The Long Run (Prequel to Time Loop)

Chapter Sixteen

15:24

We got off the plane to Helsinki, Finland late in the afternoon. The plane ride was long and exhausting, so we headed off to the nearest hotel first to rest.

While Erik lied asleep on the bed across, I stood at the balcony, staring down at the city. My nimble fingers were cold against the black metal rims of the balcony. Although I was exhausted, for some reason, I just couldn't fall asleep. I suppose it was due to the fact that there was so much on my mind, but there was nothing I could really do about it.

I was so focused on the movement around the city and its vibrancy that I hadn't noticed Erik step onto the balcony as well. "I thought you were asleep," he mumbled, rubbing his tired eyes. His hair was a scruffy mess that suited him just fine.

"Sorry, just couldn't sleep," I told him, then returned to looking onward.

He stepped beside me, his arms leaning on the balcony railings. His bright blue eyes gleamed down at the city.. "It's marvelous, isn't it?"

"Mhm," I nodded, taking a deep breath of fresh air. So much had gone by that I hadn't really stopped to just take a breather.

"I'm sorry," Erik blurted out suddenly.

I turned to face him, seeing his guilty expression. "Sorry for what?" I asked.

He shifted nervously, as if he was figuring out just the right words to express his guilt. "For what you saw back in Moscow. I didn't want you to see that side of me."

"Hey, it's okay," I assured, placing my hand on his on his shoulder. I was afraid he'd shift back under my touch, but he remained there, watching intently. "What you did was justified after all you've been through. I trust you, meaning I'll be there with you through the good, and the bad. We can fight through it."

He took my hand from his shoulder and held it in his. "You don't deserve this. You don't deserve to deal with my burdens. I've been nothing but a menace to you since the day we met."

"Erik, I wouldn't be traveling here with you if I thought that," I said. "Like you told me, we're both the same. I may not fully comprehend what you're going through, but at least I'm trying and not just abandoning you. Stop trying to run on your own."

"We may not make it-"

"Well at least we'll know we fought the good fight."

~The Next Day~

We received a location after much asking around. More like interrogating to be honest. The meeting was going to happen at a local restaurant, another front for illegal arms trafficking.

Entering the restaurant, we were met with suspicious glares. There was no need to dress up this time, since we weren't going undercover.

"Are you ready?" I asked Erik just as he was about to push the back doors. He was finally going to come face to face with his lifetime nemesis; the man who had deprived him of having a childhood.

He nodded grimly, then pushed opened the doors, revealing one man who was sitting quietly at the center. But it wasn't Klaus. He wore an all black suit, but it was difficult to make out his facial features with the only dimly lit lightbulb that dangled on the ceiling.

We were confused at first, trying to figure out if this was some sort of joke or if the meeting was moved. That was when the man clapped slowly, laughing at our utter stupidity.

"Where's Klaus?" Erik asked, standing in front of me. This was a trap. The guy flung his hands, causing the door to shut behind us. We both jolted forward in shock.

"A mutant," I muttered. It had been a while since I had came across others like us.

He raised his hand up and clenched it into a fist, causing me to fly upward in an invisible choke hold. I gagged and grasped my throat, trying to fight off the invisible force that was suffocating me.

"Let her go!" Erik shouted and used his powers to drop down one of the loose metal pipes on the ceiling, hoping it would fall on the guy's head. Sadly however, the guy dodged just in time and sent Erik flying across the room.

Erik fell hard onto the cemented wall and from the looks of it, I thought he wasn't going to wake up. But a tinge of relief waved over when I saw him stir slowly on the floor, trying to endure the immense pain and get up to help.

I could feel myself getting lightheaded and close to unconsciousness. Flashes of light flew across the room and all I could see were blurred spots. That was, until I heard the sound of a gunshot and I quickly dropped to the floor, panting for air.

My vision began to clear once more and I saw the man lying flat on the ground, crimson blood seeping over and under his body like an endless water fountain. Erik stood over his body, a gun held tightly in his hand.

I stood up, stumbling a bit at first as I approached the body. The man's eyes wandered off lifelessly in the dark. I've never seen a dead body so close.

"I had to do it," Erik spoke with grave sincerity. "He would've killed you."

"Let's just-let go," I quickly brushed it off, deciding that the best way I could deal with my shock was by not confronting it to begin with. At the moment, I guess I didn't realize how wrong I was.

"I'll be outside in a minute. I just need to find something," Erik aimlessly looked around the dimly lit room.

I nodded and turned to head out, leaving him behind to rummage. The people who were at the restaurant before had now disappeared, probably having ran away after hearing that gunshot.

My head was practically spinning and the night's events just drove by while I stayed behind. I watched vigilantly as the almighty moon forged its coup and seized the night, while the stars stayed still, bearing witness to it all.