He went inside.
Behind him he left the broken door, with its hinges hanging from the frame. He followed into the depths of the cottage.
Flowers, herbs and photos were strewn everywhere. A few clothes were lying on the couch, and the plates after dinner had not been washed.
He found no one inside.
Dropping a ceramic vase from the table, he walked on. Shards of glass embedded in his bare feet.
He opened the drawers in the living room. Three bracelets, a mirror and earrings. Nothing useful, and certainly not what he was looking for.
Out of anger, he broke out a hanging cabinet in the hallway and threw it on the table. The force of the impact broke the wood in half. Two mugs fell to the ground, making a noise in the process.
He crushed a plain pink vase in his hand, then headed for the kitchen.
The shelves held cutlery, dishes and condiments. Not what he wanted.
He took the chair in one hand and threw it out the window. The cool air gushed into his face.
He turned toward the room. Entering, he immediately noticed that there was nothing here. The marks on the floor from the furniture, only confirmed someone's presence here in the past.
Breaking down the door, he entered the room opposite.
Two futons, a closet and a dresser. Everything in its place, except the bedding, which was scattered on the floor.
He opened the cabinet. The clothes themselves. Or even just half of them.
They knew beforehand.
At his limit, he walked over to the dresser.
Lots of paper files. He started looking. Every unnecessary item ended up on the floor behind him.
He was already about to give up when he noticed them. Burned pages, these were the ones he was looking for.
With a smile of victory, he moved to the exit door to the garden.
Behind him he left crushed tomatoes and mint.
But he didn't care. He had gotten what he wanted.
Now the real game could begin.
The sequel to "The Long Way", so if you haven't read it, I invite you there first!