“I’ll do what I want!” she yelled, her scowl consuming her entire face. “I won’t let Vidrik or you or anyone tell me how I should live my life!”
Frederich fell quiet.
“Shit,” he mouthed, biting his lower lip.
The intensity of her rage had surprised him, not to mention his own. He had to admit the fault was not hers. Vidrik had picked her out for his own sick reasons. Her only mistake had been mingling with Elias Khartoum, and she had more than paid the price for that. Why should she let Vidrik dictate what she did? Frederich relaxed his body.
“You’re right,” he said. “It’s not your fault. It’s Vidrik’s.”
Ida gave Frederich a sceptical glance before her face softened somewhat, the scowl leaving her.
“But Ida, there are still consequences. You could have died tonight,” he said.
Ida gave him a long blank stare while the grim idea of her death lingered in the air.
“Yeah, I know,” she said wearily with a nod.
The tension had now dissipated, and silence rushed in to fill the space. Ambulance sirens continued to sound in the far distance.
“You’ve got some balls,” said Frederich with a half-smirk. “Taking him on like that. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. A brawler in a cocktail dress, taking on a murderous maniac.”
Ida snorted suddenly as a laugh broke out, her face blushing.
“I might start calling you the cocktail brawler,” he added.
“Idiot,” she said with a smile.
She stood up and walked toward Frederich, looking somewhat like her real self again. She reached forward and wrapped her arms around him, this time embracing him with her usual warmth.
“Thank you,” she whispered into his ear.
They pulled away and locked eyes, the intensity of the moment drawing them toward each other. Frederich reached out and rubbed the area around the cut above her eye.
“Sure that doesn’t hurt?” he said.
“It’s ok.”
He felt warm all over as his affection for Ida gushed out of him, urging him to kiss her.
“Hmm,” he said, still gazing into her brown eyes. “I get why people usually kiss during moments like these.”
“You want to kiss me?” asked Ida with a twinkle in her eyes.
Frederich looked deeper into her.
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “Not yet.”
They continued holding eye contact. The life in Ida’s face showed itself to him in numerous forms which came and went like weather patterns. He witnessed sadness tinged with doubt. Her face softened and revealed her glow, which sent intense tingles through him. Then it disappeared. He looked deeper into her eyes, and narrowed his. The ferocity he witnessed had not been there before. Or had it? He had never had so much time to simply see her.
“You do have pretty eyes,” blurted Ida.
A smile escaped him.
“Thanks,” he said, struggling to push the smile down.
Ida’s stare hardened and the mood turned dark again.
“Can I ask you something?” she said.
“Yes,” said Frederich.
“What happened in Poland, was that what you were trying to tell me about at Lustgarten? When you said ‘I’m not normal?’”
“Yeah,” said Frederich, now forced to look away. “I black out when it happens.”
“I couldn’t believe it when I found out. It’s not you.”
“No, but it’s a part of me.”
“You can’t stop it?”
“No. I see it coming, then I black out.”
Ida sighed.
“What’s going to happen with us, Frederich?” she said. “There’s so much death everywhere.”
“It’s going to get worse,” said Frederich. “Which is why I still think you should go home.”
“Not going to happen,” said Ida with a hard stare. “I’m staying right here.”
“I thought you’d say that.”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it makes sense to me now why you joined The League.”
“Does it?” said Frederich.
“Yes, even though it scares the hell out of me.”
“Me too,” said Frederich.
“I just hope you know what you’re doing. You’re playing a dangerous game.”
“I’m playing a dangerous game?” said Frederich, tilting his head.
“Yes,” said Ida with a grin, pointing her finger at Frederich’s chest. “You. Frederich Abel.”
Frederich’s pocket began vibrating. He tilted his torso and took his phone out.
“I need to take this,” he said.
Ida nodded, and Frederich answered.
“Abel,” said Gerricks.
“Gerricks,” said Frederich, walking away from Ida.
“We’ve got a lock on Vidrik.”
“What?” said Frederich, making a fist with his free hand. “How did you find him?”
“Our cameras have had him since he left La Défense. We want you to go after him. Can’t risk letting him get away. He could lead us to Stirner. After the shitstorm last night we could use a win.”
“Where is he?”
“He walked into a public park just south of where you are and we haven’t seen him since. The Bois de Boulogne. I’ll send you his last known location.”
“Perfect,” said Frederich, vitalised by the knowledge that Vidrik was still within reach.
“The city’s on lockdown and crawling with cops, which means he won’t have gone far. But that means you need to be double careful.”
“I will,” said Frederich and closed the connection.
He walked back to Ida.
“They found Vidrik?” she said.
Frederich nodded.
“You’re going after him?”
Frederich nodded again.
“Go,” she said. “I’ll be fine.”
“I know you will,” said Frederich, looking deep into her eyes. “Cocktail brawler.”
“Pretty eyed monster,” she shot back with a weary expression.
He lingered for a moment, staring indecisively at Ida. She shook her head and pushed her eyebrows together.
“What?” she said.
“Listen,” said Frederich. “If… If I don’t make it back…”
“Frederich,” said Ida, shuffling her weight to the other leg and appearing uncomfortable.
“No, this is important,” he said. “If I don’t make it back, promise me you’ll be extra careful. That you won’t take any more unnecessary risks.”
Ida sighed loudly and bit her lip, looking away for a brief moment.
“Ok,” she said with a nod. “I promise.”
“Thanks,” said Frederich with a soft smile.
“Your turn,” said Ida. “If you do come back, promise you’ll have dinner with me. One normal evening away from all this stupid death and violence.”
Frederich imagined spending time with just the two of them, simply enjoying each other’s company. No other place
