APRICITAS [ENG] || Johan Liebert || Monster

Chapter 30 - The Dawn

****

Tenma couldn't remember the last time he'd been a patient himself. His previous work in the hospital, and his pursuit for the Monster later, had completely alienated him from this mundane matter. As an adult, he didn't get sick much, except that in recent years he may have fallen into workaholism while taking care of successive patients who wholeheartedly believed in his effectiveness. He didn't want to let them down after all.

After the screech of the car tires that day, he didn't remember much. The blow was so strong that he quickly lost consciousness. Fortunately, a bystander, Milan Kolach, helped him and took care of his recovery over the following days and weeks. Tenma was lucky; he ended his street adventure only with a stronger abrasion on his leg and a sprained ankle. Despite his condition, however, he wanted to get well as soon as possible, because he was aware that his sister must be worried about him. He had promised her that he would come back safe and sound. But he could neither send her a message nor return to the hotel in his current state. A limping Asian man with a wanted poster directed at him could quickly be caught and imprisoned by the police. He couldn't let that happen at all costs because...

****

About three and a half weeks after the accident, Kenzo was standing on his own feet at one of the streets, hiding behind a pillar as several police cars had crossed the street moments earlier. He lowered his head, staring determinedly at the pistol in his right hand.

'Someone has to...' The hand holding the gun began to tremble gradually. '...I have to stop this.' He turned his head, secretly watching a white car, which a young man with blond hair approached, then got in and drove off. 'The young man I once saw in the company of Petr Čapek...' He came out from behind the pillar, looking at the road the stranger had left. 'He is the Devil's pupil.' Without hesitating, he hailed the first taxi that came along the street.

"Follow that car, please."

The ride didn't last long. A few minutes later, the car stopped and the young man entered one of the tenement houses, Tenma carefully following him. He didn't know exactly what to expect, but he was ready. It had to end finally.

****

Nothing at all had changed in the suburban mansion after the Demon's departure. A new day dawned, and the birds perched in the trees chirped happily. Three people entered the house - two men and a young woman. One of them opened the door to the adjoining room and gently made his way inside.

"Mr. Čapek? I brought Nina." He said looking around. Behind him followed with a serious expression on her face the girl, and the other of the bodyguards. "Mr. Čapek?" They both stopped when they noticed a man sitting in an armchair with his head bowed down. At the same moment, Nina began to feel the return of her memories...

"Petr..." Her hand, in which she held the gun, began to shake uncontrollably. "Čapek..." In just a fraction of a second, her mind took her to images from the past she shouldn't remember. Which were some of the worst... of all the darkest nightmares. She immediately ran to the older man, aiming straight at his head.

"Wait, stop!" There was a warning from the security guards behind her, but she ignored them. Right in front of her, in this place, in this moment, was sitting the man who had so many years ago sat one of the worst fears in her soul. Aiming so straight at him, her breathing quickened and her heart was beating erratically.

"Who's there?" He spoke in a tone devoid of emotion, not moving an inch. "Johan... or his sister? At this point... it doesn't matter." Nina, holding the weapon, trembled all over her body more and more, as did her short breaths. "Johan let me live... because the person who will kill me... will be his sister. Everything is going according to the plan... Whose plan? My plan? Johan's? Whose... Whose is this plan?" The girl took one step forward, feeling a wave of emotions rising in her. "Hurry up and shoot." He urged her. Nina, trembling all over, clenched her teeth and began to slowly pull her finger on the trigger... but after a moment she lowered the weapon.