Leaving the crisp, subterranean draft of the Dortmund terminal behind, Anna pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders with one hand, her other maintaining a steady, protective grip on Tim's sleeve. She guided him through the swell of commuters, navigating the paved walkways of the central junction with practiced ease.
Tim, on the other hand, merely trailed behind her like a ghost, lost in a sudden, disorienting spiral of self-doubt.
'What on earth just happened??'
'Did I actually cry??'
'Did I really just pour my heart out? That's not like me at all. I haven't lost control like this—saying my thoughts aloud—to anyone. She isn't even T, or Dad, or Mom. She's a complete stranger. What have I done??'
Overwhelmed by the sheer weight of his thoughts, Tim stumbled slightly. A wave of bone-deep fatigue was finally setting in. Blinking against the haze, he looked up and realized this unfamiliar girl was practically towing him along the bustling sidewalk. It was growing late, the dusk deepening as golden streetlights and radiant shopfronts took over the fading evening.
"Where are we going?" he finally managed to ask, noticing they weren't heading toward a bus stop or a taxi stand.
"Huh?" Anna started, her eyebrows lifting as if pulled from her own trance. She glanced back at him, catching his direct gaze.
Flustered by the intensity in his eyes, a faint blush rose on her cheeks. She quickly looked away, her fingers abruptly releasing his sleeve the moment she realized she was still holding on.
"Uh, sorry..." She let out a soft, nervous giggle, her eyes darting away before she quickly composed herself. "This is our way home. I just need to grab a few things before we call a cab."
Watching this girl—who had seemed so daring and insatiably curious moments ago—suddenly turn flustered, Tim let out a soft breath of amusement. A faint, tired smile touched his lips. Then it struck him: he didn't even know the name of the girl to whom he had just unveiled his rawest pain.
He studied her back profile as she walked ahead of him, backpack slung over her shoulders. On the fabric, a small neon-colored emblem caught his eye—embroidered initials reading A.C.J.
"You know," he began, his voice raspy, "I don't even know your name. And yet I just spilled my deepest secret to you. Ridiculous, isn't it?"
Tim chuckled softly. Anna turned back, her expression softening into a look of lighthearted amusement at his weary smile.
"Well," she replied, her lips curving into a playful smirk, "my name is sacred. It's strictly reserved for the chosen few."
She rounded a corner, Tim following closely behind, shaking his head with a slight grin at her bravado.
They approached a massive, brightly lit establishment that stood out against the overcast, chilly evening. It was an expansive, modern hybrid store—a grand, glass-fronted venue where a high-end pharmacy merged seamlessly with a lavish organic fruit market. Bright halogen light flooded onto the pavement, showcasing crates of imported tropical produce and towering medical displays visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
"You should know I'm more than qualified enough to know your name—and everything else about you," Tim countered smoothly, tilting his head up to take in the impressive structure.
"You'll just have to guess it then," Anna teased. She pushed open the heavy glass door, and a wave of warm, pleasantly scented air instantly enveloped them. She cast a glance over her shoulder, gesturing with a slight nod for him to follow.
They wove past glossy displays of fresh citrus and polished apples, heading toward the pharmacy counter near the back.
Behind the register stood a stylish young woman around their age, possessing sharp, quick eyes and meticulously groomed Auburn hair, wearing a crisp white pharmacist's coat. The instant her gaze locked onto Anna, her eyes widened in delighted recognition.
"Hey baby!"
"Baby! Really?"
Both girls erupted into a chorus of giggles, stepping into a warm embrace and playfully tugging each other's shoulders right there in the aisle.
Surprised to see Anna so well-connected here, Tim simply shook his head with a faint smile. He slouched toward a quiet corner, leaning his back against a display column, watching the two girls laugh and chatter ten feet away.
"Oh my gosh, girl, what are you doing here right now?" Jessica squeaked, stepping back and giving Anna's shoulders an affectionate squeeze before slapping her arm in jest. "You were supposed to be home hours ago!"
"I know, I know!" Anna laughed, catching her breath. "I took the late bus from the junction!"
Jessica's eyes suddenly flicked past Anna's shoulder, locking onto Tim. He stood awkwardly near a vitamin C display, leaning heavily against the shelf—pale, tear-streaked, and thoroughly exhausted, yet undeniably striking.
"Umm, who's that?" Jessica whispered, her lips curling into a mischievous grin as she raised an eyebrow. "Your cute secret boyfriend?"
Anna looked over her shoulder at Tim, releasing an amused sigh. "Nothing like that, Jess. You know what kind of day I've had."
"Yeah, yeah. Takes you a month just to show your face outside of school and home," Jessica teased. She darted past Anna, walking toward the exhausted boy with a wicked smirk. "Shouldn't you introduce me?"
"Come on, Jess!" Anna groaned, rushing after her.
Tim watched the two walk up to him, his expression somewhat detached, as if he were observing them from another dimension.
"I'm Jessica—her baby," Jessica introduced herself smoothly, gestured to Anna while holding out a hand with an open, warm smile.
Tim, still looking unbothered and thoroughly worn out, looked at her face, then down at her extended hand, and finally back to Anna. For a second, a heavy silence settled over them. Seeing the sudden awkwardness, Anna was about to step in when Tim spoke up.
"Hey Jess—I can call you Jess, right?" Tim said calmly, without taking her hand or waiting for a response. "I'm sorry, I usually don't shake hands with people I've just met. Plus, my hand is injured."
Jessica blinked in surprise, then let out a light, self-deprecating laugh, waving her hands dismissively. "Oh, no, no! It's totally fine!"
"I'm Tim, by the way," he added softly. "Just a friend."
Not wanting to linger any longer, Anna grabbed Jessica's arm and led her toward the back counter. A few minutes later, she returned carrying a bag of fresh fruit, already taking a bite out of a ripe peach.
Tim watched her walk up and chuckled under his breath. "Hey, Peach. Do you mind grabbing me some medicine? I'll pay you back."
"Peach?" Anna stopped in her tracks, her brow furrowing in utter bewilderment.
"Yeah. Peach suits you. That's what I'm calling you from now on—since I still don't know your real name, remember?" Tim offered a faint, sly smirk.
Anna shook her head with a resigned smile, letting the nickname slide. She asked him what he needed, purchased the supplies, and said her goodbyes to Jessica. Tim added a quiet, polite farewell to Jess, thanking her before they stepped back out into the cool night air.
.....
"You could have been a little more charming, you know. Jessica has been my best friend since childhood," Anna noted gently once they had walked a few paces in silence.
"I didn't mean to be rude, but I was being honest—and I'm really not in the state for small talk," Tim replied, keeping pace beside her. He cast a brief glance her way. "She wasn't offended, was she?"
"Not at all. She's not the type to hold a grudge," Anna replied softly.
After another thirty seconds of walking, Anna halted at the taxi rank just outside the complex. She stepped toward the first light ivory cab in line, pulled open the rear door, and signaled for Tim to enter.
"Get in," she instructed gently. "Mind your back."
Tim lowered himself carefully onto the plush seat, letting out a long, heavy exhale as the cushion relieved the pressure on his spine. Anna slid in right beside him, shutting the door firmly against the ambient chill.
The driver glanced at them through the rearview mirror. "Where to?" He asked in German
"Körne," Anna requested, giving him her neighborhood address. "It should be about fifteen minutes if traffic stays light." She murmured the last part softly to herself, noticing Tim had already closed his eyes, his head resting heavily against the headrest.
As the taxi pulled away from the Dortmund Central junction and merged into the flow of red tail lights, the city glow blurred into streaks against the rain-spotted windows—a brief five minute shower had passed while they were inside the pharmacy. The interior of the car was cozy and warm, serving as a peaceful refuge against the dark night outside.
Seeing Tim fast asleep, Anna pulled her phone from her bag—she hadn't checked it since leaving campus. The moment the screen lit up, a series of missed notifications from her mother flooded the display:
Mom [3:18 PM]: Hey love, what time do your lectures end today?
Mom [5:30 PM]: I'll be home by 6:00. Tell your brother to pick up some oranges from Jessica's place before I get back. His phone is off.
Mom [6:05 PM]: Sweetheart, are you okay? You're not home yet.
Unlocking her phone, Anna winced slightly and began tapping out her reply.
————————
Meanwhile, inside a comfortable, middle-class home, a woman in her early forties—who easily passed for thirty-three—was busy in an open-concept kitchen.
Surrounding her were warm wooden floors, a dining area directly ahead, and a staircase to the left. Across from the dining room was the main living space, dominated by a large L-shaped sectional couch.
Sitting on the couch was a teenage boy, no older than eighteen, leaning forward with an intent stare, his thumbs flying across a game controller.
Carla switched off the induction cooktop and slid the lid back slightly to let the steam escape. Walking into the dining area, she heard her phone chime on the wooden table. She picked it up to read the incoming text stream:
Daughter E' [6:55pm]: Mom, I'm so sorry for replying late! My phone died and I was stuck in lectures until 5:00.
Daughter E' [6:55pm]: Then I had to do some research at the library and completely lost track of time.
Daughter E' [7:00pm]: Mom... please don't be mad. I know I should have called first, but he looked so hurt and stranded. He lost his wallet, his phone, and his aunt's contact info here in Dortmund. He has nowhere to go.
Daughter E' [7:02pm]: He opened up to me and before I knew it, I told him, "Come stay at my place tonight—my mom's a doctor, she won't mind, and she can take a look at your injury." I'm so sorry! We just left the station and we're on our way. Please don't murder me! 🥺
Carla stared at the screen, her mouth slightly agape in disbelief. 'Her daughter? Bringing a total stranger home for the night? Since when?'
"Manuel!" she called out to her son, who remained completely absorbed in his screen. "Did you know your sister is bringing someone home? A complete stranger?"
Carla walked over to the sofa and sat down, her eyes fixed on him as she waited for a reaction.
"A stranger?" Manuel paused his game reluctantly, turning his head toward her with a bewildered look. "Since when does Anna even talk to strangers?"
"So you didn't know either?" Carla asked, eyeing him closely.
"No, Mom. I haven't spoken to her since she left for class this morning," Manuel insisted, shrinking back slightly under her intense gaze.
'So she didn't even mention it to her twin—the one person she tells everything to', Carla thought, her expression softening into a blend of exasperation and concern. 'I just hope that kind heart of hers doesn't end up getting her hurt one day.'
Sighing, Carla picked up her phone and typed out only three words esponse:
Daughter E'
Mom [7:05 PM]
You are Dead.....
To Be Continued...