Again, Jonathan´s heart was pounding, as he heard footsteps approaching the door.
He could hear the door being unlocked. Then it opened and Jonathan saw Mrs. Wentzler standing in front of him.
"Hello, Mrs. Wentzler." he said softly.
Mrs. Wentzler gasped and for a split second they just looked at each other.
"My God, Jonathan!", she shouted and touched Jonathan´s arm. "Is it really you?"
She stepped forward and embraced Jonathan. He returned her hug. Then Mrs. Wentzler looked at Jonathan.
"Oh, it´s so nice to see you again, boy.", she said softly and waved him in. "But please, come in."
"Thank you.", Jonathan said and stepped in.
Only then he realized how much Mrs. Wentzler had changed. He could remember her being a good-humored, kind lady with a cheery, powerful voice. Now she looked sad and depressed, her voice had become weak and faltered. Her skin was very pale and she seemed to have aged years in just a short time. And only now did Jonathan realize that Mrs. Wentzler was dressed all in black.
"Can I offer you something to drink? You must be thirsty after your long trip.", Mrs. Wentzler asked as she led Jonathan into the living room.
He shook his head.
"No, thank you.", Jonathan said politely.
He wanted to ask Mrs. Wentzler where she was, where Alexandra was. On the other hand he didn´t want to be rude, since Alexandra´s family had always treated him well when they still lived in Gotham. Jonathan wanted to inquire after Mrs. Wentzler´s condition, but he couldn't, because the next moment he heard a boy's voice, shouting his name. Little Martin had rushed into the living room, with a toy in his hand.
"Jonathan, Jonathan!", he shouted, ran over him and threw himself at Jonathan.
"Hey, Martin!", Jonathan shouted in surprise, with a tone of joy in his voice and lifted up the little boy.
As badly as he wanted to know where Alexandra was, he was happy to see little Martin again. Jonathan hugged him quickly, then he put him down again. He looked over at Mrs. Wentzler and he could see tears filling up her eyes.
"Mrs. Wentzler.", he whispered and swallowed heavily. "Where is she?"
Mrs. Wentzler didn´t reply. She looked at Martin.
"Dear, please be so kind and go upstairs to your room."
Martin started to say something but then his mother hissed, "Right now!"
Martin pouted and turned to go upstairs to his room. Jonathan and Mrs. Wentzler looked at each other.
"Where is Alexandra.. Mrs. Wentzler?", Jonathan asked again.
He tried to stay calm but he was trembling.
"Jonathan.. please.. have a seat.", Mrs. Wentzler whispered and touched Jonathan´s arm, but he pulled away.
"No...no..", he said, his voice trembling. "I want to know where Alexandra is...where is she?"
Jonathan could hear his voice getting louder and louder with every word. Mrs. Wentzler sighed heavily.
"Jonathan, there was a bomb attack about one and a half weeks ago. My husband and Alexandra were out, on their way home, when...", Mrs. Wentzler whispered and tears were now streaming down her face. "My husband was killed in the attack, you understand? There were so many dead people all over..."
Jonathan gasped for air. His eyes filled up with tears and his whole body was trembling.
"And Alexandra? What happened to her? Where is she?", Jonathan shouted, out of control.
He had started to cry.
"Jonathan, she just couldn't have survived this attack! Don´t you think she would have come back home, long ago, if she was still alive!", Mrs. Wentzler yelled and sobbed. "Alexandra is dead, don´t you understand!"
"No, that´s not true!", Jonathan shouted, his voice choked with tears. "Even you are not sure she´s dead! She could be anywhere, injured, needing our help!"
But he didn't seem to believe the words either, even as he said them.
"Jonathan, I´m sorry! I´m so sorry!", Mrs. Wentzler whispered as Jonathan uttered a loud wail of desparation and started to cry bitterly.
He had to clutch the banisters, because he could feel his knees give way. He was crying Alexandra´s name over and over again.
"I´m sorry! I´m so sorry!", Mrs. Wentzler kept saying over and over again, trying to embrace Jonathan.
But he broke away from her and stumbled to the front door, still crying.
"Jonathan!", Mrs. Wentzler shouted after him, as he wrenched the door open and ran, out of and away from the Wentzler´s house.