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Another scream joined mine, snapping me out of my trance.
I saw the stranger writhing on the ground, clutching his leg tightly as a red stain spread across his pants. He was the one who had been shot.
Relief washed over me, and at last, I managed to draw a deep breath.
“Take her to the car.” Volk’s voice triggered something in me, and I found myself avoiding his gaze, feeling embarrassed about what had just happened.
Absentmindedly wiping my forehead, I brushed off leaves stuck to my dress. I knew I looked like a total mess, but I tried not to let it bother me as I headed over to Dve.
I followed him to the car, still feeling Volk’s intense stare burning into my back.
Once Dve opened the car door and gestured for me to take a seat, he knelt in front of me, concern etched across his face.
“We didn’t know he was out there,” he explained, removing a leaf stuck in my ponytail. “We came right after we heard you scream.”
“So, he didn’t pay someone to kill me?” I asked, still uncertain.
“Nyet,” Dve chuckled as another scream broke the silence, followed by another gunshot. “If he wanted you dead, he’d take care of it himself.”
Anxiously, I glanced behind me and saw Volk walking toward the car with determination, stashing his gun back into his coat.
He looked up at the sky as though seeking answers among the drifting clouds.
If he wanted you dead, he would take care of it himself.
As Volk settled beside me, he pulled a white embroidered handkerchief from his pocket and gently dabbed it on my knee. It struck me then that what he had done was his way of seeking vengeance for me.
Despite my resentment towards him, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude because he had just saved my life.
Chapter
Fifteen
“The human body is the best work of art.”
? Jess C. Scott
Volk
Anger surged through me, unstoppable, as I looked at Edik’s lifeless body sprawled on the muddy ground, surrounded by a scatter of colorful leaves and fallen pinecones.
Three bullet wounds—one in the leg, one in the chest, and one in the head—oozed blood, painting a gruesome picture.
Soon, he would be discovered by scavenging animals or, if fate was kinder, by his grieving family.
Now, I needed to dig deeper to find answers about Vlad’s whereabouts.
Dve and I had initially searched the small cabin for Edik. Inside, the warmth from a large fireplace contrasted sharply with the cold outside. Nearby, a black and blue-eyed cat curled up on a chair, seeking comfort from the chill.
The cabin exuded rustic charm, with wooden walls and a sloping roof. The crackling fire in the large stone hearth bathed the room in a warm glow, and the scent of burning wood permeated the air. The well-worn armchair by the fireplace cradled the contented cat, its sleek fur and bright eyes reflecting a serene comfort.
The living room was simple but functional, with a few pieces of wooden furniture scattered about and a couple of framed paintings hanging on the walls.
I called out Edik’s name several times before deciding to check the bedroom.
The room was small and filthy. Empty beer cans, bags of chips, and used condoms littered the floor. Water damage had stained the sloping roof, leaving dark patches on the ceiling. The lone window was grimy, with cobwebs festooning the corners.
The bed was an old metal frame that groaned with each touch, the bedding stained and musty. The pillows were lumpy and worn, and the blanket was thin, frayed at the edges. The bedside table was cluttered with old magazines, empty bottles, and discarded wrappers. The lamp on the table had a flickering bulb, casting a sickly yellow light that made the room feel oppressive and unwelcoming.
