Old friends
128Please respect copyright.PENANAPDd6GtfMQU
128Please respect copyright.PENANACxg15ldijU
Perched atop a mountaintop, a quaint little house overlooked a picturesque sea village below. From its vantage point, one could observe the bustling marina at the foot of the slope, where numerous fishing boats gently bobbed in the water. The view was serene, but beneath the calm surface, tension simmered.
128Please respect copyright.PENANA7a8YRsu40b
128Please respect copyright.PENANAZCMaUyjXgM
Mathis carefully parked his sleek, silver car outside the charming house and knocked on the door, his heart racing with a mix of relief and urgency. Footsteps echoed through the door, which swung open to reveal Are Sandberge. The tall, weathered figure exuded authority and wisdom, his face etched with the deep lines of a life well-lived. His striking swath of gray hair, with a subtle tuft at the temple, crowned his head. His stern gaze softened as he saw Mathis, revealing a visage marked by battles and triumphs. Despite the faint scar peeking out from beneath a rugged eye patch, a warm, genuine smile graced his features. Are wore somber denim trousers and a deep forest-green sweater, exuding an air of strength and resilience.
128Please respect copyright.PENANAMynRiRtHE6
128Please respect copyright.PENANA3tO2OpnPuK
"Come in, my old friend," Are said, his voice carrying a mix of familiarity and gravity.
128Please respect copyright.PENANA1V63vfLjQ2
128Please respect copyright.PENANAhR16QZ7pdE
Mathis stepped inside, waves of nostalgia washing over him as he took in the cozy interior. The walls were adorned with military service photographs from various corners of the globe, a testament to Are's storied career. The windows framed a tranquil sea view, and the modest sofa, along with the small kitchen visible in the background, gave the space a sense of homely comfort.
128Please respect copyright.PENANAEVJ2aJEqxV
128Please respect copyright.PENANAaDxKPhwXp6
Eva and her daughter, weary from their ordeal, settled onto the snug couch, seeking a semblance of normalcy in their temporary refuge. Mathis and Are moved to the small dining table, where Mathis's expression shifted from urgency to somber determination.
128Please respect copyright.PENANAvzeaNO38ea
128Please respect copyright.PENANAk1aJYcelUl
"What do you need help with, Mathis? Have you gotten yourself into trouble again? I remember that time..." Are's voice trailed off as he registered the seriousness of the situation.
128Please respect copyright.PENANAVYhZKtSvWH
128Please respect copyright.PENANAdqoHUoAzYj
Mathis looked at him, a touch of disappointment in his eyes as Are fell silent. "Can you take care of Eva and her daughter? Get them out of the country without registration? Deliver them to Safe House Number Nine?"
128Please respect copyright.PENANA97BrMdjfXG
128Please respect copyright.PENANAb4AW6WE6S5
Are's expression turned grave, his gaze hardening with the weight of the request. He had known Mathis long enough to understand that this was no ordinary favor.
128Please respect copyright.PENANALVtmxlHjRS
128Please respect copyright.PENANAoIKKHj4roK
"I see. Can't you get them through conventional channels?" Are asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and concern. "You wouldn't be here otherwise. I can help. Is there anything else?"
128Please respect copyright.PENANAVgnbJYhLBR
128Please respect copyright.PENANABOXw4byIWw
Mathis exhaled deeply, relief washing over him as he absorbed Are's response. He glanced at Eva and her daughter again, managing a faint smile. "I don't need anything else. Just ask Eva if she needs anything. Once they're safe, please message me to confirm."
128Please respect copyright.PENANAcGJgVF4jtT
128Please respect copyright.PENANAKwwCSWNsuH
"Don't worry, old friend. I'll take care of it," Are assured him, his smile masking the tension underlying the situation.
128Please respect copyright.PENANAc7PtnJ8wGi
128Please respect copyright.PENANAU0yBZe8K9X
Mathis rose and approached Eva. She embraced him tightly, her gratitude palpable. She kissed his cheek and met his gaze with a blend of hope and weariness. "Thank you for saving us. How can I ever repay you?" she asked, her voice trembling.
128Please respect copyright.PENANAruvuaQKywL
128Please respect copyright.PENANA854Ed4a23P
Mathis stroked her hair and offered a comforting smile. "It was nothing. Just listen to what Are tells you. He'll get you out safely; you can trust him. I must go now."
128Please respect copyright.PENANAMOTVE0dE71
128Please respect copyright.PENANAYc86xVgbrG
He left the house and got into the car, taking one last look at the refuge he had secured before driving off into the uncertain night.
128Please respect copyright.PENANA0XAd0uABYp
128Please respect copyright.PENANADlN99d3rCG
The elderly gentleman turned to Eva and her daughter as the sound of the car faded into the distance. He offered them a warm, reassuring smile before momentarily retreating from sight. Moments later, he reappeared, kneeling next to the little girl.
128Please respect copyright.PENANAIMX5cz201T
128Please respect copyright.PENANA8NOQsYVNPo
"Here, young lady, take these crayons and sit at the table," Are said gently.
128Please respect copyright.PENANA5nHuoxwdDh
128Please respect copyright.PENANAGNg1NX6r7f
The little girl's face brightened as she eagerly took the crayons, settling at the table to draw. Eva nodded reassuringly, signaling to her daughter that everything was fine. The small act of kindness helped ease the tension, if only for a moment.
128Please respect copyright.PENANAHUn4EGQuGC
128Please respect copyright.PENANA99vyWid7Y1
Eva looked at Are, curiosity and weariness mingling in her eyes. "Who are you? How do you know Mathis?"
128Please respect copyright.PENANA8Svd1ooSLU
128Please respect copyright.PENANAvClsEHD5ZT
Are stood at a small, circular bar, pouring a generous amount of brandy into a glass. He paused, glancing at Eva to see if she might want a drink.
128Please respect copyright.PENANAs3c931r75y
128Please respect copyright.PENANAGABmFv0wSf
"No thanks," she said, her tone more relaxed but still guarded.
128Please respect copyright.PENANA6tRwrWu5iN
128Please respect copyright.PENANAfR91xuM9Uo
Are sat beside her on the sofa, his demeanor reflective. "My name is Are Sandberge. I was once a colonel in the military and trained Mathis Kristensen. He served under me before becoming the leader of a specialized squad. I came to this place seeking inner peace and to atone for my past mistakes. How did you end up here?"
128Please respect copyright.PENANALoL1vJjqEV
128Please respect copyright.PENANAuGd5CEjSa8
Eva leaned back, her features softening. After a moment of hesitation, she reached for the glass. "I think I'll take that drink after all," she said, her voice betraying her exhaustion.
128Please respect copyright.PENANAUvHoKlE5Wn
128Please respect copyright.PENANAZZusR57OK9
Are handed her the glass, and Eva began recounting the series of harrowing events that had led them to this refuge. As she spoke, Are listened with empathy and concern, understanding the weight of her words. The house, once a place of serene isolation, now became a haven of shared understanding and solidarity.
128Please respect copyright.PENANA29EYHZBn68
128Please respect copyright.PENANAfTztRmzCFP
Are's thoughts swirled between past regrets and present resolve. Protecting Eva and her daughter wasn't just about fulfilling a promise to Mathis; it was also a chance for redemption. As Eva's story unfolded, the old house seemed to embrace them, becoming a sanctuary where the past and present intertwined, offering fragile hope and emerging trust.
ns3.137.174.12da2