It was past midnight when Nerson pulled up in front of his uncle's house.
The streetlights bled long shadows across the pavement.
Through the front window, he saw her.
A woman stepping out of Dr. Esmir's door.
She stopped. Her eyes found his through the windshield.
Cerin.
His breath caught in his throat.
"Officer Nerson?"* Her voice cut through the quiet, sharp and exhausted.
"What are you doing here? Still chasing the old flu cases?"
Nerson's grip tightened on the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white.
"I told you before. I don't have time for any of it."
"Then why are you here?" She crossed her arms.
"This isn't your business."
"I'm not here for the case," he said, voice low.
"I'm here because I saw you."
Cerin let out a slow breath. "There's nothing left to say. I need to go."
"Wait- Cerin!"
She paused, but didn't turn around. The night felt too still.
"You know it's over," she said.
"And whatever I'm doing here has nothing to do with you.
I didn't even know Dr. Esmir was your uncle.
But none of that matters now.
You never let me in, Nerson.
And I spent years wondering if I was ever supposed to be part of your world."
She walked away before he could respond.
Nerson watched her disappear into the darkness.
An empty weight settled in his chest.
He got out of the car and went inside.
"Uncle. Good evening. How are you?"
Dr. Esmir looked up from his desk. "I'm fine.
What brings you by?"
Nerson hesitated. "Just wanted to check on you.
I saw Cerin outside."
Dr. Esmir set his pen down. "The journalist investigator.
Do you know her?"
A humorless smile flickered across Nerson's face. He looked away.
"...From my past."
"You never mentioned anyone."
"I don't want to talk about her anymore, Uncle."
Silence settled between them.
Dr. Esmir broke it with a tired chuckle.
"Well. I'm glad you came. Do you want to talk about it, or should I drag it out of you?"
Nerson forced a small smile.
"I'm alright, Uncle.
How's the task force? Any updates?"
Dr. Esmir's expression darkened. "Congressman Jinston's case is still open. The crime matches. The pattern holds.
It goes all the way back to 1925."
"1925?"
"The original flu cure case."
"So that's why Cerin's here," Nerson murmured.
He paused.
"But why? The media buried that story years ago.
It was declared closed."
"Because someone's covering it up,"Dr. Esmir said.
"Past and present.
She thinks I should let it go. For your Auntie's sake.
But she also believes the outbreak was weaponized."
Nerson went still. "Do you believe that?"
"I don't know what to believe anymore."* His voice cracked.
"She doesn't understand the danger, Nerson.
But she wants to keep digging. With me.
To find what's missing."
"I'm not saying you're wrong, Uncle," Nerson said softly.
"I know you want justice. For Auntie. For all of them.
But you can't live in this grief forever."
Dr. Esmir turned toward the window.
"I tell myself that every night, Nerson.
But every night I see them.
The ones we lost.
And I see her. Sick and waiting.
And I wasn't there."
He pressed his fingers to his eyes.
Nerson said nothing. The air in the room felt heavy, suffocating.
"I'm sorry," he said finally.
"But whatever you decide... I'm with you."
Dr. Esmir offered a faint, wry smile.
Thanks, kid. And if you ever talk to her"
"I'll be fine."* Nerson looked down.
"I don't really know her anymore.
But she's strong. Smart. She doesn't give up."
The shadows kept their secrets.
Nerson chose hope.
He just didn't know yet how much it would cost.
YOU ARE READING
156 DAY ? - HORIZON
General Fiction156 DAYS? ( Part 1 ) Have you everbeen asking a questions? Or doubt on your whole life ? PREFACE: Nez suffered on his life when his family lie to him, sometimes he tries to kill his self to end whatever he takes... nez can be better? or he still...
