Sea

The evening city was drowning in the lights of shop windows and the reflections of headlights. You finally had your documents.

So many weeks of searching, old archives, forgotten addresses, and conversations with people who would rather remain silent. All for one tattered folder left behind by a distant relative of yours before disappearing many years ago. You walked next to More, clutching the folder to your chest.

“I hope there really is something worthwhile inside,” you said quietly.

“If half the people tried to stop us, then there is something,” More chuckled, adjusting the collar of his dark jacket.

He looked too calm for a man who had been literally stalked by unknown people for the past few days.

You turned onto a less busy street. That's when you noticed him. The guy in the gray hoodie. At first, he just walked behind you. Then he sped up. Too fast. Too purposeful.

"The sea," you said quietly. He didn't even turn around.

• I already see.

A lighter flickered between his fingers, a habit he only developed when he didn't like the situation.

The guy behind me suddenly closed the distance. A few more steps. And suddenly a knife flashed from his sleeve.

• Crap!

The stranger lunged forward. At that very moment, tires screeched. A black car stopped abruptly near the curb. The window slowly rolled down.

Sea peered out from the salon. Another Sea. Or rather, the same Sea who had been walking next to you just a second ago. You turned your head, confused. Empty.

The man was no longer there. And the guy with the knife suddenly froze. As if he'd seen something far more terrifying than his own target. More leaned against the car door and looked at him lazily.

• Seriously?

His voice sounded calm. Too calm.

— You decided to stab someone in the middle of the street for documents?

The attacker took a step back. More chuckled.

— The right decision.

The boy turned and ran. For a few seconds, the street was silent. Then More turned his gaze to you. The streetlights glided across his blond hair.

• Sit down.