Page 414 of Eternal
They lick my cheeks, nip gently at my fingers, and I let out a tired, quiet laugh. I stay like that for a while, forehead resting on their warm fur. I could stay like this forever. But I can’t. Not today.
I stand, whisper one last “I’ll be back soon,” then swing my leg over the bike.
116
AZRA
“When The Party’s Over” by Billie Eilish
Present
The parking lot is almost empty. A few sun-bleached cars, heat almost visible over the asphalt. The hospital stands in front of me. I go in quickly, before the urge to turn back home gets too strong. Inside, the air conditioning hits me first, cold, sterile air.
I’ve never liked hospitals.
I don’t know why exactly, maybe the memories always win in places like this.
Because I can still feel that angry and heavy weight oppressing me, whenever I’m inside these walls.
A woman at the reception desk looks up, gives me a polite smile, and I give it back but I’m not asking for help. I already know where I’m going. Brian sent me everything.
Room 308. Oncology ward.
The elevator groans as it rises. I stare at the little screen above the doors. The number 3 lights up. My fingers tighten around my bag strap, and I don’t know what I’m expecting behind that door. A ghost? A dying man with truths locked inside him?
The hallway smells like disinfectant and something softer, maybe wilted flowers. It’s quiet.
I walk slowly, my boots heavy against the linoleum.
Room 308.
I stop.
My reflection stares back at me in the little window. The door creaks softly as I push it open.
The man inside is frail, his frame sunken, skin pale, brown eyes still sharp. He turns his head slowly toward me, but his face means nothing to me, but he looks at me like he’s been waiting for years.
“You came,” he says in a thin voice.
I freeze for a second, then close the door behind me. “You knew I would?”
He smiles faintly. “Not for sure. But... you chose your mother’s path. You found me faster than I expected.”
I stare at him. “I’mVoron.”
He falls silent. A small, dry laugh escapes him.
“Azra…So you’re the one I’ve heard whispers about. The murders... they're vengeance, aren’t they?”
My name… Of course he knows it.
Vengeance, survival, life, it’s all the same.
I don’t know what to say, how to explain myself, my actions, so I open my mouth and only honesty comes out.
“My mother lost her light the day she started working on this case. She spiraled. Started drinking. Drugs. She went mad, slowly. And she died before she ever got a chance to climb back out. My little brother didn’t even learn to speak properly beforethey killed him. So yes. I’m following her path. And I will find out who did this to them. And tome.”
I’m following her path…
