The smile from the girl in his dream deeply disturbed Hans.
Getting up, he lit a cigarette and stepped onto the balcony.
It was deep into the night, yet the city below twinkled with lights.
The city would never be as dark as those days of his past, but that radiant girl from his memories would forever remain buried in that dark time.
Then, Renee's gentle form pressed against his from behind.
Her voice, thick with sleepiness, whispered, "Is anything wrong?"
"Nothing."
"You're lying." She reached up to smooth the furrows in his brow. "It's been ages since I've seen you this agitated."
Her fingertips were cool against his skin. Hans glanced down and noticed she was barefoot.
His frown deepened as he suggested, "It's cold here. Just come inside."
"No, let's go back together," she ins
