EYE OF THE HYDRA (complete)

CHAPTER TEN

I almost fell on the slippery stones but somehow I managed to keep my balance and taking advantage of my momentum, I jumped from the stairs instead. I ran through an arched gateway, following the labyrinth-like paths and soon I reached a small square at the entrance of the fortress. The visitors watched the event with wide opened eyes, as two strangers rushed off before them breathlessly.

The blonde slipped out of the gate and took the stairs, which were leading down, to escape. I was running close behind him. For a moment I dazzled, thanks to the gaping depth below me but I didn't stop. I was getting closer and closer, which he noticed because he speeded up.

In the next moment, when he reached the third round and whirled, the guy shot at me. I immediately stooped and flattened to the rocky wall. The bullet passed me and hit the stones of the staircase. By now the killer started to run away again, making me enraged. What I hate the most is when someone thinks I'm the target.

I threw myself after him and in a minute managed to catch up with him. The unknown man looked back for a second and blindly fired at me but I ignored the bullets. When I got close enough, I knocked him off his feet. Both of us hit the floor. Fortunately, during the fall, his hand was slammed to the ground and the weapon fell from his fingers, and slipped down to the parking lot underneath.

Encouraged by this, I grabbed his shirt and turned him on his back, then punched his face with my fist. But my opponent was an experienced fighter. He spat some blood and, as if nothing had happened, returned the blow. The man was a bit larger than me, so the strike hit me with the power of a locomotive, pushing me to the lower stone wall along the stairs.

The world turned upside down, while black dots jumped in front of my eyes. The blonde stood up and wanted to leave but I couldn't let that happen! I reached after him and grabbed his ankle. I was hoping that I could make him fall down on the stairs but he kept his balance easily. He kicked my face with the sole of his shoe, almost breaking my nose and then he walked away. After this I had no strength to follow him, so I was lying on the ground and watched his vanquishing figure.

I stayed there motionless for several more minutes, until an old couple came and helped me up. They were French as far as I could tell, though I didn't understand any of their words. In any case, they kindly offered me a síp of mineral water, which I gladly accepted. I still felt terrible but I motioned that I was fine now. They believed me, though they left me alone reluctantly as they continued their journey up to the fortress.

I looked down from the stairs but the attacker had gone already. Then I heard the siren of an ambulance car. Anna did as I asked, it seemed. It was time for me to return to the wounded. It took me a while to get back to them. By the time I arrived, Leventis' head rested in Anna's lap, while three or four tourists were standing behind them.

The antique dealer was in a bad shape. He looked pale and he was breathing briskly, while a pool of blood were spreading slowly under his body.

"I must... tell you..." whispered in his weak voice, so I leaned closer to him. "Thalassa street... 23, in Kavala. The attic... of the old house... under the boards of the central beam."

"Why there? Hold on Leventis! Help is coming," I tried to keep him conscious, but he slowly stepped into a place where living people are not allowed to enter.

"The house... belongs to my family. It's for rent," he groaned, then made a faded smile and closed his eyes.

Petros Leventis left our world forever. No one said a word. Anna gently laid his head on the stones, while looking at me with tearful eyes. I shook my head sorrowfully. There was nothing we could do now. Only the wind blew between the walls, like haunting wraiths in daylight.