Seven Seconds

It is said that until 7 seconds after death, people can still think and dream. It seemed like that's what happened with Nicolo.

The explosion happened somewhere around his neck, and it blew off most of his head, his left eye came out of his skull, which was laying on Lucian's room's floor.

In those 7 seconds, a summary of his life hovered in front of his vision.

Starting from the day he was born to the day he died.

One of his eyes was still there, with water coming out of it. His body was laying on a pool of blood, still coming out of him.

"Why did I do such stupid thing? Why?"

"My mother….she thinks I'm doing honest work or something, and here I am, not even knowing what I was doing until someone told them."

"I'm such a fool."

"I'm dying being a worthless person, what will happen to my single mom? What about, Ralph? Even though I met him just a few days ago, I wanted him to succeed. I'm nothing but just a worthless responsibility!"

Nicolo's remaining 7 seconds were over, leaving no time for last words or wishes, and the real world resumed around him.

Lucian was still staring at the ground, as Nicolo's head was laying still.

What…the….HELL?!

Lucian quickly stood up and went towards that shattered head and touched it.

It's….it's cold! How the hell did something like this happen!?

"Ni-Nicolo", words came out of Lucian's mouth automatically.

Lucian's eyes were conveying shock till then, but then it closed. And it was closed for another minute.

Around 3 hours later,

The cloudiness of the day made the atmosphere rather darker, even in the afternoon. The wind was making the grass flow with the rhythm of the air.

The black suits of the two men standing there at the corner of the graveyard were following the same rhythm. 

Magnus was looking at the grave which was named 'Nicolo' and while looking at it, he asked quietly, "What was his surname, Lucian?"

Lucian was looking there too, and after a bit of silence he answered, "I don't know, he never told me."

Magnus looked at Lucian now, probably a bit confused, "He was your friend and you don't even know his full name?"

"I told you. He never told me. He was a rather new friend. I don't know about his family either.", Lucian answered quietly, still looking at the grave.

Magnus didn't say anything further, until a few seconds later.

"I've informed the police about this, don't worry, we'll find whoever it is."

"Is that gonna bring him back?", Lucian asked Magnus, and no answer came.

I don't know anything about you. I don't even care about you much, not now at least. But I can say one thing.

You didn't deserve this….

A Day Before,

"So Elias, can you answer another question? Is it possible that other people are connected with the organization? Like people we see everyday? I….see everyday?", Lucian asked curiously, trying to make Elias think about this sharply.

"I didn't give it much thought. But it is definitely possible. But who is the person you are talking about?", Elias asked.

"You got to know him recently. You remember that investigator that went to investigate you and Luther?", Lucian said.

"Oh you know that one? Well yeah, you would. So what about him? Is he the one you are suspecting?", Elias asked.

"Yes. His name is Ralph, at least that's what he told me. He had information about you beforehand, and now as you are informing me about your past, I think it is highly possible that Ralph is connected with O3 somehow. Otherwise, how would he know so much about you?", Lucian explained.

"Oh is that it?", Elias took a break and spoke again, "So what's your next step then? How do you plan to use this information? I too would say that it is possible."

"Listen then, Elias. If this theory is true, then Ralph can be the perfect source for O3's location that you're after. I'll plan something. But for that I'll have to take some more steps first.", Lucian tried to cut the call but put the phone on his ears again.

"By the way, where is Gary?", Lucian asked suddenly.

Elias was still holding the phone, "He was about to attack me as he woke up, but then Ralph stopped it. Really tough he was!", Elias was about to continue.

"Where is he now?", Lucian asked again.

"Ralph talked with him for a while, away from us, and then he went home.", Elias said.

"Good.", Lucian cut the call.

Elias was a little confused about Lucian's next 'steps'.

I didn't tell Elias one thing, that Ralph is not the only one I suspect to have connections with O3. What about Nicolo? If he is a fellow investigator, then he might hold crucial information too.

Around 3 hours earlier from current time,

Gary stared at Elias's eyes with disbelief, or maybe disgust?

Elias was getting furious but then calmed himself and sat on his chair. Luther was sitting on his chair.

Elias rubbed his temple a few times and then rapidly stood up and took out his gun. He went towards Gary and pressed the gun against Gary's head from the front.

"What do you say huh? You are big enough of a problem to be left alive!", Elias pressed harder.

"You son of bi*ch. Do whatever you want. You'll get karma soon!", Gary groaned through his tied mouth. His hands were still struggling because of his tied hands.

As Elias was getting more furious, Luther also spoke up, "No bloodshed, don't do something like that please!"

Elias kept pressing harder and almost clicked the trigger, but quickly held himself back as he remembered something told by Lucian.

"Don't hurt him or try to kill him or anything. Just neutralize him and that's all."

About 4 hours later from current time,

A ringtone tried to echo in the dark room, the light bulb moved a little by the air coming from the small window. 

The ringtone stopped as Ralph picked up his phone and said, "Hello?"

"Hello, Ralph? This is me, Lucian! Can you help me please?! Something unexpected happened! And this might be a great help for your investigation too!", Lucian's voice had fear and excitement at the same time.

There were black circles under Ralph's eyes, he has been sleep deprived for a while. But hearing this, his eyes finally widened.

"What is it?!", Ralph asked immediately.

"Elias Blackwood has texted me out of nowhere! He said that he has something valuable for you, and he will give you that only if you fulfill his one wish....