The door slammed shut with a quiet click, leaving Jaśmin alone in the empty room. He felt as though the whole world had suddenly cut itself off from him, sealed behind a thick wall that he couldn't break through. He sat on the bed, paralyzed by emotions that poured out from him like a rushing river. Around him lay scattered medications and clothes, the only movement in the static scene being the curtains gently fluttering in the breeze coming through the open window. A cool draft caressed his flushed cheeks, which burned with anger and frustration.
- Why?! - a muffled cry escaped his chest, but it sounded more like a call to himself than to the world. His heart thudded in his chest, imposing a chaotic rhythm in which the silence around him echoed. Everything felt distant and unreal.
Ignoring his surroundings, Jaśmin threw himself onto the mattress, stretching out on the damp pillow that still smelled like Ignacy. The bedclothes were wet from his earlier touch, leaving an echo of Ignacy's recent presence. Jaśmin curled up like a snake seeking shelter, hiding his face in his hands as if he wanted to disappear, erase himself, his identity, his existence. He wanted to scratch his eyes out, wipe his mouth, but he didn't know where to start. With every passing moment, he felt something pulling him down, as if an invisible force was dragging him deeper into a whirlpool. His body felt heavier, as though gravity had doubled its strength. At one point, almost driven by an inexplicable impulse, Jaśmin suddenly stood up. He paced around the room, making two loops, like the hands of a clock that couldn't stop. Finally, he sat by the door, leaning his back against it and looking at the glistening doorknob in the moonlight. He wanted to leave, escape, leave behind the suffocating silence, but something stopped him. He hesitated, reaching his hand toward the door. Was it a good idea? Jaśmin felt that he had no strength left for more decisions. He turned toward the white room, desperate and lost. He didn't want to stay here. Not alone. He made up his mind. He stepped out of the room with determined strides, his legs carrying him, ignoring any consequences. He descended the white stairs, each step seeming louder than the last, as if the echo of his presence was betraying him. Soon, just before the living room, he stopped and hid in the shadow. Suddenly, he saw them. Ignacy was sitting on the sofa, tired, as if the world had long ceased to matter to him. His head was resting against the back of the couch, and his gaze, fixed on the ceiling, seemed to escape somewhere far beyond understanding. Blue, the blue-haired boy, rested on his thighs, his face relaxed as though the world outside of them didn't exist at all. The silvery strands of Blue's hair shone in the faint moonlight, and the shadows cast by the cool light seemed to ripple around them, creating an atmosphere from another dimension, dark yet magical. The air was slightly chilly, and the shadows, like living creatures, wandered across the walls. Jaśmin stood in the shadow, almost blending into the darkness, as if he wanted to disappear, yet he couldn't tear his gaze away from the scene before him. His heart raced, but it wasn't the anger that usually swelled inside him. It was something else. Something that filled his body with strange tension, stretching time into eternity. Blue's words were barely audible, whispering in the silence of the night, but Jaśmin wasn't listening to them. That wasn't what mattered. What mattered was Ignacy. The pale face of the red-haired boy seemed distant, as though everything happening around him didn't matter. The calmness on his face was almost unsettling. Suddenly, a smile appeared on Ignacy's lips - barely noticeable, almost nonexistent, but to Jaśmin, it was a blow straight to the heart. "Why is he smiling?" - the question rang out in his mind, echoing. He took a step forward, but he was still stuck in the shadow, feeling how that tiny smile from Ignacy suddenly pulled him out of his world. He wanted to understand what could have made Ignacy so happy at that moment. What made him look so... content? He absorbed every gesture, every moment, even though he couldn't hear their conversation. His heart beat so loudly that for a moment, he lost his balance, as though that one beat could knock him over. He tried to catch his breath, but something was choking him. Maybe it was jealousy, or maybe it was fear. Fear that breaking this moment would destroy everything he had. Fear that, in reality, there was no place for him in this scene. He felt like an intruder, watching a world that didn't belong to him.
- What are you doing? - a quiet voice whispered behind him.
A warm hand rested on his left shoulder, and Jaśmin flinched, turning around with clear surprise.
- Leo... - he started, but the brunet interrupted him, covering his mouth with his hand.
- Quiet - whispered Leopold with a slight smile. - Unless you want to interrupt them?
Jaśmin lowered his head, avoiding eye contact. He remained silent, unsure how to respond.
- What are you doing here? - Jaśmin asked, raising an eyebrow.
- I heard someone running down the stairs, - Leopold answered somewhat uncertainly.
- That was me, - admitted the monkey-faced kid quietly.
- I noticed that now, - Leopold remarked dismissively. - But why are you standing here?
Jaśmin hesitated, looking around the room, unsure how to respond. His gaze drifted to the corners, searching for an excuse, but nothing came to mind.
- Are you trying to check on Blue? - Leopold asked, tilting his head as if he wanted to peer deeper into Jaśmin's thoughts.
- What? - Jaśmin looked at him, clearly not understanding.
- You must have heard, - Leopold started. - I didn't want... it wasn't about Sebastian and Teresa. - He spoke slowly, explaining himself.
Jaśmin looked at him, trying to find the right words.
- I didn't hear anything, - he lied firmly. - And besides, if you fought with Blue, then he's just as guilty. Don't worry about it, we often say things we don't mean. It's just our emotions, which are sometimes shaped by others.
Leopold raised an eyebrow, and his lips curled into an ironic smile.
- Are you quoting me now? - he asked with amusement.
Jaśmin looked away, staring at the wall.
- If you know, then why ask? - he responded with clear reluctance.
- Sure, - Leopold nodded, and his face brightened for a moment, as if some burden had lifted off his shoulders. With a gentle smile, he leaned toward Jaśmin and lightly ruffled his hair. Jaśmin looked at him in surprise but smiled back after a moment.
- Why aren't you sleeping? - Jaśmin asked, looking at Ignacy and Blue, who were sprawled out on the sofa.
Leopold sighed, gazing into the distance as if his thoughts wandered far away.
- I miss someone, - he answered, his voice strangely quiet, as though he didn't want the words to fully resonate.
- Did something happen to one of your sisters? - the brunet asked, glancing over his shoulder at Leopold.
- Even if it did, I wouldn't care, - Leopold replied coldly. - I can't stand them. - He shuddered slightly.
- Sure, sure, - Jaśmin nodded, glancing at him sideways. - So, who do you miss?
Leopold hesitated, his gaze fixed on the floor. The tension in the room was palpable.
- I miss... - he started, but didn't finish, as if the words wouldn't come out.
Jaśmin turned toward him with an understanding look.
- You don't have to say it if you don't want to, - he said calmly. - You always said that privacy is the most important thing in the world.
Leopold chuckled under his breath, his tone returning to typical sarcasm.
- I also taught you physics, but you didn't get anything from it, - he added with mockery.
- Because it's pointless, - Jaśmin retorted. - It's full of mistakes, and in mathematics, persistence is enough to reach a solution. In physics, the results often contradict themselves because of the thousands of laws that can both be created and debunked.
- And you don't find that fascinating? - Leopold asked with a slight smile.
- The fact that something is always off bothers me, - Jaśmin admitted. - You always say I look for problems where there aren't any.
Leopold looked at him, and a glimmer appeared in his eyes.
- You know... - Leopold began, his voice sounding like a calm echo - I think you're too much of a perfectionist.
It sounded like a remark, but in the stillness of the atmosphere, surrounded by the warm glow, Leopold's words lost the sharp edge they usually carried. They vanished into the darkness, becoming nothing more than a faint memory. Jaśmin, gazing ahead, allowed them to dissipate into the air. His gaze shifted to Ignacy and Blue, both lost in a deep sleep. They lay side by side, entwined in an almost subconscious harmony, their breaths synchronized like two hearts that had accidentally found a shared rhythm.
- They must have fallen asleep, - Jaśmin whispered, more to himself than to Leopold. The silence now felt intense, almost sacred, as if any word that could break it would have the power to destroy something fragile, something untouchable. For a moment, no one moved.
Leopold looked at Jaśmin with an unreadable expression, his eyes reflecting the moonlight, flickering as if in a dream.
- What do you want to do? - His question was soft, yet it filled the space between them. It felt like a question not just about the here and now, but something much deeper, reaching far beyond this moment.
Jaśmin looked at him, then at the sleeping ones - Ignacy and Blue, both appeared as if they were somewhere far away, in a world no one else could see. They were like sleepy ghosts, ethereal, intangible. In that moment, Jaśmin felt as if he were an observer, someone watching what should never be disturbed.
- Is there something I can do? - His words were barely a murmur. For a moment, it seemed that the answer hung in the air, as if it didn't need words.
Leopold let out a quiet sigh, filled with the characteristic indifference he always surrounded himself with, as if for him everything had only superficial meaning.
- Come on. They probably didn't even take the blankets, - he said, then suddenly turned and walked toward the corridor, his steps quiet, as if he didn't want to disturb the sleep of which they had now become a part.
Jaśmin obediently followed him. Their shadows, slightly blurred by the soft light, merged in an ethereal way. In the corridor, Leopold stopped in front of the wardrobe, the glow of the nightlight reflecting on the smooth surface of the doors.
- Turn on the light, - Leopold said, his voice now sounding more grounded, as if the magic of the moment had faded a little.
Jaśmin pressed the button, and a sudden, sharp light flooded the walls, instantly breaking the delicate aura that the silence had carried with it.
- Not that one, - Leopold scolded him with a slight sigh. - Are you trying to wake them?
A quiet smile appeared on Jaśmin's lips, his gaze full of a subtle amusement that rarely appeared in his eyes.
- Maybe, - he replied in a half-whisper, a little mischievous, but then he switched to a more subtle, almost dreamy light, which gradually filled the corridor with a soft glow. Leopold opened the wardrobe and stared at the blankets in thought, as if this choice had greater significance than it seemed.
- Which one for him? - Leopold asked, not taking his eyes off the various fabrics that looked as though each had its own story.
Jaśmin looked at the blankets - white, red, brown. Each seemed to carry its own symbolism, as if the color and texture could convey more than words could. His gaze lingered on the brown one - its deep, dark color reminded him of the earth, something warm, something stable. Without a word, he approached and chose it, as if this gesture was more than just an act of selection.
- This one, - he said quietly, handing it to Leopold.
- I thought you'd take the red one for Blue, - Leopold chuckled softly, and his voice carried a note of sarcasm, which was his way of hiding his true feelings.
- It's not for Blue, - Jaśmin replied, his voice gentle, almost intimate. - For Blue, take whatever you want. Red would be fine.
Leopold glanced at him briefly, then looked at the other blankets. After a moment, he took the white one, the perfectly clean blanket that seemed almost out of place in this environment full of shadows and dim light.
- Indeed, new, - Jaśmin muttered, looking at the white blanket as if it held some significance. - I was sure you'd give him the red one.
- I should have, - Leopold shrugged, but something in his voice suggested that this choice meant more to him than he was willing to admit.
They both returned to the living room, where the sleepers were still immersed in that strange harmony that neither of them wanted to disturb. Leopold crouched next to Blue, and his movements were precise, almost tender. His hands gently lifted Blue's head, raising it slightly to place a pillow underneath. Blue's long, blue strands of hair slid onto his hand, like a silent sign of presence, as if even in sleep Blue communicated with his surroundings. Jaśmin looked at the sleepers, then at Leopold, as if he wanted to say something, but the words stopped at the edge of his lips. He remained silent, feeling the space between them tightening. Leopold, still slightly bent over Blue, lifted his gaze, as if sensing the invisible thread of tension.
- I need to move him, - Leopold muttered with quiet determination, gently adjusting Blue into a more comfortable position. His movements were precise, almost cautious, as if he feared that any gesture could shatter the fragile peace that filled the room.
Jaśmin watched as Leopold carried Blue, his hands moving almost with tenderness, which seemed somewhat contradictory to his sarcastic nature. The quiet, almost invisible warmth emanating from Leopold might have seemed strange, but not to Jaśmin. He observed the scene with a mix of fascination and understanding. Maybe Leopold himself didn't realize how much affection he was putting into those gestures.
- In this state, they could be killed and still wouldn't wake up - Leopold muttered, his sarcasm echoing as usual, but this time there was something more in his voice - something that sounded like quiet concern, hidden beneath the cloak of irony.
Jaśmin chuckled softly, more out of habit than amusement. At that moment, he knew that Leopold was hiding more than he wanted to admit, but he wasn't going to force him to confess. Sometimes quiet gestures spoke louder than words.
- You've positioned them well - Jaśmin replied softly, looking at the sleepers. Ignacy seemed as though he had momentarily disappeared into some other world, his breathing calm, his face free of the fear that accompanied him daily. Jaśmin couldn't take his eyes off Ignacy, as if the image itself held something hypnotic.
- They deserved it - Leopold responded, not lifting his gaze. His voice was cold, but there was something deeper in it, something that betrayed that perhaps he wasn't talking about the sleepers at all.
Jaśmin approached Ignacy, his movements careful, as if afraid that even the slightest sound might interrupt this magical moment. He placed a blanket over his shoulders, allowing himself a moment of gentle touch, a moment that lasted longer than it should have. He felt the warmth of Ignacy's body through the thin fabric, and although he knew it was just the touch of the blanket, something inside him broke. Leopold stepped back, glancing at Jaśmin from the side, his lips twisting into a barely visible smile.
- Maybe you shouldn't look at him like that - he said with a hint of irony. - Someone might think you're too attached.
Jaśmin looked at Leopold, his eyes shining in the soft moonlight that streamed through the gaps in the windows. In his gaze, there was a mix of rebellion and sadness, as if he knew Leopold was right, but couldn't – or didn't want to – admit it. The teenager sat next to him, but his gaze couldn't leave the redhead, Ignacy. Thoughts swirled in his mind, and his heart beat faster than usual. The monkey kid felt like everything was going crazy at the sight of the redhead. He had the sense that he was allergic to him, that every glance triggered unease, unfamiliar emotions.
- What are you thinking? - Leopold asked, breaking the silence, where the sounds of the night seemed louder.
Jaśmin tore his gaze away from Blue and looked at Leopold, though he didn't want to dive deeper into his thoughts.
- And you? - he answered with a question, as if trying to avoid the answer.
Leopold raised an eyebrow, smiling to himself.
- Seriously? I asked first - he said, clearly amused.
- Nothing specific - Jaśmin replied after a moment, but his voice betrayed some uncertainty. He was thinking about things he didn't understand, about that strange feeling that had been haunting him. He paused briefly, as if trying to choose his words carefully. - Can you be allergic to a person?
Leopold looked at him in surprise, and after a moment, he involuntarily smiled.
- What, is there someone you're into? - he asked, amusement in his voice.
Jaśmin shrugged.
- Maybe.
- I think so. - Leopold replied, confident in his opinion. - You can. For example, I'm allergic to Blue. - he said, laughing quietly under his breath. - But you need a reason for that.
Jaśmin turned toward Blue, his delicate cheeks appearing even rosier in the moonlight. He wasn't sure if he could find any reason for it.
- Do you have a reason? - he asked quietly, not taking his eyes off the sleeping boy.
- If only one. - Leopold threw out sarcastically. His words hung in the air before he spoke again. - And you? What's your reason? - he looked at Jaśmin, moving a little closer, as if he wanted to study his face, but at the same time, he glanced furtively at Blue, wondering what it was about him that seemed to make Jaśmin so distracted.
Jaśmin swallowed, his throat feeling strangely dry. He felt the tension rising in the air.
- I don't know what reason I would choose. - he replied quietly, as if admitting it might relieve something, but instead, everything seemed more tangled.
Leopold chuckled softly, his laugh sounding like it was meant to be an antidote to these difficult moments, but in reality, it was just a fleeting distraction.
- Maybe I should print you a list of reasons? - he asked sarcastically, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
- Does such a list exist? - Jaśmin replied seriously, although he didn't know why he asked the question.
Leopold lightly tapped him on the head.
- Even if it existed, I feel like you wouldn't check any of them. - he added with mockery, though there was no malice in his voice.
Leopold, though his face was in half-shadow, suddenly seemed older. He stared at Blue as though he saw something others couldn't, and when he spoke, his voice was a barely audible whisper that blended into the soft rustling of the wind.
- I envy him that freedom... - he said almost to himself, his eyes scanning the peaceful face of the sleeping boy. Blue's rosy cheeks seemed almost too innocent, too carefree.
Jaśmin fell silent.
- Not everything is as it seems. Maybe Blue looks free, but that's not true. He keeps smiling like an idiot, acting as if tomorrow doesn't exist... But that's just because he's afraid to think about the future. - he responded calmly, a shadow of sadness in his voice.
Leopold held his breath, his gaze shifting to Jaśmin, who was watching him with the same impassive expression he always had. Leopold couldn't believe his ears.
- Me? Me and Blue? Similar? - he asked incredulously, as if someone had just placed a mirror in front of him, and he saw a completely different version of himself in it.
- Yes. - Jaśmin replied bluntly, breaking the silence that had settled on them for a moment, as if the world had held its breath. - Except Blue blindly believes everything will be fine. - he added, glancing at the sleeping boy.
A long, deafening silence fell. The only sound was the rhythmic beating of their hearts, almost marking the beat of this strange conversation.
Suddenly, a low, firm voice came from behind them.
- What are you two doing? - Emi asked, approaching them slowly. His voice had a quality that made it impossible to ignore.
Jaśmin and Leopold turned at the same time, their eyes meeting Emi's figure. He looked tired, but his face remained impassive.
- Gossiping by the moonlight. - Leopold answered with a somewhat provocative smile. - The monkey wanted to make sure Blue doesn't freeze. - he added.
Emi nodded, as if he understood, though his face remained cold.
- And that's why you had to give him a new blanket? - he asked skeptically, looking at the confused Jaśmin. - If he froze once, nothing would happen to him.
Leopold shrugged with clear sarcasm.
- See? He loves his little brother. - he said with a feigned sweetness that was dripping with irony.
Emi rolled his eyes.
- Never mind. - Emi chastised them, glancing at both of them with clear impatience. His words were sharper than usual, as if tonight had weighed on him more than others. - You both should've been asleep long ago.
His gaze landed on Jaśmin, but there was no softness in his eyes, only something like cold calculation.
- Jaśmin. - he added, his voice shifting to a more stern tone.
- Seriously, you think there's any chance he made it into the White City? - Emi didn't let up, throwing the words with bitter sarcasm.
- What matters is that he's fine. - Leopold glanced at Emi, whose brow furrowed. - That wrinkle again, - he said, stepping closer and gently touching Emi's forehead. - You're not that old.
- It's from exhaustion. - Emi muttered tiredly, as if every conversation with Leopold was an exhausting test of endurance.
- More like babysitting everyone around you. - Leopold commented with a sly grin, shifting his gaze to Blue, who was sleeping. - Soon, you'll look like your brother. - he added with a hint of sarcasm.
- Seriously? - Emi gave him a sharp look, the shadows under his eyes deepening with each passing moment, making him look more worn out.
Leopold sighed theatrically, stretching the silence.
- What do you want? - the brunette asked, though there was no curiosity in his voice.
- I need... - Emi began, but Leopold interrupted him.
- I know, I know. - he cut in. - I'll still take Mina and Penelopa. Just make sure Blue doesn't see me. If they're in Prometheus, I'll try to...
- Wait on the roof. - Emi interrupted him, clearly tired of the ongoing conversation.
- Again? - Leopold smiled as usual, with his usual cheeky nonchalance. - Did he traumatize you last time? - he asked with a smirk.
- Not more than meeting you. - Emi replied flatly, then added in a weary tone: - Never mind, I'm going to sleep.
Before Leopold could say anything, Emi stretched and yawned loudly. He turned on his heel and headed for the hallway leading to his room, like a shadow disappearing into the darkness.
- Good night! - Leopold shouted, more out of spite than necessity.
After a moment of silence, as the echo of Leopold's words seemed to linger in the air, Emi disappeared behind the door. Leopold was left alone, staring at the hallway that had swallowed the brunette. He ran his fingers through his hair, sighing heavily, as if suddenly all the carefree smile had vanished from his face. He leaned against the cold marble wall, his gaze scanning Blue, who was asleep. For a moment, it seemed as though something shifted within him, but soon his face returned to the familiar mask of malicious indifference.
- Babysitting, - he muttered under his breath, repeating his own words. - They're all just kids.
He glanced towards the stairs where Jaśmin had just disappeared. A smile returned to his face, but this time it was filled with sarcastic melancholy, as if something more lurked beneath his façade.
- Well, someone has to grow up, - he muttered softly, then headed towards the exit, his footsteps softly echoing off the walls, disappearing into the darkness of the night.
***
The platform seemed cold and almost repellent. Jaśmin could feel something stirring inside him as he watched the slowly rising train cars. Mechanical robots moved along the tracks, transporting packages and parts, while drones hovered above, constantly observing everything. There was no one else there, apart from them and the mechanical guards.
- It's cold, - Leopold broke the silence, his voice echoing off the tunnel walls.
Penelopa gave him a look of pity, clearly bored with his remark.
- No kidding, - she retorted with sarcasm, rolling her eyes.
Leopold glanced over his shoulder at Jaśmin, giving him a slight smile.
- Good thing I told you to take the jacket, - he said in a tone that made it sound like it was his accomplishment.
- Speak for yourself, - Jaśmin muttered, barely paying attention to what Leopold was saying. - I don't need it.
Penelopa furrowed her brow, interjecting with a slight smile.
- You told him to? - she asked, unable to hide the irony in her voice.
Leopold looked at her, slightly confused, then nonchalantly replied:
- Maybe Pen gave me a little hint, - he tried to cover himself.
Jaśmin sighed heavily, eyeing his jacket.
- She forced me, - he said, not hiding his displeasure.
Penelopa chuckled softly.
- You look cute in that shark hoodie, - she said lightly, smiling.
- Especially manly, - Leopold added with sarcasm, rolling his eyes.
Suddenly, Tomasz joined the group, interrupting their conversation.
- I'm here, - he announced, checking his watch. - Can we go in?
Penelopa looked at him.
- Yeah, in about seven minutes that metal's moving, - Tomasz replied, only looking at her as if she was the only person in his world.
Leopold nudged Jaśmin in the arm, smiling with a mysterious expression.
- See? - he asked, but Jaśmin looked confused.
- What am I supposed to see? - the brunette replied, not quite understanding the hint.
- Never mind, - Leopold waved his hand, glancing at the train. - You could've gone in first class, but now... you're stuck with all this fuel, - he rolled his eyes with clear disgust.
- Leo, - Jaśmin tried to respond, but Leopold didn't let him finish.
- Better than nothing, - he added, shrugging.
Penelopa sighed, as if she wanted to stop their exchange.
- Do you want to go over the plan again? - she asked, and Tomasz was already opening his mouth to reply when Leopold let out a short, quiet laugh.
- What's so funny? - Penelopa glared at him, irritated.
- Seriously? - Leopold responded ironically. - Do you really want to go over that plan again?
- What's wrong with knowing the plan well? - she asked, offended, feeling like her concern was being mocked.
Leopold smiled cynically.
- If you want Jaśmin to know it by heart, like a bedtime prayer, go ahead, - he said, casting an ironic glance at the brunette. - But I wouldn't go back to it.
Tomasz sighed heavily, trying to restore order.
- Enough already. We don't have time for your bickering, - he interrupted firmly.
Jaśmin, glancing at the drones hovering above them, furrowed his brow.
- What about them? - he asked, pointing at the machines circling overhead.
Tomasz answered calmly:
- My friend temporarily turned off the monitoring. It's just for show.
- Sure. - Jaśmin muttered, nodding.
Leopold looked at him with a smile.
- Don't worry, Min. If they catch you, you'll be way past the third wall. - He glanced at a well-dressed man standing nearby. - And if anyone's in trouble, it's more likely that peacock in the suit. - He added with clear disgust.
Tomasz shot Penelopa a meaningful look.
- Are we going? - He asked, seeking support from her.
Penelopa, irritated, smacked Leopold on the back of the head.
- Let's go. - She said firmly, moving first toward the train.
Tomasz led the way, passing mechanical robots and lifting himself toward the first carriage. His figure was tense, as if he subconsciously felt their time was running out. The platform shook as the train screeched, and the rumble of unlocking carriages echoed around the area. Tomasz paused for a moment in front of one, furrowing his brows and inspecting the metal panels.
- This will do. - He said, more to himself than anyone else, then nodded to Jaśmin, Penelopa, and Leopold. - Come closer.
They approached uncertainly, watching Tomasz, who with a quick but precise movement grabbed a small lever on the side of the carriage. His hands tensed as he pulled it down, and the massive doors began to slide open with a loud hum. The metallic creaks and the grind of gears sounded as if the carriage had never been opened before. Steam rose behind them, and the light from inside the carriage flickered faintly, blurring the shapes of items hidden within.
- Get in. - Tomasz said, pointing to the space ahead of him. His tone was unarguable. - Quickly.
Leopold looked at him with a slight smile.
- Seriously, we're getting into this junk? - His tone was sarcastic, as if trying to defuse the tension, but it was clear he felt some unease.
- We don't have a choice, Leo. - Penelopa replied, glancing at the open interior of the carriage. - We'll do what needs to be done.
Jaśmin moved his gaze over the metal walls of the carriage. The interior resembled a warehouse - filled with boxes, pipes, and mechanical parts. The small space between them barely fit them all. Penelopa moved forward without a word, glancing only at Jaśmin and Leopold, who were still standing outside. She quickly stepped inside, her figure vanishing into the shadow of the carriage.
- What are you waiting for? - Tomasz asked impatiently, looking straight at Jaśmin. - Get in. - He added with emphasis.
Jaśmin looked at Leopold, who was standing calmly, as if nothing had happened.
- I'll go after him. - The boy said, waiting for the brunette's move.
Leopold suddenly became serious. In an instant, all his usual nonchalance disappeared, and a serious expression appeared on his face, one that rarely graced his features. He grabbed Jaśmin by the shoulders, looking him straight in the eye.
- I'm not going, Min. - He said quietly but firmly.
- What do you mean you're not going?! - Jaśmin yelled, violently shrugging off Leopold's hands. Anger began to rise within him, and his face turned red.
- We don't have time! - Tomasz urged, clearly irritated.
- Jaśmin! - Penelopa leaned out from the carriage, calling him.
The brunette no longer heard anything besides the hum of his own rage. He trembled, nearly ready to explode, but he didn't take his eyes off Leopold.
- Min... - Leopold began calmly, though there was tension in his voice. - I really need to stay here.
- You're leaving me?! - Jaśmin growled, his voice cracking in a nervous, emotional tone.
Leopold shook his head as if trying to explain the situation.
- It's not like that, Min. Emi told me... I have to wait on the roof. - he explained, though he knew Jaśmin wouldn't accept it without a fight.
- No! - Jaśmin yelled, his anger completely consuming him. - I don't agree!
Tomasz rubbed his forehead, clearly frustrated by the rising chaos.
- It's not up to you. - Tomasz interrupted before Jaśmin could reply, then grabbed the boy and lifted him off the ground with a sharp motion.
- What are you doing?! - Leopold cried, watching in horror as Tomasz carried Jaśmin.
Jaśmin, only just beginning to understand what was happening, screamed, struggled, trying to break free from Tomasz's grip. He shook with rage, fighting, yelling:
- Let me go! - his words echoed inside the train car.
- I have to. - Tomasz responded firmly, glancing at Penelopa, who had leaned out of the car. - Otherwise, he won't get on. - he added, pointing at the approaching wagons.
He roughly threw Jaśmin inside the train car, and the doors slammed shut with a dull thud.
- Be careful! - Leopold shouted, furious.
- He's fine! - Penelopa called back, trying to calm the situation, though she was shocked herself.
Leopold didn't have time to respond before the doors of the train car slammed shut behind them.
- You lied to me! - he roared, not even trying to control his emotions. - You deliberately pulled me away!
Penelopa narrowed her eyes, trying not to react to his outburst. His words were harsh, but they weren't directly aimed at her—frustration, adrenaline, and teenage hormones were making Jaśmin explode this way.
- Jaśmin... - she tried to calm him, trying to soften her voice to a more maternal tone. - You're just a kid... - she added softly, with a care she didn't expect herself. She wanted to pull him closer, but she felt like the boy was about to snap.
- I'm not a kid! - he interrupted her, nearly losing his mind. Not anymore! His eyes flashed, and chaotic thoughts overwhelmed his mind, dismissing any possibility of explanation.
At that moment, Jaśmin could literally hear the argument between Leopold and Tomasz outside, their male voices blending into a single sound that contributed nothing to his mood. The boy walked nervously around the cramped space full of mechanical parts and boxes, as if searching for a way to escape. His mind was in complete chaos, and his heart was pounding like crazy.
- This is useless! - Penelopa shouted, trying to get his attention, but Jaśmin was already too absorbed in his thoughts to notice.
- Maybe for you! - he snapped back, raising his eyebrows. His voice held a mix of anger and pain that ran deep within him.
- Wait! - Penelopa grabbed him, trying to stop him from going further.
- Let go! - he responded, shrugging off her hands like they were just an obstacle in his relentless pursuit of his goal.
As Penelopa tried to hold him back, Jaśmin didn't stop scanning the room. His gaze locked on the barely visible doors in the darkness, which seemed to be the only way out.
- What are you doing? - Penelopa asked, terrified, trying to break the tense silence that surrounded them.
- I'm delivering information to Robert! - Jaśmin answered, his eyes burning with an unexplainable flame of determination, making him seem like someone willing to do anything.
- Jaśmin! - Penelopa cried desperately, but her words were lost in the rush of his thoughts.
Before she could react, Jaśmin ran to the door and violently yanked at the metal hinges. His mind was racing with different scenarios, and his heart was pounding with adrenaline. He saw Leopold and Tomasz standing outside, like ants that were shrinking to specks of dust in his eyes. He felt time slipping away, every second feeling like it was worth more than gold.
- I have to! - he shouted to himself as he finally opened the door, and the loud screech of metal ripped through the silence, as if opening the door to a new world.
Jaśmin jumped out of the train car, almost without hesitation, letting impulse and adrenaline lead him into the unknown. The cold air hit his face, causing a dizzying sensation, and his heart raced wildly. He felt fear and recklessness mixing in his veins, exploding throughout his body. He closed his eyes, leaving his fate in the hands of chance.
The collision with the flying drone was brutal. Jaśmin landed on his stomach, feeling the iron parts of the drone dig into his body. When one of the metal spikes touched a fresh wound on his stomach, pain shot through him like thousands of blades. He doubled over, trying to ignore the agony, but his body betrayed him. His lungs seized up, and every breath was shallow and painful.
Leopold, who had been watching from below, panicked. He rushed toward Tomasz, who was standing nearby, unable to believe what had just happened.
- Damn it! - Leopold shouted, trembling with anger and fear. - Jaśmin!
Tomasz looked up, trying to assess the situation, but Jaśmin couldn't hear his voice. The pain in his head drowned out everything else. Finally, the machine landed with a heavy thud, and Jaśmin slid off it, falling onto the cold, hard asphalt. The street, covered in gray dust, seemed distant, as if it were part of another world. Jaśmin could barely breathe, his body shaking with pain, but there was a gleam of a smile in his eyes - wild, full of adrenaline.
Leopold rushed to him, dropped to his knees beside the boy, and grabbed him by his shirt, lifting him off the ground.
- Are you crazy!? - he screamed, his voice trembling with emotion, and tears appeared in his eyes, unexpected. - Did you want to kill yourself?!
Jaśmin, barely holding himself upright, gasped out, struggling to speak:
- I'm alive.
Adrenaline still surged through his body, giving him strength, even though every muscle was begging for rest.
Tomasz, watching the whole situation, scratched his head, looking at the train car doors.
- Penelopa probably won't jump... - he muttered uncertainly, still watching the train pull away. - What will you do? - he asked.
- What can I do? - Leopold replied, helplessly looking around. - I'll take him with me. He'll wait in the car.
Tomasz sighed heavily.
- I'd better inform Emi, - he muttered.
Leopold glared at him angrily.
- I'll do it! - he said sharply. - He already hates you enough.
Jaśmin, even though he was half-conscious, couldn't help but smile. The adrenaline made the pain feel less intense than it should have. This was what he wanted - action, recklessness, living on the edge.
Irritated by his reaction, Leopold lifted the boy and slung him over his back.
- You must be proud of yourself, - he growled, heading toward the car, and Jaśmin kept smiling widely, like someone who had just won a bet with fate.
Tomasz, still unwillingly watching the scene, sighed heavily.
- I told you, we should have sedated him, he wouldn't have caused any problems unconscious.
Leopold, not even looking back, tossed over his shoulder:
- I'll put him in the car. He won't be getting out of there.
Tomasz, however, didn't back down, following them.
- Still, I think I should be the one to take him.
Leopold glared at him angrily, stopping for a moment.
- He's coming with me. Once I take him to Emi, he'll forget his foolishness, - he said firmly, making it clear that the discussion was over.
Jaśmin, barely holding onto reality, felt the entire world spinning around him. But one thought kept circling in his mind like an unquenchable flame—a thought he feared to say out loud. When they reached the car, Leopold, still carrying the semi-conscious Jaśmin on his back, stumbled into the hovering vehicle, gently laying him down in the back. The teenager collapsed heavily onto the cold seat. Jaśmin groaned in pain, his body still trembling from the adrenaline coursing through him like wild fire. Leopold sighed, then sat down next to him, breathing heavily, as if his own nerves couldn't handle the tension. Frantically searching through his pockets, Leopold pulled out a vial and nervously twisted it in his fingers. His movements were chaotic, as if looking for something to calm the pounding emotions within him. Meanwhile, Tomasz sat at the driver's seat, even more shaken. He slammed the car door shut with a dull thud, the sound echoing in the enclosed space. At that exact moment, Jaśmin felt his body suddenly capitulate. Darkness flooded his consciousness, and every part of his body seemed to lose touch with reality. Cold, pain, fear—everything slowly faded, disappearing into the dense, shapeless void. Jaśmin's eyes closed on their own, and he drifted into unconsciousness.
The brunette opened his eyes and felt the world spinning around him. The throbbing pain in his head and throughout his body clouded his thoughts, and everything seemed strangely blurred. He found himself inside the car, enveloped in an intense chemical smell that irritated his nostrils. He scratched his nose, forcing his body to obey. Struggling, he sat up, feeling the pain in his ribs shaking him with every movement. He wrapped his hands around the bandages on his abdomen, which lay scattered beneath his feet. With each breath, he could feel the wound pulsating, reminding him of its presence. He gritted his teeth, frozen, trying to gather strength and make sense of his thoughts amidst the chaos. Suddenly, the car doors opened. It was Leopold. For a moment, his gaze lingered on Jaśmin, then, as if afraid to touch him, he gently supported him by the shoulder, helping him straighten up. His touch was uncertain, as though Jaśmin might crumble at the slightest pressure.
- Take it easy... don't move so suddenly. - Leopold said softly, as if afraid that every word could cause more harm. He carefully helped Jaśmin out of the car, treating him as if he were something incredibly fragile. He leaned him against the hood of the car, still keeping a watchful eye on him.
Jaśmin struggled to lift his head, his body feeling as heavy as stone. He looked at Leopold, but from his numb eyes, it was hard to read any emotions.
- Are you crazy?! - a sharp voice suddenly rang out. Emi stood a few steps away, his gaze flashing with anger. - You were trying to kill yourself?! - he spat, each word cutting the air like a knife.
- I'm alive. - Jaśmin whispered faintly, trying to catch his breath. His voice was weak, as if the adrenaline was just now beginning to leave his body.
Leopold sighed deeply, his hands, which had been holding Jaśmin firmly, now felt like feathers. He tried to calm him down, though he was barely managing to control his own anger.
- Just leave him alone. - Leopold responded calmly, though his voice carried anger. - He almost died.
- Through his own stupidity! - Emi hissed, furrowing his brow.
- He's just a kid. - Leopold added, trying to ease the tension.
- So what? - Emi interrupted, his voice full of reproach. - We never would have jeopardized the mission at his age. - he added, his eyes sparking with anger now directed at Jaśmin. - Do you know what happened here?! I had to send Ignacy and Blue back alone to find you. And now? God knows where they are. Because you had to deal with your antics! - Emi's voice grew louder, his anger pouring out, and his words landed on Jaśmin like hammers.
Leopold lowered his gaze, unwilling to interrupt the scolding. He knew Emi was right. He, too, was furious, though his calm demeanor hid the boiling rage within.
- If anything happens to them... - Emi moved closer to Jaśmin, his voice turning into a dangerous whisper. - Remember, this is your fault. All of this because of your damn escape! And the worst part is, I couldn't even tell them what you did, because they would have caused a scene. It's bad enough that that redheaded idiot ruined my morning, - he added, glancing at Leopold as if seeking his support.
- Calm down already. - Leopold tried to interrupt Emi's monologue, but Emi ignored him.
- And now what? Are we supposed to babysit you as if we don't have more important things to do? - Emi scoffed, looking at Jaśmin with a mix of frustration and disappointment.
Leopold sighed heavily but suddenly looked up, as if an idea had struck him.
- It's actually better that he's here. - he said.
Jaśmin looked at him with wide eyes, as if not believing what he was hearing. Emi narrowed his eyes as well, ready to object.
- Let me finish. - Leopold raised his hand in a calming gesture. - We can go with you. They'll be searching for Teo and Nulla, and we'll take care of Artem.
- No way! - Jaśmin snarled, suddenly straightening up. - I'm not staying here alone!
Emi smiled in a way that sent a chill down Jaśmin's spine.
- You will. - he said quietly, and there was no room for argument in his voice. - You have to watch the car. And that's an order.
Leopold rolled his eyes.
- Listen. - he started, walking over to Jaśmin. - In your state, you can barely walk, let alone help. Just stay here, rest, and let us take care of the rest.
- I... - Jaśmin hesitated, struggling to find the words. He didn't want to let them down, but just as strongly, he didn't want to be left alone.
- We're going to help the others, - Emi declared, looking him straight in the eye. - And for once, don't cause any trouble, understand? Because I'll remind you, this is all because of your damn escape, - he added with a cold, unwavering tone.
Jaśmin lowered his head, his heart pounding like a hammer. Every pulse seemed to remind him of his mistakes. He had no excuse. The silent consent that emanated from his silence was all he could offer now. But the silence didn't last long.
- I won't wait long, - he suddenly threw out, his voice, though full of resolve, betrayed uncertainty. His eyes flashed as if issuing a challenge, but fear lurked beneath.
Emi felt a wave of anger slowly rising within him, like a storm ready to break over him. Every word Jaśmin spoke worked like a spark, igniting the rage that had been waiting for an explosion. He clenched his fists, his breath quickened, and his blood boiled. He was about to snap when he suddenly felt Leopold's warm hand on his shoulder. That simple, gentle gesture stopped him, as though the warmth of Leopold's touch soothed the storm brewing within him.
- In that case, we'll hurry up, - Leopold said calmly, his voice carrying a tone of gentle concern. His words seemed more directed at Emi than Jaśmin, as if he knew only he could now keep the situation under control. Emi, still full of rage, felt it was pointless to waste any more time. He turned sharply on his heel and headed toward the door. His steps were quick, as if trying to escape his own anger.
- Are you coming?! - he threw over his shoulder, not even bothering to glance at Jaśmin.
Leopold, still watching over the situation, turned to Jaśmin with gentleness, as if trying to break through the wall Jaśmin had built around himself.
- Wait here for us, - he said softly, his voice full of warmth and care. It sounded like a promise of peace, though Jaśmin knew little could calm him now.
- I have no other choice, - Jaśmin replied, his voice tinged with a false sense of confidence. He tried to sound mature, as if ready to face any challenge, but his eyes betrayed something else – fear and confusion hidden beneath a thin layer of courage.
Leopold smiled faintly, lifting the corner of his lips in a gesture of understanding. He knew Jaśmin was struggling not only with physical pain but with something much deeper. This smile was meant to offer him comfort, though they both knew how fragile this facade of bravery was.
- I'm going! - Leopold shouted, his voice, still trembling with tension, gaining confidence. He rushed after Emi, trying to keep up with his long strides. Jaśmin was left alone, standing still and listening to the echo of his own rapid breaths.