~Chapter 63~
My phone vibrated, breaking the spell of my thoughts. I pulled it out of my pocket to see a ssage from my mom, a warm smile spreading across my face as I read her words. "Thank you," she wrote, "Dad sent a ssage."
It was a small thing, but it ant the world to that my parents were still communicating, still showing each other love and affection despite their differences.
So the old man, had opted for the easy way out, huh. Sending a simple text ssage to my mom instead of taking the ti to et with her in person.
It was a small gesture, but one that spoke volus about his priorities. Still, it had made my mom extrely happy, and for that, I was grateful.
I texted her back, playing dumb and feigning ignorance about why she was thanking .
But she saw right through , and her response was imdiate. "I want you to have dinner with ," she wrote, and my smile dipped.
Shit, I glanced over at the ti again. That’s in just one hour. And to make matters worse, it was almost ti for Katya’s shift.
We wouldn’t even make it if we left now, not with the traffic. Where the hell was she, anyway?
The worry I was suppressing for so long began eating up, wondering what was keeping her. Had sothing happened? Was she okay
I leaned out from my car, quickly texting my mom "Ok" before scanning the entrance of Katya’s apartnt building.
The structure looked ancient, like it was about to die any mont. I pushed open the creaky door, and stepped inside.
A horrible sll of decay and neglect greeted and I couldn’t imagine how Katya must be living in a place like this, with its crumbling walls and flickering fluorescent lights.
I looked around the place, concerned for Katya’s well-being. She didn’t even have a phone, I rembered, and I made a ntal note to get her one, if she’d accept it.
And if she’d let , of course I’d love to find a much better place for her and her friends to live in, sowhere safe and clean and warm. Sowhere they could call a safe ho.
I moved towards the small, cracking elevator amd pressed the button, and the doors slid open allowing to step inside.
But as I looked over to where I’m about to punch in Katya floor. I realized I had no idea which floor Katya lived on.
Fuck! I didn’t even know her room number. What was I supposed to do now?
What was I thinking, walking into this building without even knowing Katya’s room number? I shook my head.
Stepping out of the elevator and scanning the space for any sign of Katya or a directory that might list her room number. But there was nothing.
I spotted the stairs and decided to use the them while figuring it would be better to start from the bottom and work my way up. I began clomping on the stairs, moving in what felt like the right direction, my feet was carrying towards.
And just as I reached the first hallway, a loud sound resonated through the air, making flinch harshly. It was a sharp noise, like the sound of a branch snapping or a door slamming shut.
But it was louder and more violent that those. It was a sound that shook this very old foundations of the building.
A gun shot? It must be. I looked so confused. A gun shot in here? But..but..it really sounded like a freaking gunshot.
I sprinted towards the sound. Senses on high alert as I tried processing what the actual fuck was happening. Who was shooting? Who was on the receiving end?
And deep down, I had this dreadful feeling that Katya was sohow entangled in it. My mind already going and rging with worst-case scenarios, I shouted out her na, "Katya!" trying to locate her as fast as I could.
I turned a corner, my voice almost failing as I spotted a body kneeling on the floor, just outside a room.
The body was shaking with raw sobs, the sound of them crying echoing through the hallway.
Hastily, I took in the scene, nearing the trembling body slowly and as I ca into a better view. I saw the white hair, the white shirt, and the black slacks. "Katya!" I shouted again as I rushed towards her.
Dropping down to her level as she sobbed uncontrollably on the floor. I grasped her shoulders, trying to comfort her, but she shook off, her eyes wide with so much fear.
it was freaking out, what the hell happened to her.
"Please...please...don’t co close, don’t co here," she’s trembling as she begged, chanting those words.
Repeating it over and over again, but I’m already close. I’m here. My eyes road over her face, knots and tears mixing together.
"What’s the problem, Katya? Are you hurt?" I asked, scanning her for any signs of injury as I tried cleaning up her face but she struggles against .
"I heard a gunshot...Katya, why are you on the floor crying?" I held her tightly, shaking her gently, trying to get her attention, but she just wailed louder.
I couldn’t bare to look at how much pain her face etched with. I glanced over into the room and then, I saw it.
The bloodbath. Two dead bodies. One with a bullet hole and the other with a knife plugged on his head.
A lady, maybe older than Katya was tied up, gagged up and screaming with red eyes.
A man in suit, a lit cigarette in his lips and a half covered face accompanied with a sadistic smile held a gun, sitting lazily on a chair.
My grip on Katya’s shoulders loosened as I took in this horrific scene.
"What in hell happened here?" The words left my lips on their own accord. And I pulled Katya close, holding her tightly as much as I could.
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