The days blurred together as I delved deeper into the world of The Watchers, deciphering ancient symbols and unraveling secrets that spanned centuries. Dr. Jonathan Blackwell became my guide, his knowledge and insight guiding me through the labyrinth of mysteries we faced.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across Dr. Blackwell's office, he called me in with a sense of urgency in his voice. I found him poring over a series of old manuscripts, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Elena," he began, his tone serious yet measured, "there's something you need to know."
I leaned forward, my curiosity piqued. "What is it, Jonathan?"
He hesitated, his gaze locking onto mine with a gravity that made my heart skip a beat. "Kai... he's not who he seems."
I frowned, uncertainty clouding my thoughts. "What do you mean?"
Dr. Blackwell sighed, as if the weight of his words bore down on him. "Kai is Nico Sterling."
The name hit me like a thunderbolt, sending a shockwave through my senses. Nico Sterling—the man from my past, the one I thought I had left behind in a haze of bitterness and betrayal.
The man that stayed in my apartment...? The man that left his helmet in my apartment? That's Nico!?
"Nico?" I whispered, disbelief coloring my voice. "But... how?"
Nico...?
NICO?? FUCK HIM. Fuck. Fuck. FUCK.
Dr. Blackwell leaned back in his chair, his expression troubled. "I've been digging into his background, tracing his connections, and the evidence is clear. Kai's true identity is Nico Sterling. He's been operating under an alias, hiding in plain sight."
My mind raced, piecing together fragments of memories and emotions I thought I had buried long ago. Nico—the man who had shattered my trust, the one I had once loved and then hated with equal fervor.
"Why didn't he tell me?" I murmured, more to myself than to Dr. Blackwell.
"I don't have all the answers," Dr. Blackwell admitted, his voice tinged with empathy. "But there's more to Nico's story than meets the eye. He's deeply embedded in The Watchers, and his allegiance is... complicated."
Complicated. The word hung in the air, heavy with implications I wasn't sure I wanted to explore. Nico had betrayed me once before—could I trust him now, knowing he had concealed his true identity?
"He's been trying to protect you," Dr. Blackwell continued, his voice softening. "From The Watchers, from the dangers that surround us. His feelings for you... they run deep, Elena."
So you are saying that Nico was also protecting me in the past too? I doubt it.
I shook my head, overwhelmed by conflicting emotions. "I don't know if I can believe that."
Dr. Blackwell reached across the desk, placing a reassuring hand on mine. "I understand your hesitation," he said gently. "But Nico has risked everything to keep you safe. He's not the same man you remember."
The room fell silent, the weight of Dr. Blackwell's words settling over me like a cloak. Nico Sterling—Kai—was a puzzle I couldn't ignore, a part of my past intertwined with the dangerous path I now walked.
"What do we do now?" I asked finally, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
Dr. Blackwell met my gaze with unwavering resolve. "We confront him," he said firmly. "We need answers, Elena. About Nico, about The Watchers, about everything."
No. I don't wanna.
"No," I replied, the word escaping my lips before I could think.
Dr. Blackwell's brow furrowed in surprise. "What? Why?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
"I'd rather kill him," I said, my tone cold and resolute.
Silence hung heavy in the room as Dr. Blackwell processed my words. His expression softened, understanding dawning in his eyes. "Elena, I know you're hurting," he began gently, "but violence won't solve anything."
I shook my head, frustration and anger bubbling to the surface. "You don't understand, Jonathan. Nico—Nico Sterling—destroyed everything. He tore apart my life and shattered my trust. And now, he's been lying to me again, hiding behind another name."
Without another word, I turned and walked out of Dr. Blackwell's office, the weight of my decision heavy on my shoulders. The city streets were quiet as I made my way back to my apartment, the echoes of our conversation still ringing in my ears.
Inside my apartment, I paced restlessly, trying to make sense of my conflicting emotions. Memories of Nico—of Kai—flooded my mind, each one a painful reminder of the betrayal I had endured. How could I trust him again? How could I face him without succumbing to the rage that burned within me?
The room felt suffocating, the walls closing in around me. I needed air. Grabbing my coat, I stepped out onto the roof, the cool night air offering a brief respite from the turmoil within.
Leaning against the railing, I stared out at the city skyline, the twinkling lights a stark contrast to the darkness that consumed my thoughts. How had everything spiraled out of control so quickly? One moment, I was unraveling the mysteries of The Watchers, and the next, I was confronting the ghosts of my past.
A sense of exhaustion washed over me, both physical and emotional. I sank to the ground, my back against the cold metal railing, and closed my eyes. I needed clarity, a path forward that didn't lead to destruction.
I want him to die. I want him to be beheaded and put it on my wall.
Entering my apartment, I flicked on the lights, the warm glow casting familiar shadows across the room. My gaze fell on the kitchen counter, where something unexpected caught my eye—a single red rose, its velvety petals vibrant against the stark white countertop.
My heart skipped a beat as I approached, uncertainty gnawing at my insides. Who could have left it? Was it a gesture from Nico, a silent plea for forgiveness or a reminder of our tangled past? Or was it something more sinister, a message from The Watchers, a warning of impending danger?
Cautiously, I reached out and picked up the rose, its delicate fragrance filling the air. It was fresh, recently cut, its stem wrapped in a simple ribbon. There was no note, no explanation—just the enigmatic presence of a solitary flower.
A wave of conflicting emotions washed over me—confusion, apprehension, and a flicker of hope amidst the turmoil. Could this be Nico's way of reaching out, of trying to bridge the chasm between us? Or was it merely another twist in the intricate web of secrets and lies that surrounded him?
I set the rose down gently, my mind racing with unanswered questions. The silence of the apartment seemed to amplify the weight of the situation, each passing moment heightening my sense of unease.
As I paced the room, my thoughts turned to Dr. Blackwell's words earlier that evening. He had urged me to confront Nico, to seek answers and confront the truth. But how could I trust him again, after everything that had happened?
The memories of our time together—both the joyous moments and the heart-wrenching betrayals—flashed through my mind like fragments of a broken mirror. Nico had once been my confidant, my lover, my closest friend. But now, he was a stranger, a shadowy figure lurking in the periphery of my life.
I sank onto the couch, my head in my hands, the weight of exhaustion settling over me. The rose on the counter seemed to mock my confusion, its beauty at odds with the chaos it had wrought in my heart.
A sudden knock at the door startled me from my thoughts. I froze, my pulse quickening as I glanced toward the entrance. Who could it be at this hour?
"Who is it?" I called out, my voice wavering slightly.
No response. The silence stretched, thick and suffocating.
Heart pounding, I approached the door cautiously, peering through the peephole. There was no one in sight—just the empty hallway bathed in the dim glow of the hallway lights.
There was nothing. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe I have been going crazy. I checked the time.
1:34 am Tuesday, 16 April
I really need a rest.
Flashback: Five Years Ago
The air was thick with tension as I stood in the living room, facing Nico Sterling, the man who had once been my confidant, my friend. But tonight, he was something else entirely.
"You killed my father!" I shouted, the words tearing from my throat like shrapnel. "You took him from me!"
Nico's face contorted with anger and guilt, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "Elena, you don't understand," he began, his voice wavering with emotion. "It wasn't supposed to happen like that."
Tears streamed down my face, a torrent of grief and rage unleashed. "You were there! You were supposed to protect us!"
"I know," Nico whispered, his voice choked with remorse. "I never wanted this to happen."
"You're a liar!" I screamed, my fists pounding against his chest. "You've always been a liar!"
Nico recoiled from the force of my blows, his expression a mask of pain and regret. "For fuck sake, Lena, please. I never was a liar to you." he pleaded, reaching out as if to comfort me.
"I trusted you, Nico, even more than I trusted myself. You were the light I wasn't allowed to have and I did everything I could to protect it and not let it burn out. You were the only purity I saw in the world and I did my hardest not to tarnish it. But you. You had to."
But I shoved him away, the betrayal too raw, too deep. "Get out," I spat, my voice cold and hard. "Get out before I do something I regret."
Nico's shoulders slumped in defeat as he turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone amidst shattered dreams and broken promises.
"I will always care for you, even if we're not together and even if we're far, far away from each other." - Nico