A west side short story X
March 23rd, 1984
Evan roused from his slumber, only to realize he had overslept. Hastily, he took a brief shower to freshen up before descending the staircase. As he made his way downstairs, he narrowly avoided a collision with Hans, who unexpectedly emerged from the laundry room, carefully cradling a small television in his arms.
"Finally awake?" Hans inquired.
"Yes... I believe my body has been accumulating too much fatigue this past week," Evan replied.
"Take your time. Áurea made breakfast for everyone," Hans informed.
"What are you planning to do with that? Are you intending to sell it?" Evan queried, nodding towards the television he was carrying.
"No... I'm going to place it in the living room, so we can watch something other than the wall," Hans clarified before making his way to the living room.
Evan ventured into the kitchen, where he poured himself a cup of steaming coffee before joining the others in the inviting living room. Emma, clutching a generous mug in her hands, greeted him with a warm kiss and scooted over to make room for him on the sofa.
"Loise called last night after you went to bed. They arrived safely in Hamburg," Emma informed.
After a few minutes of tinkering with the antenna, Hans finally found the right adjustments, resulting in a clear image appearing on the screen. With a sense of accomplishment, he turned to them, looking proud.
"Nice work, babe! You're a real man," Áurea praised, stifling a yawn.
"Hans, move your butt! I can't see a darn thing!" Emma exclaimed, craning her neck to catch a glimpse of the television.
Hans promptly stepped aside just as the images of two men materialized side by side.
"Turn up the volume!" Emma commanded him.
Hans complied and a woman's voice echoed in the living room: "…This is a breaking news update. We have just received an alarming report regarding two missing law enforcement officers...That Police Inspector Reinecker and Anti-Terrorist Captain Benjamin Acker are missing. The disappearance of these two esteemed officers has sent shockwaves through the law enforcement community. But that's not all. A chilling revelation has emerged in the investigation. The main suspect has been identified as none other than Sirius Black- In a swift turn of events, a picture of Evan swiftly replaced those of the two missing men- Authorities are now describing Sirius Black as an international terrorist with a notorious track record in both Great Britain and France. It appears that his criminal activities extend beyond national borders, posing a significant threat to global security…"
"…The seriousness of this situation cannot be overstated. The authorities have established a dedicated hotline to facilitate the immediate reporting of any sightings of the fugitive. It is of utmost importance that if you encounter Sirius Black, you do not attempt to apprehend him. Law enforcement officials strongly advise against taking matters into your own hands…"
"…Our thoughts are with the families and colleagues of Inspector Reinecker and Captain Acker during this distressing time. We urge the public to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies in their efforts to locate and bring Sirius Black to justice. We will continue to provide you with updates as this story unfolds. Stay tuned to Tagesschau on ARD for the latest developments."
Then, as the photograph of Evan flickered to life on the television screen, an eerie transformation occurred. His image, frozen in time, began to speak with an otherworldly urgency, piercing through the airwaves, "Now the game is truly over... WAKE UP!"
Evan found himself unable to tear his gaze away from the captivating spectacle unfolding before him. The screen shifted, revealing heartwarming images of Benjamin Acker, accompanied by his radiant wife and daughter, their smiles illuminating the room. A rush of emotions surged within Evan, causing his heart to thunder in his chest. A bone-chilling shiver crept up his spine, and his eyes widened in disbelief as the TV channel seamlessly transitioned to an interview with a somber brown-haired woman, her arm tenderly encircling her daughter's shoulders. The young girl, seemingly burdened by an unspoken sadness, cast her gaze downward toward her shoes.
At that moment, a glimmer of realization pierced the darkness of Evan's mind. It was as if a tiny beacon of light emerged, gradually intensifying as a torrent of vivid images and memories flooded his consciousness. They seemed to emanate from a distant, disconnected existence, yet the undeniable truth they held drew nearer. As his lips parted, a resolute voice escaped, carrying his conviction, "I am Sirius Black."
With renewed consciousness, he tore his gaze away from the mesmerizing television screen, only to be confronted by a tense scene unfolding before him. Áurea, her trembling hand brandishing a humble butter knife, had managed to separate Emma from Sirius. Hans, frozen in place, stood by the television, his face etched with bewilderment. Emma, her expression akin to someone struck by lightning, darted her eyes between Sirius' face and his hands.
Sirius, unperturbed by the escalating tension, glanced down at his own hands, a faint amusement dancing in his eyes. To his delight, the once coffee-filled mug between his hands had transformed into an icy block. Placing it calmly on the table, he beamed at them, "Um... Sorry, but it's quite a long story," Sirius chuckled, his smirk lingering, as he rose to his feet.
He disappeared from the room, apparating to the chamber he had been sharing with Emma, and heard Áurea's piercing scream resonating from downstairs. Startled, Sirius swiftly rummaged through his backpack, eventually locating Ryan's wand concealed within. Just as he was about to vanish again, the door to the room burst open, and Emma, burst inside, her face contorted by rage.
Their gazes locked in a tense standoff, the air thick with unresolved emotions. Without warning, a surge of anger propelled her forward, her fist connecting with Sirius' jaw in a resounding blow. Startled, Sirius stumbled backward, dropping his backpack in the process. Determined to defend himself, he attempted to push her away, but she clung tenaciously to his shirt, refusing to yield. In a swift, almost superhuman motion, she hoisted him effortlessly onto her back, defying the laws of gravity. Time seemed to freeze for a fleeting moment before her raw strength took over, forcefully driving him downward. With a bone-rattling impact, Sirius crashed onto the unforgiving floor, the weight of their conflict reverberating through the room.
"What the fuck was that!" Sirius growled, his senses still reeling from the sudden onslaught. Attempting to regain his footing, he found his wrist ensnared in Emma's iron grip, her strength overpowering. "Emma, stop!" he pleaded, his voice laced with desperation.
"Son of a bitch! I actually felt sorry for you! I thought we had..." Emma's voice quivered with seething anger, but her words faltered as a gasp escaped her lips. Releasing Sirius' wrist, she recoiled in astonishment as he transformed into Padfoot. In a swift motion, Padfoot lunged at her, pinning her to the ground with a primal growl resonating inches from her face. A hushed whisper escaped her trembling lips, her eyes betraying a mix of fear and confusion. Sirius resumed his human form and rose to his feet, releasing her from his hold.
"Emma, I know I've hurt, and I can't expect you to trust me," Sirius uttered, his voice carrying a hint of remorse. Emma, hastily retreating until her back met the cold reassurance of the wall, listened intently. "It's true that I'm a wanted man... But whether you believe it or not, I am innocent. I haven't harmed the two men you saw on TV. In fact, one of them is, in some way, a friend... and I'm about to go help him."
"All this time... I must be crazy... I must be crazy... A dog..." Emma murmured, her words barely audible.
"No, you're not crazy. It's all real. I'm a wizard that can transform into an animal," Sirius reassured her, his voice infused with urgency.
"All of this... it was all a lie... everything we shared... I trusted you... I'm so stupid I let you use me!" Emma muttered; her voice laced with self-blame.
"No, you're not and every word I spoke to you was true. But the explanations are complicated, and I can't delve into them now. I must find them before it's too late!" Sirius declared, determination etched upon his face as he hastily made his way out of the room, clutching his wand tightly. Descending the stairs, he was met face to face with Hans, brandishing a knife.
Sirius brandished his wand, and with a flick, the blade of the knife melted away. Hans let out a startled scream as Sirius forcefully pushed him aside. "Sorry, mate! I don't have time for this," Sirius uttered in haste, before swiftly continuing on his way.
Once outside, Sirius stopped in the garden. What now? From where to begin searching? The inspector whose picture was on the Tv…The same one came the day before to give back her wallet to Emma, and according to the news, he was from Bornheim. It was probably the place he should be the most away from at this moment, but the only place he could look for any clue to start his research was the inspector's office. So, there was no other way than to go there first. Another problem was that he had never been there nor had a single idea how the place looked, so there was no way he could apparate directly there … He was forced to find another way to get there and the motorbike the neighbor left unattended again would be a perfect solution to his problem.
After a twenty-minute ride, Sirius brought the motorbike to a stop in front of the police building. Keeping his identity concealed under the helmet, he confidently strode inside. As he entered the reception area, an eerie stillness enveloped the space, with only a lone officer busy selecting a treat from a nearby vending machine. Moving with utmost stealth, Sirius approached the officer, closing the distance between them. With a swift and silent maneuver, he pressed the officer's head against the cold surface of the machine, immobilizing him before retrieved the officer's gun from its holster. Speaking with unwavering determination, he calmly addressed the officer, "Don't move, do as I say, and you're going to be fine...Where is Inspector Reinnecker's office?"
"First floor, take the hallway on your right; fifth door you'll find," The officer immediately replied with a trembling voice.
"Well, that was easy...Stupefy!" Sirius said before rushing to the stairs, leaving the man fell behind him.
Having located the office, Sirius hastened to thoroughly search through the various papers scattered across the desk and rifled through the drawers in pursuit of valuable information. His hands eventually settled on a larger folder, adorned with a more substantial appearance compared to the others. Placing it on the desk, he anxiously opened its contents, and his gaze immediately locked onto a photograph of Walter. Flipping through the pages, he discovered additional files concerning different men, including a group picture featuring Walter alongside his companions. Another file affixed with a picture of a man Sirius recognized from the day he accompanied Emma to retrieve Walter from the police station, drew his attention.
Absorbing the details within the folder's documents, Sirius discerned that Reinecker had been closely monitoring Walter's group for a significant period. Overwhelmed by the revelations, Sirius sank into the nearest chair, removing his helmet to collect his thoughts. Mr. Acker had supposedly been searching for him in Hamburg, so what had driven him to this particular location? The answer didn't elude Sirius for long, as a gust of wind forcefully closed the office door, causing his eyes to inadvertently meet his own wanted poster, prominently displayed on the door. His attention swiftly shifted back to the folder resting on the desk, and in a hushed whisper, he realized, "Walter was here... This is the inspector who interrogated him; he must have seen the poster..."
Impatient and growing increasingly frustrated, Horst had been leaning against the restaurant's counter for what felt like an eternity, cigarette in hand. The passage of nearly twenty minutes had left him weary of waiting for his order. Unable to contain his annoyance any longer, he forcefully extinguished his cigarette on the smooth surface of the front bar, leaving behind a noticeable scorch mark etched into the wood. With exasperation consuming him, he directed his voice towards the door that stood as a barrier between the bustling kitchen and the rest of the establishment, "Are those pizzas coming or did you fuckers go to cook them on the moon?"
Within a few fleeting seconds, a waiter emerged from the sweltering kitchen, laboring under the weight of numerous boxes. Weary and flushed, he deposited the burdensome load upon the counter, directly in front of Horst, before hastily wiping the sweat from his brow with his apron. Struggling to catch his breath, the waiter offered a sincere apology, his voice tinged with regret. "I'm truly sorry, but your order exceeds the capacity of our oven... It was quite complicated to accommodate."
"They better not be cold," Horst warned, then with a firm grasp on the boxes, Horst swiftly retrieved them from the counter.
"They're not, sir," The waiters said, taking Horst's bills from the counter.
"Next time you ask me to pay in advance, I'll beat the shit out of you and burn the place, understood?" Horst said, taking the boxes from the counter.
"I just do what my boss…"
Interrupting the waiter with an intense glare, Horst cut him off abruptly. "What was that you said?" His voice dripped with a potent mix of threat and authority.
Cowed by Horst's gaze, the waiter quickly corrected himself. "Please enjoy your meal, sir," he stammered.
"That's what I thought," Horst responded curtly, his stance unyielding. With a final disdainful glance, he made his exit.
As he strode briskly along the bustling street, Horst took a shortcut through a narrow alleyway, eager to reach his parked car. The urgency in his steps matched the thoughts racing through his mind. However, his haste was abruptly interrupted when an unforeseen force seized him, suspending him in mid-air, dangling upside down several feet above the ground. A mix of shock and terror surged through Horst's veins, eliciting a piercing scream that echoed through the alley.
Amidst the chaos, a voice pierced through the air, calling out to him. Startled, Horst turned his panicked gaze in the direction of the voice. To his bewilderment, he spotted a man perched nonchalantly on the edge of a nearby building's roof. Seemingly unfazed by the situation, the man casually enjoyed one of the pizzas Horst had just collected.
"Don't waste your time screaming and squirming; nobody can hear us. You'll come down when I decide, but it's your choice whether you want a soft landing or end up like the pizzas I failed to catch... By the way, this one is delightful; I can't fathom why I avoided pepperoni for so long."
"How..." Horst exclaimed, his voice filled with desperation, as he struggled to reach his ankle, his gaze fixated on the ground below, consumed by fear.
"Magic... It's too intricate to explain, and I must warn you... My patience has its limits, and I've spent a whole hour cross-referencing the addresses in this folder," the man responded, an air of superiority in his voice.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT?" Horst shouted, his frustration and confusion palpable.
"Would you care to enlighten me about the location where you're keeping those men?" the man calmly inquired.
"WHO?" Horst asked, his voice filled with both curiosity and terror, but before he could receive an answer, he felt himself hurtling towards the ground at an alarming speed. In a moment of panic, he shut his eyes, bracing for impact as the alley's pavement seemed perilously close. Yet, to his astonishment, he never felt the jarring collision. Slowly, he reopened his eyes, blinking dumbfoundedly as he found himself levitating once more, his body facing the man.
"I'll offer you one final opportunity; should you falter again, I won't intervene, and I'll simply move on to the next name on my list. So, do yourself a favor," the man calmly stated, his voice laced with a hint of warning.
"Okay, okay... Um... I wasn't present when they were apprehended, but I know the whereabouts of their location... I'm not foolish enough to harm a police officer, you know! They sent me to fetch food, nothing more!" Horst quickly explained, hoping to appease the mysterious man.
"WHERE ARE THEY!" the man demanded, his voice reverberating with intensity.
Horst mumbled the address of the house, his words barely audible. In response, the man pointed a wand in his direction, and in a blinding flash of white light, Horst succumbed to unconsciousness.
Shortly after, Sirius arrived in Lengsdorf and made his way to the address provided by Horst. As he approached the house, he parked the bike at the end of the street and removed his helmet. With determined steps, he walked towards the three-story house and entered the neglected garden. Standing in front of the door, Sirius raised his wand, ready for any situation. He knocked on the door and waited, listening to the approaching footsteps. Soon, a grumpy man's voice echoed from inside, "It's about time, Horst! What took you so long? You were supposed to be back an hour ago!" The door swung open, and before the man could react, he collapsed to the floor.
Sirius cleaned his shoes on the man's back, displaying a touch of disdain, and proceeded to enter the house. With caution, he whispered, "Homenum Revelio," casting the revealing spell. Instantly, eight ethereal, light blue human figures materialized beneath the basement floor. Assessing the situation, Sirius deduced that three individuals were seated, their hands bound behind their backs, while four others sat around a table. The remaining figure paced anxiously, guarding the hostages. Sirius moved with calculated steps towards the basement door, quietly descending the stairs. However, one of the men seated at the table, his attention caught by the creaking wooden steps, spoke without lifting his gaze, "Those pizzas better not be cold, Horst!"
"Otherwise, you'll be joining our friends over there," chimed in another, leisurely puffing on a cigarette.
Upon reaching the lower level, Sirius's eyes fell upon a distressing sight. There, at the far end of the room, he saw Mr. Acker, Inspector Reinecker, and Walter, their bodies firmly restrained to chairs. The impact of their ordeal was evident, as their faces bore the marks of swelling and blood, a testament to the brutality they had endured during their two-day captivity.
"I have no fond memories of being tied to a chair, so I'll politely decline," Sirius remarked.
All eyes in the room snapped towards him, their expressions a mix of surprise and alarm, before they swiftly reached for the rifles laid out on the table and unleashed a hail of bullets in his direction. However, Sirius had anticipated their reaction and acted swiftly, conjuring a protective shield that intercepted the onslaught. The bullets ricocheted off the shield, causing chaos as two of the assailants inadvertently caught their own shots in their legs, collapsing to the floor in agonizing pain, desperately clutching at the wounds to stem the flow of blood. Those who were spared by the rebounding bullets instinctively dropped their weapons, their hands raised in surrender.
"They're still alive! We haven't..." one of them managed to utter before succumbing to Sirius's spell, followed by the rest of his companions, who collapsed in a collective surrender.
Only one of them defiantly stood, a smirk playing on his lips, as he aimed two guns at the hostages' heads. Unlike his fallen comrades, he appeared unfazed by the chaos that unfolded or the agonized cries echoing in the basement. Instead, his gaze locked onto Sirius, who advanced purposefully, his wand unwavering as a confident smile crept across his face. The remaining assailant held his ground, his head tilting subtly from side to side, signaling for Sirius to halt his approach.
"I'm certain there's more than just alcohol flowing through my veins at the moment, but I'm sure I'm not tripping," he stated.
"No, it's not, and the pain I can inflict upon you won't be a hallucination", Sirius retorted.
"You won't do shit... Because if you take one more step, I'll blow their heads off. So, shall we talk?" the man inquired.
"Very well... What are your conditions?" Sirius asked.
"Who the hell are you? You're the guy we saw on the news this morning. Why do they believe you're responsible for all this?" the man questioned.
"If you're curious... Lately, when people don't want to bother using their brains, they hastily accuse me. I suppose it's an easy choice; I don't know," Sirius responded.
"Why? What did you do?" the man pressed.
"It's a long story... In any case, by now you must have realized why I'm here. Look, I don't care about you; you're free to leave. I won't pursue you. However, if you harm any of them, I swear I'll gouge out your eyes and skin you like an animal," Sirius warned him.
The man smirked and pressed his gun against Mr. Acker's head. "Did you know they came searching for you? And now you're telling me you came to assist them? What about him?" he gestured towards Walter. "Is this rat with you as well?"
"A rat? Why is he tied up with the others? I thought he was..." Sirius was about to inquire when a loud bang reverberated in the basement, causing the man's head to explode, and he crumpled to the floor.
Sirius was jolted by a dreadful whistle that reverberated in his head, causing him to involuntarily release his wand, which clattered onto the floor. He hastily pressed his hands against his ears, desperately seeking respite from the piercing sound. Gradually, the shrill whistle subsided, and a stillness settled over the basement once more. Bewilderment etched across Sirius's face as the individual nonchalantly strode past him, brandishing his gun with deadly precision. With calculated aim, the newcomer ruthlessly fired at the men whom Sirius had previously incapacitated, swiftly bringing an end to their lives. Finally, the stranger's gaze shifted towards Sirius, locking eyes with penetrating intensity.
"I apologize for the chaotic situation, Sirius, but your conversation seemed to be leading nowhere, and he was determined to eliminate them regardless..." Hans stated, casting his gaze around at the lifeless bodies strewn across the floor before taking another shot at one of the men who still showed signs of movement.
"Hans... What on earth..." Sirius muttered, staring at him in disbelief.
"We'll have a discussion shortly, but first, lend me a hand in carrying them upstairs," Hans instructed, as he released the three men from the constricting ropes.
Sirius observed intently as Hans checked the pulses of the unconscious men. Reluctantly, Sirius yielded to Hans' insistence and retrieved Ryan's wand from the ground. He levitated the three men, guiding them to the living room. Upon entering, his eyes fell upon Emma, perched on the windowsill, her gaze filled with a somber intensity fixed upon him.
Sirius carefully released the men onto the couch, deliberately avoiding any eye contact with Emma. He watched as she abandoned her position by the window, moving to kneel on the floor. With tenderness, she removed her scarf and gently wiped her brother's face, determined to erase the traces of blood. Meanwhile, Hans slumped heavily into an armchair and lit a cigarette.
"Let me handle it," Sirius whispered softly to Emma, pointing his wand towards Walter's face and made the blood vanish and the wounds slowly mend until Walter's countenance was restored to its natural state. Sirius then proceeded to care for the other two men, methodically tending to their injuries.
Finally, he settled himself on the floor, his gaze resting in silence upon Hans and Emma, who tenderly caressed her brother's hair. The passage of time stretched, until, after a moment of contemplation, Hans extinguished his cigarette, breaking the weighty stillness that had enveloped the room.
"Sirius... It seems we both owe each other some explanations, wouldn't you agree?" Hans inquired.
Sirius nodded solemnly. "I suppose we do... However, Hans, or whoever you may be, I must confess that my only interest lies in conversing with Emma alone."
"Fair enough... I'll wait, as long as Emma is willing to listen," Hans replied nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders.
Emma affirmed with a nod and directed her gaze toward Sirius. He began recounting his story, unveiling the intricacies of his journey, divulging the mysteries of the wizarding world, and exposing the harrowing truth of his time in Azkaban. With each word, he braced himself for her reaction, expecting laughter, a retaliatory strike, or even a dismissive roll of the eyes. However, Emma remained silent, her gaze shifting only towards her brother, without uttering a single word in response.
"That's a heartbreaking story, Sirius. But honestly, I always had a gut feeling that something was off about you," Hans remarked.
"What the hell was that downstairs? You just killed five men without a second thought," Sirius exclaimed.
"Of course, I did... It's my job to deceive, eliminate, and get my hands dirty so the rest of you can sleep peacefully at night," Hans calmly stated.
"What?" Sirius asked, clearly perplexed.
"I'm a BND agent," Hans revealed.
"And what exactly is that?" Sirius inquired.
"It's the West German intelligence service," Emma whispered, her gaze still fixed on her brother. "It means he's a spy; he's been spying on us since the beginning, since our time in Hamburg. He's the one who tipped off the police about our travels. He's as fake as everything else."
"Not entirely accurate, but yes," Hans confirmed.
"You're an Auror? You've been surveilling me all this time?" Sirius questioned.
"What the hell is an Auror? No, I knew you were wanted, but I was curious to discover the reasons... And now I have my answers," Hans stated, taking a deep breath. "My mission was to infiltrate a student group that opposed our government's and allies' political stance, gather information about its activities, and maintain a list of its members, all in preparation for a more significant task... But the situation took a different turn."
"You mean when I showed up... I overheard a conversation between Mr. Acker and another man at a gas station," Sirius interjected.
"Let me interrupt you there; I have no clue what you're talking about," Hans interjected.
"So, how did the situation change?" Sirius inquired.
"First, it became personal," Hans confessed.
"What do you mean by 'personal'?" Sirius probed.
"You know what I mean..." Hans responded, visibly irritated. "Regardless... It didn't take me long to complete the initial phase of my mission. You guys were never a threat. Most of the people in the group that took that train trip will eventually settle for mundane office jobs and blend into society... But I still had to stick around," Hans explained.
"What was your primary objective?" Emma asked.
"Emma... That place was truly a cult. The so-called 'master' and his followers had been under surveillance for quite some time, but they were such a closed-off and difficult community to approach. I started working on it three years ago, doing my best to gain Rauch's trust and secure an invitation to Bonn. Once I arrived, I diligently gathered any intelligence and evidence I could find, using whatever means necessary," Hans disclosed.
"You used us... Me, Áurea..." Emma stated.
"No, I swear I love her! And you guys too, but I had to do it! To protect you!" Hans exclaimed, rising from his armchair. "Look, I can't disclose everything; I shouldn't even be talking to you... I should have disappeared two weeks ago, but you need to know... They had some sinister plans for you; you can't fathom what those lunatics had in mind, trust me!"
"You killed them?" Sirius inquired.
"Seriously, Sirius? All thirty of them? Why not wipe out the entire neighborhood? No, but as soon as I had the evidence I needed, the master and his close circle were arrested at the airport en route to that seminar they mentioned in Italy. Then, the rest were apprehended in various situations soon after, leaving only our little group of friends in the house — the intended victims," Hans explained, pointing his finger at them. "Did you guys really believe me when I claimed I was the only one who saw them load the van and leave?"
"What a hero," Emma sarcastically remarked. "However, you mentioned you should have left two weeks ago; why didn't you?" Emma questioned him.
"I told you... I fell for Áurea and started postponing my departure," Hans confessed.
"You could have told her everything and run away with her," Emma suggested.
"BECAUSE I ALSO FELL FOR YOU AND HIM! AND I WANTED TO STAY BECAUSE I LIKED IT!" Hans shouted at her before settling back down. "How could I leave when, for the first time in my life, I was happy and wanted to leave the agency to start fresh with Áurea somewhere? Can't you guys relate?"
"Of course, the car was bugged," Emma sighed.
"I destroyed all the tapes... And for your information, the military police were on the verge of launching an investigation on your dad and you, but I claimed that I recruited you to assist me, and you didn't desert the military," Hans revealed.
"How did you find out about this place? Are you involved in all this chaos?" Sirius queried.
"No... After I finished the master's case, I began working on my own on Walter and his group. I trailed him and his friends until I discovered this place, and I was about to send a team here," Hans explained.
"They would have arrested him along with the others!" Emma exclaimed.
"Emma, not only was he with them, but your brother is also a despicable person and should not be walking free... And the reason he's not dead like the others downstairs is because he has the privilege of being your brother," Hans angrily replied.
"Why was he tied up then?" Emma asked.
"Let's find out," Sirius said, just as Hans was about to respond. He pointed his wand at Walter and whispered, "Rennervate." In an instant, a flash of red light emanated from his wand, and Walter slowly opened his eyes, blinking at them before averting his gaze as he recognized their faces.
"How are you feeling?" Emma asked him gently.
"I feel terrible," Walter replied, wincing as he rubbed his ribs.
"What happened to you?" Emma inquired.
"Where are the others?" Walter asked.
"They're dead," Hans answered.
"Screw them," Walter muttered, as he winced while Emma helped him sit on the couch. "They picked me up after I left the police station. Emma, your boyfriend is dangerous; he's..."
"He's right here," Sirius interrupted.
"I'll explain later, go on," Emma told Walter.
"Okay... Before I entered the house, I needed to make a call... You remember those numbers, names, and codes our mom and dad made us memorize?" Walter asked her.
"I do," Emma replied.
"So, when I saw him on the wanted poster, I ran to find a phone, but they found me before I could and I had to wait... I called the GSG9 and informed them that Sirius Black was in Bonn. But when I didn't see them arrive, I snuck out of the house at night and called Reinecker this time. I didn't realize Ralf was following me... He must have overheard me talking on the phone, and then I woke up in the basement. They accused me of treason, and I won't go into the details of what happened during these two days..." Walter explained.
"It's all over now... for good," Emma reassured him.
"Emma... I'm sorry for everything, for stealing from you... everything. I was about to come and see you to apologize! But I got arrested, I swear... Please, forgive me!" Walter pleaded.
"Of course, I forgive you," Emma said, embracing him.
"Thank you for coming to help me," Walter said to Sirius.
"I didn't know you would be here... I came for him," Sirius nodded toward Benjamin Acker, who was still unconscious on the couch. "So, what are you planning to do now?" Sirius asked Hans.
Hans rose from his seat, casually tossing his keys to Emma. "I'll handle this situation; you all should leave before the entire police force of this country descends upon us. Emma, take Sirius and your brother, hop in the car, and drive south for about two hours. I'll get in touch with you once it's safe to do so."
Emma gave a determined nod and assisted Walter as they made their way out of the house, while Sirius took one final glance at Mr. Acker to ensure his safety. As Sirius prepared to exit, he was startled to find Hans, his gun positioned just inches from his forehead. Hans's words carried a mix of caution and a hint of remorse. "Sirius, I need you to understand that a month ago, I might have pulled that trigger... But circumstances have changed significantly since then. Please, don't force me to regret sparing you," Hans stated, slowly lowering his weapon and gesturing toward the door with a nod.
"Hans... The next time we cross paths-" Sirius said.
"Get lost!" Hans retorted sharply, before walking away towards the basement.
Sirius slipped out of the house, ensuring their every move went unnoticed. As he settled into the car, Emma brought the engine to life. The vehicle smoothly rolled away from the neighborhood, leaving behind the house and its tragic events. Soon enough, they found themselves immersed in the vastness of the open road. Emma maintained a solemn silence, her gaze unwaveringly fixed on the path ahead.
At times, she stole fleeting glances at her slumbering brother, nestled in the middle of the back seat. Those stolen glimmers of her worried face tugged at Sirius' heart, invoking a bittersweet sadness.
In the distance, Sirius spotted the lookout spot they had visited during their short-lived motorcycle escapade. It stood like a nostalgic beacon, conjuring memories of carefree moments shared between innocent lovers. His eyes locked onto it, captivated by the wistful remembrances it held, refusing to release its grasp until it faded into the horizon.
The journey continued, propelled by Emma's steady hand on the wheel. Walter, roused from his slumber, suddenly interrupted the silence, pleading for a pause in the midst of a lofty bridge they were crossing. Obediently, Emma decelerated and maneuvered the car to the side, bringing it to a gentle halt. Without hesitation, Walter disembarked and headed towards the precipice of the bridge, drawing the attention of Sirius and Emma, their curiosity piqued. Sensing the magnetic pull of Walter's actions, Sirius felt compelled to follow. However, Emma's grasp on his arm restrained him, "He doesn't want to jump; he just needs some fresh air," she said.
Sirius nodded and relaxed in his seat, then turned to face her. "Emma, I know I hurt you... I lied to you, I lied to myself, but I want you to know that my feelings for you are sincere."
"I know... I always suspected you were hiding something. Not something this serious, but I believe you when you say you're innocent," Emma responded.
"You do?" Sirius asked.
"I'm still here, aren't I? And you haven't harmed anyone since we met, right?... Do you remember that morning before Áurea interrupted us?" Emma inquired.
"Of course, I do," Sirius replied.
"That morning, we opened up to each other and connected in a way that goes beyond words... Since then, our pasts didn't matter anymore. I knew I could trust you," Emma stated.
Sirius nodded. "I only wish things had turned out differently."
"It doesn't have to end, Sirius... My grandparents left us a place in Graz; that's where we're going. We can start anew there, just like we said... a fresh start," Emma suggested.
"No, we can't... I wish we could. I now understand that I can't pretend to be someone I'm not, and as long as they believe I'm guilty, they'll continue hunting me to the ends of the Earth," Sirius explained.
Emma nodded, then leaned in and softly kissed him. Outside, Walter removed his jacket and discarded his brass knuckles and shirt before putting the jacket back on over his bare back. Emma exited the car and walked towards him, wrapping her arm around his waist to watch the sunset together, leaving Sirius alone in the car.
"You're making the right decision," a voice told him. Sirius lifted his gaze to the rearview mirror and found Evan looking at him.
"I know..." Sirius responded.
"But you didn't always make the right choices," Evan queried.
"What's your point?" Sirius asked.
"Nothing, I'm just curious... Look at her; she never stopped believing that she could bring her brother back. And now that I think about it... You also had a younger brother, right? I wonder what became of him," Evan said, smiling as Sirius's eyes widened at his words. "Farewell, my friend."
Sirius sat in his seat, watching the sun sink below the horizon. When Emma and her brother returned to the car, he stepped out and left the door open for Walter, who settled into the passenger seat that Sirius had occupied moments ago. Sirius closed the door behind him and joined Emma, who was waiting a short distance from the car.
"You're leaving already?" Emma asked.
"It's been nearly two hours, just as Hans said," Sirius replied with a sigh.
Emma nodded and inquired, "Where are you headed?"
"I have a friend who desperately needs me right now... And what about you?" Sirius glanced at Walter in the car.
"I told you... Graz. You know, I can sense his remorse. It's a good starting point, though it will take time. But I'll be there for him," Emma explained.
"And what about you? Will you be alright?" Sirius asked.
"Don't worry about me... Remember, I beat you up this morning," Emma teased, eliciting laughter from Sirius.
"I do!" Sirius replied.
"Well, this is a new sight!" Emma remarked.
"What do you mean?" Sirius inquired.
"You should see yourself... Laughing like this, the way you carry yourself..." Emma said before embracing him tightly. "Good luck, Sirius. And when you're ready, you'll know where to find me." She slipped a piece of paper into his jeans pocket.
"I will. In the meantime, take care of yourself," Sirius said before she broke their embrace.
Sirius stood on the bridge; his heart heavy as he watched their car disappear into the distance. With a sigh, he leaned against the guardrail, his gaze fixed on a small village that lay ahead. Gradually, the lights of the village began to flicker on, captivating his attention. Determined, he concentrated all his thoughts on the village, and within moments, he found himself walking its quaint streets.
Entering a cozy bar, Sirius swung open the door and exchanged a nod with the bartender. He ordered a pint and settled at a small table in the bustling room, immersing himself in the football game broadcasted on the television. Ignoring the hushed murmurs that arose among the patrons at his unexpected presence, he savored his drink, savoring each sip. When he had finished, he rose from his seat and made his way to the restrooms, where he relieved himself before meticulously washing his hands at the sink.
Sirius glanced at the mirror briefly and flashed a smile as he washed his hands. "I'm starting to think you're stalking me, Remus."
"You're trapped, Sirius. There are five Aurors in this room and twenty-five others surrounding the block, creating a ward," Remus stated, pointing his wand at Sirius's head.
Sirius finished rinsing his hands and wiped them on his jeans. "Lily used to scold me for doing this... The Aurors are clever; I doubt they'll get another opportunity to capture me. And what about you? Are you the negotiator or something?"
"I insisted on personally arresting you," Remus coldly replied before adding, "Why did you betray us?" he inquired.
"Betrayed you, Remus? Did I? Please refresh my memory, because I recall doing quite the opposite," Sirius remarked.
"TELL ME WHY!" Remus shouted.
"I won't tell you anything, Remus... I've spent my whole life giving you and everyone else reasons to trust me. So go ahead and believe whatever you want; I no longer care," Sirius stated.
"Show me your arm," Remus sharply demanded, stepping closer.
"My arm? Why?" Sirius asked, noticing the paleness on Remus's face.
"I WANT TO SEE IT! SHOW IT TO ME!" Remus exclaimed but getting too close turned out to be a mistake. Sirius swiftly pulled Remus's arm away, catching him off guard, and Remus inadvertently cast a spell that caused the urinal to explode. Sirius promptly drew his wand and stunned him before disapparating.
