up must be difficult.
"Your time is being wasted."
"I'm giving you a way out. Take a clean break. Money. liberty. But you turn your back on her. as well as from Berlin.
He produced a tiny envelope. threw it on the table. I didn't wince.
"You're actually doing this?"
"You cannot keep Lina safe. Not from the future. Now go for a walk. or be buried alongside her.
It was there.
That name.
He uttered her name as if it were a single sound. As if it had no significance.
I moved in closer. Very slow. I made sure he could sense the shift in our air.
I said, "You don't know me." I spoke quietly. Too supple.
He grinned. "I am sufficiently knowledgeable. In a lab coat, you're a ghost.
"You sure about that?"
I snatched up the lamp next to the desk and swung it before he could blink. The glass broke. His reflexes were fast, but mine weren't.
I already had the scalpel. I made a deep cut on his thigh. He let out a scream. tried to stand up. I pushed him back down.
"You visited my home. put her in danger. Did you think I'd steal your shady money and run?"
He opened his mouth to speak. simply gurgled. I smiled at that.
Have you ever studied the anatomy of humans? Yes, I did. I have dedicated years of my life to it. makes this section incredibly effective.
I rolled up my sleeves while his hands clawed at the edge of the desk. I didn't mind that his blood made my gloves sticky.
"You know, there comes a time when pain stops screaming. It makes a humming sound. deep within. I'm aiming for that.
He cried.
"This... this isn't what Jasper said—"
"Yes? Jasper didn't tell you that before I fixed hearts in hospitals, I used to break bones in basements.
I leaned in.
"You enjoy spreading the word? Excellent. since you're going to deliver it."
I held up my phone and turned on the camera. The man trembled like a leaf and whimpered.
"Jasper, are you watching?" I enquired. Be calm. So serene that even I was frightened.
"This man is yours. He is your courageous little dog. This is my response.
I flipped the camera to my own face.
"You want a war?"
I returned my attention to the bleeding mess on the phone.
"Then come bleeding."
Before I could finish recording, he fainted. feeble.
I pulled him out the back door and left him next to the trash can. He would survive. Most likely. But from now on, he would think of me with every breath.
I went back inside and cleaned my hands. The water turned red. Then pink. Then clear.
I stared into the mirror. I have blood on my neck. Blood smeared my cheek. After wiping it off, I looked at my phone. They were uploading the video. Nearing completion.
I sent it.
To Jasper.
I wanted him to see what happens when you poke the wrong man.
Then...
Buzz.
Unknown figure.
Just one word.
Run.
My stomach turned over.
I was being watched. They were not just observing me, but were activelyfollowing me in real time. I whirled around, looking in all directions. Nothing changed. However, I wasn't dreaming.
Lina, too.
God.
Was she secure?
Still holding my phone, I snatched up my coat and hurried out the door. It seemed like there were eyes everywhere, even though the street outside was deserted.
Suddenly a cab arrived.
The driver remained silent.
I said, "You sent for this?"
He simply looked straight ahead.
I saw it then.
within the dashboard.
A card for play.
monarch of hearts.
The face was covered in blood.
"Drive," I said. "Quick."
The chilly night in Berlin seemed to be pursuing us as we sped through it. Each red light was a challenge. Behind us, every car was a shadow.
I called Lina.
No response.
Once more.
Nothing has changed.
My chest constricted. This constriction wasn't due to fear. from something worse—realising that I ought to have remained with her.
I yelled at the driver, "Take me to the loft."
He didn't answer.
didn't even blink.
I took a closer look.
He had pale hands on the wheel.
Too pale.
As if they had never seen the sun.
"Are you suicidal or deaf?"
He grinned.
Absent teeth.
Where his mouth should have been, there was only a black gap.
I struck the window. "Stop the car!"
The engine roared more loudly.
I kicked the door open in the middle of the ride, yanked it, and leapt.
rolled forcefully onto the sidewalk. My shoulder exploded with pain, but I continued to run.
I ran until my lungs burnt.
until I arrived at the alley behind Lina's house.
and came to a halt.
The door stood open.
suspended from a single hinge.
I entered.
It was all ruined.
shattered glass. The wall was covered in blood.
And a noise.
Gentle.
similar to breathing.
I hurried inside.
"Lina!"
No response.
Just a moving shadow at the rear.
I reached for my blade, but a voice stopped me cold.
"Niklas, you're late."
Chiara.
standing next to Lina.
supporting her.
Lina had a pale face. She split her lip. She made an effort to smile.
"She came to save me."
Chiara gave me a nearly disgusted look.
"You're supposed to be her shield. You left her vulnerable.
I refrained from arguing.
I hurried over to Lina. I held her face in my palms.
"I'm present. I'm here now, I promise."
She muttered, "You're almost too late."
My eyes were burning with tears. However, I was unable to let them go.
"Who did this?"
She cast her gaze downward.
didn't have to talk.
Her coat had a note pinned to it.
Two words:
Give it another go.
I looked over at Chiara. "He was in my vehicle. He is observing everything you do.
Chiara moved forward. "Then we don't play defence."
"You got a plan?"
"I have a target."
She gave me a picture.
Jasper's sibling.
Five years ago, he died.
The photo was dated yesterday, though.
"What the hell is going on?"
Chiara's eyes narrowed.
"It's not what it seems."
Then—
A window broke.
The room was filled with smoke.
People yelled.
On my chest, a red dot fell.
Sniper.
We fell.
It rained glass.
Lina let out a scream.
She was pulled down by Chiara.
With my heart pounding, I crept to the corner with my knife out.
Outside—
Steps.
Quick.
Approaching.
Nearer.
Then...
Not a word.
Too silent.
Outside the door, there was a lone murmur.
"Found you."
Now who's after us?
- Writer
