The Old Feelings
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzOdEQ8otk
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCpFmp8goo
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.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBfeuwzDHq
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCgwquoJRr
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?
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lsbkgwnY4
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jysOAOt4u
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.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlsRsrIuB2
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKGK8RjhAN
"Yes, this is Erik," a cold and detached voice said.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94ByoTQCqW
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0sVBIySOP
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?"
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSqdtDYBZE
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZLLgKTrMZ
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.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIMWE4AOkO
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNfdFgKr6m
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."
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZP1Gtp5p3
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcQp3eozhu
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."
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbNrIhPi1B
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREGKVaCdSW
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."
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBjgds0loT
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNmhwbTOpG
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."
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFsWUu7Vpf
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKhj3Lcnik
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?"
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZnjGDIA3C
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4xweIpL9H
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."
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRovRAXdaI2
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTviJ8xIG6
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."
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGITPqVZtso
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETuY9LtXEq
Mathis nodded, even though Erik couldn't see him. "Thank you, Erik," he said quietly.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoncZsss4o
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyRnVFLIlD
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.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZt01lQVSIH
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiikK9YKA26
The shrill ring of his phone jolted him from his thoughts. "Hello?" he answered, a trace of hope in his voice.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEay2atWrEJ
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUqig4VUSl
"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."
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Dqv6sIqe5
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr9BFH8bNl
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.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡED3Vv0uVxW
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfQ2gOEzWK
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.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2Kde6ajLC
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowDKVO5M8Z
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.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHJ039Mdy2
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkYFIEcYcQ
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.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ5WUERFoR
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdCVSkJfMG
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.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyL3crA5Jm6
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKwE6RIc3N
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.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzj57yQpcly
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5pwEBkFxQ
"Are you Mathis?" a voice called out.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWFRIQWXlR
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLwU1tZ9qt
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?"
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SpgxX6tYU
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RTzbxKv8o
"Erik," the man replied, his voice steady. "You're here for the access card?"
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaegTYedZA
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCM4K3lW16
Mathis nodded, eyeing the man warily. "You've got it?"
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEJpFEdc3f
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtEGuFFEeH
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."
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABWLl5wKtf
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2hkZzfQkt
Mathis took the card, turning it over in his hands, his mind racing with doubts. "And it won't be recognized?"
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtkXJDm63a
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjovS4aRpHx
The man shook his head. "It's untraceable. Erik made sure of that."
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1q7fwl5Vn
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt2DC4CbMt
As the man turned to leave, Mathis called after him. "Do I owe you anything for this?"
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYNtTW6jIA
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCQvRArtns
The man paused, glancing back with a small smile. "No. Erik took care of it."
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe5e04JrOo
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1nQamn49j
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.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbPesZL6q1
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkbx7IBQGv
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.
ns18.221.54.244da2
