“Abel?” he said.
Frederich lifted his fists to prepare for the next round. He leaned too far to the right and tried to straighten up again without success. He was going to collapse. Last strike. He had to hold on. A firm hand caught him and straightened him up. It was Scheffler.
“Get some sleep,” he said.
Frederich blinked again and Scheffler pushed him impatiently toward the dorms.
“Go. Get out of my face.”
Frederich stumbled forward, using all of his focus to find the door. He fell asleep wondering why Scheffler had bailed him out again.
21
Ida carefully studied the interior of Gorbachev’s Dive while Chi and the others chatted enthusiastically around her. It was a unique place; candles on every table gave it a warm, orange hue and everything about it looked old and outdated, including the light fittings and furniture, of which nothing matched. The couch they were sitting on was cream coloured with a floral pattern and the tables and chairs were a combination of light and dark stained wood of different shapes and styles. The young crowd was as unique as the place, and Chi fit right in. She was wearing a tight red pullover jumper with no bra and wide grey corduroy pants. Her short black hair was purposely brushed in all directions.
The way the setting and the people clashed in every way made the man with the black turtleneck leaning steadfast against the bar stand out even more. He was thin but had a plump, oval face that hardly fit his body, a wide nose, short brown hair and a lazy but serious gaze. He had a glass in his hand and was smoking a cigarette, blowing the smoke high up into the air and people watching with a look of distaste. He obviously did not want to be there. So why was he there?
“That place is terrible, there are too many tourists!” yelled Daria a bit too loudly.
Ida leaned over to hear what Chi and the other two girls were discussing but quickly lost interest. They were debating which of Berlin’s nightclubs had lost their magic and which ones still had it. Something drew Ida’s attention again from the corner of her eye and she caught the gaze of a guy at the foosball table. He had his elbow resting on his friend’s shoulder and one leg crossed over the other. She noticed his broad shoulders and boyish grin then realised she had lingered too long. Before she could look away, he smiled at her. She turned away and took a sip of her white wine and reluctantly leaned back into the group to find out which club still had the magic.
“No, no, you girls haven’t been to Mamma Schaukel. That place is amazing. They always have the best house sets,” said Chrissi with her high-pitched voice.
“I’ve been there,” said Daria. “It was good until the tourists found it last Summer. I think they list it in some ‘Welcome To Berlin’ guide.”
“What about you, Ida,” said Chi. “Where do you prefer?”
Ida thought back to her last visit to a nightclub and shuddered at the memory of Elias approaching her.
“I haven’t really partied recently,” she said with a frown. “So I can’t say.”
“How about a drink?” asked Chi, placing a hand on her shoulder.
“Sure,” said Ida.
“Come, let’s go to the bar. Girls? Drinks?”
“A white for me,” said Daria.
“Weinschorle für mich, please,” said Chrissi with her American accent, proud of the few words in German she could speak.
“You got it,” said Chi.
Ida stood up and took her bag from the table and they walked over to the bar.
“Everything ok?” asked Chi while waiting to be served. “You’ve gone quiet the last half hour.”
“Yes, I’m ok—”
“One second, sorry,” said Chi with a raised finger before leaning forward toward the waiting bartender to order their drinks.
“Same as before, right?” asked Chi, turning back one more time.
“Uh, yes. Please,” replied Ida. “Here,” she added, handing over a twenty euro note. “On me.”
“You still insist on paying?”
“You got me a job today. It’s the least I can do.”
“You’re damn right I did,” said Chi, snatching the note from Ida’s hand.
While waiting for Chi, Ida sensed someone beside her. She turned and found the guy from the foosball table at her side. He had his body faced unabashedly toward her and was grinning.
“Hello there,” he said.
Ida flinched and stepped back. She looked him over and immediately wondered; was he with them? Frederich said they would leave her alone. The guy had a strong presence but soft features. He seemed too young to be with The League. Then again, so was Frederich. In any case, Ida wanted nothing to do with this guy. What did he want? Be polite, Ida.
“Hey,” she said with a flat voice.
He was still grinning, but his eyes now showed concern.
“I’ve seen you before,” he said with a German accent.
“Have you?” replied Ida. What’s taking so long, Chi?
“Yes. A few times. I live in the block across from you.”
Ida felt warning bells go off. Her palms grew moist.
“What do you want?” she blurted.
He leaned back and lowered his eyebrows.
“To introduce myself? Is that ok?”
Ida grew claustrophobic from the newly created tension and spiralled into a sudden panic. Her fingers and knees began trembling and she had trouble breathing.
Chi turned around and noticed Ida and the guy.
“Are the drinks ready?” Ida asked Chi.
“Yeah,” said Chi, staring suspiciously at the guy. “Here, hold this one, I’ve got the rest. Let’s go.”
Ida and Chi walked back to the sofa. Ida stole another glance of the guy. He had his arms crossed and was frowning and shaking his head.
“Ida?”
“Hmm?” said Ida
