The Long Run (Prequel to Time Loop)

Epilogue

It's been a year and we've still been searching for Klaus. Our recent lead was a man who used to work for Klaus in Montreal. We scheduled a meeting with him in private, a location of his choice. He wouldn't tell us his name or any other personal info for that matter. It made me a little more anxious about finding Klaus, seeing as the guy we were about to meet seemed so frightened by him.

"I don't see anyone," Erik muttered, pacing back and forth impatiently. We agreed to meet at a local park, somewhere inconspicuous and common. 

"Erik, sit down. You're drawing attention to yourself," I beckoned, pulling him down onto the bench I was sitting on. I could tell he was getting more frustrated by the minute. We hit so many dead-ends in our never-ending search for Klaus and this was probably one our last few leads. We were getting desperate. "He'll be here."

"What makes you so sure?" he asked.

"I don't know," I admitted with a shrug, "It's just a gut feeling. We haven't come this far for nothing."

"I hope you are right," Erik sighed. 

"Looks like I am," I mumbled as a man in a black trench coat and sunglasses approached us. 

"What brings you to the park sir?" Erik asked him, using the code question we planned to make sure this was the right guy.

"Wouldn't you like to know? I've been walking in circles," the guy responded with the exact right answer, assuring me that this was definitely who we had spoken to over the phone.

"So you used to work for Klaus?" I asked.

"Yes. I usually worked behind the scenes. Helped cover up his schemes," was all he said in return. His hands were stuffed in his pockets and his head darted side to side occasionally, searching to make sure no one was watching him.

"What changed?" I questioned with narrowed eyes.

"I was tired of the killing. At first, it was okay because you know, the humans had it coming. But I never realized how ruthless he was till now," the man explained. The mention of killing made my face falter a bit. I tried not to think too much of it then, but I was beginning to realize that him and I were no different. I couldn't admit it to myself at the moment, however.

"On the phone, you said something about knowing where he's going to next," Erik seemed disinterested by his story, and wanted eagerly to move on with his mission.

"Yes," the man nodded, "There's a bank manager over in Geneva, Switzerland. He helps Klaus launder money for nuclear weapons. He's your best bet at finding Klaus."

"Are you sure this isn't some trap you're leading us into?" Erik asked, still reluctant to trust him.

"Like I told you, I'm no longer working for Klaus. If anything, I think it would be best if you stay as far away from him as possible for your own safety. He has friends in all places," he warned.

"I'm sure we'll be fine," Erik waved off, his mind wandered off to focus on more pressing matters. And so, we were now off to Geneva. I was not sure if that was the moment when things changed, but I could finally sense Erik's desperation for revenge, his hunger to kill.