The Old Feelings
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVK0Ub1In3
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8ehIFpOj3
Mathis gazed at Bree, her concerned eyes searching his, as if trying to decipher the turmoil beneath his calm façade. He offered her a faint, strained smile before rising from his seat and retrieving his jacket. "I need to step out for a bit; I'll return soon," he said, his voice carrying an edge of uncertainty.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecsJRZqfI8
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RYEWW5AKk
Bree's surprise was evident, but she didn't question him, watching him leave with a mix of worry and resignation. As Mathis stepped into the crisp night air and slid into the car seat, a storm of memories and emotions swirled within him. He leaned back, closing his eyes, but found no escape from the onslaught of guilt and regret that had haunted him for years. Seeking help from Erik... Was it the right thing to do?
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOquSdsycCb
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpr6HPgCZc
His hands trembled slightly as he pulled out his phone, his thumb hesitating over the screen. Finally, he pressed the number buried in his contacts list, one he had sworn never to dial again. The phone buzzed in his ear, each ring a painful reminder of the past he couldn't erase. After what felt like an eternity, the call connected.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSI0n7UhwN
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxVNcmvKBE
"Yes, this is Erik," a cold and detached voice said.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLftNA25iQg
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoe8luGFp5
Mathis's breath caught in his throat. He hadn't heard that voice in years, yet it was as familiar as his daily guilt. "Hi, Erik, it's Mathis," he began, his voice faltering, "Long time no see, huh?"
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4zGS8ChcK
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PgDOWyN8m
The silence on the other end was palpable, a heavy, suffocating void that only deepened Mathis's anxiety. He could almost hear Erik's thoughts—the anger and betrayal simmering beneath the surface.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpteyRcWoy
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjJtnIMOKS
Finally, Erik spoke, his words sharp and laced with bitterness. "Mathis, what do you want after what you did? You've got a lot of nerve calling me."
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbSRVlv5sO
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAwbs3C8T1
Mathis stared out the car window, his reflection blurred by the streaks of rain on the glass. His expression was etched with years of pain and regret, emotions he had buried but never honestly forgotten. "Erik, I'm truly sorry," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's a difficult situation, but I need your help."
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDFZmH8Gpy
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO1DpvkRK4
The line was silent again, and Mathis could almost feel Erik wrestling with his emotions, torn between his anger and the remnants of a once-strong bond. When Erik finally spoke, his voice was heavy with accusation. "It's your responsibility for what happened to her and the children."
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHRujHXahl
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnC0dixbMA
The words struck Mathis like a physical blow, reopening wounds that had never fully healed. He clenched his jaw, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. He looked at himself in the mirror again, seeing not just his reflection but the ghosts of his past—his wife, their child—lost to him forever. "I want to make it clear that I didn't kill them," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I loved them deeply, and what happened... was an accident. I know our constant arguing isn't what your sister would have wanted. Erik, I can't bring them back, but I need to move forward, and I can't do it alone."
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LgATgvdBU
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYimLgQnmjE
Erik's sigh crackled through the phone, a sound of resignation. "I still believe your work was the reason for their deaths," he said, his voice tinged with sorrow. "But I owe it to my sister to help you. What do you need?"
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2l8HGjACy
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE4ay2Gky0
Mathis exhaled, feeling a slight, bittersweet relief wash over him. "I need a personalized key card," he explained. "One that can grant me access to all card-locked doors."
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7pb1173Wk
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCJMZDrLII
Erik was silent for a moment, then spoke again, more subdued. "I know someone who can make that. He owes me a favor. I'll call him and get back to you."
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxD18A4mAj
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9rkvonxy6
Mathis nodded, even though Erik couldn't see him. "Thank you, Erik," he said quietly.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB1OOqCv4T
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09q4xOmg0s
The call ended, and Mathis slumped back in his seat, staring blankly at the passing cityscape. The noise of the streets barely registered; his mind was consumed with memories of the life he had lost. He wondered, not for the first time, if he was to blame—if his obsession with his work had led to the tragedy that shattered his world.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTSQ5bWQ1G
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaiPe4ueF9
The shrill ring of his phone jolted him from his thoughts. "Hello?" he answered, a trace of hope in his voice.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XkZEUq4Bq
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkot5gpbpM
"Mathis, it's Erik," came the reply. "I've spoken to the guy. He'll make the card for you. He'll meet you in one of the old apartments I used during a construction project. I'll send you the address, but you must find another way to get in. I'll also send you a picture of the man so you can recognize him."
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOT0Ea3YJZS
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LGiRRRx4Q
As night fell, Mathis drove through the crowded streets, his mind reverting to the past. He navigated into a narrow, dimly lit alleyway, the buildings around him looming like silent witnesses to his inner turmoil. When he reached the designated building, he paused before the heavy steel door, feeling the weight of the situation press down on him.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7c074oNp8
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsOvlLaz21
With practiced precision, he pulled out two slender metal tools and carefully picked the lock, his heart pounding with each twist of the metal. As the lock clicked open, he hesitated, taking a deep breath before stepping inside.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8f0fFIrpxt
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwIrnS7NMd
The air was thick with the musty scent of neglect. The stairwell, bathed in the faint glow of old, flickering lights, seemed to close around him as he made his way to the second floor. Every step echoed in the silence, amplifying the tight tension in his chest.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3EhTikCnt
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wKSFPvFUk
When he reached the door, he paused again, listening intently. His fingers traced the edge of his gun, a reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows. With a steady hand, he picked the lock and slowly pushed the door open, the creak of the hinges echoing through the space.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAxbBDGc2z
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOXb5XtTT5
Inside, the apartment was a time capsule of decay, with dust-covered furniture and faded wallpaper that whispered of better days long past. Mathis moved cautiously, his senses heightened, his weapon at the ready. He settled into a worn, floral-patterned chair, the silence amplifying the ticking of his watch. Time seemed to crawl as he waited, the seconds stretching into what felt like hours.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqwYQBQ2O5
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dOkpKQLPs
Then, the door creaked open, followed by footsteps approaching. Mathis rose silently, his gun poised, ready to defend himself against any threat. The footsteps grew louder, then stopped at the end of the hallway.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnzlUZL8FV
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQO2OzGH1t
"Are you Mathis?" a voice called out.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NxnBywfOs
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbAvlpuupU
Mathis narrowed his eyes, taking in the figure at the end of the hall—a short, balding man with a round face and piercing eyes. He slowly lowered his weapon, his fingers trembling slightly as he re-engaged the safety. "Yes, I'm Mathis. Who sent you?"
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMBA5XeFfD
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47yiXDCh2A
"Erik," the man replied, his voice steady. "You're here for the access card?"
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV4NI49SyG
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3ogeGTC9C
Mathis nodded, eyeing the man warily. "You've got it?"
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZg17AFuTZ
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGzzcyHEIh
The man reached into his bag and pulled out a gold key card, holding it up with pride. "This will get you into any card-locked door," he explained. "No traces, no records."
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVh3l8jdMIP
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoHvo50kXr
Mathis took the card, turning it over in his hands, his mind racing with doubts. "And it won't be recognized?"
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fr4nuFCCs
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K9X0Fw3pH
The man shook his head. "It's untraceable. Erik made sure of that."
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4LcD0Kbb4
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssu6iR3IIr
As the man turned to leave, Mathis called after him. "Do I owe you anything for this?"
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUOn2NzzIa
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuYNx4PI23
The man paused, glancing back with a small smile. "No. Erik took care of it."
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDc5h2HOkMU
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JQGbqimNl
Mathis watched him go, the door clicking shut, echoing through the empty apartment. He stared at the card in his hand, feeling its weight in his palm, knowing it was more than just a tool—it symbolized the choices he had made, the lives he had lost, and the path he was now committed to.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB2kQj6F5z
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlZRwqMVNU
As he returned to the car, the night air felt heavy, laden with memories he could never escape. He slipped the card into his pocket and started the engine, driving towards the motel with a heart burdened by the past and a future fraught with uncertainty.
ns3.145.183.156da2
