Teodor stood at the threshold of the corridor, momentarily frozen, staring at the scene unfolding before him. The five people at the table, surprisingly quiet and harmonious, were like a flipped page in a book – each person different, yet in this moment united by an unspoken agreement. He glanced towards his seated sister.
Nulla, as always, seemed unaffected by anything. Almost carelessly, with a metallic calm, she swallowed her slightly burnt toast, her white hair contrasting with the rest of them. There was nothing in her eyes that could reveal her emotions. Independent, focused on the smallest details, as if simply being here was her enough challenge. Next to her sat Ignacy, his red hair livelier than the rest of the table. Tall, with gestures full of warmth, yet something in his gaze seemed dimmed to Teodor, as though waiting for something to happen. Beside him was Jaśmin, a dark-haired boy with an intelligent, cool gaze, his lips pressed tightly together as though he didn't quite belong in this moment. Teo had the sense that the teenager wasn't physically present, even though he sat in the same spot. His mind was already somewhere far away, in a place full of thoughts demanding resolution. Across from them, at a distinct distance, sat Emi. His gaze wandered across the room, trying to find a place that could offer even a moment of peace. But what truly caught Teodor's attention wasn't their faces, but Blue, sitting at the very center. He sat there like a king, like someone who had no equal. Dressed in a white denim jacket and white pants, he looked like a model on a photoshoot, not quite fitting into this space, as if he had stumbled into it by accident. His hair was tied in a careless ponytail, which, on one hand, seemed completely planned. Yes, Blue was something more than just a presence at the table – his appearance didn't belong in this moment, yet it couldn't be ignored. Teodor shifted his gaze to him, feeling how this unreal figure drew his attention like a magnet. He noticed something elusive in Blue, a hidden shame that he tried to conceal behind the shield of his long blue hair. He remembered how Blue had sat next to him yesterday, but then, in the dark of night, his face had been... Now it was different. His hair covered most of his face, but it couldn't hide what was invisible – the shame that pierced him to the core. Blue sat in the chair, his head bent down, his hands nervously playing with the blue strands of his hair, as if it was the only thing he could control. He was like an ostrich hiding its head in the sand, hoping not to be noticed.
Teodor noticed this withdrawal, this absolute attempt to disappear from the place that surrounded him.
- Blue? – Jaśmin's voice rang out, leaning out from behind Ignacy.
Teodor felt his gaze shift to the brunet for a moment. He noticed that monkey-like face, that expression which was like a reflection of his own confusion. He wanted to respond, but the silence hanging in the air was more unsettling than any words.
- Teo! – Ignacy shouted, and the blond immediately shook himself out of his thoughts.
- You're quiet, – Teodor added, walking toward the table.
- I thought you'd be sleeping until noon, – Nulla replied, setting aside the ketchup and chewing on another toast.
Teodor had already reached the table, stopping next to Jaśmin. The brunet looked up, glancing at him. It was clear that he didn't feel comfortable in this situation, but he tried not to show it too much.
- Sit here, – Ignacy said, pointing to the white chair across from Blue. – You won't hurt each other from this distance, – he added, looking at Jaśmin.
Teodor glanced at him, furrowing his brows but not responding. He pushed the chair aside and then straightened up, his gaze immediately falling on Blue. The boy, still lost in his thoughts, seemed completely closed off. Teodor wondered for a moment if it was shame or simply exhaustion. Feeling increasingly awkward, he turned to the blonde.
- Why are you sitting here? – Teodor asked, slightly shifting the chair.
- What do you mean? – Ignacy replied, completely not understanding Teodor's intent.
- Jaśmin doesn't want to sit by his side, – he answered.
- Do you want to? – Ignacy asked, getting up and looking for an answer.
- It's fine, – the teenager replied, then grabbed him by the hand and gently pulled him back to the table. Ignacy calmly sat down, and his gaze once again fell on Jaśmin's face, who was now looking at him, as though trying to read something from his posture.
Teo sighed, then looked at the plate of sandwiches in front of him. His gaze momentarily lingered on Jaśmin's light tan.
- Aren't you hungry? – the brunet asked, looking at the food.
- No, I just ate, – Blue replied, still not lifting his gaze.
- I was asking Teodor, – Jaśmin responded, without breaking his scrutinizing stare.
Teodor grabbed a glass of water and began surveying the well-laid table. He took it in his hand, then looked around the room, searching for a jug of water.
- Don't you prefer coffee? – Emi interrupted, holding a cup.
Teodor raised an eyebrow, feeling strange in this crowded room. The blond, however, nodded to the green-eyed one, trying not to make any more fuss as he stood up from the table.
- I'll go to the kitchen and make it for you, – Emi added, disappearing toward the kitchen.
- We've discussed the plan, – the confused blonde said, finishing her toast.
- What plan? – Teodor asked, leaning toward the table, not quite sure what was being referred to.
- We need to split up and... – Ignacy interrupted, raising his head and looking at Nulla with disapproval. – We're stuck with the division, – he added, shaking his head at the blonde.
- We're stuck with you! – Emi shouted from the other room.
- Me? – Teodor repeated, pulling up to the table and grabbing one of the sandwiches with a large amount of lettuce and cucumber. He shoved it into his mouth, feeling the taste of the cold cuts relax him for a moment. Suddenly, he remembered how long it had been since he had a chance to eat something so good. He understood why everyone preferred eating here to arguing over plans.
- We need to find... Art, – Nulla reminded him, reaching for her glass of water.
- And? – Teodor asked, pulling the plate closer to himself.
- And we need to go to the point, whatever it is, – Nulla said, looking at the others, as if making sure everyone understood the seriousness of the situation.
- Someone also needs to go to the bar, – Emi interrupted her, entering the room with a white cup of coffee. He stood beside the table, not sitting, as if waiting for an answer.
- And then there's the carriage, – she added, turning to Ignacy, who sat across from her at the table, an expression of indifference on his face.
Teodor looked at Nulla, then shifted his gaze to the redhead. His posture was relaxed, as though he wasn't concerned about the whole situation.
- So, what's the problem? – Teodor asked, looking at Ignacy, who sat across from him. At that moment, Emi placed the cup of coffee in front of Teodor, and his gaze dropped to the empty space outside the window. – And what about that "bar" or "point"? – he asked, still not fully understanding.
- The point is where we can contact Leo, – Jaśmin replied, sitting next to Ignacy, calmly joining the conversation as if he wasn't surprised by the commotion.
- The bar, or the tavern, – added the green-eyed brunet with irony, gesturing toward the space. – It sounds like a cheap club, but those are the kinds of places we need to look for Art, – Emi sat down in a chair, settling between Blue and Nulla as though it were just an ordinary day.
- And the carriage? – he asked, looking at the faces around the table, shifting his gaze from one person to another.
- We need to get rid of her. - Nulla replied, her voice cold, as if everything happening around them was just another part of the plan. - After all, we were lucky they didn't track us down. - She glanced over her shoulder at Emi, sitting behind her, who stood by, waiting for further developments.
- I understand. - Teodor nodded. - So?
- You were supposed to fly with Jaśmin and take care of the ambulance situation. - The blonde replied, addressing Teodor, but her gaze shifted to Ignacy, who was listening to the entire conversation with an indifferent expression. - But... - She paused. - Ignacy thinks it's a "bad idea." - she added, mocking her older brother's voice.
Ignacy, sitting upright and calmly looking at the rest of them, turned to his sister: - Because it is a bad idea. - he said quietly, his voice leaving no room for doubt.
- We know, we know... - Emi reminded him, now also looking at Ignacy, noting that the decision had already been made.
- What does that mean? - Teodor asked, still sitting at the table, confused. - I don't see the problem. Jaśmin can steer it, we'll dump her somewhere, and then we'll come back.
- How? - Ignacy interrupted him, looking at him skeptically. - How will you come back? - he repeated, emphasizing the words. - Neither of you knows how to navigate in this city, you'll get lost before you can safely return here.
- True. - Jaśmin nodded, agreeing with his brother. - Last time, the cyborgs caught me, but...
- Don't think about it. - Ignacy cut him off, his tone growing sharper, as if every next step could lead to trouble. - It'll end up with us not only looking for Artur but also looking for YOU. - He stressed this firmly, looking at everyone with seriousness. - We only need one missing person. - he added, concluding the topic.
- I think if we gave them a navigator... - Emi interjected.
- And what if they lose it? - Ignacy asked, his voice carrying a tone that said it all. He was tired of such discussions.
- None of them is fit to take him to such places. - Nulla exploded, unable to hold it in anymore. Her emotions suddenly flared up, as if all the previous tensions had finally found an outlet. - That's why it would be safest if they dealt with the ambulance. - she finished, her voice slightly quieter.
- What?! - Teodor looked at her in disbelief. - I'm older than you, I can go wherever I want. - he said angrily, grabbing another sandwich and nearly throwing it onto the plate.
- Exactly. - Ignacy nodded, his tone calm but determined. - Emi will go with Nulla, and you will go with Blue. - He continued, looking at everyone with unwavering certainty. It was clear he wasn't going to back down.
- I don't know if that's a good idea. - Teodor replied, staring at the empty space in front of him, as if trying to find an answer in his mind.
- True. - The blonde responded sarcastically, looking at him as if she understood his hesitation.
- Well... - Emi wondered, scratching his neck. - I think it would be better if I went with Ignacy to the point, and Nulla with Jaśmin took care of the ambulance. - He said convincingly, looking at everyone with hope for agreement.
- I think so too. - The blonde confirmed, unwilling to give up, nodding as if it were the only reasonable option.
Ignacy looked at Jaśmin, noticing some reluctance in his eyes, but also acceptance.
- No chance. - Ignacy responded with disapproval, not giving room for further discussions.
- I don't like it either. - Teodor chimed in, his voice calm, but it was clear that it was starting to wear on him.
- Anything else? - Nulla asked, as if expecting only a logical explanation. She was indifferent to Teodor and what was happening. She was stoic, nothing could move her.
Ignacy glanced at her, sensing that the situation required a firm decision from him. However, he decided to try again.
- Let's swap. - He said, looking at Nulla. His voice was confident, but his eyes revealed some anxiety. He wanted to avoid conflict, but he equally didn't want to leave Jaśmin alone. - I have a hurt hand, if someone sees me... - he added with visible effort, as if trying to justify something deeply personal to him.
Jaśmin looked at Ignacy for a moment, his face remaining cold.
- I'll help you. - Emi suddenly interrupted, with an enthusiasm that, in his case, could be seen as more than just a willingness to help. His voice carried something that said, "I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do." - I'm much stronger than Jaśmin, besides, he's just a kid, just like... - He added, looking at the blonde, trying to control the situation.
Nulla, who had been listening to this exchange, felt a growing frustration.
- Why all this theater? - she thought, and without realizing it, the words slipped out of her mouth: - Then you go with Teodor. - she said coldly, almost without emotion.
- Why? - Emi asked, visibly surprised.
- What I mean is, Teodor doesn't remember anything. - Nulla explained, looking at Emi with a clear coldness in her voice. - You're strong, so he'll be safe with you. - she reminded him.
Blue, trying to find the right words, hesitantly interjected:
- I think... - he started, but suddenly stopped, as if blocked. He looked at the blonde, opened his mouth, but after a moment, closed it again, unable to finish his thought.
- I understand. - Nulla nodded at him, though in reality, she had no idea what he meant.
She just wanted to end this exhausting monologue.
- NO! - Ignacy protested, raising his hand, showing everyone his turquoise-blue scars. - My hand! - he added, as if that would clear up any doubts.
- Stop complaining. - Nulla replied, rolling her eyes.
Teodor, with clear confusion on his face, turned to Emi:
- So, I go with you? - he asked, looking for a clear confirmation.
Ignacy, visibly irritated, sought support from Jaśmin, who, it seemed, had long since stopped listening to the group. The brunette, however, immediately noticed the redhead's gaze on him and, after a moment, shook himself off.
- He's right. - the monkey child said quietly, his tone serious. - Ignacy shouldn't go, definitely not that far. - he added, directing his gaze toward Nulla and Emi.
- You're talking about Ignacy? - Emi asked, frowning.
Jaśmin looked at Ignacy, his face as cold as ice.
- Your scars... they're spreading, right? - he started, more asking himself than others. He shifted his gaze to Ignacy's back. - It's not just your hand anymore, but your stomach and chest.
- So? - Nulla was waiting for an explanation.
- That distance could harm him. - Jaśmin argued. - We don't know what's happening to him. - His gaze shifted back to Emi, then to Nulla. Every decision had to have a logical explanation; no risks could be taken. - It's better not to put him at risk.
- Are you sure about that? - Emi asked directly, looking at Jaśmin. To which the teenager just nodded.
- So, I go with Jaśmin. - Ignacy concluded, pleased, slightly moving away from the table.
Jaśmin, without looking at Ignacy, replied loudly:
- We'll deal with the ambulance issue first, and then... - he stopped, feeling Ignacy's piercing gaze almost cutting through him. - As soon as we change. - he added quickly.
Nulla, irritated by the entire exchange, rolled her eyes, expressing her disapproval.
- So, I go with Emi? - Teodor asked from the end of the table, looking at the rest uncertainly.
Blue shrugged, looking at Nulla:
- Since I'm going with Nulla...
- No. - Jaśmin interrupted. - Blue will be wandering around bars. How are you going to push a girl there? - He narrowed his eyes, looking first at Emi, then at Nulla and Blue.
Nulla gave Emi a meaningful look, as if waiting for his decision.
- I'll go with her to the point, and you better keep an eye on yourselves. - he scolded the rest, including Jaśmin and Ignacy.
- You're going with Nulla, and Iggy with Min. - Blue summarized, nodding uncertainly.
- Yes! - Ignacy confirmed eagerly, almost with enthusiasm. - I can go right now! - he added, pushing the chair even farther, ready for action.
- Wait. - Jaśmin grabbed him by the sleeve of his shirt, looking up at him. His voice was unusually calm, but the redhead could hear something stern in it, a little reprimanding. - We're going with everyone.
Ignacy looked down, then sat down calmly. Slightly confused, he stared at his thighs as if trying to avoid confrontation.
- You should change. - Emi suggested, breaking the silence. His tone was light, almost joking. - Looking at you, every other one looks like they escaped from a sewage pit. - He smiled contentedly, glancing at the rest.
Teodor looked at him with slight irritation. His mind worked on a different wavelength than Emi's humor, so the joke didn't land at all.
- What should we change into? - Teodor asked, with no emotion in his voice, as if it were purely a practical matter.
Emi turned to Blue, who seemed deep in thought, staring at Teodor.
- Blue. - Jaśmin nudged him.
Blue blinked, as if just noticing the surroundings. He shook his head, as if trying to clear his mind.
- The bag was left in your room. - he replied, looking at Jaśmin. - And Nulla's dress should be drying downstairs in the bathroom.
Nulla nodded, giving a slight smile, but without unnecessary words.
- Then I'll go change. - she said coolly, standing up from the table.
- Us too. - Ignacy quickly grabbed Jaśmin's hand, as if afraid he would run away. He had already moved away from the table again.
- Wait. - Emi suddenly stopped them. - I need to talk to Min.
Jaśmin let go of Ignacy's hand and sat back down, though his expression showed he was not pleased with the delay.
- Something like a... family meeting? - Ignacy tried to lighten the mood, but his voice sounded uncertain. He looked at Emi, as if seeking support.
Teodor watched his brother with growing discomfort. He felt out of place, so he stood up, grabbing Ignacy's hand, and began pulling him toward the hallway.
- What are you doing?! - Ignacy nearly tripped as Teodor tugged him along.
- Are the clothes in your room, or in Jaśmin's room? - Teodor asked, completely ignoring Ignacy's emotions.
Ignacy opened his mouth, but instead of answering, he glanced at Jaśmin, who just shrugged.
- He'll show you, - Jaśmin said dryly, without a hint of emotion.
Teodor nodded and continued ahead, pulling Ignacy behind him.
- What are you doing?! - Nulla's voice called from behind the bathroom door.
- We're going to change! - Teodor yelled without stopping.
The other three at the table watched Ignacy and Teodor leave. Blue, in disbelief, rubbed his eyes. Emi, with an expression of disgust, shifted his gaze to the white counter, completely ignoring the situation. Only Jaśmin, clearly accustomed to eccentric behavior, sat calmly, not even paying attention to Ignacy's shouts.
- I can walk on my own! - Ignacy was practically shaking with irritation, trying to pull away from Teodor's strong grip. But Teodor, calm and matter-of-fact, did not react to his brother's emotions, leading him confidently down the hallway toward the stairs.
Ignacy occasionally turned around, searching for Jaśmin's gaze, but he seemed to ignore his desperate looks. Finally, on the second floor, Teodor released him as they reached a hallway lined with white doors.
- Why did you do that?! - Ignacy exploded in anger, standing in the middle of the hallway.
- If I hadn't, you'd still be sitting there. - Teodor rolled his eyes, as though the entire situation was tiresome and pointless. - Which room is it? - he added, changing the subject, trying to avoid further discussion about his actions.
Annoyed, Ignacy pointed to the second door.
- This one? - Teodor asked, making sure.
The redhead was at a loss for words. He nodded and followed Teodor into the room, where the blonde was already opening the door. Teodor stopped in the doorway, staring at the room that seemed to consume all the space. The walls, ceiling, and floor were pristine white, as if someone had erased all colors, leaving only sterile emptiness. Soft, natural light streamed through two large, round windows, and delicate, semi-transparent curtains gently fluttered in the breeze. In the middle of the room stood a large, white bed.
The bedspread was scattered, as if someone had left in a hurry. On the bed lay an old, worn olive-colored bag, standing out starkly against the white background. Its appearance suggested it had been through a lot and had its own story to tell. Teodor stared at the bag for a moment, as if analyzing each frayed thread, trying to read the hidden tales within.
- Aren't you coming out? - Ignacy asked, standing at the door, clearly impatient.
- I'm coming. - Teodor replied, as if just registering his brother's presence. He stepped inside, stopping in front of the bed. His movements were precise, controlled, almost mechanical.
The door slammed shut behind them with a loud bang, making Ignacy jump. Teodor, however, didn't pay any attention to it. Always focused on the details, he kept his gaze fixed on the bag.
- Stop getting so worked up. - Teodor spoke after a moment. - We don't have time for your emotional outbursts. Change and let's go. - His voice was matter-of-fact, devoid of any emotion, typical of someone who didn't understand the need for excessive dramatization.
Though still upset, Ignacy couldn't find the words to respond. He knew he wouldn't win this conversation. He sighed loudly and started looking for clothes, trying to distract himself from his anger.
- In a hurry? - Teodor asked, not taking his eyes off his brother.
- What? - Ignacy looked at him, surprised, not understanding the question. He grabbed the bag, tossing a pile of clothes onto the floor. - I don't see anything interesting, - he muttered, expressing his frustration.
Teodor passed by the redhead and went to the window, allowing himself a moment of peace as he observed the White City. Dislike for the place stirred in his mind, as it had always seemed dead to him. The crowd of people moving between the buildings felt like part of a cold machine. Cyborgs patrolled the streets with mechanical precision, only deepening his unease.
- What about Jaśmin? - Teodor asked with sudden seriousness, trying to break the silence. He turned and looked at the redhead. Ignacy was just pulling on his pants, his movements quick but unsure.
- What's to be? - Ignacy replied, fastening his pants and looking up.
- What's your deal with him? - Teodor asked, as if searching for something concrete. - You're acting like... - Teodor started, but Ignacy interrupted him.
- He's like a younger brother to me. - Ignacy blurted out, his voice growing more nervous. He stood half-naked, his body, covered in blue-turquoise scars, seemed to scream with the pain that lingered within him.
Teodor studied the scars on his brother's body, unsure how to interpret them. Scars that were meant to be a testament to something deeper felt like a mystery to him, one he both wanted to solve and, at the same time, leave far behind.
- Brother, - Teodor repeated quietly, his voice full of uncertainty.
Ignacy lowered his gaze, his thoughts drifting far away.
- I don't know why, - the redhead said, clearly lost. - But it feels like I owe him something, like I have to be there for him.
Teodor looked at Ignacy with more understanding. He approached him, trying to lessen the distance.
- Maybe you see him as Nulla? - Teodor suggested, trying to understand his brother's motivations. - After all, they're about the same age. Maybe you feel sorry for him?
Ignacy shook his head, but after a moment, he stopped. The anger faded from his face.
- No. - he replied firmly, looking his brother straight in the eyes. - That's not it! - he added, pulling deeper emotions from within himself that he had not been able to name before. - Besides, they're not even the same age.
Teodor blinked, surprised.
- What do you mean? - he asked, his voice full of disbelief.
Ignacy sat on the bed, putting on his shirt.
- Jaśmin is fifteen. - he explained, finishing getting dressed. - And Nulla will be eighteen soon.
Teodor looked at him, confused.
- But... but...
- He lied to us. Maybe he wanted to appear tougher. - Ignacy adjusted the edge of his shirt, trying to control the sudden shaking of his hands.
Teodor looked at him as if trying to find answers in every movement.
- Don't you think this all started because of him? - asked the blond, shifting his gaze to Ignacy's hand, then to his face, covered in scars. Each of them was starting to create its own story.
- I know. - Ignacy replied, avoiding his gaze. His head dropped as if the weight of the conversation was pressing him to the ground. - I feel strangely helpless because... - he hesitated. - Because everything that was once simple and clear now seems tangled. Full of contradictions. And it's not just about him. - he added, interrupting, as if unable to catch his breath. - It's about our father, about you, about the system... - His voice grew quieter, unable to find the words that could explain it all. - It's about me too. It's like watching the sunset, feeling that the night is near, that if I don't return now, I will be swallowed by the darkness of the cold night. But still, I can't take my eyes off that moment, that view... I don't know, I can't even tell what it is but... - he finished, wondering if what he was saying made any sense. - I know I'm probably putting you both in danger. - he said, lowering his gaze. - You and Nulla, that it's all my fault. - he stopped, as if not knowing how to finish.
Teodor stared at him for a moment. He felt how these words were seeping into his mind, as if, in these few seconds, he had gotten closer to his brother more than in the previous several years, which, truth be told, he didn't remember at all. But that didn't change the fact that in his heart, a strange, pleasant feeling began to stir, which vanished with a flash of distant light.
- You feel like you're watching the sunset, and I feel like some hamster. - he said, resigned, almost desperate.
Ignacy looked at him, as if he didn't understand.
- A hamster? - he repeated questioningly, furrowing his brows.
- A hamster. - Teodor replied, as if not wanting to add anything more. - One that runs on a wheel, but one day wakes up and doesn't remember why he's doing it at all. Now he has no idea what the point is, or the purpose. - Teodor stared at the white ceiling, as if searching for an answer in it.
Ignacy looked at him, a little embarrassed. - That's strange. - He paused, thinking about what he had just said. - If he doesn't know why he's doing it, then why doesn't he get off? - he added after a moment of contemplation.
- What if that wheel was really important to him? What if getting off it would make him fall into the gravel pit? - Teodor continued, lost. - What if he can't stop, doesn't know what to do next? And then... - he stopped, feeling a sense of helplessness slowly overwhelming him. - What if there's no wheel anymore?
Ignacy was silent for a moment, looking at him as if trying to find an answer he didn't have.
- You know... - he began, his voice sounding more confident, as if trying to bring order to the conversation. - I don't think falling into the gravel pit would do him any harm. - He paused for a moment, as if searching for more words. - The gravel is soft. - he added, shrugging, as if that explained everything.
Teodor raised his eyebrows, clearly irritated.
- Soft? - he repeated.
Ignacy barely managed to suppress a laugh, which was more nervous than funny.
- You're comparing yourself to a hamster? - the redhead said.
- And so what? - Teodor asked, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. - Better that than... - he started, but didn't finish, as if he felt that it didn't matter anyway.
- What are you going to do about him? - Ignacy asked, looking at Teodor with a more serious expression.
- About who? - Teodor frowned, not understanding the question. He collapsed onto the bed, feeling the weight of fatigue start to press down on him.
- Blue. - Ignacy replied, his voice sounding like a burden that was beginning to suffocate Teodor. - What about him?
Teodor quickly turned his gaze to the window, as if he didn't want Ignacy to see how deeply that question affected him.
- What about him? - he asked, not looking at his brother.
- I don't know. - Ignacy replied, shrugging. - I thought you would tell me.
- Me? - Teodor seemed surprised.
- When we left the room in the morning, you were saying his name in your sleep. - Ignacy reminded him, looking at his brother as if waiting for an answer that Teodor couldn't find.
- In the morning. - Teodor repeated, his voice dull, as if the word itself was too heavy to swallow. - What time? - he asked, glancing at his brother. He was surprised. He didn't remember talking to anyone in the morning, let alone Blue.
The last memory he had of the Asian was a blurred scene from the evening, filled with unpleasant emotions.
- At night, maybe around two or three in the morning, I had a seizure. We went out with Jaśmin, who took me to the bathroom. - Ignacy explained, as if that should explain everything that had happened.
Teodor raised his eyebrows, clearly surprised.
- What does that have to do with me? - the blond asked, feeling tension rising within him.
- Your room is next to ours, right? - Ignacy replied, pointing over his shoulder at the white, smooth wall. - Literally next door. - He paused for a moment, as if trying to describe what he had seen. - When we left, your door was slightly open. You called out to him.
Teodor stared at the ceiling, trying to shake off the feeling of confusion that had overtaken him.
- Are you sure? - he asked, although he knew something was starting to piece together in his head. His voice was cold, but his heart was beating faster. He tried to hide the feeling inside him that made him want to vomit.
- Three in the morning, supposedly it's a magical hour. - Ignacy replied, adding a mysterious tone as if trying to build tension. - That's when we pronounce the names of our beloved.
Teodor jumped out of bed as if those words triggered some internal storm within him.
- What?! - he gasped, looking at Ignacy in disbelief. He stood by the window, staring at his brother, who had turned toward him, no longer looking at him as some clueless fool, but as an equal participant in this strange game that overwhelmed him.
- I don't mind you. - Ignacy replied, as if the matter were completely simple. - The problem might be with Nulla. - he added, thinking for a moment. - She might not accept you at first.
- Us? - The blond froze. A cold shiver of disgust ran through him. He stopped, eyes wide, not believing what he had just heard. - What do you mean, us? - he asked, taking a few steps back, almost crashing into the round window.
- You and Blue. - Ignacy summed up. His voice was calm, but the words carried something that made Teodor feel as if someone had ripped the ground from under him. - You know, you said his name in the middle of the night... and when you first saw him, you ran away crying. And more importantly, after losing your memory, he was the only one you remembered. - he continued, his words carrying a certainty that threw Teodor into further confusion. Every sentence he spoke felt like a weight, crushing the blond. He could feel the sandwiches he had eaten earlier rising in his throat. - I'm not surprised, really - Ignacy shrugged. - Nowadays, same-sex relationships are the majority, at least for fours and fives. Many people say that men get along better with men, and women with women.
Teodor remained silent, swallowing hard.
- I understand. - he said quietly, looking at Ignacy. He struggled to say those words, feeling something inside him snap. - But how... me? - he broke off, unable to finish the question.
- You? - Ignacy looked at him, puzzled, as if not understanding what Teodor was trying to say.
Teodor squinted, then sighed loudly.
- This Blue... - he began, but immediately felt the tone of his voice changing. He wondered what he had wanted to say. - This Blue is not my Blue.
Ignacy opened his mouth as if to say something, but Teodor interrupted him, unwilling to continue playing this strange game.
- This Blue. - he repeated, his voice growing more and more nervous. - He's certainly great, handsome, seems like a good fighter, after all, he's an activist, survived THAT fire, but... - The blond fumbled, trying to find the right words. He avoided Ignacy's gaze as if afraid his brother would confirm anything. - This Blue... this is not my business. - he added, struggling to swallow the emotions welling up inside him.
Ignacy looked at him in silence, his head hanging down. He could feel his brother starting to get lost in all this, or maybe this was the moment when there was no turning back.
- So it's better for you if it turns out that Blue has a twin sister. - The redhead tossed the light blue t-shirt that had been lying on the floor next to the bed straight onto the blond's face. - She seems clean. - he added, somewhat impatiently, but his tone was more playful, though still firm. - Change.
Ignacy got up, muttering something under his breath, as if unsure whether he wanted to continue the conversation. Teodor threw the fabric off his face, glaring at his brother, who was already heading toward the door.
- You know what! - he shouted, unable to stay silent any longer.
Ignacy took a step back, then turned his head to look at the blond, who was standing by the window.
- What's wrong? - he asked, as if he had no idea why Teodor was getting upset.
- You should be worried about Nulla. - Teodor added, taking off his sweaty, dirty white t-shirt. His voice was tense but also held a layer of underlying frustration.
- Me? - Ignacy raised an eyebrow, stepping back two more steps toward the center of the room. - She doesn't care about my girlfriends. - he added thoughtfully, scratching his temple. - But if you brought home your first boyfriend or girlfriend, it'd be completely different. She probably wouldn't let them live. - He shrugged as if talking about something completely natural.
- FIRST GIRLFRIEND?! - Teodor repeated, still stunned, as if what Ignacy said didn't make sense.
- I told you. - Ignacy answered calmly, looking at him with an expression that suggested he had predicted all of this long ago. - You weren't the talkative type, you only talked to one friend. - He paused, creating a brief break as if hesitating whether to say more. - Actually, I don't know if that was a guy or a girl. You talked to that person online... I think you never met in person.
Teodor felt the ground beneath him grow heavier. He wasn't ready to hear all of this. What Ignacy was saying sounded like a sentence, something irreversible, something he didn't even remember.
- But your girlfriends can't be counted on one hand, right? - Teodor threw out sarcastically, trying to deflect attention from his own embarrassment, but he knew he could no longer control the situation.
Ignacy smiled slightly, as if knowing the time for a response would come.
- You'd need two pairs of hands... or three. - he threw out with distaste. - Maybe three and a half. - he added, thinking for a moment as if trying to count exactly how many girls there had been.
- Excuse me?! - Teodor looked at him incredulously, as if trying to comprehend what was going on.
- I told you, Nulla doesn't care. Neither do you. - Ignacy turned toward the door. - I need to check on Jaśmin. - he added quietly, almost to himself. - Do you think their "meeting" is over yet? - he asked, stopping just before the white doors, looking at his brother.
Teodor stared at him for a moment, then answered with some hesitation.
- I don't know. - he said, shrugging. - If not... - He paused for a moment. - Better not to disturb them.
- I think they might be yelling at him for what he did or for what he didn't do yet. - Ignacy interrupted, creating a pause. - After all, he's just a kid. Kids can act impulsively. - he added, glancing at Teodor with narrowed eyes. He turned and grabbed the door handle.
Before the door opened, a loud female scream echoed through the room.
- IGNACY! TEODOR! - The shouts grew louder, full of desperation and frustration.
- I'M COMING! - Ignacy yelled, disappearing behind the white door, not looking back even once.