Chapter IV - The warmth I am slowly forgetting.
The car was vastly different from the redhead's description. It wasn't the ordinary "basic means of transport" he had mentioned but an enormous, levitating, armored vehicle with sleek contours, resembling a car only about forty percent. It didn't even have tires—instead, the entire surface was covered in a flat, seamless layer shimmering in green hues, just like the doors and handles, which were surrounded by LED lights. On the roof of the vehicle floated a holographic sign reading "TAXI." The windows were so heavily tinted that the blond man couldn't even see the driver sitting in the front. He hesitated before entering the vehicle, only to feel someone push him forward suddenly.
Golden-haired Ignacy quickly opened the door, pulling the handle. First, he tossed in two large, dark navy bags, then shoved a resisting Teodor inside. Once the blond was seated in the car, Ignacy climbed in himself and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.
– Golden Shores. – He addressed the driver, who was hidden behind a dark gray curtain so opaque that the man remained invisible. Only faint glimpses of his silhouette appeared through small slivers of light from the control panel.
– Don't slam the door! – a harsh, unpleasant male voice barked. Hearing it, Teodor immediately concluded the driver must be a chain smoker, the kind who checks their cigarette pack first thing in the morning. – Card! – the man yelled so loudly that Teodor felt an overwhelming urge to jump up and hit him.
– Sure, sure. – Ignacy nodded, pulling a folding phone from his pocket. Opening the device, he typed something on the screen, and a 3D digital card materialized. The redhead pressed it against a glossy panel near the door. After completing the process, the gruff driver muttered something under his breath. Ignacy ignored it entirely, stashing the phone back in the pocket of his beige trousers, which reeked faintly of blood. Ignacy tried to distract himself from the smell, smiling as he launched into another trivial conversation.
– Does it fly? – Teodor finally asked, pointing to the vehicle through the window, eager to hear something more intriguing than a lecture about hair care pH levels.
– No, it doesn't fly; it bounces. – The golden-haired boy replied, becoming visibly more anxious by the second. He dreaded returning home. In his mind's eye, he already saw officers standing at the door and his younger sister accusing him of destroying their family. Terrified, he stumbled over his words, clenching his hands to stop them from trembling. – It works on the principle of... – Ignacy hesitated, losing his train of thought amid a mixture of fear and anger directed at the stranger.
Teodor observed him closely, finding nothing remarkable about his behavior beyond the familiar scent he chalked up to typical redhead sweat. His brother seemed like the same extrovert he had met upon waking—rambling nonsense and unable to sit in silence.
– ...like magnets, but not magnets. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to use anything made of opposing metals. – Ignacy forced a smile, feigning composure. – Beneath the ground are plates, identical to those built into cars or other vehicles. Machines repel the surface, as if they were the same poles. – Plus and plus. Got it? – he asked, his thoughts spinning.
– That's the same as the tracks, right?
– In all vehicles. – Ignacy corrected him.
The rest of the journey passed peacefully. The nervous redhead continued explaining the mechanics of repelling plates to Teodor, even using a hairdryer as an example. Later, the conversation shifted to Ignacy's studies. He described his field of study, explaining its profile to Teodor as well.
– So, you're saying I'll have to go back to university after the break?
– More like start it. You'll be the oldest in your group. – He replied with a slight smile.
– What if I don't want to? Honestly, I don't even remember choosing this field.
– I already told you; you didn't choose it. Gaia did it for you. – Ignacy replied, falling silent for a moment. – She figured you'd excel in this profession and made the choice. – He shrugged. – Besides, why do you care? It's a stable job; you'll enjoy a good reputation.
Teodor wanted to argue but was too tired. He knew that with so little knowledge about the world around him, he wouldn't find the right arguments. Silently, he sat, watching the brightly lit buildings through the window. He suddenly realized how late it must be, as twilight blanketed the city.
– "That's why the buildings are bathed in blue light," – he thought, as Ignacy's chatter continued, shifting to "modern uses of nanotechnology in the world of transorganic medicine." It all sounded too complicated and dull to Teodor. He genuinely wondered how such things could have fascinated him in the past. Immersed in the view of the nighttime city, a soft, barely audible familiar breathing returned to his ears. He couldn't wait to fall asleep and see his stranger again. This time, he planned to grab her hand and run with her along the beach, maybe even the cliffs. Imagining his future alongside the blue-haired woman, he completely detached from reality.
He didn't even notice when the redhead's chatter faded. Ignacy, lost in his own sea of thoughts, felt like he was barely breathing. With every word he spoke, he became more and more disoriented, until they both snapped out of it when the driver slammed on the brakes, jolting them forward.
– We're here! – the golden-haired redhead exclaimed, startled out of his stupor.
– You talked the whole way, so don't be surprised it went by quickly. – Teodor commented, grabbing one of the bags and opening the door.
– You say that as if you were listening. – Ignacy retorted, just as he had before, grabbing the dark navy bag and exiting the car, slamming the door behind him
***
Teodor's eyes were met with a block of flats—a row of several high-rise buildings, at least twenty stories tall. They stood side by side, pressed closely together, nearly identical, each with one characteristic black balcony, from which ropes hung, meant for potential evacuation. The building segments were light, white, and the windows had black frames. In some buildings, the facades looked as though they had been added later—those sections, without balconies, jutted out slightly, and from their roofs, green, climbing plants hung down, stretching all the way to the lower floors. To enter the apartment, one had to pass through a glass lobby. The two men entered, and the room greeted them with a cold, almost sterile appearance. In the middle was a gleaming reception desk, which seemed like part of the floor, sculpted into a more protruding shape. The walls inside were bare, in white tones, giving the room a cold, chilling atmosphere—reminiscent of the atmosphere at funerals inside churches. There were no decorations, only silver lamps hanging from the ceiling, serving as lighting. By the reception stood a short, bald woman. Teodor immediately knew she was a cyborg—her artificial smile seemed especially unpleasant, almost disgusting. Her facial expressions were unnatural, resembling a mask. With unease, he stood behind his brother when he noticed a blond man slithering behind them. The redhead smiled warmly at him.
- Are you scared? - he asked quietly, turning his head toward him.
- I've never seen them smile before. - Teodor replied, staring at the woman's face.
- Maybe because you've only seen a few of them. - Ignacy whispered.
- Maybe…
Teodor continued in that position until they reached the elevator. While they waited for one to arrive, a male cyborg approached them and looked at them with contempt. Ignacy smiled radiantly, though he tried to avoid that cold gaze. When the elevator doors opened, Teodor stumbled inside, struggling to keep his balance as his dark bag hit the wall. The elevator looked like one from a hospital—completely lined with mirrors, from which irritating background music emanated. On the wall next to the door was a small screen, into which Ignacy typed something, and then the elevator started, not stopping once. They reached the twelfth floor, and Teodor began wondering why he hadn't seen a single living person in the building. When they stood before the black door of apartment 72A, the boy grabbed his brother's hand, pulling him down.
- Why aren't there any other people here? - he asked, looking down the long corridor illuminated by the cold, white light of flickering lamps.
- In the evening, hardly anyone goes out. - Ignacy answered casually, typing in the code for the door, ignoring his panicking brother.
When the door opened and they entered, Teodor froze in place. The spacious, white vestibule invited him inside, and the boy, standing motionless, let go of his navy bag. The redhead slammed the door shut with a loud bang, and Teodor remembered that this wasn't the first time his brother had slammed the door so forcefully. On either side of the room were elegant wooden doors—two pairs on the left side, and one on the right, next to a wardrobe. At the end of the hallway, there was a view of a bright living room connected to the kitchen. The interior exuded modernity and homey warmth, with light oak wood and vibrant colors. The centerpiece of the living room was a large green sofa, which seemed familiar. Behind it stood a wooden table surrounded by retro chairs in various colors, creating a welcoming space. A wooden bookshelf, filled with books, gave the room character, creating a cozy reading nook. In the kitchen, there was a large kitchen island, with a dried piece of toast on it, suggesting a recently finished breakfast. Huge terrace windows let in plenty of natural light and opened up the space to a balcony that Teodor had seen from the outside. Plants, surprisingly abundant, enlivened the space and added a natural touch. Colorful, modern lamps in various shapes completed the decor, giving the apartment a unique, warm character—far removed from the coldness of the city they had seen earlier. From the living room, through the open door, led a long, five-meter corridor, leading to three more rooms. All the doors were made of the same elegant wood that dominated the interior. Teodor wondered how three orphans could afford such a large apartment. He stood at the threshold, looking at Ignacy, who was taking off his shoes and putting them away in the cabinet. The redhead looked up at him, noticing the sadness on his brother's face.
- Did you remember something? - he asked, straightening up.
- No, I didn't. - Teodor replied, stepping into the living room. - I don't remember… - he started.
- SHOES! - Ignacy yelled, cutting his brother off when he saw that Teodor had entered in white sneakers. At the sound of his voice, Teodor stepped back, quickly removing his shoes and placing them a bit further from the living room. The redhead bent down to pick them up and then placed them next to his own. - How do you feel? - he asked, noticing how Teodor was looking around the room, as if forgetting about his earlier outburst. His voice returned to a normal tone.
- Nothing. - Teodor replied, his voice empty. The boy felt no emotions toward the place; he only had fleeting images in his mind, surrounded by a fog so thick that he could barely see anything. - Isn't it strange? - he asked, when Ignacy remained silent, staring at him. - I feel like it's inhuman, but I really feel nothing, like all of this is foreign to me. - His tone dropped to almost nothing.
Suddenly, he felt a warm hand ruffling his hair. He looked up at Ignacy, who was smiling at him warmly, as if to show that everything would be alright. The redhead finally let go of the blond boy and headed toward the kitchen island. He grabbed the dried toast in his hand and then collapsed onto the green sofa, landing on the soft, matching cushions.
- Don't worry about it. - he said, chewing the sandwich. - Want something to eat?
- At this hour? - Teodor asked, glancing at his brother, who had somehow magically teleported to the fridge.
- No, thanks, - Ignacy replied, eyeing him up and down.
- Teo, - he began. - Are you having eating disorders again? - As he said this, he turned his head towards the embarrassed blonde who was still standing still.
- Did I ever have eating disorders? - Teodor asked, incredulously.
- Well, - Ignacy scratched his neck. - It's a bit of a stretch, but when you fought with your friend, you didn't eat for a whole week. Only when Nulla came back early from the forty-third zone, she convinced you to eat. The redhead rummaged through the cupboard, pulling out a bowl and a box of cornflakes, which he placed on the counter. He shook his head and then put the things away and approached his brother, who was still lost in thought.
He grabbed his hand and led him to the sofa, sitting down and placing his brother next to him.
- If you want to ask, just ask, - he said, sitting across from the blonde. - Don't leave yourself alone with your thoughts.
- I was just wondering... - Teodor wanted to ask if the supposed friend was the blue-haired girl, but he feared the stranger could be one of the activists, and he might somehow be linked to them, which would make future meetings impossible. The mere thought made his head drop.
- I was wondering, - he repeated quietly. - Who was that friend? - he asked, raising his gaze slightly. His eyes met Ignacy's tender look, which lingered for a moment, and in his glassy eyes, there was a barely perceptible gleam.
- I don't know... - Ignacy muttered, his voice quiet, as if he were hiding something deeper, something even he didn't understand.
Teodor stared at his brother, feeling a growing anger swelling up inside him like an unstoppable current. It stemmed from ignorance, from frustration that they were both lost. Ignacy wanted to help Teodor, but he didn't know the answers. There was something in him that screamed to pull his brother out of this abyss, even though he himself was teetering on the edge.
- The only thing I remember... - Ignacy added a moment later, as if in desperation, trying to catch some fragment of the past. - Is that you talked to him online, over the phone... - The redhead turned his back on Teodor, as if hiding his face, which revealed more than he wanted. He stared vacantly through the large, exposed windows, behind which dark clouds crawled across the sky like the shadows of forgotten memories.
Teodor listened to Ignacy, and his remaining hope evaporated from his heart, turning into a bitter emptiness.
- You know, you never used to talk to me... - the blonde added quietly, with a barely noticeable tremor in his voice. - And you definitely never introduced me to your friends... - His gaze was still fixed on the dark sky, where the clouds stretched like cracks in a canvas.
- Your friend said I didn't talk to anyone, - Teodor suddenly recalled Penelopa's words, snapping out of his thoughts, and his eyes briefly lit up as if something was starting to come together.
- Not in real life, - Ignacy replied, not looking away. - But online... you were always talking to someone. Sometimes, I even heard you laughing.
Teodor turned abruptly. Ignacy's words pierced through him, stirring unease. Who was he talking to? About what? How many were there? Was the blue-haired woman among them? Thoughts swarmed in his head like wasps in a nest. Suddenly, one thought hit him with full force: THE PHONE.
- Ignacy! - He yelled, then grabbed his brother by the arm and violently turned him toward him. - Where's my phone?! - His hands were shaking, and his eyes burned with panic.
- It's gone... - Ignacy looked at his brother, surprised by his reaction. Seeing the emotional blonde threw him off.
- What do you mean "gone"? Why?! - Teodor shouted even louder, his voice full of desperation.
- You know, you went out the window with it, and the computer and the rest were taken by the pawnshop. It works, - he said, somewhat embarrassed, grabbing his neck. - They checked it as part of the investigation, but they found nothing, so they threw everything out. I didn't argue with them, it was all funded by the scholarship, - he added. And when he finished, the small sprout of hope was drowned in the salty water of anger. The blonde clenched his fist, not wanting to take it out on his brother, then closed his eyes, calming himself with deep breaths.
- I understand, - he replied calmly, and his face grew serious. The redhead nudged him in the shoulder, smiling, unaware that this sight had angered Teodor so much that he shoved the innocent, golden-haired boy with all his strength, pushing him off the sofa.
- DON'T TOUCH ME! - he yelled as Ignacy writhed on the floor. Teodor looked at him from above, then stood up and walked toward the kitchen. Instinctively, out of habit, he opened one of the upper cabinets, pulling out a white, chipped mug with the English phrase "Tell me my baby." He then opened the fridge and took out a chilled bottle of water. He poured it into the mug, leaning against the kitchen counter, and when he started drinking, Ignacy watched him in shock, then rubbed his eyes in disbelief. He got up and sat back down, still watching the blonde, who was playing with the water in the mug.
- Are you upset? - Ignacy asked timidly.
- Haven't you noticed? - the angry blonde retorted.
- Your mug, - Ignacy responded, pointing to the mug Teodor was holding. - It's from your uncle, - he said with a trembling voice. - I mean, from your dad, - he corrected.
- So what?
- You always drink from it when you're upset or worried about something.
- What?
- You usually go for the ones from the bottom shelf, you never touch the top ones unless something's bothering you.
Ignacy's words knocked the wind out of Teodor. He didn't know how to react, swallowed, and set the mug down on the counter. After a moment, he silently approached his brother, sitting on the green sofa. He felt his strength drain. He was done, it felt like he was walking through a desert, and every drop of water he drank was just a mirage.
- I've had enough, - he replied, resting his head on the pillow.
- Me too, - Ignacy responded, doing the same shortly after.
Teodor wanted to change the subject; he felt he'd unnecessarily lashed out at his brother, after all, it wasn't his fault he couldn't remember. Suddenly, he remembered his sister; it seemed like he hadn't seen her in a few days. He was really curious about the Friday schedule.
- What about Nulla? - he asked.
- I don't know, - Ignacy replied with a shrug. - She's probably on her way back, - he muttered, glancing toward the windows.
- Fridays really have it tough.
- You haven't seen life from the perspective of twos or ones, - the redhead said non-ironically.
Ignacy felt bad – he had had enough of both his brother and the situation. He didn't want to talk to him, even though he realized his blonde brother was overwhelmed by extreme emotions, and that waking up from a two-year coma wasn't easy. He couldn't shake the feeling that all the anger, resentment, distrust, fear, and rage were being unloaded onto him. He himself hadn't had an easy two years either. He wanted to scream all of it in his brother's face, but all he could do was smile at him.
- You know… – Teodor started.
- What's up? – Ignacy replied tiredly, not turning to face his brother. He really didn't want to look at him.
- I'm sorry. – Teodor responded after a minute of silence.
- It's fine. – Ignacy replied indifferently. – It's not your fault. – The redhead felt like he was saying the complete opposite. It was Teodor's fault, or at least that's what he thought. So why was he talking to him so calmly? He really didn't understand. – Let's change the subject. – He said, looking at the clear, dark sky. – What do you want to know?
- How can we afford such an apartment? – Teodor replied reluctantly, his gaze falling on the massive TV. – This apartment is so different from what I imagined... I thought it would be more empty. – he added, wondering what his own thoughts were saying. – How... how? – He began to stutter.
- Like everything else. – Ignacy finished indifferently, dreaming of sleep, but he really didn't feel like celebrating. He just wanted everything to disappear, to be left alone, away from both familiar and unfamiliar faces. – The apartment belonged to our parents, and the furniture is just a hologram. Even the plants aren't real – he said, smiling strangely, in a way Teodor didn't understand.
- Hologram? – Teodor asked, intrigued.
- Yeah. – Ignacy pointed at a tiny screen the size of a smartphone embedded in the wall. Teodor nodded, his mind beginning to analyze what that actually meant. – You plug a flash drive into it, choose the appropriate data, set up the room's appearance, and that's it. – he said plainly. – In reality, this massive segment is nothing but one big system relay.
- So nothing here is real? – Teodor asked, feeling his heart start to beat faster. This revelation made him feel terrible. He would've preferred a vision consisting of reality, of tangible things. Ignacy's tired gaze was fixed on Teodor, reflecting concern for his well-being.
- I can only apologize for that. – Ignacy replied, trying to lighten the mood.
- What did you do? – Teodor asked, not understanding his brother.
- Well, nothing. – Ignacy answered, feeling an inexplicable chill. Goosebumps ran down his back.
- Then why are you apologizing? – Teodor raised his eyebrows.
- Sometimes it's better to apologize, then everything ends. – Ignacy said, shivering from the cold.
- Are you cold? – Teodor asked, moving away from his brother. Ignacy nodded. – Do we have any blankets? – he added, walking toward the media console.
- Chill out. – Ignacy smiled. – We'll make tea, unless you prefer coffee. – he said, getting up and heading toward the kitchen. – Nulla will be here soon; she'll definitely want something to drink.
- I'll help you. – Teodor ran to Ignacy, who was rummaging through the cabinets.
- Fill the kettle with water.
- How? – Teodor asked, looking around the kitchen, trying to get a handle on the new space.
- I can't believe you were fine just a few minutes ago, you seemed so composed. – Ignacy shook his head. – Just pour water into the kettle. – he pointed toward the transparent jug on the island. Teodor quickly followed his brother's instructions and was soon filling the mugs with boiling water.
- Sorry, we only have some weird brews. – Ignacy replied, closing the cabinet, while Teodor furrowed his brow.
- Do you think I'm going to care about that right now? – Teodor said, looking at him as Ignacy observed the tea steeping in the mugs. – You know, I had a dream. – Teodor began uncertainly. – When I was in a coma...
A sudden blackout interrupted Teodor. It made the entire apartment fall into deep darkness. A gust of wind blew through the open balcony windows, bringing with it unsettling whispers that seemed to bounce off the walls. Teodor held his breath, and his heart began to race. He hit Ignacy on the arm, trying to see if his brother heard it too. Fear robbed him of his voice.
- I hear it. - Ignacy whispered, his tone soft and measured, as if reading Teodor's thoughts. - Probably a malfunction. - he added, trying to sound calm. - Let's do what we always do. I'll handle the controller.
- Will you hit it? - Teodor asked uncertainly, feeling the darkness pulling him deeper.
- It might sound strange, but I know the layout of these walls by heart. - Ignacy replied, trying to regain his confidence. He carefully slid his hand over the cold surface of the wall until he reached the monitor. He started hitting it, pressing a few random buttons, still disoriented by the darkness. The sounds coming from the monitor seemed to be just echoes of his own fears.
Teodor stood frozen, gripped by fear that intensified with every sound. He felt like a coward, his shame consuming him, even though the fear was much stronger. The accumulated anxiety squeezed his throat.
- It's working!! - Ignacy suddenly shouted in joy, and at that moment, all the lights in the room turned on, casting a strong, bright white glow.
A cold, penetrating chill seeped inside, its source the wide-open balcony windows. Ignacy, standing closer to them, suddenly lost his balance, falling backward. He lay there, bracing himself on his hands, his terrified gaze trapped in the swirling wind, which revealed a body lying on the floor. It was exactly the same woman the men had encountered on the train. The short-haired woman lay unconscious on her beige coat, her chest gently rising to take in air, then falling.
- This is impossible... - Ignacy whispered, fear reflected in his voice.
Teodor, seeing Ignacy pinned to the ground, boldly ran over to him. From a distance, he couldn't make out the figure hidden behind the curtains, but he crouched beside his brother as he began to hide behind him. Then, the blonde's eyes fell on the half-dead woman. But when he saw her again, he wasn't sure about her gender.
- Ignacy, this... - Teodor started, his voice trembling with concern as he looked at the figure lying on the floor.
Ignacy didn't respond, staring in shock at what lay before them. His heart raced, and uncertainty swirled in his mind - he didn't know whether this figure now looked more like a man, one who was exceptionally well-built. In fact, the skin of the person before them was flawless, except for the numerous scars, scratches, and mostly bloodstains. He thought the person might be exceptionally beautiful. Long eyelashes covered the eyes, and the figure looked as though it were in a deep sleep. Ignacy, with his heart pounding like a hammer, couldn't resist his curiosity. He reached out to touch the mysterious figure, but at that moment, Teodor, standing nearby, was shaking, stunned by the entire situation. His body seemed numb, and his thoughts wandered between chaos and fear, unable to make sense of what was happening.
- What do you want to do? - the blonde asked uncertainly as Ignacy approached the figure.
The redhead, in horror, realized that this was definitely not a woman, but a young boy, dressed in torn jeans and a dirty white T-shirt, all covered in blood. In an instant, he recognized the teenager from the hospital. A thousand thoughts ran through his mind. Who is he? How did he get here? Has he been following me? But all the questions stopped when he saw the unknown person's chest rising and falling in a dramatic rhythm. His heart shuddered in terror, and his gaze focused only on the bluish, bloodstained face, which looked pale and drained, not with the flush of health, but with the signs of mortal exhaustion. The teenager's body was weak, and air barely reached his lungs.
- You can't die... - he whispered, fear and helplessness starting to take control over him.
Teodor, still shaken, knelt behind his brother, not knowing how to react to this terrifying reality.
- Ignacy. - Teodor called out.
- How could he do this to himself... - the redhead replied faintly, leaning over the injured person, not paying attention to his brother crouching beside him, pressing his head against the boy's chest. - Weak... - he whispered so quietly that only Teodor could hear.
Fascinated, Ignacy grabbed the unknown hand by the wrist, checking for a pulse, pressing two fingers to it. Seeing this, the blonde stared at his brother's behavior, not expecting that he could show such an expression.
- You know him. - Teodor asked, still unable to take his eyes off the two of them.
Ignacy was just then touching the lower limbs, moving to the frozen, wounded feet, which were marked with numerous swellings and blisters. Teodor looked at this, growing paler by the second. The redhead felt worse as he saw the dozen or so open wounds on the boy's chest, blood soaking through his T-shirt. Not understanding exactly what Ignacy intended to do, he picked the boy up, lifting him into his large arms, then stood up, reaching behind him for a long woman's coat. Only then did Teodor see the full figure of the stranger. The blonde's face showed immense surprise; he was absolutely convinced that the person before him was the woman from the train.
- It's a man. - Ignacy replied, in a daze, his voice strained, his eyes full of worry.
- You better help me. - the blonde snapped at Teodor, holding the brunette, not taking his eyes off the teenager's limp head.
- Do you know him? - Teodor repeated his question, uncertain, trying to make sense of the situation.
- No... I don't know. - Ignacy answered, his voice filled with conflicting emotions, and in his gaze, anger, combining fury and pity. - But I'm sure he didn't end up here by accident. - he added, slightly adjusting the boy in his arms.
- What do you want to do? - Teodor asked, grabbing his brother's arm.
- Let go. - Ignacy replied, as if hypnotized, unconscious in his determination.
The blonde was full of doubts. If neither of them knew the boy, why was the redhead so determined to help him? He feared that his brother was lying or not telling him the whole truth. Angered and gripped by fear, he tightened his grip, forcing the redhead to stop.
- You're lying! - he shouted, and Ignacy's stone-cold gaze pierced him through. - If you don't know him, why are you helping him? - he attacked, growing increasingly irritated.
- Maybe that's because the idiot chose our house. - Ignacy replied, pulling away from the embrace. - If you haven't figured it out yet, the IDIOT could be an important guest. We need to help him. - he added as Teodor stood in front of him, blocking the way.
- Don't you think that if he were so important, he wouldn't end up half-dead? - Teodor asked, still in disbelief.
- But he's alive! - Ignacy shouted, out of breath. - No matter who he is, we need to help him!
After these words, Teodor stepped aside, opening the path. He looked at Ignacy, who was panting, with anger, while Ignacy froze, furious at his brother and his recklessness, turning as red as a beet.
- I'll take him to Aunt and Uncle's bedroom. - he replied.
- To our parents! - Teodor finally yelled, still in disbelief.
- It's the only place no one goes. - Ignacy said calmly. - Do you want to help me? - he asked, turning to his brother.
- Do I have any other choice? - Teodor replied, following Ignacy as they moved from the living room to the long hallway. Ignacy stopped in front of the brown doors, next to another identical set. He nodded, pointing at them. Without asking, Teodor opened the door.
The gentle evening light, filtered through pale pink curtains, illuminated the spacious room, radiating elegance and French flair. The focal point of the room was a wall adorned with bright wallpaper featuring a botanical pattern. The greenery of the leaves and flowers brought a touch of nature into the room, creating a cozy atmosphere. At the heart of the room stood a huge, tufted double bed in snowy white, placed on a floor covered with white panels arranged in a fashionable herringbone pattern, adding depth and visual lightness to the space. Across from the bed, there was an impressive, glass-fronted wardrobe that not only served a practical purpose but also acted as a striking decorative element. On each side of the bed, there were white nightstands made of pine wood, adding warmth to the room. Each nightstand was topped with identical lamps casting a soft, cozy light. Large windows stretched along the entire wall from the bed to the wardrobe, adorned with pale pink curtains that gave the room a romantic touch and perfectly matched the wallpaper's color. On the right wall, next to the door, stood a white vanity with a matching chair. Both pieces of furniture were made of pine wood, emphasizing the room's consistency. The choice of light colors such as white and powdery pink, combined with the natural wood tones, gave the bedroom a harmonious and peaceful character. The bedding set, chosen to match the curtains, completed the look, creating a unified stylistic composition for the entire space. The bedroom reminded Teodor of a charming French hotel suite. If it weren't for the small monitor near the door, which Teodor noticed as he entered before his brother, one might think the architect who created this house had a split personality. The room, though beautiful, was stylistically very different from the living room, particularly due to the materials used. The boy was curious about how the room looked without its colorful framing. His thoughts were interrupted by the loud sound of his brother's footsteps.
- Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to help me? - Ignacy replied, gently laying the crumpled body on the bed, handling it as if holding a precious porcelain doll, even though the teenager seemed far from such an image. He turned to the shocked and worried Teodor, who couldn't hide his surprise.
- You want to leave him here? - Teodor asked, crossing his arms, giving him a look like an angry mother. The sight inexplicably amused the redhead, glancing at the blonde, wearing a slight smile.
- What are you laughing at? - he asked, his irritation rising.
- Keep an eye on him. - Ignacy replied, adopting his usual behavior, patting Teodor on the right shoulder as he left. - Don't kill him. - he whispered, pulling his hand away.
- What?! - Teodor could feel his anger pulse.
- You're the one letting a stranger into the house! - Ignacy yelled after the golden-haired boy as the door closed behind him.
Driven by curiosity, Teodor moved closer to the brunette. He knelt beside the bed, staring at him with his cold, gray-blue eyes. He blinked twice, and his long eyelashes fell, covering his gaze.
- The system must hate you. - he thought, turning his gaze toward the door. He waited for his brother, each second magically stretching into an hour. He felt himself drifting, dark images flashing before his eyes. No one had turned on the light, so the darkness in the room was lulling him to sleep, and he slowly lost consciousness. In his mind's eye, he saw a beach and a blue-haired girl in white, running on the sand. Only the sound of the door opening snapped him out of his waking dream.
In the doorway stood Ignacy, tall as a tower, radiating confidence.
- Are you asleep? - he asked, squinting at his brother. After a few seconds, the room lit up with the soft glow of warm light, revealing delicate, blue eyes.
- Turn off the light. - Teodor mumbled sleepily, turning away. - Turn it off. - he repeated, hearing his brother's approaching steps. His fatigue made him less inclined to anger, more indifferent to the situation.
- I need to tend to him first. - Ignacy said with determination, raising his hand, holding a small first-aid kit with a red cross. Seeing the symbol, Teodor reacted as if touched by a horn, standing up, brushing his hair from his face and any dust, yawning, and looking at his pleased brother.
- Nulla? - he asked after a moment, a note of concern in his voice.
- She said she'll be here after one. - Ignacy replied confidently. - She had to stay and finish the project.
- Won't she be tired? - Teodor asked, yawning again, his indifference giving way to worry. - Though... maybe she won't have the strength?
- If you're tired, go to the room, repack. I... - Ignacy hesitated, feeling like he couldn't ignore the situation. - I'll take care of him. - he added after a few milliseconds, trying to motivate his brother to act.
- I don't even know where he is. - Teodor replied, collapsing onto the bed and sitting next to the stranger. - I'll wait here, just in case the princess wakes up. - he said, scanning the room as if he was ready for any circumstance.
- As you wish. - Ignacy tossed at him, then crouched and placed a small white box on the floor. He opened it, pulling out several items: something like disinfectant stored in a small jar, a few cotton pads, and some bandages. He also pulled out small silver scissors, then grabbed the dirty, grayish t-shirt and sliced it open with the thin blades.
- Well bandaged. - Teodor remarked, seeing the stranger's chest gently rising, his tone indicating that, despite his fatigue, he was interested.
- Yeah. - Ignacy replied, rolling his eyes in irritation. At the same time, he began wiping the brunette's body with the cotton pads he had moistened earlier. His determination was clear as he alternated between working quickly and precisely. A moment later, he took a few cotton swabs, which he had also previously soaked in a transparent liquid, and applied them to the deeper wounds on the teenager. Soon, there wasn't even a trace of blood on the stranger's chest.
- Go get water, a bowl, and a towel. - Ignacy instructed his brother, focusing on the task.
- Where are they? - Teodor asked, yawning, feeling increasing fatigue, but there was also a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
- Somewhere in the kitchen. - Ignacy tossed back, his tone filled with impatience and concern. The blonde stood up from the bed, freeing some of the trapped fabric. He left without closing the door behind him, and Ignacy watched him, still feeling like something was off. When he disappeared from view, Ignacy turned his attention back to the stranger's face. With care, he wiped away the dirt and blood, removing the remnants of makeup.
When he was finished, he glanced at the injured teenager's face once more. He reached out, gently tracing the young man's features, starting from his closed eyes, across his small, even nose, and down to his full, bluish lips. The pale face of the stranger caused Ignacy's heart to ache. He didn't understand why he felt such a strong desire to keep him close, even though he didn't know who he was. He had an overwhelming feeling that he knew him from somewhere, but it wasn't from the hospital; it was something distant. Leaning closer to the teenager's face, he slowly touched his temple, sensing the faint citrus scent that lingered on his body. He felt an urge to bite him, thoughts racing in his mind. In one moment, he wanted to protect him, in the next, he wanted to leave him at the mercy of the world they lived in. The emotion building inside him felt like a battle with demons. When the stranger took a breath, gently opening his lips, something inside Ignacy snapped. Suddenly, the desire to harm the brunette began to paralyze him. He froze, dropped to his hands, and stared in horror at the rising chest of the boy. His thoughts battled: "Is it really him?" The redhead was terrified by his own image. Like an animal, he crawled closer to the bed, silently observing the shallow breath of the kid.
When Teodor entered the room, Ignacy quickly turned towards him. The sight of his brother kneeling by the bed surprised Teodor.
- You look like a wolf. - he replied, with a hint of sarcasm.
- Like a wolf? - Ignacy asked, his gaze returning to the unconscious boy, still confused and filled with emotion.
- Yeah. - Teodor confirmed, his eyes shifting between the floor, where his brother was kneeling, and the bed where the stranger lay. - Like you were hunting a defenseless cow.
- You mean a sheep. - Ignacy corrected him, trying to distance himself from the emotions that were tearing at him.
- Sheep are stupid, and he's just unconscious.
- He clarified, staring at the teenager, unable to shake his unease.
- You know... maybe I'm just hungry. - Teodor spoke, trying to divert attention from the drama of the situation. His left hand landed on his neck, and Ignacy looked at his brother, sensing a chance to avoid a crisis. - Do you have the bowl? - Teodor asked awkwardly, trying to hide his emotions.
- Yeah. - Teodor confirmed, nodding, then crouched beside the redhead, bringing the bowl filled with water close to him. His gestures were calm. - Do you need help? - he asked, trying to offer support.
- No. - Ignacy replied, revealing the stranger's leg from under his pants and gently wiping it with the wet towel. Ignacy, feeling uncertain about the emotions swirling inside him, observed the scene, even though he would have liked to be more active.
- Adam. - A quiet, soft voice spread through the room. Ignacy held his breath, hearing a name that caught him off guard.
- What?! - Ignacy jumped to his feet, spilling the remaining water from the bowl onto the floor. He grabbed the boy by the shoulders. - Say it again! - He began to get frustrated, uncertainty and fear pulling at his emotions.
Shocked, Teodor sat frozen, feeling like he couldn't move, stuck in water up to his knees. - Świt - after these words, Ignacy collapsed onto the soft, silky pillow, his body frozen. A grave silence filled the room. Ignacy let go of the stranger and rolled to the wall, leaning against it, trying to catch his breath. It wasn't what he had heard that mattered; in fact, it felt like the least important thing, but it completely threw him off rhythm. His thoughts spun, and everything he knew started to unravel. He slid his left hand across his face, then placed his right hand there too, burying his head in both hands, feeling like he couldn't endure it. Slowly, he was dying. In one moment, he wanted to vomit, spitting blood, and in the next, he only wanted to catch a breath, feeling faint.
- What Adam? - Teodor finally asked, propping himself up with a hand on the edge of the mattress and standing. He approached Ignacy, whose facial features reflected uncertainty and fear. - Ignacy? - the blonde nudged the redhead, waking him from his trance. Ignacy opened his eyes, looked at Teodor, and then, as if touched by a magic wand, shook his head, letting common sense take over.
- I don't know. - he replied, wiping his forehead, then lowering his arms, exhausted by the internal struggle. - Stay with him. - He leaned against the wall, heading toward the door.
- Where are you going? - asked Teodor, trying to catch up with his brother.
- To clean up! - Ignacy shouted, disappearing behind the half-open wooden door. - I need to think! - he added, leaving Teodor behind.
Teodor ran after him, completely forgetting about the unconscious stranger lying on the bed.
- What about Nulla? - he asked, grabbing Ignacy by the arm. The redhead turned around, looking at him over his shoulder.
- What will we do when she comes back? - he asked, his voice trembling.
- I don't know. - Ignacy replied, tired of the whole situation. - Let's not tell her for now.
- What do you mean? - Teodor's eyes widened.
- If she comes back, she'll go straight to her room, and tomorrow morning, she'll go out to class again. - Ignacy explained, trying to stay calm.
- But... but... - Teodor tried to interrupt.
- There's no "but." I need to clean up, there are drops of blood everywhere. - Ignacy said, trying to free himself from Teodor's grip.
- What if he wakes up? - Teodor asked, still holding his brother's hand. - Should I sleep with him?
- OUT OF THE QUESTION - Ignacy snapped, clenching his fist. After a moment, he took a deep breath and spoke more calmly: - I'll sleep with him, and you go back to your room like a good younger brother.
In that second, Teodor realized that he was the younger one, and his thoughts began to swirl again. The boy shook his head, trying not to get distracted.
- But... - he tried to protest again, but Ignacy cut him off.
- Nulla will come back, and the first thing she'll do is check if you're in your room. - Ignacy looked at him seriously.
- What will you do when she sees you're not there? She'll come looking for you, and god forbid, she might check this room. - He pointed his head toward the other hallway. - If this guy is dangerous, he might attack her, Teodor, we don't know him.
- I know. - Teodor replied firmly. - But don't you think sleeping in the same room with him is stupid?
- An even bigger stupidity would be leaving him alone. - Ignacy responded. - If he really tries to do something to me, I'll knock him out. I'm twice his size and stronger. If I wanted, I could knock him down with one hand. Besides, the guy looks seriously ill.
Ignacy went to the kitchen, opened one of the larger cabinets, from which a large robot resembling a flattened coat emerged. The machine moved across the panels, removing all traces of dirt. Ignacy leaned against the kitchen island, grabbed a cup with cold tea, and took a sip, doing so in silence. Teodor, standing in the middle of the room, silently watched his brother, searching for the right arguments in his head. When he couldn't find any, he simply followed him into the kitchen.
- Where's my room? - he finally asked.
- First hallway, door opposite the wardrobe. - Ignacy pointed. - The other one. - he emphasized, as Teodor disappeared from his sight.
- Got it! - Teodor shouted, entering the room through the wooden door.
- Go wash up first! - Ignacy called after him.
- I don't feel like it! - Teodor shouted back, and his voice echoed through the room.
- Idiot. - Ignacy muttered under his breath.
Ignacy was left alone with his thoughts, watching as the curtains lifted in the wind. He silently took a sip of the cold tea, which he had forgotten to sweeten, feeling his doubts still lingering in his heart. He set the cup down on the counter and headed toward his aunt and uncle's bedroom, walking through the second, long hallway. When he opened the door, the stranger's body still lay limp on the bed. Ignacy picked up the overturned bowl, grabbed a towel, and started wiping his body, then tossed it onto the floor. His foot stepped on the fabric, rubbing it against the floor, then he stepped closer to the boy and leaned over him.
- Dirty. - he muttered, shaking his head.
He stood up, straightened his back, and walked toward the wardrobe. He turned the quiet, black doorknob, opening the door soundlessly. Inside, he saw a pile of clothes. Ignacy aimed for his father's pajama set, pulling out one in blue with checkered patterns and lemons. He gently closed the door, not wanting to make noise or, even worse, wake the boy. He knelt beside him and slowly began undressing him, starting with the coat, which he pulled from under his body, then took off his shirt and replaced it with a nightshirt decorated with yellow buttons matching the citrus theme. He then lifted his legs to remove his pants and put on pajama bottoms, during which the boy let out a quiet groan. Wrapping him in the blanket, Ignacy sighed.
- You look much better in this. - he said, looking at the boy.
He felt exhausted. His gaze stopped on the second pillow, lying next to the stranger's head. Without much thought, he walked around the bed and lay down beside him. It seemed to him that he was losing his mind, as if he had forgotten something truly important, but he couldn't recall what it was. Tired from the day's events, he felt his eyelids growing heavier. Eventually, he stopped resisting, and his mind was enveloped in darkness. The feeling of nothingness overwhelmed his body, bringing the relief that came with the end of the day.