The Old Feelings
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nxgwBYNqk
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivRiGdqLXr
Mathis gazed at Bree, her concerned eyes searching his, as if trying to decipher the turmoil beneath his calm façade. He offered her a faint, strained smile before rising from his seat and retrieving his jacket. "I need to step out for a bit; I'll return soon," he said, his voice carrying an edge of uncertainty.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJklEdqBES
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNQoFBOIMl
Bree's surprise was evident, but she didn't question him, watching him leave with a mix of worry and resignation. As Mathis stepped into the crisp night air and slid into the car seat, a storm of memories and emotions swirled within him. He leaned back, closing his eyes, but found no escape from the onslaught of guilt and regret that had haunted him for years. Seeking help from Erik... Was it the right thing to do?
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrrMIMUJhS
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92B14fgyer
His hands trembled slightly as he pulled out his phone, his thumb hesitating over the screen. Finally, he pressed the number buried in his contacts list, one he had sworn never to dial again. The phone buzzed in his ear, each ring a painful reminder of the past he couldn't erase. After what felt like an eternity, the call connected.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63FTBYpIFx
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx9D146eEa
"Yes, this is Erik," a cold and detached voice said.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH7pZYGxIm
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOd3pJ25aV
Mathis's breath caught in his throat. He hadn't heard that voice in years, yet it was as familiar as his daily guilt. "Hi, Erik, it's Mathis," he began, his voice faltering, "Long time no see, huh?"
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0tteHRsWW
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3vBOHdnMv
The silence on the other end was palpable, a heavy, suffocating void that only deepened Mathis's anxiety. He could almost hear Erik's thoughts—the anger and betrayal simmering beneath the surface.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbXmkmDfX3
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeT26dlHSU
Finally, Erik spoke, his words sharp and laced with bitterness. "Mathis, what do you want after what you did? You've got a lot of nerve calling me."
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0SahrzrV8
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBaVV6r3CG
Mathis stared out the car window, his reflection blurred by the streaks of rain on the glass. His expression was etched with years of pain and regret, emotions he had buried but never honestly forgotten. "Erik, I'm truly sorry," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's a difficult situation, but I need your help."
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvu8EKU7Fu
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz3TqT5vgN
The line was silent again, and Mathis could almost feel Erik wrestling with his emotions, torn between his anger and the remnants of a once-strong bond. When Erik finally spoke, his voice was heavy with accusation. "It's your responsibility for what happened to her and the children."
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQYp59vbHF
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxQPzKywcP
The words struck Mathis like a physical blow, reopening wounds that had never fully healed. He clenched his jaw, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. He looked at himself in the mirror again, seeing not just his reflection but the ghosts of his past—his wife, their child—lost to him forever. "I want to make it clear that I didn't kill them," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I loved them deeply, and what happened... was an accident. I know our constant arguing isn't what your sister would have wanted. Erik, I can't bring them back, but I need to move forward, and I can't do it alone."
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ02XODJ7ez
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwpiogDcd4
Erik's sigh crackled through the phone, a sound of resignation. "I still believe your work was the reason for their deaths," he said, his voice tinged with sorrow. "But I owe it to my sister to help you. What do you need?"
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOEz24VWSD
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4xcj5LeFT
Mathis exhaled, feeling a slight, bittersweet relief wash over him. "I need a personalized key card," he explained. "One that can grant me access to all card-locked doors."
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCtLxEZmcx
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpI7CJ7r30
Erik was silent for a moment, then spoke again, more subdued. "I know someone who can make that. He owes me a favor. I'll call him and get back to you."
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemaodNeZFq
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3x2OpOzQZ
Mathis nodded, even though Erik couldn't see him. "Thank you, Erik," he said quietly.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXAgTSXo0P
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E1blMEjjw
The call ended, and Mathis slumped back in his seat, staring blankly at the passing cityscape. The noise of the streets barely registered; his mind was consumed with memories of the life he had lost. He wondered, not for the first time, if he was to blame—if his obsession with his work had led to the tragedy that shattered his world.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUEtKf0JWp
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM9a0rDR0o
The shrill ring of his phone jolted him from his thoughts. "Hello?" he answered, a trace of hope in his voice.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewAnIOswLA
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy3lEKnEgA
"Mathis, it's Erik," came the reply. "I've spoken to the guy. He'll make the card for you. He'll meet you in one of the old apartments I used during a construction project. I'll send you the address, but you must find another way to get in. I'll also send you a picture of the man so you can recognize him."
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k28ZdgQ7P
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0b9dkfv1G
As night fell, Mathis drove through the crowded streets, his mind reverting to the past. He navigated into a narrow, dimly lit alleyway, the buildings around him looming like silent witnesses to his inner turmoil. When he reached the designated building, he paused before the heavy steel door, feeling the weight of the situation press down on him.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhHY7Ikos0
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh1vM0XlTb
With practiced precision, he pulled out two slender metal tools and carefully picked the lock, his heart pounding with each twist of the metal. As the lock clicked open, he hesitated, taking a deep breath before stepping inside.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPXkZateIp
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dG4TD9n17
The air was thick with the musty scent of neglect. The stairwell, bathed in the faint glow of old, flickering lights, seemed to close around him as he made his way to the second floor. Every step echoed in the silence, amplifying the tight tension in his chest.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHkr6gZs8s
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6GZt939tW
When he reached the door, he paused again, listening intently. His fingers traced the edge of his gun, a reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows. With a steady hand, he picked the lock and slowly pushed the door open, the creak of the hinges echoing through the space.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIFOdTsbwQ
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUHw0bYRoT
Inside, the apartment was a time capsule of decay, with dust-covered furniture and faded wallpaper that whispered of better days long past. Mathis moved cautiously, his senses heightened, his weapon at the ready. He settled into a worn, floral-patterned chair, the silence amplifying the ticking of his watch. Time seemed to crawl as he waited, the seconds stretching into what felt like hours.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjLtlbTW5m
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn13mSAapTB
Then, the door creaked open, followed by footsteps approaching. Mathis rose silently, his gun poised, ready to defend himself against any threat. The footsteps grew louder, then stopped at the end of the hallway.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGY7vmVAv7
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRrjHULgoq
"Are you Mathis?" a voice called out.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoCNYtRqzp
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tTZbgr1El
Mathis narrowed his eyes, taking in the figure at the end of the hall—a short, balding man with a round face and piercing eyes. He slowly lowered his weapon, his fingers trembling slightly as he re-engaged the safety. "Yes, I'm Mathis. Who sent you?"
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC3UKNYVr9
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRj4F2pSp3
"Erik," the man replied, his voice steady. "You're here for the access card?"
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxSxRslrre
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNct3qnmCN
Mathis nodded, eyeing the man warily. "You've got it?"
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExI3Obdl5P
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdc7jFTTlS
The man reached into his bag and pulled out a gold key card, holding it up with pride. "This will get you into any card-locked door," he explained. "No traces, no records."
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTdLEx2zlC
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki1fvsDIjq
Mathis took the card, turning it over in his hands, his mind racing with doubts. "And it won't be recognized?"
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQughugeT7U
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvV9UzVDnF
The man shook his head. "It's untraceable. Erik made sure of that."
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1ytp6o4q2
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5sCJyyoDr
As the man turned to leave, Mathis called after him. "Do I owe you anything for this?"
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p3WI6fZrG
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHCAhXInEs
The man paused, glancing back with a small smile. "No. Erik took care of it."
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8WYQkJ3LZ
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ2VAeANI8
Mathis watched him go, the door clicking shut, echoing through the empty apartment. He stared at the card in his hand, feeling its weight in his palm, knowing it was more than just a tool—it symbolized the choices he had made, the lives he had lost, and the path he was now committed to.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhcalD0gvS
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJYwSg9CaZ
As he returned to the car, the night air felt heavy, laden with memories he could never escape. He slipped the card into his pocket and started the engine, driving towards the motel with a heart burdened by the past and a future fraught with uncertainty.
ns 15.158.61.51da2
