The Twelth Player

Chapter 17: On the Edge of the Abyss

It was already late, but sleep wasn't even an option for me. Erik dropped me off at the hospital and drove off to meet Monika and Katie. I was on edge. Koller was out there, free. What if he tried to pull something to stop Eli from testifying?

I walked straight to the reception desk.

"Elina Kalnina," I muttered bluntly.

The nurse gave me a sharp look.

"We can only provide information to family members."

Freaking GDPR. At least Koller would get the same response.

Then I spotted a familiar face — Alex, an old classmate from school, now working here as a medic.

"Matti! What're you doing here?"

"A friend's in the hospital — Elina Kalnina. Any idea where she is?"

"Since it's you, I'll tell you. She's in the ICU. It was a serious case," he said quietly.

I barely managed to mumble a thank you. At the ICU, the doctor told me Eli was in a medically induced coma.

"Visits are restricted to family only."

I slumped into a chair and buried my face in my hands. The tears I was fighting finally came out. I failed to protect her. What if she never wakes up?

My phone buzzed, pulling me out of the dark spiral. Dad.

"Matti, we're at the hospital."

I texted him my location.

A moment later, the elevator opened, and out walked not just Dad but Hansi too.

"How's she?" Dad asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"She's in a coma... they're not letting anyone in," I muttered.

"I am sorry," sighed Hansi.

Dad nodded.

"You did everything you could. I'm proud of you. Eli will pull through."

They just sat next to me without saying much. It might not have looked like it, but it helped a lot. After a while, they left. I stayed there all night, occasionally dozing off but mostly keeping an eye out in case that bastard Koller showed up.

When dawn broke, I felt more hopeless than ever. What if she never wakes up? Eli deserves all the happiness in the world. And instead, it's looking like she'll get a damn sunflower bouquet on her grave. No. I couldn't think like that.

I clasped my hands together. I'm not religious, never have been. But Eli believes in God. And I had nothing left to lose.

"God," I whispered, "I don't know if you're listening... but please, give Eli a chance. She deserves it more than I do. Please, let her wake up."

The door opened, and someone walked in — someone I never expected to see here. Commissioner Geissler. No poker face this time.

"Mr. Heiberg," he started calmly, "I'm sorry about what happened yesterday. I want to help you."

"What changed? Yesterday you were ready to throw me in jail."

Geissler sighed.

"Yesterday at home, I mentioned to my wife and daughter that I was working on a case involving a young woman who cared for children. I didn't give any details, but my daughter immediately knew who I was talking about. She works at the town office and said Elina often came in to help Ukrainian families. She translated for them and watched their kids at the same time. My daughter said she'd never seen anyone so selfless."

He paused before continuing.

"Then I heard you spent the whole night here, even though they wouldn't let you see her. I misjudged you, Heiberg."

That I didn't expect. Geissler, who'd treated me like a criminal just yesterday, was now on my side.

"Thanks," I managed to say quietly.

"By the way," he added, "I talked to the folks at Kids Center to let them know Elina wouldn't be coming in. They mentioned how close you two are, how you've supported her. I arranged for you to be allowed in — she shouldn't be alone."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. All I could do was thank him again.

"Don't worry," Geissler said firmly. "We'll do everything we can to take Koller down. Elina and you deserve justice."

I walked into her room. Eli was lying there, hooked up to machines. Pale, almost transparent. It looked like she could disappear at any moment. I pulled a chair closer and sat by her side.

On the table next to her bed, I saw a tiny owl figure from a Kinder egg — the one I gave her a while back. The nurses must've emptied her pockets. I picked it up and clenched it in my hand. Why did she even carry it around? Just a dumb toy... But now I realized it meant something to her. Maybe it comforted her. Maybe it reminded her she wasn't alone.

"Eli, I'm sorry," I whispered. "I shouldn't have left you alone. I won't this time."

I knew I had to call Hansi. The game was tonight, and I was supposed to be on the field. But how could I leave now? Eli needed me more than Union ever had.

"Matti, ready for tonight?" Hansi's voice came over the phone.

"Hansi, I'm not playing," I said straight away.

"What? Are you okay? Do you know who's coming to watch you?"

"Yeah, I know. But I can't."

There was silence for a moment.

"Because of Eli, right?" Hansi finally asked.

"Yeah," I admitted.

Hansi sighed. "You know what? I'm proud of you, Matti. This is what really matters. It's what I was telling you this week — it's about what's in your heart and the people around you."

I finally understood what he meant. It's not just about football. It's about the people who matter the most. And Eli? Maybe I wasn't ready to say it out loud, but I knew one thing — I'd do anything for her.

I hung up and sat back down by her bed. I didn't know what the next hour or day would bring. But one thing was clear — I wasn't leaving until she woke up.