Almost faceless; almost invisible, the man
strode the wet cobblestones with firm decisive steps. He lifted the collar of
his coat up to his cheeks, barely showing his eyes and nose. Although initially
worried about his anonymity, he soon found out the winter wind and the
relentless drizzle were excuses enough to go unnoticed through the scarcely
illuminated alleys.
He did not meet but quite a few people on his
way and they were all more bothered at running away from the cold rain than
looking at strangers walking down the streets.
The time and weather conditions could not be
more appropriate. He obviously would prefer the reddish colourful autumn, his
favourite season, but the grey dull winter was perfect for his task… his
mission…
He mumbled almost emotionless.
‘Strange modern times… so fed up of these empty
touchy people. No wonder why…’
He realised no one would ever know the reason he
was there, at that moment and felt almost relieved.
That was the address. He knew the place. He had
gone through the plan an infinite number of times, until it was thoroughly
memorized. It should be flawless by then. The time was right. Soon it would be
over.
He stopped in front of the entrance and typed
the code at the gate. The tiny red light switched on. He turned to the camera
to have his face scanned. He heard a click and pushed the gate open. The cold
rain fell hard upon him while he walked on his firm pace to the building.
***
- I was looking for you.
- I was waiting for you.
He did not smile.
She looked out of the window. Her thoughts were
very far away. For a moment it seemed she did not know where she was, nor the
epoch she was living anymore. She just wished everything was over by then. She
would give her life for one single kiss and embrace… a warm touch of bodies… whatever
felt warm in the midst of that horrible winter…
- Everything is so lost…
- Not everything, but most of the things…
She turned around. His eyes were set on her
face.
- When?
- In a few minutes.
- Will you come back here, after this is all
over?
- Probably. A man’s job is never complete...
She pretended to smile, but her face did not
help much. That sadness was so evident and solid, one could almost touch it.
- A cold and rainy day… to crown it with a
sordid detail…
- I tried my best.
She looked at him with a despising expression.
His face was handsome. One could never guess the intent behind those icy blue
eyes. She shivered.
The rain stopped suddenly.
- A gift.
She looked surprised. In her mind there were
lots of conflicting thoughts, memories, lost feelings, anguish… but not anger.
Not anymore.
She felt light. She wished she had had a last
chance; a last moment of love and pleasure…
If she only knew before… she would have lived…
- It’s late.
His eyes were inviting, in a different way. She
felt she had no more time. She recalled an old song.
…”What I would give to be lost in your embrace”…*
He smiled as if reading her thoughts. She smiled
back.
- I know. It doesn’t make any sense.
- No. It doesn’t.
He paused. She felt tears rolling down her face.
- I’m ready.
- Then it’s time for the phone call.
- That’s an unusual way of doing it.
She dialled a three-number code. There was a
click on the other side of the line.
“You dialled Emergency”...
- I had an accident. I’m dying…
“What kind of accident? Madam? Madam?”...
She hung up and smiled. Peacefully. Nothing
mattered anymore.
His face was handsome. Masculine. Perfect. She
lifted her both hands to be held in his.
- It’s time. Let’s just do it…
