Murder in Vienna

Chapter 4 - Shireen

It was dark when we got off the underground, the sun had set at least an hour ago. But it wasn't cold - on the contrary.
"We have to go that way." Alex pointed to a staircase that led downstairs and set off straight away. I took another quick look at the underground, which would make a good subject to paint, then pulled myself together and followed him quickly, dragging my suitcase behind me.
Alex had already turned the corner when I lifted my suitcase and dragged it with difficulty down the stairs with steps that were far too low. Mason was four steps ahead of me, but turned to me at the landing and smiled. "Alex, we've lost someone!"

Panting, I set my suitcase down on the floor and saw Alex, who was now looking around for us with some concern.
"I'm already here," I shouted and hurried to extend the handle and hurry after the two of them.

The underground building was small and had green-painted windows and doors. It looked quite nice, despite the dirty white walls.
Alex led us out through the large open door and we emerged right on a street. "There it is." Alex pointed to a tall building on the right and began to smile. "Nice, isn't it?"

I only managed to nod, still struggling to catch my breath as we walked past a homeless shelter, towards the traffic lights.
My eyes involuntarily flitted to the people standing in front of the station building and next to it in the dark. Many were smoking and many looked dodgy. One man in particular caught my eye. He had sunken skin, a bald head and was pulling hard on a cigar. His eyes were fixed on the three of us.

I hurriedly turned round to Alex and Mason, who didn't seem to notice and was relieved when the traffic lights turned green and we were able to cross. Unlike in New York, there was a heart between the two green men and they were holding hands. A sweet sight.
We had to cross a second street, whose traffic lights for pedestrians were already green, and came out directly in front of the building where our flat was located. A woman with brown hair streaked with grey and a small black bag came towards us immediately, waving a large bunch of keys in her hand. It was Eloise Parks.

She explained that her brother was currently in Turkey and led us into the building, but had a few problems with the front door. She said it was a little difficult to open, but we would later realise with some amusement that she was the only one who couldn't manage it.

Our flat was a dream. The initial doubts that each of us had when we were still on the train disappeared. Everything was exactly as in the photos and the sight of the dark city and all the lights was simply breathtaking.

After she explained the darkening system and the function of the coffee machine, Eloise Park left. There was a closed double bed on the right and a pull-out couch, also a double bed. This couch was on the left-hand side of the flat, directly facing the triangular-shaped balcony, which could be accessed from the dining room. Alex insisted that I take the room, although I initially refused.

"Then you'll have some privacy." He stood in the doorway of the double bedroom and looked at me. "And look, you can still switch on the lights here in the evening and have some time to yourself. I've already talked to my parents about it and-"

"Yes, okay," I interrupted him, smiling slightly. "Okay."

He nodded, smiling contentedly. It was the kind of smile that showed he'd known I was going to cave in. No one managed to oppose Alex's fixed opinions. At least not most of the time.
You'd think he'd at least listen to me or Mason, we'd known him since we were six, but it was hard to convince him of anything. And it was even harder to do it as a reserved girl. I knew that only too well.

Alex joined Mason in the living room while I opened my suitcase and sent a short video of the flat to my two friends and my mum.

It was nice to have finally arrived. And I was convinced that the five days would be just as nice.

But I was very wrong about that.