As they entered the bar, a mixture of cold and sterility immediately hit them. Everything was flawlessly white – the walls, ceilings, floors, and all the furniture. Teodor felt as though he had walked into a laboratory, where every element was perfectly designed not to disrupt the immaculate cleanliness. Yet, despite the perfection, something unsettled him. He had an overwhelming sense that beneath the surface of this white sterility, something unknown was lurking, something beyond this appearance.
- Are we going? - Blue asked, looking at him. Seeing the slight hint of confusion on his face, Blue smiled gently. - It's just the vestibule, - he added, and then moved ahead, leading Teodor through the narrow corridor.
As they entered the café, Teodor felt how the sterility and immaculate whiteness of the interior began to contrast with the sight of a few customers sitting at tables. Their appearance was strikingly different from this perfect space, as though they were strangers here, pulled from another, less perfect reality. The blonde slowly followed Blue, and his gaze involuntarily drifted to the left. His eyes landed on a man with a crooked nose and hollowed cheeks. The man's skin was covered in red patches and scars from past acne. He wore a loose white outfit that only accentuated his emaciated figure, with bones clearly protruding. He sat hunched over a cup of coffee, holding it with trembling hands, and in his eyes, Teodor saw deep fatigue, as if being in this place was a heavy obligation for him, not a pleasure. Nearby, there was a woman with numerous scars and stretch marks running across her skin on her hands and arms. Her hair, thin and greasy, looked as though it had long been forgotten by a brush. Though she wore a white dress that could have been considered elegant, Teodor noticed wrinkles and small stains—evidence of neglect. The woman slowly stirred her coffee, as if this simple gesture was the only thing keeping her sane. Her gaze was fixed on the black drink, completely unaware of her surroundings. As Teodor continued walking, he spotted an older man sitting at the counter in the corner of the café. His face resembled a wrinkled map, full of creases and deep furrows. The skin had a gray, earthy hue, and his nose seemed elongated and crooked, giving him an almost grotesque look. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and when he accidentally parted them to take a sip of coffee, Teodor noticed exceptionally yellowed, uneven teeth. Nonetheless, the old man sat up straight, as if trying to maintain what little dignity he had left in this strange space that so clearly clashed with his appearance. When Teodor stared at the old man, he almost collided with Blue, who was walking ahead. To keep his balance, Teodor reached out lightly to grab his shoulder, accidentally brushing against his long, silvery hair.
- Watch out, - Blue scolded, turning toward him with a slight reproach. He carefully fixed his hair. - You almost pulled it out, - he added, irritation evident in his voice.
- Sorry, - Teodor said, lowering his head.
- It's fine, - Blue sighed, glancing at him with a touch of condescension. - I'm fine, - he added, turning back toward the counter, still a bit upset.
- Is this the place, Art? - Teodor asked, straightening up and looking around the room.
- Yes, - Blue replied, scanning the space as if assessing something.
Teodor searched the room alongside his companion, turning his head in every direction. On the left, he noticed only large, round stairs. Made of glossy white material, they looked as though they were floating in mid-air, giving the entire interior a futuristic, almost unreal quality. He paused for a moment, wondering where they led, what was hidden upstairs, but quickly his thoughts returned to the present situation. This was thanks to a young man who suddenly began coughing, nearly choking. The blonde looked in his direction, and although the man wasn't old, his face was full of scars, resembling those from acne, forming a chaotic, uneven pattern. His hands were rough, calloused—clearly showing signs of hard labor. The man sat hunched over a table, completely absorbed in what he had in front of him, ignoring everything around him.
- Over there, - Blue pointed, nudging Teodor with his elbow. - Let's go to the counter, - he added, heading toward it.
Following him, Teodor focused on the walls behind the counter. They were richly adorned with golden frames, filled with intricately carved leaves and fanciful patterns. These decorations seemed completely out of place in this environment, as if they were relics from another world, accidentally placed in this cold, clinical space. Staring at them longer, he tried to understand what they could be hiding, but it was then that he noticed the woman behind the counter.
- Lara, - Blue responded, sitting at the counter and turning toward the woman standing behind it. Teodor kept his cold blue eyes fixed on her, until Blue slapped his thigh to get his attention.
- Huh! - Teodor shouted, snapping out of his daze.
- This is my friend, - Blue replied, addressing the woman. He grabbed Teodor's shirt and forcibly pulled him next to him, making him sit. Blue still smiled.
- I see, - the woman replied, her voice harsh, almost masculine, and her tone suggested suspicion. - What can I get you? - she asked, glancing between them.
The unknown woman had full curves, cinnamon-colored eyes, and copper-blonde hair. Her white uniform blended perfectly with the surroundings, but her expression was particularly off-putting. She was cold, almost mechanical, and every movement seemed devoid of emotion. The blonde felt an uncomfortable shiver running down his back as she looked at him, but when he saw Blue, his companion, calmly chatting with her, laughing at a poor joke about pretty women, he relaxed a little.
- Anything else? - she asked with a cold, Asian accent.
- You could be a bit nicer. - Blue said, shrugging.
- And you could stop crying so much. - she retorted sarcastically.
Teodor coughed loudly, lowering his head.
- Do I need to remind you how I had to calm you down for hours yesterday? - she continued, annoyed. - You wouldn't even let me take care of Emi. The poor guy had to bandage himself and clean his wounds, not to mention stitch them up. - And by the way... - She looked around, peering behind the men. - Where is he? You two usually walk together. Doesn't he have to keep an eye on you? - she asked.
- Today, I'm with Teodor. - Blue replied, turning to his companion. - Some people call him Teo. - he emphasized. - But not me.
The blonde gave the Asian a pointed look, then straightened up and began speaking: - My name is Teodor Św-
- His name is Teodor. - Blue interrupted him.
- So, Teo. - the rude woman replied, then paused for a moment. - I'm Laura. - she added. - But everyone calls me Lara. - she corrected, crouching and starting to rummage under the counter, making loud noises while searching for something.
- Do you know where Art is? - the blonde asked.
- Not so fast. - Blue interrupted, smiling lightly. - I want another drink. - he added, twisting his lips in an annoying grin.
- Another drink? - the woman repeated after him. - At most chamomile. - she stood up. - After coffee, you're even more hyped up. - she tossed towards Teodor.
- I didn't mean coffee. - he said, slightly offended.
- Blue... - Teodor responded, not entirely understanding what was going on.
Blue's blue hair immediately fell flat, and his body tensed, as if he were starting to control his emotions.
- We're looking for Art. - he looked at Lara.
- He's not here. - she replied, shrugging with an expression on her face as if it were obvious.
- What do you mean he's not here?! - Blue shouted, drawing the attention of everyone in the café. His body tightened like a string, ready to snap, but his legs were rooted in the ground, incapable of moving. In that moment, he was like a storm over the ocean - full of power, but trapped in his helplessness, and every twitch of his body resembled the wrath of the sky, which cannot flood the earth, no matter how much it desires to.
- Calm down. - the blonde replied, turning to him.
- Exactly. - Laura nodded. - Listen to the new guy. - He's not here yet... - she repeated, not looking at them.
- When will he be back? - Teodor asked politely. - If he comes back. - he added quickly, correcting himself.
- He'll come back, he'll come back. - Laura nodded. - Frogs always come out after the rain.
- So when will he be back? - Teodor asked calmly, though Blue's gaze was on his soft, pink cheeks.
- An hour, at least. - the bartender thought for a moment. - Well, maybe two, but definitely today. - she assured them.
- What is he doing?! - Blue felt his anger rising. He clenched his jaw in a furious grimace, as though the shouts that could tear the sky apart were being held back. His temples throbbed, as though lava flowed beneath his skin, ready to erupt at any moment. His breath was fast and shallow, and his chest rose as though he were trying to catch air.
- Calm down. - the woman repeated, slightly changing her tone.
- How? - he asked, still absorbed in his anger. - I don't want to, I just want to go already. - he complained, feeling his rage swell within him more and more.
- Blue... - Teodor replied, placing his open palm on the clenched fists of Blue's pants.
The Asian looked at the blonde's pale face, and immediately fell silent, feeling the wave of shame quenching the lava coursing through his veins.
- You're so childish. - Teodor added, watching as Blue's gaze shifted away, unwilling to meet his eyes. The blonde smiled slightly, recalling the situation at the station. Wasn't he also childish then? Instead of answering, he turned away from Blue, looking at the white, worn counter.
- You can go out on the balcony. - the bartender interrupted, wiping glasses, her gaze falling on the gleaming white stairs.
- Should I thank you? - Blue asked sarcastically.
- I'll tell him you're waiting for him. - she interrupted him.
Teodor nodded, understanding.
- What?! - Blue asked, feeling as though the world around him had lost its coherence. His thoughts were scattered and chaotic, and it was hard to grasp the meaning of reality. - What? - he repeated the question, unable to believe what he'd just heard.
The woman behind the counter grabbed her head, exhausted.
- We're leaving. - Teodor replied, standing up.
- Are you kicking me out? - Blue asked, glancing at the bartender, who pretended not to see him.
- Hey! - Teodor called out to him. - Can you tell me where the balcony is?
- I... I... - he stammered, resigned. - Yes. - he answered, standing up. - This way. - He pointed to the white stairs and then started walking toward them.
Teodor, following him, quickly reached the stairs, and when he started climbing them, he turned for a moment. He looked at the left wall, where there should have been huge windows, just as he had seen from the outside. However, to his surprise, the café walls were adorned with large black screens displaying beautiful jungle landscapes. The view of densely tangled vines, green leaves, and waterfalls flowing from the screens as if they were real. This put the blonde in slight confusion. He scratched his head.
- Weird combination... - thought Teodor. - Sterile white and wild, green nature.
He didn't know how such a combination was supposed to work, but it did, creating an exceptionally convincing illusion. In the background, relaxing jazz music played. Saxophone melodies mixed with the jungle views and the café sounds, creating an atmosphere that both soothed and unsettled the boy. Despite all the warm elements, he felt that something was wrong with this place, something hidden, making it impossible for him to relax fully.
He glanced at the customers sitting at the tables – their hunched noses, reddened skin, scars – they all seemed so distant, locked in their own worlds. The place seemed full of contrasts, as if something was trying to mask the true nature of what was happening here.
Before he realized it, he was already at the first step of the stairs, and his gaze collided with the bartender's cinnamon eyes. He immediately turned away.
- Are you coming? - he asked, turning back to Blue.
- Sure. - Teodor replied. - I'm coming. - he added, climbing two more steps.
- Thank you. - Teodor preempted him. - Just in case..
***
Standing at the threshold of the balcony, Teodor watched as Blue, with his blue hair waving in the wind, ran into the open space with the joy of a child. His movements were full of energy and spontaneity, as if the world were just his playground. With a smile radiating pure, carefree joy, he settled comfortably into the striped chair, as if this worn-out piece of furniture were the most comfortable place in the world.
- Aren't you coming?! - Blue called out with an inviting smile, looking at Teodor.
Blue's invitation was sincere, full of warmth, which sparked an unexpected mix of surprise and something that resembled tenderness in the blonde. Teodor felt how the old reluctance he had harbored toward the Asian began to slowly fade, like a dried flower losing its thorns. It was a strange feeling, like thousands of tiny pins piercing his heart, and it caught him off guard. He wasn't sure where this tickling sensation in his chest came from. Instead of answering immediately, he nodded slightly and moved toward the balcony. The digital plants hanging from the railing caught his attention with their pulsing roots. The changing shades of blues and navies shifted subtly, as if they were breathing, in rhythm with some inner, almost mystical pulsation. The colors reflecting in the light added a surreal charm to the space.
- They're hypnotizing, - Blue remarked, his gaze fixed on the pulsing plants. - Aren't you sitting? - he asked, patting the seat next to him.
- I... - Teodor paused for a moment, looking at the yellow chair with blue stripes. - I'll sit, - he answered decisively, trying to settle as comfortably as his new companion.
However, his much longer legs prevented him from sitting as comfortably as Blue.
- Comfortable, huh? - Blue asked, looking at him with a slight grin.
- When I stepped onto the balcony, I noticed how the digital plants reacted to my movement, - Teodor replied, glancing at the roots.
- You're changing the subject, - Blue noted, rolling his eyes, though there was no anger in his voice, just mild disapproval.
- Their roots, changing shades, seem to wave as if trying to adjust to the new presence, - Teodor continued, ignoring Blue's remark.
He kept observing the digital plants, looking for some kind of answer, analyzing the mechanism behind this phenomenon. Blue, though a little frustrated by the lack of response to his invitation to chat, stretched his legs over the balcony railing and rested his head on his hands, staring at the sky.
- Yeah, - Blue replied, - they can sense you're here, - he added seriously, though with a hint of amusement in his voice.
Suddenly, Teodor sprang from his chair, surprised by how fascinating the "ecosystem" was to him. His investigative instinct took control, and curiosity became stronger than comfort. He knelt beside the black screens from which the pulsing plant roots grew. Blue stared at him in astonishment, reminded of the sight of a child playing in a sandbox.
- What are you doing? - he asked, straightening up and scratching his head. - Is it really that special? - he added, surprised by Teodor's intensity.
- It's amazing, - Teodor replied, staring at the pulsing roots with almost childlike fascination.
- Yeah, - Blue nodded, flopping back into the chair. He sat so comfortably that the old, worn-out seat now looked like a royal throne. With openness, he placed his legs on the back of the chair as if it were the most natural thing in the world. - I remember, - he began, looking at Teodor, who was crouching down. - When I used to play here with Emi. It was pretty fun. The roots would change colors from brownish green to deep navy.
- You used to play here with Emi? - Teodor turned, surprised, looking at Blue.
Blue nodded with a smile.
- Yeah. When we were kids, we spent a lot of time here. Mostly because Emi lived nearby.
- Weren't you born outside the wall? - Teodor asked as he stood up.
Blue shifted position, turning toward him and stretching his legs even further, as if the topic had touched a nerve.
- Well, you know, - Teodor began, getting to his feet. - You said...
- Ahh, - Blue interrupted, opening his mouth wide as if he had suddenly remembered something. - I know what you're getting at... but it's not like that.
- What do you mean? - Teodor asked, confused, stepping closer to Blue.
- Actually, I don't have rings, - Blue reminded him, pointing to himself. - When I was born, instead of them, I had blotchy marks, - he admitted, looking off into the distance. - But just me, - he added, pausing for a moment, thinking about his choice of words. There was a brief silence.
- So... - Teodor began cautiously, sitting back down in the striped chair, trying to understand what Blue meant.
- Emi had five rings, - Blue shot out after a moment, quickly covering his mouth as if he had said too much.
Teodor furrowed his brow, staring at him intently.
- What do you mean by that? - he asked calmly, though curiosity was beginning to take over.
- I... - Blue became flustered. - I mean, I shouldn't be talking about this, - he added, nervously scratching the back of his neck.
- Is it that shocking? - Teodor probed, his voice becoming colder and more analytical.
Blue shrugged, but after a moment, reluctantly admitted:
- A little, - His gaze avoided Teodor's eyes, which were looking at him like a puzzle to be solved. - It's about when Emi went to high school, he had a huge fight with someone... and after that, he didn't have rings anymore. Only raised scars on his wrists.
- They removed them?
- Teodor immediately associated this with a conversation he had once had with Ignacy, which sparked a new wave of doubt within him.
- No. - Blue answered firmly. - He... it's like he removed them himself. I mean... - He paused, searching for the right words. - They're just not there anymore. - He finished, clearly not wanting to continue this topic.
- Why? - Teodor wasn't going to let it go.
Blue shrugged, trying to lighten the conversation.
- Maybe he just decided he didn't need them. You know, the more circles you have, theoretically, the better life you can lead. But what does it change? You're still locked up. The only difference is the appearance of the cage. Even a golden cage is still a cage.
- Or maybe they removed them? Maybe they removed yours too? - Teodor speculated aloud, growing more intrigued by the mystery.
Blue, clearly unsettled, looked at him questioningly:
- Mine?
Teodor stared at him intensely, analyzing every word, every movement. The tension grew, and the question hung in the air, like a blade ready to cut the silence.
- Even if they did, I don't remember it. - Blue shrugged, his voice a bit more subdued. - But as for Emi... I'm sure no one removed his.
After a moment of silence, both lost in their own thoughts, Blue suddenly said:
- You have nice eyes. - His tone shifted to light and playful, and a carefree smile appeared on his face, though his eyes seemed to remain empty.
Teodor, confused by this sudden change in mood, looked at Blue with a mix of suspicion and curiosity.
- Listen. - The blonde started, trying to return to the previous topic. - If Ignacy has the same marks as you...
- Plants have a really nice shade of blue. - Blue interrupted him, almost forcefully trying to change the subject. - It's like looking at water under a thick, snow-covered ice sheet.
- Ignacy. - Teodor wasn't going to give up, wanting to get to the heart of the matter. - Ignacy has the same marks as you. So... is it possible that both of you had your circles removed?
Blue went silent, staring into space as if fighting with himself.
- You know... - He started uncertainly, his words barely audible.
- If that's the case, then in reality... - Teodor continued, undeterred by Blue's hesitation.
- Why don't we talk about something else? - Blue suddenly interrupted, clearly wanting to end the topic.
Teodor looked at him, stunned, surprised that Blue had changed the tone of the conversation so abruptly. He noticed that Blue's cheeks were slightly flushed, and his eyes sparkled as if trying to hide something deeper.
- This is important. - Teodor replied, determined to get to the truth, even if it meant poking at Blue's sensitivity.
- How about we talk about books? - Blue suggested, flashing him an innocent smile. - Have you read anything recently?
- If they removed his circles, is there any way to restore them? - Teodor asked insistently, his blue eyes gleaming with curiosity.
- Teo! - Blue screamed, exhausted, feeling tears welling up in his eyes. - I... I... - He stuttered, stumbling over every word. - I don't want to talk about it. - His voice barely escaped his throat, and he looked as if he were shrinking, like a puppy trying to shelter from the rain but hitting a downspout.
Teodor, unfazed by his state, continued to press:
- But...
Instead of answering, Blue slowly turned onto his side, his body slack, as if all his energy had drained away. He rested his head on the chair, staring blankly into space. He began to sink slowly into the silence, as if he wanted to disappear. Every part of him seemed to say: don't touch me, don't ask, just let me be.
Teodor, leaning over him, wouldn't let up:
- Blue, what are you doing? Blue!
Blue closed his eyes, trying to calm his breath, which was starting to slip out of control. If I stay quiet... maybe he'll stop. He felt his heart beat faster, but he tried to ignore it. The veil of darkness under his closed eyelids brought fleeting relief, though he knew Teodor wouldn't let him off that easily. He pretended to sleep, hoping Teo would read his silence as a sign of fatigue and give up. The darkness in his mind began to consume him, and he desperately wanted the pretending to become real.
Silence settled in, eventually transforming into the cool shadows surrounding Blue. Teodor's last words slowly faded away, until complete darkness took over. When Blue opened his eyes again, he found himself in a different world. The sky in front of him was filled with honeyed hues of the setting sun, blending with the cold blue glow of digital plants. The view was surreal, a mix of nature's warmth and technology's coldness.
He sighed deeply, feeling the cool breeze on his face gently moving his blue hair. The plants around him, radiating blue light, looked like they came from another world—almost unreal, yet so vivid. Their glow created a delicate boundary between reality and dream, and he let himself sink into this magical landscape. He wanted to stay here forever, away from the questions and the burden he carried.
***
- Is it over? - someone's voice asked, deep and resonant, with an unexpected softness lingering, as if each word carried weight, yet wrapped in lightness. Listening to it was both a powerful and soothing experience.
Blue turned almost abruptly, as if he wanted to jump out of his seat, and looked at the blonde man sitting next to him. The man was tall, handsome, but clearly bored and lost in thought. In his hand, he held a book with inscriptions Blue couldn't understand, bound in something resembling leather. The pages, which the blonde lazily turned, were completely yellowed, as if each page bore the mark of time passing. Blue shook his head, turning his gaze away, and sat back in his normal position, trying to regain his calm. Though his body still carried the weight of emotions, his mind started to relax, briefly distancing itself from the previous conversation.
- Did you sleep well? - Teodor asked, setting the book down, as always succinct in his words, though there was a trace of hidden curiosity.
Blue, still half-asleep, stared ahead, feeling the sunlight on his face, helping him catch his breath. His short lashes shimmered in the honeyed light, and he felt himself slowly regain his balance after the earlier emotional storm.
- I'm hungry, - replied the blue-haired one, turning to Teodor. - I feel so empty, - he added, looking at his pale face. There was something almost childlike in Blue's voice, as if physical needs temporarily pushed everything else aside.
Teodor blinked and then twisted his lips into a slight, almost imperceptible smile.
- I know, - he replied calmly, in his usual cool, indifferent tone. Then he bent down, turning his back to Blue. He picked up a silver platter from the ground, standing beside his chair, on which rested five plump croissants, gleaming in the light like little moons.
The shadow of his hand moved across the surface of the platter, adding depth and brilliance, as if the past was mixing with the present in a subtle play of light and shadow.
- Laura... I mean, Lara gave this to me, - he gestured, placing the tray with croissants on the white wooden table in front of Blue. - She said if it's not enough, you should come back for more yourself, - he continued in his typical emotionless manner.
Blue scanned the pastries one by one. He was about to reach for the largest croissant in the center when he suddenly looked up and saw Teodor, who – surprisingly – looked quite pleased.
- Do you want one? - he asked, sliding the tray toward him. - If I'm not mistaken, they have custard filling.
- No, - Teodor replied, turning away from him. - I'm not hungry, - he added, staring blankly into space, once again in his introspective world.
- As you wish, - Blue shrugged, already taking a bite of the croissant, dripping with filling. - I'd die to eat one again, - he said, chewing the custard. His joy from eating was so palpable that it caught Teodor's attention. The blonde turned to the blue-haired one, his mouth twisting into a barely visible, amused smile.
- Sorry, - he said, when Blue looked at him with a reproachful gaze. - Besides, did you really think I was hungry? - he added, returning to his usual, indifferent expression.
- I am, - Blue mumbled, his voice light again, though restless emotions still lingered beneath the surface, emotions he didn't want to reveal.
- You slept for eight hours, - Teodor replied, observing how Blue reacted sharply to the news.
- Eight hours?! - Blue repeated, jumping up from his seat, just as he had spilled croissant crumbs on himself. - Art?! - he asked nervously, his blue hair moving with energy, as if he wanted to fix something immediately.
- Calm down, - Teodor replied, reaching for a glass of water. - Here, - he tossed the water toward the blue-haired one. His tone was calm, but not without a hint of irritation.
Blue quickly quenched his burning throat, drinking the water almost greedily.
- Art? - he repeated the question, wiping his mouth with his shirt.
- You're disgusting, - Teodor commented flatly, in his typical emotionless way. - He's not here yet, - he added, settling back into the chair and picking up the book again.
- How is he not here? - Blue asked, confused and disoriented, as if everything suddenly slipped out of control.
- He's not here, - Teodor repeated, turning to him. He noticed the remnants of cream on the Asian's face. Like a cyborg, he automatically reached out and carefully wiped the white custard stains from his face. - You've made a mess, - he added, rubbing Blue's face.
Blue recoiled, wanting to avoid this unexpected care, but couldn't escape the burning hand of the blonde.
- What are you doing?! - he exclaimed, pushing Teodor's hand away. His movement was sharp, as if he wanted to protect his personal space from this sudden intrusion.
Teodor stepped back, looking at Blue from a perspective that for a moment reminded him of Jaśmin. He smiled slightly, then straightened in his chair, showing no more emotion.
- What were you doing? - Blue asked, returning to the croissants, as if he wanted to focus on something simpler.
- I definitely wasn't spending that time with you, - Teodor replied, his tone becoming harsher again. - I went to Lara, helped her a bit at the bar, - he added, sighing heavily. - I didn't think physical work, even in such a small form, would be so exhausting.
- Are you reading? - Blue asked, looking at the yellowed book that the blond was holding in his hands.
- What? - Teodor asked, his curiosity now focused on what had caught his attention.
- This? - Teodor lifted the book, showing it in full.
- It's an old book, - he stated, pulling it closer to himself, as if it were something exceptionally valuable.
- What do you mean?
- It means it's written in a very old language, - Teodor replied flatly. - So old that only a few people know it.
- I see, - Blue nodded, staring at the book. - So you're exceptionally smart, - he concluded with a slight, sarcastic smile.
- Until I saw it, I didn't know I knew it, - Teodor said shortly, as if it were the simplest answer possible, without any unnecessary emotion.
- Are you bragging, or just informing me? - Blue asked, a little sarcastically, though his tone was lighter, as if he were joking.
- I don't know, - Teodor replied casually, shrugging. - How are the croissants? - he asked, changing the subject, realizing the conversation was going off track.
- Who gave it to you? - Blue asked, persistently returning to the matter that most interested him.
- I don't know, - Teodor replied, flipping through the yellow pages of the book, as if he had lost interest in the conversation. - Some client.
- What if this book is dangerous? - Blue asked, his tone suddenly becoming more serious, and a shadow of distrust appeared in his eyes.
- It's just a book, - Teodor reminded him, waving the paper. - It's an exclusive edition, not a bomb, or whatever might have crossed your mind, - he added, slightly disgusted by the eighteen-year-old's accusations.
- Sure, - Blue muttered, casting a fleeting glance at the book.
For the next few minutes, Blue ate croissants until he felt his stomach had grown to the size of a three-month pregnancy. Meanwhile, Teodor immersed himself in unknown sectors of literature, lost in his thoughts.
- Oh, by the way, - Blue replied, finishing the last croissant, as if he suddenly remembered something.
- Yes? - Teodor asked, not taking his eyes off the book.
- The title, - Blue said, looking at the exclusive cover. - What's the title? - he asked, still curious.
Teodor snapped the book shut, as if deciding it wasn't worth reading, especially when Blue wasn't sleeping.
- Tango, - he replied quietly, almost closing his eyes, as if not wanting to discuss it further.
- What? - Blue asked, not hearing clearly, reaching for another croissant.
- IDIOT! - boomed a deep, heavy voice. Teodor felt as though every syllable carried with it years of cigarette abuse. It sounded rough, almost harsh, as if every word passed through a rusted throat. The voice reminded him of the creaking of old boards and the distant roar of a storm, making the conversation with it as unpleasant as inhaling smoke from a fire.
- IDIOT!! - the voice didn't let up, carrying with it an irritation that couldn't be ignored.
- Art, - Blue replied carelessly, as if not at all concerned with the other boy's emotions.
Teodor abruptly stood up from the chair, feeling his heart begin to beat faster as a cold wind suddenly blew across his face. His hands clenched the armrests, and his mind tried to grasp the unreal. He turned, staring into the darkness, where the outlines of a figure became increasingly clear. What he saw filled him with a surge of icy fear. At the balcony door that connected to the hallway stood a man, whose silhouette, though slightly blurred in the half-darkness, was clearly visible. His posture was confident, and his appearance... almost inhuman. The man was tall and imposing, as if taken from another time, another world. Teodor noticed the old, worn fur the man wore. It might have once belonged to an otter - but now, it was dull, damaged, rough, as if years of use had left their mark. The fur looked more suited to a wild forest, full of secrets and dangers, than to a modern, white city that seemed to be a symbol of sterility and technology. Teodor rubbed his eyes, as if trying to make sure what he was seeing was real. His mind was in chaos - it refused to accept such an unreal vision. However, when his gaze focused on what hung from the stranger's shoulder, he felt a cold shiver run down his spine. From the man's shoulder hung a dead, bald head, chained up, swaying with each of his steps. The empty, dead eyes of the head stared into space with a terrifying, mute intensity. The cracked, chapped lips seemed as though they were still trying to utter their last scream. Teodor felt his heart race, and the fear choked him, making it hard to breathe. The man's face, now that he was looking at it, was wrinkled, full of deep creases, as if it bore the traces of years of harsh experiences. His eyes, barely visible behind strange, futuristic glasses, expressed something Teodor couldn't understand. It was something undefined, profound - as if life had taken everything meaningful from this man. The glasses, tightly hugging the man's face, gave him an even more eerie look. Teodor had the feeling that this figure existed on the edge of reality, as if it were an incarnation from another world. He felt uncertainty rise within him, mixing with fear, and his whole body became heavy, paralyzed. The whole situation was absurd, surreal - as if he had found himself in a nightmare he couldn't wake up from. Thoughts exploded in his mind, thoughts he couldn't piece together.
As the blond stood there, frozen to the floor, the stranger approached, crossing the boundary between the hallway and the balcony. Then, with force, he knocked Blue off his seat and smoothly took his place, settling comfortably in the chair next to Teodor.
- You're late, - Blue said calmly, slowly getting up from the ground. His voice sounded peaceful, but Teodor could detect a hint of disappointment in his tone. - Like, by about six hours, - he added, eyeing Teodor closely, whose body seemed even more limp under the weight of guilt.
Teodor remained silent. His mind still couldn't comprehend what was happening, and the feeling of being in the heart of something he didn't understand persisted. His vision was blurry, his body seemed not his own, as if he were still struggling to grasp some rational explanation that could make sense of the absurdity of this moment.
- Do you have something to say, kid? - Art roared, breaking the silence. His voice, thundering like a storm, carried immense force, as though the sound itself could destroy everything in its path. Art's footsteps hit the ground hard, as if he wanted to emphasize his dominance, like a giant ready for battle. Teodor felt his heart beat faster, and his fingers tightened on the chair's armrest. The feeling in his stomach was similar to the one he experienced when stepping onto unknown ground - full of uncertainty, full of fear. - It's all your fault! - Art yelled, his breath, smelling of mold, filling the air, making Teodor feel like he was about to choke.
He stopped for a moment, almost unconscious with fear, and barely managed to refrain from commenting on the repulsive smell. A slight tremor appeared in his eyes, revealing how hard he was trying to stay calm, but he felt that control was beginning to slip away.
- What exactly did I do wrong? - Blue asked, his tone full of accusation, but also... surprise. He looked at Art challengingly, as if what he was saying made no sense, as if he refused to accept the brutal responsibility Art was trying to impose on him.
- What?! - Art repeated, as if the very question was an unforgivable affront. - YOU are asking ME what?! - His voice sounded like thunder, shaking the air, heralding an impending storm. Teodor could feel each word echoing off the walls, as if the terrifying energy of the moment was trying to leave its mark on him.
- Yes. - Blue answered, his posture becoming more confident as he crossed his arms over his chest. Teodor noticed a slight but noticeable call for courage in his stance. - I see no fault of mine, - he added, though his voice betrayed that with each passing moment, he was losing patience. What was meant to be a defense now seemed like a challenging way out of a situation in which Blue was becoming more withdrawn and closed off with every minute.
- Maybe you're blind. - Art snarled, his clenched fists betraying that he was ready to explode. Teodor felt the tension in the room building. An overwhelming feeling began to rise in his chest that the situation was slipping out of control, and he had no power to stop it. His eyes were fixed on Art, who stood before them, and the fear in his eyes was as strong as if he were trying to grasp everything happening around him. He felt like a prisoner of his own fears, ones he couldn't break free from.
Teodor wanted to escape. He knew he couldn't face what was happening, but he felt that any reaction, any movement at this moment, would only deepen the chaos. Instead, he froze, feeling his fear slowly robbing him of the ability to act.
And then... Blue turned toward him, his face softening.
- Don't be afraid. - Blue whispered, his voice quiet, full of warmth, almost as if he wanted to convey something to Teodor that he couldn't express with words. - It's just an old fool. - He added almost inaudibly, as if trying to calm both Teodor and himself.
Teodor felt a strange sense of certainty beginning to spread through his body. It was relief that almost shattered his paralyzing fear. Maybe it was Blue who was calming him down, or maybe something inside himself was finally starting to settle, but he felt a bit stronger.
The blond swallowed hard, feeling the fear begin to slowly recede. But he didn't know whether it was Blue's words or something inside himself that made him feel safer. He still wasn't convinced if the certainty that now gripped his body was real or just temporary. However, he noticed that Art had looked at him, and then laughed, mixing the laugh with irony.
- Young Swit. - Art tossed out, his tone full of irony, but with a touch of a memory that shifted into something darker. - You look exactly like your father. - He added, his gaze piercing Teodor's body from top to bottom, as if trying to figure out every detail, every movement. - Although no... - He paused for a moment, as if thoughts had struck him like lightning. - You're taller than him... and your eyes are a bit lighter.
Teodor felt something heavy roll through his chest. His heart beat faster, and the voice he meant to utter got stuck somewhere in his throat.
- What are you talking about? - Blue cut in, his voice full of certainty, but also concern, noticing that Teodor was starting to freeze. His body immediately stepped in front of Teodor like a shield, blocking him from Art's gaze. - Come on, leave him alone. - He added firmly, his stance like a wall trying to stop the old man. - Don't look at him like that.
- Do you know my father? - Teodor asked, stepping out from behind Blue. There was a mix of surprise and fear in his eyes, unsure of what to expect from the answer. Art, still smirking maliciously, looked at the blond with superiority.
- Why wouldn't I know him? - Art answered, with a smile full of irony that still sounded like a repeatedly asked question, but now filled with malicious certainty. - After all, we worked together... - He nearly shouted, as if it were an obvious truth. His words, charged with tension, seemed to turn the air into a leaden ball. Blue felt the weight of what had been said begin to absorb the space.
- You worked together? - Teodor repeated, as if trying to grasp the weight of those words, as if each one was drawing another line in the picture of his past, which until now didn't have a full image. Suddenly, questions popped into his mind - questions that had previously been pushed to the margins.
- Yes. - Art answered confidently, his voice hardened like metal, and his whole demeanor at that moment gained a completely new dimension - as if he was rediscovering power within himself. "We worked together," - he added, confirming every word and reinforcing the sense of inevitability that pierced the atmosphere.
He fixed his gaze on Blue, who immediately felt something unknown inside him begin to stir.
- Don't stand there like a post! - Art roared at Blue, his voice like thunder that shook the air. - You think if you hide behind him... - He pointed at Teodor, clearly accusing both of them. - I won't see you?
- I'm not hiding behind anyone! - Blue replied, his voice echoing off the walls, and his face, flushed with anger, looked like it was about to explode. - You need to help us. - He added, lowering his tone as he felt Teodor throw him a look, as if reminding him not to let his emotions take over. But at this moment, Blue couldn't control himself; his heart was beating too fast to keep calm.
- I must? - Art repeated, as if the very idea amused him, though the laugh that came from his chest sounded more like snorting than joy. - And why did you start that fire then?! - He asked, his body tense with anger, which seemed to come out of him in short, harsh breaths. - I'll show you what helping really means! - He added, his movements starting to show anger, ready to turn into action.
- And you? - Blue counterattacked, his voice like a sharp blade, full of accusations, approaching the same temperature as Art's earlier outburst. - You got us into this! - Blue shouted, his emotions bursting like a dam that couldn't hold any longer. - YOU! - He yelled, and tears began to gather in his eyes, as if this moment was one where he could no longer suppress his frustration. - Because of you... - He stammered, closing his mouth as if those words were meant to destroy him.
Teodor, watching him, felt something like a snapped thread - the moment when he finally had to do something, make a decision. All his awareness focused on this moment. He held his breath, feeling the pressure rise, ready to act, but not knowing which way he should go.
- You need to help us. - Teodor said calmly, drawing Art's gaze, which hung in silence for a moment, as if considering the weight of those words. - You brought my brother in, and with him, my entire family. - He added, and his voice now sounded certain.
- I'll help. - Art replied firmly, his voice now full of determination, as if he had finally decided to take action. - I never said I wouldn't do it. I'm just trying to show this idiot... - his gaze pointed at Blue, and the last word came out with unhidden contempt. - How stupid he is. He ruined everything. - His tone grew more and more oppressive, as if he wanted to crush Blue under the weight of his criticism. Art had something in him that at this moment seemed to dominate - like an old tree stretching its roots deep, looking for the guilty where there were none.
- Him? - Teodor asked ironically, looking at Art with a cold calm that could freeze the whole conversation. His voice sounded calm, but beneath the surface, there was an unmistakable firmness, as if he was ready to challenge any argument that would undermine his conclusions. - I don't think so. - He added, lowering his gaze slightly, but without losing his confidence. - The one who failed is his commander. - He said without hesitation, as if these words were not only a defense of Blue but also a personal attack on Art's decisions.
- You're brave... - Art noted, his eyes flashing with surprise. - I didn't expect this from you. - He added, the old man not hiding a hint of respect for the boy's stance, who at that moment showed he could take control of the situation, although he still remained in the shadow of cool analysis.
- What's your plan? - Teodor interrupted, breaking the silence that was beginning to grow, and there was something in his voice that spoke of unease.
- First, we need to help your sister. - Art replied, his tone shifting to a more resolute one, as if he had finally found some sense in what had seemed chaotic up until now.
- My sister... - Teodor repeated after him, as if the words needed to find their place in his mind first. This wasn't just an issue. It was responsibility. And responsibility, as he knew, could be brutal.
- Yes. - Art confirmed, his voice heavy like lead, full of the weight of the situation.
- What's wrong with her?! - Blue shouted, his voice cutting through the silence with immense force, full of anger, sadness, and helplessness. Blue's face was like a mask of emotions – so exposed that it seemed everything he didn't want to show had become clear. His eyes were shining with tears that had no place to hide anymore.
- Shut up! - Art scolded him, his tone now sharp, with a tremor in his voice that wasn't just anger but also fear, as if the boy was on the verge of losing control. - This is all your fault. - He added harshly, his gaze piercing Blue like a blade. - You ruined everything! - He yelled, his fists clenching, ready for action, but still held in a dead grip of anger.
Teodor turned to Blue, his eyes empty, as if stripped of emotion. His gaze revealed nothing – neither anger, nor sympathy, nor even fear. As if this situation was foreign to him, as if it concerned someone else, someone he didn't know.
It seemed like all the tension, all the chaos, had no access to him. Even though it was about his sister, he didn't feel anger, he didn't feel rage. He only felt the need to know the truth, maybe to prepare for what was about to happen. He wanted to solve the problem, because in his mind, there was no room for emotions that could distract him.
- What's wrong with her? - He asked calmly, distant from what he felt inside. His voice was dry, as if it was coming out against his will. This question wasn't a surprise; rather – in his world full of facts and logic – it was the only thing that made sense.
- She's alive! - Art spat out, though his voice was firm, as if the words were burdened with an immense weight. - But barely... - He added, his gaze warning the boys that the situation was more serious than they could imagine.
Teodor still stood there, his head lowered, staring at his hand, as if looking for an answer to something he couldn't understand. It all sounded like it was about someone else – someone he didn't know. Blue fell silent before he could finish his thought. He looked at Teodor's pale face, unsure if he should ask more, unsure if he even wanted to know the answer. The control had slipped from his hands, and the only thing left was the anxiety that filled every inch of his body. His hand went to his hair, which he nervously raked through, as if in that gesture he could find peace, though he knew it wasn't there. It was just a superficial search for comfort that had no power.
- You two are silent!! - Art roared, standing up from his chair. The floor trembled under the weight of his body. - Are you just going to stand there?! - His gaze was like a blade piercing Teodor's lowered face.
Blue looked at them, feeling the tension in the air becoming unbearable. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. He simply had to ask the question. He felt he wouldn't be able to endure the silence any longer.
- What happened to her?! - He shouted loudly, drawing the attention of everyone, including the grim Art.
He felt that he was about to learn something he never wanted to hear. Something inside him snapped.
- It's because of your fire! - Art exploded, moving closer to Blue with a dangerous gleam in his eyes. His face was red, filled with anger, but also guilt that he couldn't bear. It seemed like he was about to strike the boy.
Teodor stood there, listening to it all, feeling as if he was merging with the cold light of the city that poured through the windows. He felt like part of that empty landscape – too logical, too withdrawn to feel what the other two were feeling. Everything around him became more and more distant.
- You're speaking in riddles, can't you be clearer? - The blond boy retorted, lifting his head, looking at Art calmly, but in his eyes, there was tension that could shatter this moment of silence.
- YOU! YOU! - Art moved even closer, the anger almost palpable. His hands clenched into fists, and his face came closer to Blue's.
- Stop. - Blue said quietly, turning his head. He did it without emotion, as if it was the last thing he could control. - Just say it.
- They caught her. - Artur replied, his words cutting through the air like a cold blade. The boys looked at him in disbelief, their reactions so similar that they almost seemed unreal.
- You have to give her your blood! - he shouted, grabbing Teodor's wrist tightly, pulling him so close that the blond could almost see every tiny wrinkle on his skin.
- What are you doing?! - Blue screamed, grabbing Teodor's other hand as though he wanted to tear him away from Artur's grip. Teodor stood between them like prey caught between two animals – a cat on one side and a smelly old lion on the other.
- Where are you taking him? - he asked, lowering his voice, trying to control the growing fear within him.
- He has to give her his blood. - Artur answered briefly, his eyes cold as steel.
- What happened to her? - Blue asked again, unable to believe this was all really happening.
- I told you, she had an accident. If you don't come with me now... - Artur trailed off, his eyes now full of exhaustion, as if he carried the weight of the whole world on his shoulders. - She could die, - he added, loosening his grip.
Teodor was now held only by Blue's unwavering hand, who stared at the old man with clear distrust.
- I'll go with him, - Teodor replied, carefully removing Blue's hand from his wrist. - After all, she's my sister, - he said as Blue's hand fully slid off, leaving the boy alone with his uncertainty.
- No! - Blue yelled, pulling Teodor closer to himself.
The men stood so close that their hearts might have beaten in sync, every smallest movement, every breath, perceptible to each other. Teodor saw Blue fighting with himself, trying to understand what was happening.
- What are you doing? - the blond asked, his voice gentle but firm.
- He's not telling us anything... - Blue whispered suspiciously.
- It's Artur, - Teodor said calmly.
- So what... - Blue continued to whisper. - He taught me that everything must be checked twice.
- Come with us, - Teodor suggested, seeing that Blue wasn't going to give up.
Blue stepped back from Teodor, standing in front of him like a shield.
- I'm going with you, - he said firmly, looking directly at the old man.
- You can't, - Artur replied, his tone impenetrable.
- What do you mean?! - Blue asked, feeling something was wrong. He swallowed, trying to understand the situation. - Why? - he pressed.
- You have to go and inform Ignacy, - Artur answered calmly.
Artur and Blue stared at each other like two predators fighting for dominance, while Teodor observed the old man through strands of his blue hair, wondering why he felt so guilty about his sister. Did he not care for her? Why didn't he feel anything? He didn't want to be a monster. He stepped out in front of Blue, interrupting their silent duel.
- I'll go with him, - he said, looking straight into Blue's eyes.
- Teodor? - Blue asked, surprised.
- She's my sister, - the blond announced. - And you also need to tell Ignacy, - he added, reminding him. - Remember, something happened to Emi too. She's probably in a similar condition to Nulla. After all, they were together.
The old man looked at Teodor, his face revealing no emotions, a stone mask.
- Emi... - Blue repeated, moved by the thought. - That's all the more reason I need to go with you, and...
Teodor and Blue stood on the balcony, the dusk slowly settling over the city. The sun, like the last breath of the day, spread flames of red and gold across the horizon. The light gradually faded, as if making way for the cold shadows of night. In the distance, from behind the closed windows of a café beneath them, a soft, melancholic jazz melody echoed through the air, filling it with the feeling of an inevitable parting. On the street, the hum of cars mixed with the sound of pedestrians' footsteps, creating the backdrop for this dramatic moment. Digital plants glowed with a pale blue light, casting cold, ethereal shadows on the faces of both men. In this surreal setting, the tension between them was almost palpable. Teodor turned to Blue, their gazes meeting in the twilight. Blue's narrow, cat-like eyes were filled with worry, and his thin lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
- You have to tell them, - Teodor spoke softly, but there was desperation in his voice. - What if they're in danger too? What if something happens that we can't undo?
Suddenly, Artur ripped them from this suspended moment. His voice sliced through the air like thunder, breaking the silence before the storm.
- Listen to him! - he shouted, tearing his gaze from Teodor's pale face. - You have to tell them before it's too late!
Blue, shocked by the force of those words, slowly lifted his gaze. His eyes met Teo's, filled with determination. He shuddered, feeling the weight of the situation fall onto his shoulders. The light from the balcony lamps cast long, dramatic shadows across their faces, while the music from the café, as if muffled by the gravity of the moment, faded away, leaving space for that one, crucial decision. Blue swallowed hard and nodded, agreeing, though he wasn't entirely sure how to navigate through it all. Teodor turned to move forward, when suddenly, Blue impulsively grabbed him by the wrist. He wanted to do this — he wanted everything to stay the way it was, not to have to let go.
- Wait, - he said in a trembling voice, not wanting to lose this moment that connected them in the brief silence.
He reached up to his ear, his trembling fingers unfastening a silver earring. It was simple, yet elegant, with a blue crystal that in the flickering light looked like pure water. As he moved it in his hand, the crystal reflected the light, creating small rainbows around them.
- Blue, what are you doing? - Teodor asked, looking at him, surprised.
- Hold it, - Blue almost forced the earring into his hand, his eyes full of desperation. - It's for luck.
Teodor raised the earring, examining it for a moment. The blue crystal shimmered in his eyes, and the silver gleamed in his hand.
- Thanks, - he finally muttered, slipping the earring into his pocket. His thoughts were chaotic, uncertain.
- Don't thank me, - Blue said firmly, though his voice trembled. - You'll give it back to me later.
Teodor looked at him, confused: - Give it back?
- It's a kind of security, - Blue explained, though his smile, light as it was, didn't hide his uncertainty. - We need to meet again. So you have to survive. This earring is important to me. It's my first.
- Yuck, - Teodor muttered, looking at him with disgust, but Blue just laughed. - Are you sure you want to give me something so personal? - he asked, slightly repulsed.
- I'm not giving it to you. I'm lending it to you, - Blue corrected, looking him straight in the eyes.
- Hey! You! - Artur interrupted them from a distance, his voice angry.
- He's coming, - Blue muttered, rolling his eyes, then gently pushed Teodor forward. - Go, before I change my mind.
Teodor walked toward the dark corridor, but looked back over his shoulder one last time. He looked at Blue, and his gaze was filled with conflicting emotions — gratitude, fear, determination.
- See you, - he whispered almost silently, and his voice disappeared into the darkness.
Blue stood on the balcony, watching Teodor disappear into the dark. The crystal in the earring he had just given away still reflected in his thoughts. He felt as if this small thing held some kind of secret power, something that was meant to protect him. Though deep in his heart, he knew that this night was just beginning in earnest.