"The Virtuoso"

New York City

A few months later, Raymond was sitting alone in a hotel room in New York City when his phone rang suddenly. He didn't recognize the number, but answered it anyway. "Yes?" he said cautiously. "Raymond, it's Eleanor." Raymond stood up, putting a hand to his forehead in disbelief. "Before you say anything, I am alright." she said, her voice firm and stoic in nature. "Where are you calling from? Are you safe?" he asked, trying his best to remain calm. "Yes, I am safe. I am fine. I am calling from a payphone in New York. Reesler visited me while I was in the hospital and he quietly slipped me your number. I have held on to it ever since." Raymond smiled and laughed softly. " I knew he had a heart somewhere under that tough exterior." Eleanor laughed, then there was silence, besides the noise of the city. "Are you there?" he asked. "I'm here", she said, her voice down to a shaky whisper. "You're crying" he said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Hearing your voice after all this time is a lot harder than I would have imagined. I tried to contain myself, but it's you. It's really you." "I'm here Eleanor." he said softly. "I never stopped thinking about you. It broke me to leave you behind." "Then why did you leave me?" she yelled, breaking through the phone with her sobs and gasps. " I woke up in a hospital room with strangers asking me a million questions, and you weren't there. The trauma that I've been through has completely changed me. And I did it on my own." "Eleanor, please." Raymond said, trying to remain calm. " I couldn't stay with you. I had to leave. I can't explain everything all at once." "I need answers, Raymond. Please. I've been drowning without you." she said, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm herself. " Where are you in New York? I am here too." he replied. " I need to see you. I need you." she kept repeating herself, her emotions taking over in spite of her façade to be strong. "I'm at the Empire Hotel, on 63rd street. Meet me on the rooftop. Did you hear me?" "I'm nodding," she said. She promptly hung up the phone and Raymond realized he had been holding his breath.

Midnight on the rooftop. The city that never sleeps seemed to mimic the temperament of a familiar individual who waited alone. Raymond  looked out at the city below, taking in the view, the lights, the sparkle of the city. Hearing footsteps behind him, he turned and saw Dembe walking towards him. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" Dembe said, trying to be cautious yet feeling uneasy. "Dembe please, wait in the room. I just need to talk to her. One hour, that's all I need." Dembe nodded and walked away.

A few minutes later but for what seemed like hours, there was the sound of footsteps.