Page 10 of Sage

Why did I take things so far?Most days were full of hatred toward herself and regret.

Once on the third floor, Sage tiptoed over to the door of Hans’ apartment.Do I knock?She debated back and forth with herself, fighting the urge to see Hans' face sooner than later. She smiled at the thought of him as she stared at the 'Unwelcome' sign hanging on the door that challenged her right back while she reached up and straightened it out. Just like she had watched Hans do time after time.

Reaching into her pocket, Sage pulled out a piece of paper. Placing her lips lightly against it, she knelt before tucking it beneath the doormat enough that it wouldn't blow away,but would still be visible enough to get the attention of the handsome detective that resided inside.

Letters seemed to have become the latest method of communication for her. It reminded her of middle school where she would pass notes back and forth with her friends. It was harmless.

A much better route to take rather than murder.

She scurried back down the stairs and to the car, slamming the door shut a little harder than she had anticipated. Sage paused for a moment to see if it had alarmed anyone.

Nothing.

You would have thought that with all of the crimes that had been committed - thatshehad committed - people would have been more alert or concerned about random noises in the parking lot. Sage felt disappointment mixed with relief.What if Hans wasn't alone? What if there was an officer still hanging out with him?

I wouldn't want to go down this way.

Sage started the car and drove off into the darkness and a tear dropped down her face.

What if he doesn't come?

???

The sound of a car door slamming shut made Hans jump, and he looked away from his laptop screen toward the clock.

It was late.

Late enough that no one that lived here would be caught dead leaving at this time of night. The energy of the apartment changed and Hans got up from the couch quietly trudgingtowards the door. He slowly unlocked the deadbolt and cautiously opened the door, peeking out in time to see tail lights glowing in the distance.

Weird.

Hans closed the door, quickly flipping the lock on the deadbolt, securing it long enough for him to grab his handgun from the shelf in his bedroom closet. After obtaining the firearm, he swiftly walked back toward the door and repositioned himself to the side like he had learned in his training. He kept one hand on the grip as he flipped the lock and opened the door once more, giving it a second before stepping into the doorway and turning on the porch light to illuminate the walkway in front of the apartment.

No one was there.

A piece of paper on the ground was waving back and forth as the breeze blew over it. Hans bent down and picked it up, looking around to see that the coast was clear before returning inside, securing the door once more behind him.

Raising the note to his face Hans caught a whiff of a familiar scent. He felt his body tense up and walked stiffly back over to the couch, carefully unfolding the note so as not to rip it accidentally.

Meet me at the Sunset Lounge on Saturday at eight o'clock p.m. -S

Sage.

The breath that Hans had kept in finally released. He knew that he should call Charles and add to the report, but he also knew his curiosity was going to get the best of him. He still had so many questions that he desired to be answered.

Hans reached up to his chest and began to play with the locket. Just a few short hours prior, Charles had insisted on taking the locket into custody with the rest of the evidence but Hans refused to lose the last bit of Gretta that he could physically hold on to. He sat back and let his mind continue wandering. Why did she want to meet? Was she going to attempt to kill him?

So many questions and the only person that could answer them was the one that he had attempted to kill himself.

A yawn finally crept up on Hans. He had reached the end of his productivity for the night and decided it was time to go to bed, though he was unsure if he would be able to actually fall asleep. Especially with the development of Sage showing up at his apartment twice in the same night, leaving notes for him. He decided he would need to take his sleep meds if he was going to get any rest tonight.

Tonight of all nights is probably the one that I shouldn't be taking these pills.He laughed to himself and shook his head before throwing the pills down his throat and washing them down with the last few drops of his cold coffee. Hans sauntered to his room, falling into his bed, the pillowtop absorbing him in, filling out around his body. It had been too long since he had slept in his own bed. Perhaps he really wouldn't have any issues falling asleep, he mused as his eyes grew heavy as he began to struggle keeping them open.

???

The next morning when Hans woke up, he felt like a new man. His blackout curtains were finally put to good use as he hadn't been awoken by the sun's rays peeping in through the blinds. It was ten forty-five in the morning, the latest Hans had slept in… in who knows how long. He hopped up out of bed andimmediately went to the kitchen to get a pot of coffee brewing before heading back towards the bedroom to take a shower. His stride was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Who the hell?" He was a bit put off as he looked out the peephole to see Charles standing there. Hans opened the door and invited Charles in.

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