Sergio Marquina

A secret recording, just for you.
It was Berlin who secretly handed it to you one night.

A small voice recorder, with some old headphones.

"Orders from the Professor," he said, smiling slightly. "For you..."

You locked yourself in an empty bathroom, trembling.

When you pressed play, her voice filled the small space:

"My life..." The recording began, with a tenderness that broke your heart.
"If you're hearing this... it's because you're going through the most difficult time..."

Sergio sounded more human than ever. More like you than ever.

"No matter what they say, no matter what happens. You are the most important piece of this plan. My favorite piece. My biggest reason."

A pause. As if he were hesitating, as if his whole soul were hanging on those words.

"I love you. Beyond logic, beyond time, beyond this damn robbery. So fight. Hang in there."
And when it's all over, if we're still breathing... promise me you'll run to me."

The recording ended in a painful silence.

You stood there, clutching the player to your chest, silent tears rolling down your cheeks.

Yes. You would endure it, for yourself. For him.

For both of us.