From the very entrance, the apartment felt cramped and chaotic, as if the basic principles of spaciousness had been forgotten. There was even a lack of a corridor – you entered straight into a larger room, which, as Nulla quickly noticed, was essentially the entire apartment. To the left, against the wall, stretched a small, somewhat neglected kitchen with cabinets in a bottle-green color, faded as though someone had forgotten about them for decades. To the right, along the entire length of the wall, was a row of large windows, letting in the pale glow of sunlight, lighting up the room that resembled one big junkyard. A gray sofa, covered with a bottle-green blanket, looked like it hadn't been used for sleeping in ages but rather as an additional table for piles of scattered clothes. Everywhere, there were heaps of things scattered about: on the floor, clothes were piled up, creating chaotic mounds. Across from the sofa, on the TV stand, stood a small television – at first glance, disproportionately small for the space. However, the biggest shock for the girl was hanging above it – a huge golden chandelier. It looked as though someone had taken it from a luxurious hotel and awkwardly placed it in this cramped, neglected apartment. The gold shimmered in the light streaming through the translucent curtains, and the crystals sparkled like billions of tiny stars, completely mismatched with the surrounding mess. The white walls were almost empty, except for a few gold frames hanging above the sofa – clearly, an attempt had been made to match them to the chandelier, resulting in an even more absurd effect. Nulla scanned the room with her eyes and stopped at the wall next to her – there was the familiar monitor, embedded in the surface. The girl sighed, shaking her head in disdain. The kitchen part was just as chaotic as the rest of the room: on the countertop, dirty dishes, food scraps, and empty packaging lay as though someone had abandoned any attempts at order long ago. In the entire room, besides the entrance door, there was another set of doors – next to two mirrored wardrobes that stood right by the TV stand. Standing at the threshold of this space, Nulla felt growing confusion and irritation, as if the very space itself was beginning to put pressure on her.
- "Who even lives in such a mess?" - she thought with disgust. The feeling deepened when she took two steps forward, and her foot suddenly landed on a white sheet of paper. She bent down, intrigued, then read aloud: - "Telecommuting agreement of Fabian Markołów."
She furrowed her brows. How could someone just throw personal documents on the floor? Her thoughts raced, filled with disapproval and anger.
She lifted her gaze to Emi, who was standing next to her, seemingly not at all concerned with the mess. He stood there calmly, as if this chaos were perfectly normal, as if he didn't even notice how absurd the surroundings were.
- Something wrong? - Emi asked, noticing Nulla's clenched lips and quick glance at him.
Nulla blinked, trying to suppress the rising anger. She simply replied, with a cold expression: - Nothing. - Her tone was chilly, but beneath that superficial indifference, there was anger she didn't want to show.
- Well... at least this time the pile of clothes didn't crush us. - Emi said, breaking the silence, with a slight touch of sarcasm in his voice.
Nulla glanced at him, holding the dirty, crumpled agreement in her hands. She wrinkled her nose in disgust, as if the sight of the paper was repulsive. She let the sheet fall, which landed on the pile of old clothes lying on the floor.
- Who even lives here? - she asked loudly and clearly, with noticeable distaste in her voice. - Wasn't your ex concerned about hygiene? - she added, shifting her gaze from the paper to Emi.
Her face expressed a mixture of disgust and disbelief, as if she couldn't believe someone could live in such chaos.
Emi looked at her calmly, as though the entire mess was completely normal to him.
- You know... this isn't even her apartment. - he began, his tone measured, as if trying to calm her indignation. - It's just a stopover between the White City and the Third Wall... Or, differently, between the Neon districts. - he added after a moment, as if explaining the rules of a game in which Nulla didn't quite understand the rules.
Nulla nodded, but her face still showed dissatisfaction.
- I see. - she replied briefly, but still felt frustration growing in her chest at the sight of the mess around her. - But still... - she groaned, feeling the disorder beginning to overwhelm her.
- I know. - Emi admitted, looking at the scattered clothes and gray sofa, as if their presence was completely indifferent to him. - But it's not your apartment. - he added calmly, as if that was supposed to settle the matter. - Wait here, I'll go wash up, then we'll look for some shoes for you. - he said, heading towards the door.
Nulla looked down at her feet, clad in brown moccasins that were at least seven sizes too big. She furrowed her brows and sighed.
- Now? You're going to wash now? - she asked, raising her gaze to Emi in disbelief.
- Wait here. - Emi repeated, as if it were obvious. - I'll just wash my feet. - he added, disappearing behind the white door.
- Sure. - the girl muttered, not even having time to respond, as Emi disappeared faster than she could open her mouth. - How am I supposed to walk in shoes from THIS room? - she thought, irritated, glancing around the messy interior. Thoughts began to swirl in her mind, growing increasingly overwhelming with each passing moment.
The sound of water running from the shower filled the room, mixing with her frustrations and growing fatigue. Nulla looked at the second door, behind which Emi had disappeared.
- So it must be the bathroom... - she added quietly to herself, trying to organize her thoughts. But even that didn't make her feel any better.
Tired and drained, she pushed a pile of clothes off the couch, making a bit of space for herself. With a sigh, she collapsed onto the sofa, feeling the weight of the day slowly crush her. Her gaze wandered around the disheveled room, and she felt the tension in her body slowly reaching its peak.
- My feet... - Nulla muttered, massaging her aching ankles, then with relief, took off the oversized moccasins. She barely suppressed another sigh as the sound of the shower continued, reminding her how long this awkward moment had been. She leaned back against the couch, closing her eyes for a moment, letting her thoughts flow freely. - How can she live like this? - she thought, with slight irritation, staring at the gleaming golden chandelier, its light bouncing off the oppressive glow.
The sound of the water pouring from the shower grew increasingly monotonous, putting her in a strange trance, when suddenly there was a loud jolt at the front door. Her heart began to beat faster, and her sense of security immediately vanished. Without hesitation, she rushed to the door, behind which Emi had hidden. Fear mixed with anger as she knocked with a pounding heart, though more out of rage than fear.
- Emi? - she asked, trying to sound polite, though her voice trembled with rising anxiety.
The brunette remained silent, and the sound of the shower didn't stop, as if the whole situation was just a backdrop, indifferent to him.
- Emi? - she repeated, this time more insistently, tugging at the handle with grotesque desperation. Each tug seemed unnecessary to her, but she couldn't stop herself.
Her heart hammered in her chest as though it were about to explode. Her pulse quickened, each beat feeling as if anger mixed with helplessness.
When she heard the door opening, without thinking, she rushed toward the wardrobe as if it might protect her from whatever was to come. Clothes spilled off the shelves, and she curled up in the corner, letting the darkness envelop her like a cocoon. Every sound from outside struck her awareness like a church bell. Her nerves began to tear, and her irrational fear grew, just like her anger toward Emi. How could he leave me here? Doesn't he see someone could come in? How could he be so careless? - she thought, with each heartbeat feeling her anger swell.
- Do you hear that? - suddenly, an unfamiliar woman's voice cut through the silence, sending a chill down Nulla's spine.
A muffled, barely audible breath escaped her throat as she stared into the darkness, trying to understand what was happening.
- Who is it? - a low male voice asked, a hint of concern in it. - Don't tell me...
- Again. - the woman interrupted him impatiently, her voice full of mockery, as if the situation didn't concern her.
Nulla pressed herself tighter against the wardrobe wall, trying to catch every rustle. Her heart was beating faster and faster.
- I wonder what this time? - the woman asked, her voice clearly full of contempt.
- So I was right. - the man replied, his tone suggesting satisfaction, as if he wanted to boast.
Nulla felt her anger rise as the conversation became more and more absurd. What are they doing here? - she thought, with each word growing angrier at Emi, who had left her in this uncertain situation.
- Seriously? You want to brag too? - the woman answered, clearly bored.
- No... I just... - the man started to explain, but then added: - I told you it was their doing.
Nulla covered her mouth with her hand, trying to breathe quietly. How much do they know? - the question repeated in her mind, and her thoughts swirled like wind in a closed room. Are they activists? Did Emi deliberately bring me here? Black scenarios kept forming, and unlike the ever-flowing shower, they didn't stop.
- Idiots. - the woman commented with clear disdain, and her voice carried a cold, calculating certainty.
Nulla squeezed deeper into the wardrobe, as if trying to disappear, and her body trembled. She considered running—could she jump out now, surprise the intruders enough to escape? But every thought seemed impractical, and her heart raced faster. Her mind was full of chaos, filled with anger and fear. The sound of the door opening abruptly interrupted her thoughts.
- What are you doing here?! - she heard Emi's voice. His tone seemed calm, as if what was happening was just something normal. Is he in league with them? - the question kept coming back in her mind.
- Pen... Leo? - Emi asked, his voice sounding uncertain, almost clumsy.
- What are you doing here? - the woman answered, completely unphased by his presence.
- NULLA! NULLA! - suddenly, Emi started shouting, and in his voice, there was a desperation, as if the whole situation was completely out of his control.
Nulla felt her body become heavy, as if she were about to sink into the ground. What am I doing? What now? - she thought, but her legs refused to obey. She remained motionless, like a statue, petrified with fear.
- What are you doing, you freak?! - the furious stranger shouted, and her voice pierced the air like a knife.
- NULLA! - Emi kept calling out, as if his entire existence depended on that one word. But she couldn't move. She covered her face with her hands, trying to quiet her own fear.
Then, as if against her will, she sneezed. The sound rang out in the silence like a gunshot, breaking the tension. After a moment, the wardrobe doors were suddenly thrown open, and light from outside illuminated her pale face.
- Nulla, - Emi said, this time in a calm, almost gentle tone, which shook her even more. - Didn't you hear me calling you? - he asked, kneeling beside her.
Nulla lifted her gaze, seeing Emi half-naked, wrapped only in a white towel. His muscular figure caught her attention, even though she tried to look away. She could feel her cheeks burning as she tried to avoid looking at him, focusing instead on the floor.
- Is it because of them? - he asked, glancing over his shoulder at the two strangers who were looking at her with clear interest. - You can leave now, - he added, extending his hand to her.
Reluctantly, Nulla took his hand and slowly stood up. With every moment, she felt the tension in her body grow.
- I'll tell Ignacy, - she muttered, stepping out of the wardrobe. Her eyes were gleaming, and her gaze at Emi was full of mixed emotions. She wanted to punish him for getting her into this situation, but at the same time, she longed to feel safe, even if it meant staying close to him.
As she stood on her feet, she lifted her gaze, meeting the eyes of the two intruders.
In front of her stood an elegant brunette in a white jacket and knee-length skirt. She looked as if she had just stepped off the runway - her olive-green eyes looked at Nulla with clear boredom, as if everything happening around her was a waste of time. Beside her stood a man, taller than her by several inches. He resembled a model from an ad - perfectly styled hair, fair skin, dressed in a beige suit and moccasins. His appearance was flawless, and his face was adorned with a warm but empty smile, framed by cinnamon-colored eyes that sparkled like marbles. His face was dotted with freckles, and standing next to the stranger, he looked like a teenager beside an elderly woman.
- I'm tired of this, - the brunette said, sitting down on the sofa as if everything that had happened was nothing more than an inconvenient obstacle.
- I'm Leopold Lubiański, - the man introduced himself, extending his hand towards Nulla. His tone was polite, and his smile wide, as if nothing could shake his confidence.
- N-Nulla Świt, - she replied, shaking his hand hesitantly, feeling her body still trembling with tension.
- I know you, - Leopold said confidently, as if the conversation were merely a formality.
- Aren't you going to ask anything? - Emi interjected, his voice laced with amusement, as though it were a game he wasn't about to give up.
- Should I? - Leopold replied sarcastically. - Other than the fact that you swapped your boyfriend for a girlfriend?
Nulla looked at Emi, clearly surprised, as if something didn't quite fit in this whole situation. Her mind was trying to make sense of what she had just heard, but understanding didn't come easily.
- You, on the other hand, still can't stop clinging to Pen, huh? - Emi shot back just as sarcastically, biting as always.
Leopold glanced at the brunette, who rolled her eyes in a way that spoke louder than a thousand words.
- Penelopa, - she said, walking over to the kitchen sink as if the whole scene didn't matter to her. - Why did you bring Ignacy's sister here? - she asked, clearly displeased, as if it were one of the worst things that could have happened.
- Ignacy... - Nulla repeated silently, her eyes wide open as if she herself were trying to understand what she was involved in.
Penelopa smiled coldly, as if it were a matter of pure formality.
- I know, - she said, pouring water into a dirty glass. The stream of water from the tap filled the space, adding a certain absurd boredom to the silence in the room.
Nulla felt as if none of this was entirely real - that something was off, but she couldn't quite grasp it.
- I know him too, - Leo broke the silence, as if this conversation were some childish confession. Nulla turned to face him but didn't want to look at him, as his words sounded so... artificial. - Well, maybe not exactly know him, - Leo added, trying to filter his gaze, as if searching for the right words to defuse the situation.
- You don't know him, - Penelopa interrupted him, not letting him finish. Her tone was resolute, as if everything Leo said was meaningless. - Where's Blue? - she suddenly asked, changing the subject as if she wasn't interested in the rest of the conversation.
- Can't you see? I traded him in, - Emi replied, but his sarcasm didn't hide his impatience.
- Sure, - Penelopa nodded, her green eyes shining, but her gaze full of clear reserve. - Nulla, - she finally addressed the white-haired girl, and her tone left no room for disagreement.
- I... - the teenager stammered, feeling overwhelmed by the situation. It was all too much for her.
- He's watching Teo, - Emi replied, trying to sound as matter-of-fact as possible, as if that would resolve the entire matter.
- Great, - Penelopa responded skeptically, with clear sarcasm. - You dragged him into all of this, - she said with disapproval, as if she were sure the whole situation was one big mistake. - So this is the fault of that idiot, - she added, and there was a certainty in her voice that Nulla couldn't ignore, even though the woman was ruthless.
Leo, nonetheless, maintained an air of elegance, as if this whole thing were just a game. - And have you found the missing one yet? - Penelopa asked, not hiding her displeasure, her question sounding like an accusation.
- He found himself, - the brunette replied, his voice devoid of any emotion, as if the matter didn't mean much to him.
- Hey! - Penelopa called out, turning to Nulla, her tone firm and commanding. - Sit down, - she ordered, pointing to the sofa as if the whole situation had been settled.
Nulla swallowed loudly, feeling as if she were under some hypnotic spell, and, enchanted, did exactly as instructed. She felt lost, and Penelopa's gesture seemed so natural, as though it were part of a larger plan, in which Nulla was only a small piece. Emi followed Nulla, but with a clear delay, as though reluctantly entering her space. There was something more in his eyes—perhaps amusement, perhaps irritation—but he didn't let on how much everything was getting on his nerves.
- What are you doing? - Penelopa asked, staring at the brunette with slight disdain. - Are you standing there? - she added rudely, as if the situation had already been decided.
- You'd better listen to her, - Leopold chimed in, casually leaning against the wall, with a smile that could have meant either satisfaction or pure amusement with the whole awkward group.
- Sure, - Emi replied, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. - I'll stand.
Nulla felt something grind inside her, but she couldn't express it. Everything around her seemed unreal, and emotions surged like a wave she tried to hold back, but she had no strength left.
- What are you two doing here? - Penelopa asked, her voice growing more impatient.
- We... - Nulla began shyly, her gaze still fixed on Penelopa's shiny hair. There was something magnetic about it, something that made it hard to look away.
- We need to reach the point, - Emi interrupted, his tone a little too indifferent, as if something about this mission no longer mattered.
- The point? - Penelopa repeated, surprised, her gaze fixing on Emi with undisguised resignation. - What have you done?
- Nothing yet, - the brunette replied, as if admitting failure was something he couldn't hide. - I mean, - he paused, remembering yesterday's fire. The thought still haunted him, but he didn't want to admit it.
- Wonderful, just wonderful, - Penelopa replied, her voice filled with irritation, as though every moment spent with them was unbearable. - And what do you expect from me? - she asked, clearly annoyed.
- Nothing, - Emi replied, equally irritated. His tone was so indifferent that Nulla felt as if it were the end of some game. The girl's gaze shifted to him, but she didn't dare say anything. - I mean, we need shoes, - Emi added, swallowing as if he had finally remembered the most important issue.
The brunette observed them alternately, his face stone-like, as if nothing happening around him mattered.
- Excuse me, - Nulla interrupted, her voice full of innocence and nervousness, which caught everyone's attention. - Could I please have a glass of water? - she asked, directing her question directly to Penelopa.
- Ahh, - Penelopa sighed, unsure what to answer. - Sure, - she nodded, turning to the cabinet to get a glass.
Her movements were mechanical, as if she knew these gestures by heart. She filled the glass with water, and the sound of flowing water seemed to separate Nulla from the rest, as if she were in a different world.
- Thank you, - Nulla said kindly, taking the glass Penelopa offered her. - Thank you, - she repeated, although she wasn't sure if Penelopa heard her. The woman evoked a certain admiration in her, but what intrigued her more was her role in all of this. She grabbed the glass, hiding her disgust, then calmly drank the water. She felt that only this way could she understand something.
- Never mind, - Penelopa muttered, clearly bored. - You still won't make it to the point, - she added confidently, as if the whole thing had already been decided.
- Why not? - Emi asked, trying to sound as ignorant as usual, but this time there was something more impatient in his voice.
- They've closed it, - Leopold interjected, pushing off from the wall. - They've closed most of the roads, not to mention the cyborgs stationed everywhere, - he added with some irony, as if it were obvious.
- It's because of your fire, - Penelopa replied, her voice filled with disapproval as she looked at the brunette. Emi turned his gaze to Nulla, and his face immediately stiffened.
- That fire... - he started, still unable to get rid of what happened the previous day. - That... - he stopped, realizing it didn't change anything. - The fact... but it doesn't change anything, we need to get to the point.
- Why? - Penelopa asked, her tone full of doubt.
- Adam, - the brunette answered briefly, as if that answer were absolutely sufficient.
- Adam, - Leopold repeated, his voice full of irony. - What about him? - He asked the question with cold calm, which clearly contrasted with the rising tension in the room. His wrist, adorned with shining rings, gleamed in the light, reminding that in this world, nothing was as simple as it seemed.
- We need to check on him, - Emi answered mysteriously, his tone becoming more assertive. - We have some doubts, - he added, clearly signaling that this wasn't just any issue.
- First, tell me how you ended up here, - Penelopa demanded, taking control of the conversation. Her tone was firm, as if nothing else mattered.
- We don't have time for this! - Emi argued, but his protest sounded increasingly unconvincing, as if he didn't want to reveal too many details.
- You also need to tell me about Ignacy. I don't believe he voluntarily left his sister with you, - Penelopa looked at Emi with clear suspicion. - The witch is untouchable, - she added, as if repeating something that was commonly known.
Nulla felt a pang in her heart but tried not to show it. Penelopa had no right to speak about her that way, but she knew there was no room for opposition now.
- Jaśmin, Blue... - Penelopa started, but her sentence was interrupted by Leo.
- They'll tell everything in order. - Leopold's voice was so calm that almost the entire atmosphere of the conversation seemed to shift in his favor.
- We don't have time. - Emi reminded them, his voice more impatient than usual. - We need to catch today's train to the Neon district. - he added, reminding everyone of the urgency of their task.
- I'll take you, even by my own train. - Leopold replied, as if it made no difference to him.
- Besides, Penelopa, you'd end up relying on me anyway. - Penelopa interjected, her tone full of confidence. - You need to tell me. - She pressed Emi, still maintaining control over the conversation.
- I'll start. - Nulla interrupted, her voice a little weaker but determined. She looked at Emi, who stood like a lion, and she felt that now it was up to her to decide how to take control of the situation. - He... - She hesitated for a moment, feeling that now everything depended on her words.
- He should get dressed. - Penelopa preempted her, as if it were absolutely necessary for the conversation to continue.
Nulla looked at Penelopa with mild surprise but didn't respond. The entire situation felt overwhelming, but she didn't have time to think.
- If we don't make it back in time... - Emi said, turning toward Nulla, his voice full of concern but also fear. - We need to hurry.
- You won't go to the point without my pass. - Leopold reminded him, his voice firm, as if he were the only one who could change anything in this situation.
- Great. - Emi grimaced, feeling his frustration grow.
- Go get dressed. - Penelopa ordered, her tone now softer but still full of dominance.
Emi felt his anger rising, but when he looked at the tired and dejected Nulla, everything inside him froze. Nulla's gaze, her quiet struggles with her own emotions, were something that stopped him. Without a word, he agreed to everything, though he wasn't sure what that meant. He disappeared behind the white bathroom door, leaving behind a silence that spoke louder than any words.