Penelopa felt the darkness surround her, like a soft, velvet blanket. She was tired, exhausted by the daily chaos, and now it all seemed to melt away, as if reality had lost its grip. Even the skirt she was wearing no longer pressed against her, as though her body had finally regained its freedom. Every muscle, every bone slowly relaxed, as if someone had gently removed the weights she had carried her whole life. The silence around her was almost physical – thick, sticky, as if it was pulling her deeper. She felt as if she had entered another world, where everything that had once mattered ceased to exist. In that moment, it was only her and the flickering lights dancing on the edges of her awareness, resembling distant stars she could observe but never reach. It was beautiful, yet terrifying in its indifference.
Suddenly, she felt a slight tug, as though something wanted to pull her out of this drowsy state. Cold pierced her skin, and from the depths of the mist surrounding her, she heard a voice. It was low, melodic, yet full of mystery, as though it echoed from a distant past and an unknown future at once.
- Penelopa... - the voice called, gentle yet firm. It sounded like a voice that tolerated no opposition, yet demanded none.
She opened her eyes. The grip of reality returned immediately, painfully. The images before her blurred, and the world became too bright, too loud once again. With a groan, she grabbed her head, as if trying to stop the pain that suddenly pierced through her. She sat behind the wheel of her car, but now she felt like a stranger in her own body. She curled up into a ball, pulling her knees to her chest.
- Penelopa? - A man's voice sounded again, this time closer. It was her boss, leaning over the open door of the hovering car.
Her head throbbed with pain, and inside, she felt an icy fear, laced with moments of anger. Something was wrong. She had forgotten something, but she didn't know what. As if a part of herself had disappeared.
- Penelopa. - The man repeated, this time quieter, with concern in his voice. - Are you okay?
He crouched beside her, and his hand gently touched her shoulder. At that moment, a slight shiver ran through her body, as if the contact with him had caused a small jolt.
- I... - Penelopa managed to utter with difficulty. Her voice was hoarse, as if she hadn't spoken for days, maybe even weeks.
- Take it easy. - The man said quietly. - Lean on me. I'll help you.
With his assistance, she sat upright, though her body still trembled. Only then did she see his face. Her boss, the man everyone called "The Peacock." Dark, neatly combed hair, which he always kept slicked back, now appeared slightly disheveled. A rebellious strand hung over his forehead. His blue eyes, cold and penetrating, looked at her with a mix of care and calculation. His dark navy suit stood out against the sterile white of the city, contrasting with the surroundings, while the black shirt he wore under his jacket was elegant, yet unsettling in its chill.
- Are you alright? - He asked again, and there was genuine concern in his voice. But Penelopa didn't notice it. Instead, she felt a wave of shame pierce through her body. She began nervously fixing her hair, trying to regain control, though internally, she still felt like a confused child.
- I... - She replied with a trembling voice, nervously smoothing her hair, which now felt too heavy. Something was wrong. She looked around the car, as if searching for something that might remind her why she felt so lost. The feeling that she had forgotten something important overwhelmed her. A shiver ran down her spine, and a huge lump appeared in her throat – a mixture of fear, anger, and despair. She felt like she was going to vomit.
- Nulla. - She whispered, as if that single word could save her. - NULLA! - She screamed, suddenly leaping from her seat, panicked.
- Calm down. - Her boss replied with a calm, yet firm voice, turning his gaze from the roof of the station to where they were standing. - There's no one here. - He added dryly, as if these words were meant to close the matter once and for all.
- Nulla. - Penelopa tossed her hair back, then, disregarding her boss, stood up. The man stepped back, allowing her to exit. She felt her entire body grow heavy, and the heels of her shoes throbbed with pain. She ignored it – the discomfort – and took off her shoes. She walked barefoot, holding her heels in her left hand. Her elegant suit slipped off her right shoulder, but she paid no attention.
She reached the top of the roof, where a stunning view of the city spread out before her, but to her, it was just a wasteland.
- Nulla! - She screamed, tearing her throat. - NULLA! - Her voice echoed, and her boss, standing by the car, only watched her desperation.
- Emi! - She shouted again. Her boss's face, previously indifferent, momentarily changed. Maybe it was in surprise, maybe something harder to describe, before returning to its usual coldness. - Leo! Nulla! - She screamed out more names, struggling to catch her breath. Tears began to flow from her eyes, and the elegant man, standing by the car, started moving toward her. He approached slowly, watching as Penelopa knelt, releasing another wave of tears.
- Who is Nulla? - He asked softly, with a hint of uncertainty in his voice. Penelopa only responded with a quiet sniff.
- I... - She started, but her words were distorted by tears and emotions, hard to understand. Her face was completely red, her eyes glazed, and her lips trembled.
- It's all my fault. - She said, shaking, but her voice was almost unintelligible. Crying, her body collapsed onto the white concrete of the roof. She curled up, trying to shield herself with her arms, as if she wanted to disappear, to run away from everything.
- Penelopa. - Her boss replied, confused, watching her, trying to understand what was happening.
But it was in vain; the woman remained silent, not stopping her crying. Suddenly, the sound of closing doors at the transmission tower cut through the silence like lightning. Penelopa and her boss both jumped up almost simultaneously, turning to the left, toward the entrance. The door burst open, and Leopold ran out, beaming, his arms stretched like a marathon runner nearing the finish line. His face shone with unrestrained joy, and every step he took seemed full of energy, as if he couldn't contain his euphoria. His white shirt was wrinkled, one shoe almost destroyed, and the adrenaline that radiated from him like hot air mixed with the chaos caused by his recent euphoria. He looked like someone who had just made it through hell and couldn't believe he had come out alive.
- I was in the ventilation! - He panted, crouching beside Penelopa. He fixed his hair, which was messy and full of dust. - I've never been in the ventilation before! - He added, as if it were the most important discovery of his life, straightening his shirt as if it could somehow change something.
Emi, who had arrived a moment later, stopped mid-step, completely paralyzed by the sight of Penelopa, curled up on the concrete. His eyes flickered between her trembling body and the car, which was hovering a few inches above the roof. The car's doors were wide open, and an unnatural silence emanated from within. Every step he took filled him with growing unease. He felt his heart pounding in his chest, as if it wanted to escape from this place, from this moment. With each step, his fear grew, but he kept moving, until he stopped by the car. Looking inside, he felt a chilling fear pierce his body.
- Nulla... - He whispered almost silently. His legs buckled, and his breath became shallow. Before he could think about what to do next, he abruptly moved toward Penelopa. Ignoring everything, he grabbed her by the jacket and forced her to stand. Penelopa was like a puppet, limp, her eyes avoiding his gaze. Her boss froze, stunned by the entire situation, but quickly moved forward, grabbing Emi by the wrist, trying to stop him from making any more moves.
Emi suddenly exploded. The shouted anger and despair took control of him. He broke free from the boss's grip and, with the force of Hercules, slammed his fist into his face. The sound of the blow echoed off the roof, and the boss fell to the ground, his face frozen in a look of shock. Leopold stood frozen. He knew that now, any movement could only make things worse.
- Nulla?! - Emi shouted, his voice filled with aggression and desperation. - Where is Nulla?! - he repeated when the silence enveloped everything around, cut only by breathing and the distant hum of the city. His gaze fell on Penelopa, who was doing everything to avoid looking him in the eye.
- Where is Nulla? - his voice was hard, unyielding, and his muscles tensed like a bowstring ready to fire. Silence hung in the air, but it felt as if time had bent. The sun, just dipping toward the horizon, cast long, golden rays across the roof, and the wind gently moved Penelopa's hair. Confused, torn between fear and guilt, she felt that every word spoken now would have irreversible consequences.
- She's not here! - the boss of Penelopa yelled, struggling to rise from the ground. His voice sounded like the crash of a breaking tree, full of anger and desperation. He looked directly into Emi's wild green-beer eyes, which seemed to pierce through him. - There's no one here but us! - he added, trying to calm his own emotions, though he knew his words were like an empty echo with no power to convince them.
- Nulla... - Emi whispered, feeling his body begin to slow down, the world around him turning into a frozen river. Each heartbeat grew heavier, as though with every moment, his body sank deeper into lethargy. - I promised... - he whispered before his knees buckled beneath him, and his body collapsed to the ground as if the weight of his words was too much to bear.
- It's... it's my fault... - Penelopa stammered, choked by the tears that finally broke through the wall she had built around herself. Her face was wet, her hands trembling, and sobs escaped her throat in uneven waves. She felt the world shattering around her, as if every moment was slowly destroying her.
The boss of Penelopa, standing above them, wanted to ask one question: Who is Nulla? But seeing them—Emi and Penelopa—both broken by the same pain, he gave up. They were like mirrors to each other—every movement of their bodies was like a reflection of the other. The sun's rays illuminated their hair, making them seem almost unreal in this scene, yet so full of despair. Leopold, watching them from the side, finally moved. He slowly approached Emi and placed a hand on his shoulder.
- What are you standing around for? - he snapped toward Penelopa's boss with irritation in his voice. - Help me, - he added, trying to sound firm, though he could feel his own emotions slipping out of control. - The cyborgs will be here soon.
- Cyborgs? - the boss repeated, as if the word made no sense in the face of what was unfolding before his eyes.
- Just help me get her into the car! - Leopold interrupted, this time with more urgency. He glanced at Penelopa, still in shock, her body seemingly unresponsive to everything happening around her. The boss approached slowly, hesitating, crouching next to her.
- Penelopa... - he began cautiously, trying to soften his tone. - Let me... I'll help you. - His voice was gentle, but determination showed in his eyes. He cautiously extended his hand, trying to lift her as if afraid that touching her might hurt her even more.
At that moment, a loud horn broke the silence, causing the boss to look toward the car. Leopold, already behind the wheel, waved at him nervously, signaling to hurry up. He squinted, looking at the doors under the tower, where the sounds of heavy footsteps and clanking metal could be heard. The boss barely had time to think of the consequences before he hastily quickened his pace toward the car.
- In the back! - Leopold ordered, pointing with his hand.
- Sure, - the boss nodded and carefully placed Penelopa in the back seat. The girl's head struck Emi's shoulder, who still lay motionless. Seeing this, the boss quickly adjusted her position, gently lifting her head. Once finished, he sat next to her, fastened her seatbelt, and sighed heavily.
- What are you doing? - Leopold asked, glancing at the rearview mirror.
- I'm sitting, - the boss replied coldly, closing the door behind him.
- I see, - Leopold responded, sighing. - But I think you've mixed up the seats, - he added with clear irritation. - They're both in shock, but... - he hesitated, trying to find the right words. - Think about what will happen when Emi wakes up. He'll kill you.
- So what? - the boss answered, looking around the car as if searching for an answer inside it.
- Sit next to me, - Leopold said casually, as if that were the most logical solution.
- Alright, - the boss nodded, not wasting any time.
***
Penelopa sat motionless, almost as still as a porcelain doll whose life had been taken. Her hands, gently clenched on her knees, trembled faintly, as if she were trying to control the emotions boiling inside her like an overflowing ocean. Brown hair fell in uneven strands over her shoulders, casting a shadow of sorrow on her face. Olive eyes, now illuminated by pain, filled constantly with tears that silently ran down her cheeks. Her gaze was fixed far ahead, as though she were trying to find an answer in the gray streets of the White City, or maybe escape from what she had seen — Nulla's abduction, of which she had been a witness and felt responsible for. She felt as though she had failed. She had failed her older brother and friend, and the guilt tore at her soul, as if every memory of that moment was a knife being driven into her heart. She remained silent, trying to keep all her emotions inside, but her body betrayed the inner chaos. The tears, though quiet, were like an uninterrupted stream, slowly draining the last of her strength.
- That crazy guy, - whispered the brunet in front, as if afraid that speaking the words would attract the attention of fate.
- Art. - Leopold replied, speaking with apparent confidence, but there was a note of unease in his voice. - Who would have expected it, - he added, as if trying to convince himself that it wasn't all that unusual.
Emi sat motionless, his body trembling with rage, as if every muscle was fighting for control. Meanwhile, Penelopa, curled in her seat, choked on her own tears. The silence between them was thick, almost palpable, soaked with unspoken pain and fear.
- Do you know how he found you? - Penelopa's boss asked, staring at the road ahead as though the answer might be there.
- No. - Leo replied curtly, without unnecessary explanation. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, as if trying to keep not only the car on track but also the crumbling world around them. - Where should I drop you off? - he asked, changing the subject with the desperation of someone trying to escape uncomfortable truths.
- Me? - The brunet asked, surprised by the change in tone.
- Well, I guess you don't want to be involved in activist matters. - The brunette added with a hint of sarcasm, as if trying to inject a bit of normalcy into the absurd situation.
- No, I don't want to, - the brunet replied mechanically, but when he looked back, his gaze met Emi's. Emi was sitting there, curled up into a ball, as if trying to hide from himself. The anger consuming him pulsed within him like a volcano ready to erupt. The brunet felt his own heart race when he saw the tension in Emi.
- What are you planning to do? - he asked, trying to steer his thoughts away from the painful vision.
- We're going back to Emi's place, - Leopold answered, his voice soft, almost without conviction. After a moment, he added, as if to himself: - I mean, to your old place...
Emi shuddered, his face contorting as if Leopold's words were blades driven into his skin.
- Sure. - The brunet nodded, trying to impose an appearance of control on the situation.
- Yeah, - Leopold nodded, as if that was supposed to solve all the problems.
The conversation grew unbearably heavy. Penelopa's boss avoided the others' gazes, staring at the car's bodywork as if it could offer him the answers he needed. Leo gripped the steering wheel as if it were the only thing holding him together. The car was filled with silence, broken only by Penelopa's quiet sobs.
- SHUT UP! - Suddenly, Emi exploded, his scream tore through the air, as if he could no longer endure the silence or what he had been hearing, the weight that was crushing him.
Everyone looked at him, shock painted on their faces. Even Leopold, who should have been watching the road, glanced back for a moment. Penelopa lifted her gaze, surprised by the intensity of his emotions.
- SHUT UP! - Emi repeated, his voice trembling with rage, and his eyes burned with wild, uncontrollable fury. Without thinking, he reached for the pack of tissues sitting next to him and threw it at the brunet.
- Get a grip! - The elegant man in front shouted, trying to regain control of the situation, but his words seemed powerless in the face of Emi's fury.
- SHUT UP! - Emi threw those words with force, as if trying to make the world silent. This time his anger was directed at Penelopa's boss.
- Calm down! - Leopold warned, trying to stay calm, but his voice betrayed his unease.
- Get me out of here! - Emi yelled, tearing himself free from the seatbelt, as if it were a symbol of his enslavement.
- Emi, calm down. - Leopold replied, his voice growing more and more nervous.
- LET ME OUT! - the brunette screamed, struggling with the seatbelt, then lunged forward, grabbing the steering wheel. The car lost control for a moment, tipping sharply to the side. Everyone inside jolted as the vehicle hit the curb.
- Alright, alright. - Leopold tried to calm him down. - I'll let you out, just calm down. - he said, attempting to regain control of the vehicle.
- You really want to let him out? - asked the surprised man in the front, looking at Leopold.
- I'll let you out. - Leo repeated, ignoring the protests. He looked in the rearview mirror, where Emi sat, trembling and desperate. - But...
- LET ME OUT! - Emi interrupted, his voice sounding like metal scraping against metal.
Leo sighed deeply, lowering the car down to the street. They stopped in front of a bank, its monumental structure resembling a pyramid, as if symbolizing something final.
- We're here. - Leo said quietly.
In response, there was only the loud slam of the door as Emi exited the vehicle.
The brunette walked ahead, ignoring the consequences of his actions with every step. His body shook with rage, and the wind tore at his face, as if trying to disperse his rising emotions. The stares of the passersby fixed on him - too intense, too penetrating, as though their gazes were burning his skin. Still, he kept walking, not paying attention to them. He looked like he was carrying the stone of Sisyphus on his shoulders - tired, exhausted, as though the weight of his own thoughts and guilt was crushing him. "Why am I angry?" he asked himself in his thoughts. Was it because of Nulla's kidnapping? Or the broken promise? He felt lost, as if he couldn't understand his own emotions. Droids that hovered above him like scouts were a few meters overhead. At one point, it occurred to him that he should calm down. He stopped, straightened up, and tried to relax his tense shoulders. A group of elegant women in geometric dresses passing by cast him furtive glances and then whispered loudly, exchanging mocking comments. The words reached his ears - "triangle," "ugly," "weirdo." Usually, such things didn't affect him, but one of the comments struck him deeply.
- Those shoes... Who even dresses like that? - said a woman walking behind him, her voice so disgusting, so cruel, that the man couldn't take it any longer. It was absurd. Why did this tiny detail enrage him? He felt a surge of anger rise within him. Without thinking much, he suddenly turned toward the women, and his gaze landed on the red-haired woman, who looked like a water nymph, clearly mocking him. In an instant, driven by impulse, he reached out, ready to grab a piece of her dress, to finally put her in her place. But before he could do so, he felt a strong hand tighten around his wrist. He looked up and saw Ignacy - a tall man who resembled a corpse. His face, marked with scattered circles, had something fascinating about it, something that didn't make him uglier but rather added an air of mystery. Ignacy, despite his ghostly appearance, exuded confidence, and his smile seemed straight out of an advertisement.
- Calm down, Emi. It's not worth it. - said a calm, almost warm voice from Jaśmin, as if he were trying to bring the brunette back to reality.
Emi's gaze wandered, looking for the "monkey kid," staring at Ignacy, still battling his rising anger, when Jaśmin appeared behind Ignacy, surprised by the sight of the brunette but with a clear sense of guilt in his eyes.
- Sorry... - he muttered quietly, almost inaudibly, as if unsure whether he should even speak.
At the sound of Jaśmin's words, Ignacy's body reacted automatically. He pulled Emi with him, who didn't even resist. The brunette lowered his head, trying to disappear, as if his presence was unwanted, even by himself. With each step, they moved further, and Emi occasionally lifted his gaze, as if he wanted to say something but held the words back, choking on them. Jaśmin, walking ahead, kept glancing back, as if searching for an answer in Ignacy's face, but found none. The silence seemed to grow heavier. Suddenly, the "Monkey Kid" coughed loudly, making the redhead roll his eyes in clear irritation.
- Emi. - Ignacy started, stopping for a moment.
The brunette lifted his face but still avoided Ignacy's gaze, as if afraid of what he might see in it.
- Where's Nulla? - Ignacy asked casually, as if it were a question about the weather. - When did you get back to the apartment? - he added. - I know we took a while, but you didn't have to look for us. We still have plenty of time before six, so we'd have made it back.
- It was hard to get rid of that ambulance. - Jaśmin muttered, almost as if justifying himself, but there was something more in his voice. - A sense of unease he tried to hide.
- I...- Emi mumbled through clenched teeth, as if every word were a burden he couldn't carry.
- You?- Ignacy replied, his voice growing more impatient, as if trying to pull the truth from Emi, even if he wasn't ready to speak it.
- I don't want to talk about it.- Emi's voice began to crack. Desperation seeped into his words, which he tried to suppress, but couldn't.
The two men felt something was wrong. The tension built, as if inevitably leading to a moment when they could no longer avoid the truth. Ignacy looked at Jaśmin, who shook his head, signaling him to remain silent, as if trying to protect Emi from what was about to come.
- Where is Nulla?- Ignacy asked again, this time with more force, his tone growing sharp, almost commanding.
Jaśmin lifted his gaze, feeling as if Ignacy didn't understand.
- At home.- Jaśmin replied, staring directly at Emi. But Emi didn't look up, pressing his lips together, as if afraid that every word spoken now could shatter him in two.
- She...- the brunette whispered, his voice so quiet it almost disappeared in the wind.
- What about her?!- Ignacy suddenly shouted, fear flashing in his eyes. He felt his heart tighten, as if it were collapsing deep into his chest. Thoughts began to devour each other, rage mixing with fear, and each second without an answer felt like another knife in his soul.
Emi's face told him everything. Something had happened. Something that was his fault. He felt it in his bones, he knew it was his fault, even though he didn't yet know the details. His heart froze in his chest, and tears pressed at the corners of his eyes, though Ignacy tried to hold them back, clenching his jaw.
- Nulla?- his voice was no longer calm but filled with desperation.- Tell me, what happened to her!
Emi's mirrored eyes reflected the fear in Ignacy's face. The redhead clenched his fists, feeling his thoughts whirl in thousands of dark scenarios. He wanted to drop to his knees and beg for an answer, but the fear of what he might hear paralyzed him.
- Emi.- Jaśmin began quietly, trying to break free from the spiral of silence.- What happened?
The brunette moved closer to Jaśmin, then, without thinking, collapsed on his left shoulder, crouching down. He didn't cry, but the despair on his face was more striking than any tears. It was silence that hurt more than a scream.
- Ignacy...- Jaśmin spoke, his voice holding the last traces of the seriousness he still had.
Ignacy didn't lift his gaze. The thought of Nulla possibly dying hit him like a wave, destroying everything in its path. His heart pounded wildly, each breath becoming heavy and painful. Guilt slowly consumed him from the inside. In one moment, Ignacy suddenly jerked Emi upward, as if trying to force an answer from him. The gathered passersby stood in a circle, watching them like spectators of a show, unaware of the drama unfolding before them.
- Is she alive?!- Ignacy screamed, his voice trembling with emotions he could no longer contain.
Emi nodded, his face expressionless, as if he had completely shut down.
- She's alive.- he answered flatly, but there was no relief in his voice.
Ignacy collapsed to his knees, kneeling in front of Jaśmin, while the Monkey Kid, confused and frightened, stared at him, feeling helpless in the face of the overwhelming emotions swirling around.
- But...- Emi began, his words like a blade that was about to sever the last threads of hope.
- She's alive!- Jaśmin interrupted him, trying to maintain what little control he had left.- Let's go home.- he urged, trying to lift Ignacy, who had collapsed limply against his chest, completely drained by the emotions.- Help me!- Jaśmin shouted to Emi, desperately trying to take control of the situation, though he felt the ground beneath them was crumbling more and more.
Emi approached Jaśmin, lifting Ignacy and throwing him over his shoulder. They could barely keep their footing, their strength slowly fading, but Emi wasn't giving up. Tensing his muscles, he shook his head as if trying to snap out of it, and began to lead Ignacy toward the white sidewalk, avoiding the crowd of onlookers.
- Emi.- Jaśmin called, pushing through the crowd, his voice growing closer with each step.
The brunette glanced at the boy running toward him.
- Emi.- Jaśmin repeated with concern.- Where are you going?- he asked, his gaze piercing the brunette, as if trying to draw the answer from him.
- I...- Emi began uncertainly, looking around nervously.- Home.- he added, this time more decisively, as if trying to calm himself.
- But not this way.- Jaśmin replied, barely keeping his composure.- We need to cross to the other side of the street.- he added, gesturing with his eyes toward the crosswalk a few meters behind them.
- Sure.- Emi mumbled, stepping back instinctively and heading toward the crosswalk.
When they reached the other side of the street, Jaśmin kept watching Ignacy. Halfway across, the redhead detached himself from Emi's shoulder, walking as if in a trance, like a ghost lost in emptiness. His steps were heavy, almost mechanical. Jaśmin could swear he felt every beat of Ignacy's heart, pounding with pain.
- What's wrong with him? - Jaśmin thought, watching Ignacy's hunched figure. He felt something had broken inside him, but didn't know how to help.
Suddenly, Ignacy stopped, breaking the silence.
- Tell me - he hissed through clenched teeth, his voice full of suppressed anger and helplessness. - At least explain... - he added, his body tense, as if he were fighting himself to keep from exploding.
The brunet froze, his step abruptly halting, so Jaśmin had to step back to avoid bumping into him. The atmosphere between them thickened, as if each breath could be the spark that ignited a storm. Emi glanced at Ignacy, seeing despair and anger in his eyes.
Emi nodded, taking a deep breath as though trying to control the emotions boiling inside him. His body, however, betrayed him – tense muscles, clenched fists, trembling shoulders. He looked away, as if trying to escape what he was about to say. His eyes, though, were honest – filled with fury he couldn't suppress.
- I found out from Penelopa - he started harshly, fighting for calm in his voice. - I wasn't there, but... if I had been... - he paused for a moment, his fists clenching even tighter. - Maybe everything would've turned out differently.
- What do you mean you weren't there?! - Ignacy growled, cutting him off abruptly, his eyes blazing. - You were supposed to be there, Emi! You were supposed to protect her! - He choked on the words, his anger like fire threatening to erupt.
- Ignacy, stop! - Jaśmin interjected, stepping closer, trying to ease the tension. He gently placed his hand on Ignacy's clenched fist, as if that could prevent an outburst. - What was Penelopa doing there? - he asked quietly, not looking at Emi, but at Ignacy, who seemed on the brink of exploding.
Ignacy turned away, his face stiff. - Pen... - he whispered silently, as though he had just understood the whole truth.
Emi looked at them from the side, his breaths heavy, as though gathering strength for the next part of his story. There was something wild about him, like an animal trying to escape a trap.
- When this happened, she thought we were coming back - he began slowly, his words full of anger and pain. - She was in the car, and then she heard a knock. She wasn't ready for what she saw. And there... there stood Art. - He bit his lip, as though the very mention of his name stirred waves of fury. - She'd known him for years, yet... something in him was different. Suddenly, he became someone unfamiliar, dangerous. And instead of acting, instead of fighting, she froze.
Emi quickened his pace, clearly agitated. Each word grew more charged with emotion, as though he was expelling all his suffering.
- Art walked in like a fucking king, as if everything had been planned. And her? Nothing! She stood there, helpless, staring at him as if she couldn't comprehend what was happening. Nulla? She was sitting in the back, terrified, unable to do anything, because she saw that Penelopa... Penelopa had already lost.
Ignacy clenched his fists even tighter, his face rigid, as if he were fighting his own demons. Jaśmin watched Emi with concern, as he rapidly continued unloading the next words, as though unable to stop the flood of emotions.
- Art... - Emi paused, his voice shaking. - That bastard suddenly stopped laughing. He pulled out a knife and pressed it to Penelopa's throat. She didn't flinch. She held the controls like it could save her, and he? He already knew he'd won.
Emi breathed heavily, pausing his story for a moment, his fists white from the tension. - Then... - his voice cracked, though rage still seethed in every word. - then he hit her. He hit her like he wanted to kill her with one blow. Nulla was sitting in the back, she must've been terrified, watching everything crumble. Watching Penelopa's body slump onto the seat.
Emi stopped abruptly, averting his gaze. His breath was heavy, and fury smoldered in his eyes.
- And then? I don't know. Penelopa lost consciousness. And Nulla... she was left there alone, with that psychopath. - He suddenly stopped, as if his body had frozen in that memory. The icy wind pierced his flushed cheek like a sharp knife, reminding him that it was all real.
- You promised... - Ignacy spoke, quietly, almost soundlessly, but his words carried the weight of boulders rolling downhill.
Jaśmin, holding the arm of the redhead, felt like he was submerged in a sea of foreign emotions he didn't understand. They were like waves crashing against him, but they couldn't find an outlet. Hatred? Fear? Anger? Everything blended into one, creating chaos in his young heart. Thoughts of Artur circled in his mind like ravens over carrion, giving him no peace.
- Art... - he whispered, as if that one word could make sense of the storm in his head. He finally spoke louder, desperately. - Do you really think it was him?
- It was him! - Emi replied firmly, almost shouting, and in his eyes, anger burned like a fire nothing could extinguish. - Penelopa... everyone saw it, it was Art! - His voice trembled, as if those words might tear him apart from the inside.
- Maybe... - Jaśmin stammered, barely catching his breath, like a man drowning in uncertainty, grasping at the last spark of hope.
- So you don't know if she's alive? - Ignacy interrupted them, his voice icy, as if every word turned into an icy needle, wounding not only Emi but himself as well.
Emi swallowed hard, as if every breath pained him.
- No, I don't know... - his words were empty, as if he had lost hope, but somewhere deep in his heart, he felt that Penelopa was still alive. - I don't think he killed her. He didn't have time... Besides, I feel like that crazy psychopath is planning something.
Jaśmin looked at Ignacy, as if searching for an answer in him. Desperation lurked in his eyes—the despair of a child seeking protection in the adult world. And Ignacy... Ignacy looked like a statue, carved from stone. Unmoved. His posture was like a rock, but inside... inside, there was a fire burning, consuming him from within. Every memory, every thought of his sister was like a glowing ember that fueled his anger.
- Anyway... - Emi started, looking at Ignacy. His voice took on a strange, mysterious tone, as if he were saying something more than just words. - I feel like he knew exactly what he was doing. Blue and I have been thinking about it for a long time, since that day...
- Do you think it's sabotage? - Ignacy squinted, his voice cold as an icy wind, freezing everything around. His mind was icy, but his heart... his heart was a volcano, ready to erupt.
- I don't know if it's sabotage. - Emi replied, his face showing inner turmoil, as if every thought weighed on him more than he wanted to admit. - But he's definitely not doing anything by accident.
- Pen... - Jaśmin muttered, his voice trembling, and the words escaped his lips as if he were trying to understand something that still eluded him.
- She... - Emi responded, looking away, as if afraid to admit what he was thinking.
- Never mind. - Ignacy interrupted, his voice sounding like a wave crashing on the shore, full of sorrow and anger. - I thought it was just a coincidence of names...
- Do you know Pen? - Jaśmin asked, staring at Ignacy, as if looking for a clue in him. His gaze slid over the spiraling circles on Ignacy's face, etched deep in his cheekbones.
- Penelopa Finder. - Ignacy replied, with a barely noticeable smile, which resembled more the shadow of the past. - The first girl who hit me... and the first one I didn't date. His words were bitter, as though they invoked memories he had long wished to leave behind.
Jaśmin looked at him incredulously, as if he couldn't grasp that Ignacy could speak about the past with such indifference.
- Is she okay? - Ignacy asked, this time with greater concern, as though that one thought had finally broken through his stone shell.
- Besides a huge bruise on her head... not much. - Emi answered, his tone dry, devoid of emotion, as though he was saying the words without thinking.
- Alright. - Ignacy nodded, but his voice still sounded harsh, like a muffled rumble of a storm that brought no relief. It was a mix of sorrow and anger, tinged with broken fury that, like a fire, consumed his insides, turning them to ash.
- Jaśmin. - Ignacy said, glancing at the hand around his clenched fist.
- Yes? - The boy responded, like a mischievous child who, like Ignacy, had plunged into his thoughts. Every time dark scenarios filled his mind, he squeezed Ignacy's hand tighter.
- Are you alright? - Ignacy finally asked, looking at Jaśmin.
The boy stared at him silently, his glassy eyes betraying a storm of emotions he couldn't express in words.
- You know... - Emi spoke gently, breaking the silence. - Even if he really went mad, maybe... maybe he wasn't the one who planned all of this? Emi's voice was full of concern.
Ignacy turned to him, as if searching for the answer to a question he already knew.
- Are you worried... about Artur? - He interjected with tension, and a spark of anger flared in his eyes. He abruptly slid Jaśmin's hand from his, as if the touch reminded him of something he didn't want to remember, and pulled away from the boy.
Jaśmin remained silent, staring at Ignacy like a lost child.
- No. - He finally denied softly.
- Stop pretending. - Emi interjected accusingly. - I can see it. You want to prove to everyone that you're like Blue. His voice was full of frustration, and after a moment, as if realizing he'd gone too far, he added more softly: - I promise I'll explain everything... Blue and I.
- If he did anything to her... - Ignacy gritted his teeth, and the words came slowly, as if each one was a wound to his soul. - If he did anything to my sister... His voice cracked for a moment, and his gaze met Jaśmin's enormous dark eyes. In them, he saw his reflection, a specter of rage that had no outlet. - I'll go with them. - He finally said softly. - I want to know the truth too. I have more right to it than anyone else... His gaze turned to Emi, as if expecting confirmation. - He kidnapped my sister.
The words sounded harsh, but Ignacy felt that the emotions he had tried so hard to hide were building up inside him like a storm. Why hadn't he exploded? Why didn't he scream at Emi, at Artur, at everyone? He knew it wouldn't help. He knew the guilt didn't rest only with them—it was with him too. A thousand two hundred thoughts circled in his mind, none of them offering any relief.
- Fine. - Emi nodded, glancing at Ignacy. - I sent the signal. - He said calmly. - Leopold and I.
- Leo? - Jaśmin asked, surprised, clearly perking up. - He's here too?
- Yes. - Emi confirmed.
- Leopold will help us. - Jaśmin added, looking at Ignacy with hope.
- Leo? - Emi interrupted with sarcasm. - He's a fool.
Jaśmin sighed deeply but did not let go; his hand remained firmly in Ignacy's left hand. It was clear he was struggling to hold himself together, not wanting to explode with anger, but the fury smoldered in his eyes.
- It's almost six. We should've been home by now. - Jaśmin answered calmly, as if he didn't notice Emi's anger. - We can't afford any more mistakes. We need to stick to the plan before everything falls apart. - He glanced at the dusty street, as if assessing whether they already had enough enemies on their tail.
- We can't go home now; it's a much better idea to head to the spell. - Emi explained, then stepped closer. His anger almost choked him, his hands clenched into fists. - The spell is closer than home!
- Trust me, Emi. - Jaśmin said, his voice carrying an unfamiliar firmness.
Emi hesitated, then turned his head. His anger was giving way to frustration and helplessness, something he couldn't stand. He didn't like when someone undermined his decisions, but Jaśmin remained unyielding.
They continued walking, now in silence, as if every step was taken with even greater caution. Every street they passed seemed narrower, like a maze with no way out. Ignacy felt like a rat in a trap, with no escape. It felt as if the walls might collapse on them at any moment. But Jaśmin didn't let go of his hand, which gave him an odd sense of security.
- We're in Violin district. - Jaśmin spoke suddenly, breaking the silence that had almost weighed them down. - We don't have much time, but… - He paused, staring at a massive 5D advertisement showing a violin. If we head east, we'll be home in half an hour.
Ignacy looked at Jaśmin. There was something in his eyes, something Ignacy couldn't name. He was in awe that Jaśmin could remain so calm in this situation. He himself felt like he was on the edge of despair, as if every step he took was the last one he could manage.
- How do you know where we are? - Emi, still irritated, couldn't hide his surprise.
- Blue described this area to me. - Jaśmin answered without hesitation, pointing to the massive 5D digital advertisement depicting a violin. - He said that if we ever ended up here, we should head east. We've got half an hour to get home, and almost an hour to the spell.
Ignacy looked at Jaśmin, feeling a sudden rush of admiration. In that moment, Jaśmin seemed enlightened, as if he knew exactly what he was doing. His confidence was so unexpected that Ignacy couldn't ignore it.
- Sure, because now we have time to admire the scenery. - Emi threw those words out with irony, his anger still vibrating beneath the surface. - Every cyborg in this district is staring at us. - He looked around, as if searching for evidence to back up his words.
Jaśmin didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the honey-colored rays of the setting sun. Ignacy felt that Jaśmin was planning something, but he couldn't guess what it was. He wanted to speak, to ask a question, but a dry, painful lump was stuck in his throat. He felt like a fool.
- We need to hurry. - Ignacy said, his voice suddenly stronger, though he was still on the verge of breaking inside.
- Teodor and Blue should already be there, - Emi started, but stopped, as if remembering something. - Didn't they have to look for Art?
Emi's words echoed faintly in Ignacy's mind. His breath quickened, and his head began to throb. He tried to focus on the words, but his thoughts scattered.
- Damn. - Emi hid his face in his hands, as if wanting to cut himself off from everything. Ignacy barely managed to stop himself from doing the same. He felt his whole body shake, as if every part of him was pleading for escape, for the end of this nightmare.
- Stop it. - Jaśmin spoke with sudden harshness in his voice. His tone was cold, but he didn't lose the same firmness he had shown from the start. - We won't accomplish anything if we break down here. Blue definitely didn't leave Teodor alone with Art. That's not his style.
Emi looked up, filled with doubt. He felt his own thoughts starting to unravel, but he still couldn't believe what Jaśmin was saying.
- We need to get home and sync up with the others. - Jaśmin said firmly. - It's dangerous here. If they catch us, we'll lose everything.
- I… - Ignacy choked out, staring blankly at the white sidewalk. He felt like the world around him was ceasing to exist, and all that remained was the endless white beneath his feet.
- Even if they have Teodor and Nulla… - Jaśmin replied calmly, looking at Ignacy with determination. His voice was quiet but full of inner strength. - There's still you.
Ignacy raised his gaze, as if not understanding what Jaśmin meant. Surprise flashed in his eyes, but Jaśmin continued, speaking confidently, as if he knew how the story would end. It was hard for Ignacy to believe that Jaśmin was just fifteen, the same age he had been so determined to protect.
- They'll probably come for you too. - Jaśmin added with a mysterious half-smile, his eyes still full of calm. - So...
- You want to use him as bait? - Emi interrupted, his voice sharp, almost accusatory. He looked at Jaśmin with clear anger, as if he couldn't fathom that plan.
- I won't have to. - Jaśmin replied, his confidence almost irritating Emi. His words came from Jaśmin like a sentence, but his face remained unwavering.
- Blue… - Ignacy said flatly.
- Exactly. - Jaśmin confirmed, nodding. His eyes once again gleamed with determination. - We need to find Blue.