CHAPTER SEVEN ⚜ CHECK-OUT (PART II)

[Illustration 13] In the cold white morning light, an open hand holds an old brass token. A crescent moon, several stars and the Roman numeral VII are carved on its front, while the hotel’s name and the date 23.08.1926 run around its edge. Beside it, a phone displays: UNKNOWN NUMBER · VOICE MESSAGE · 03:26. The messy bed in the background is slightly out of focus. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMnjoJ4DkG

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIESSrP4Obn ────────────────────── ⚜ ───────────────────── 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRiDpGeNL6

“Ryan?” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjey0IxDnS

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZT6Fyr2kO

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJODRoULYrQ

Oliver’s voice came through the phone again. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5E1l2JAIc

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6Kn8hERKZ

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KexidTRUq

“Are you still there?” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI66mVYno4

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1FOkE7Rnv

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz8Mjq5BE6

Ryan stared at the shoe without moving. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr0a5y9XEb

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ38G7VOKgM

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7y0m3Aw8k

“…Yes.” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLKLC9ikjg

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjmpVVJGKh

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6hvp4RP9Q

“Then get up!” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3Xl122thz

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1c7Wl3lg6

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q9fKhahEV

Ryan ended the call. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdZchKuHGA

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe95Imafb7

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOXynjjY2D

It was only a dream. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg2Hre2DNI

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFWiHwuP8n

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2CJ9Gx6W2

That was what he told himself. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOboKtTIf7

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d6tjesj45

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5yHxoFYXi

A very long, very realistic dream—with some extremely strange taste in interior design. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCwuFd3b2E

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYdvftpR6A

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx07glowFTU

But his own pair of white sports shoes were still sitting beside the bedroom door. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBWxEwKkZP

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYIOcOEeFE

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpxBDc2Sdv

Both of them. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VpCxaVZc7

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tRADf2aCT

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVO4Z05vjK

Ryan looked down again. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jr53SpYtW

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtAt5vizzM

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnsqCstB1v

The black leather shoe was still on his left foot. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdypsIkE9Z

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev3cXHPyZW

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NOXNfUl4q

He wasn’t seeing things. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn15BcsyIID

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU00HaqgTq

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mHoIwYkgv

And he had not somehow put on one of his own shoes in his sleep. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLYWmEsmEz

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoGKs9021J

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfsIrabmli

That shoe had never belonged to him. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLrPA4NbB0

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQ2thChcrE

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEfB8ZmuYS

A dull pain in his left palm made him realise that his hand had been closed tightly ever since he woke up. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEXbNfPPrB

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy0K0jD9bY

Slowly, Ryan opened his fingers. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWreUYWHPXV

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsVV4PYD2f

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxW9lwJNzS

An old brass token lay in his palm. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkNC1M7GGh

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwOMAx1kLg

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XF1Y4KSPZ

Its edges were worn down, and dark marks from age remained across its surface. On the front was a crescent moon, with a Roman numeral carved beneath it— 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxRvPJCNDo

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgQfcbeiCR

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZ3qVUOAof

VII. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQdC34CboM

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGtkLBCu3D

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghI2QkG72y

Around the edge were the name of the hotel and a date: 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCbmPJx2T5

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoHZLXKEwu

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RP9S9s9KK

RED MOON HOTEL · 23.08.1926 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2pxBwrTWi

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz4aJXvUlu

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZyXoVGwmp

He turned it over. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYgE4SPYYn

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrIs8euOmr

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5xIL3q1x5

The back showed an old sunburst crest. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDGGlr3o6a

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTT0kCjkFO

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMOCSShqnr

The room suddenly felt much quieter. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7HPQKjbOl

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DwOHNUn6H

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5quLgGxTO

Ryan looked at his phone. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOaLeEjbUe

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsjoYkz49o

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNH4VzLPcg

The screen lit up again at that exact moment. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV7he7xuFy

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfABpmvnxI

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08UYV6XeC3

UNKNOWN NUMBER 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEcjut7Iil

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtojqbhEdhG

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaDTu4lX1z

03:26 A.M. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgX2uNfWa4

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNJ8bea0Fs

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0vds09etu

ONE VOICE MESSAGE 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuudVqapKt

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXE3BbfDIPf

────────────────────── ⚜ ─────────────────────

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArX83mlUf8

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2LgWROkOH

Ryan hesitated before pressing play. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqe6MeoNta

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuPYZnXdcH

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyntHRTO898

A soft crackle came from the speaker. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9Mvz6RWN3

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAAXFXlRBT

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskibisBpWi

At first, there was nothing else. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnSvXjRprH

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYCVQfH10A

Then someone began making the sound of a badly played saxophone with their mouth. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UQHBw5Gke

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11r61TXGvE

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc2uAGGD7o

Ryan instinctively touched his ear. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKS0ccnarXR

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8g2Txm1Ax

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSySEgBSgI

No blood. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2dAYO9VDA

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpvFyHvNti

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwzKzlYJsu

Good. His hearing was probably still safe. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsVNacaGJN

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wzZ5Zpc2I

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH8GCYKwJO

A few seconds later, the terrible saxophone stopped. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPXrzNUfdm

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutrRq6wR3U

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDX4pmNPon

From somewhere beneath the static came a familiar voice. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsER16edb1

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fpzYeDTgn

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvBBlHWNFD

Young and calm, still so polite that it almost sounded distant. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLkIqI7xNE

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswPTHsT2o9

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse7hScjo7B

“Mr. Glenz.” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDtmkHXIy7

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiTYmchiNa

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvclydxRcz2

A short pause. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SegHwfbGP

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoP27BDa1s

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV6jiR5mRv

“You left your other shoe on the seventh floor.” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnU7vKpH0S

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYLvlZYnSY

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxnl5rIjqf

Ryan looked down at the black leather shoe on his left foot. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlW2znbID0

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrRS5oS7ov

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCf6pXApUd

“I’ll keep it safe for you.” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsapO8jpUG

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8zTMqgaQn

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk1Oi637TJ

A faint sound of metal scraping came through the static. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg22GukYz5K

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SUmBJn5kh

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPWDSVMDkT

It sounded like a brass lattice gate slowly closing somewhere very far away. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJElEutIO6K

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyfNBzqj5M

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZkGIZ6vtz

Julien seemed to move away from the receiver. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaimpOyHtI

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdOf8oTgbI

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8I8gjfzGEK

Or perhaps he was only deciding whether he should say one more thing. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvlyAOLbWh

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJLrUORzGe

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwg37HAefx

At last, his voice came closer again. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLYvQYnbMm

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY66D8RRpDC

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xwMchufGP

It was a little softer this time. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxoglRs8SV

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG3g5BFuZQ

“There’s no need to hurry back here.” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwYkSumGUv

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrrU8yEa2z

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthn1B4jpsd

The message ended. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78GMtmBN6c

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaWuxhpkqa

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTPpxiCB8w

The phone screen went dark. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdfTdRygoj

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2RCgLg8Uh

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFMHSTxuBk

Ryan did not move. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcdaEWluzo

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZwJKXFUo1

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsJ9A1TBbk

────────────────────── ⚜ ─────────────────────

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdElYQ6iQ9i

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQCbfHXoAI

At the foot of the bed, Garfield finally lost his patience. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCT0ITpAqu

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZE81S1N3oo

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf5TIpbTLP

“Meow.” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwYOehI0Ka

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhiTZmKN5u

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FqwVMGpAD

Ryan looked at the brass token in his palm, then at the black leather shoe that did not belong to him. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Mu1IjHxAa

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87wKg1qIxl

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ULAixo3f9

He played the message again. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxcJhNPFBq

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0t7IHYEk0

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M5MFS4ML4

This time, he did not try to tell himself that it had only been a dream. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NnfcgQeZ2

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBtkeS7R2T

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVWxaUyNV5

When the message ended, Ryan opened the notes app on his phone. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCbenA6I5J

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpawzARxOS

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAaGa7jdot

He stared at the empty page for a long time before slowly typing a name: 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqRKydh98q

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI1ZcmJ5gM

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvkmfANTsy

Julien Moreau. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23xie5BkUp

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaxPFZwOsY

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwhHwAQx8M

His finger hovered over the screen for a moment. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv51IYb0gp

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUq6ZXExkK

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWdAhNgcFS

Then he pressed save. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HYD1eYyH7

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlfybfc22S

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95Q54ITiHN

At least this time, he was not going to let that name remain trapped inside a dream forever. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwvITd57Un

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnRrXzNC6Z

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡashSQuhNGu

The digital clock beside the bed quietly changed. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDmnPUMmDZ

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OaQHdmD5u

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Hd9OtsvnX

07:27 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk8FdK5N6t

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUhYIQwUKj

Time had started moving again. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkVA2k5WK9

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTAlcuuujE

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UGmpq9pMM

“Damn it! I’m going to be late…” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtJhlxRUlb

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxx5I1cj0DQ

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkztvAAZDm

Ryan finally remembered that he had a proposal meeting at nine. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhlkZBNmNB

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza92VsnATB

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nLvT2Z0zj

He jumped out of bed and nearly tripped over the black leather shoe. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfKUUJ46fr

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrDxksHKaj

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigsohxxKor

Garfield followed him into the kitchen, then sat neatly beside the doorway and looked up at him. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw58LWoudOO

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaS3ojIL9h

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSFWuXT4lt

Those large, round eyes were so innocent that they were almost insulting—as though some other “cat” had sneaked into the kitchen during the night, bitten through the packaging and swallowed the entire premium steak. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCHgmbCsss

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq6upCp76F

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjOt2gcz2d

Ryan stared at the empty plastic wrapper on the floor. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZJC8A86Np

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U9CjVKAXM

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFrc7tuxjX

“Seriously? You didn’t even leave a drop of juice on the plate? 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwX9CaU7gj

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKrYpfE9da

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPxVCPhGXG

Garfield blinked slowly. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbwqHrwBw7

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoIVcZivMc

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0742jo5jOh

He showed no regret. None at all. If anything, he looked rather proud of himself for finding his own breakfast while Ryan was “away”. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWAw4K8PAR

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI7gXLcIcj

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSqRRfKaUA

As Ryan bent down to pick up the wrapper, Garfield jumped onto the cabinet and knocked straight into the pair of black-and-white decorative porcelain swans displayed beside it. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3MMtkwDTk

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBw0oBaDpi

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqGLtMgusI

“Hey!” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB5REemfav

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiHkm3dq2O

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMSX7MKCBK

Ryan rushed over. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqsrENSDSn

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQrvFTgF02

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZtIITADTE

But when he looked down, only the black swan lay on the floor. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDSCXptunJ

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnnRlbKwz2

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptR4KuRytz

The white one was gone. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZf3JEEgmL

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JTZhPwnSY

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAJyxQp5y3

He searched under the cabinet and the sofa, then checked every shelf. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgKk2LWUN7

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58zW3pJ10d

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdedzljIn0

Nothing. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwyWJtTNWF

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsy1DofGh1

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj70uDq4JpR

He even looked behind the rubbish bin—and then inside it. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxMXtVTEFK

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkpdFOxCIo

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSJBBZKfoa

Still nothing. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhZ2Ns3vlb

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZllg46bZMI

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYIEVM9UKN

There were no broken pieces anywhere. The white porcelain swan had simply vanished. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeqnAQHFKa

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNO98E31QQ

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEgQXiNkLC

Only the black one remained in his hand. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtAcxAdy6H

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUof5JBr9GK

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMnuF8hBxN

Ryan looked at it silently. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5N6AGtgXR

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKqcrY6AjR

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1s2EO0nKBY

He remembered the white porcelain swan he had packed into his suitcase before leaving Room 626. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxPQOUkz6A

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa005lseNW

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCJVefe3OL

His phone rang again. Oliver. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlajLCCM4Z

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyYYD01CHT

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhXNK4NXMC

Ryan answered while still holding the black swan. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6ns4pKTye

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybKhWegtRl

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMTqQGYcOR

“What?” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpM3s6hS24

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzfVv7b3Ro

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqg44Jc0EB

“I’m checking whether you’re alive.” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTNxsxxlpX

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hnX4jc9Rn

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwjnlC9P0D

“I’m awake.” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yrIFUrFgF

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1WxrHBpjf

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OuRcOQ8Xb

“Good. Because you sounded strange just now.” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfdkTfXd8q

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Aqf1imhbi

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH65ZGdneHz

“I had a weird dream.” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMu55jWFFPI

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACyh7rgBzP

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS5UzutoEo

“A weird dream?” Oliver repeated. “Don’t tell me that cancelling your trip because of work—and not getting to stay at the hotel you booked—was enough to send you over the edge.” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoxeyTEUIe

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDIqXTu6F4

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gAxsShsCu

Ryan stopped. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRzGlaaDiv

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ09HPoMcCU

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCiHD1yTSG

“The hotel?” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSvTk1rvYZ

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GFJ8HAmxl

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHbcBYHbWG

“Yes, the hotel. What was it called again? You fell asleep halfway through telling me last night, so I didn’t hear the name.” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78SpD1xQBc

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fbqlRjDyF

Ryan slowly looked towards the brass token lying on his bed. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8S9LQWIjo

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRRRcrKqcn

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTFijE4cxB

For a moment, he could not answer. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClu13yvow6

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1RltSCVyu

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrE4XHXcvu

“Ryan?” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2vQiX7zIU

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSPUvdxVgX

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ584AIMIBwY

“I don’t remember.” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE444OW7pb

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsX3IKhnW7

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFRVhLIjWt

“You booked it, and you don’t remember?” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDftc0227D4

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SZgavG23a

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwRc3U0jG6

“I’m hanging up.” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL7STxUQAJ

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrTbALdRNr

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeIjHqxnjC

“Wait—” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DF2C7LfyL

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCDsgQaAgr

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Piyjpz0WH

Ryan ended the call. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9Ul2AVtRt

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lXzveY1xY

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNDUtEHIGQ

He stood in the kitchen, surrounded by cold morning light, holding a black porcelain swan in one hand. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluwshECfrO

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEu4OAtqHu4

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RVQjMstDI

Behind him, Garfield quietly began walking away from the scene of the crime. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ3zPx11wh

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTYthlkjzQ

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyTg7X2Gb9

Ryan turned his head. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyypbqnLQc

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzb0RElBpw

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9uTIy1MdF

“Don’t even think about it.” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG86tDQItU5

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmfAT6sdR3

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4HfKWKFvU

Garfield immediately ran. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwXP8oQbq6

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTFfrhNuZP

────────────────────── ⚜ ───────────────────── 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZGkoDHrQf

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBR5lGnDZ5

Half an hour later, Ryan rushed out of the apartment so quickly that he nearly fell down the stairs. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXfnTY8Hdl

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbV4VwPZkQN

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncAvSY3ebi

He had left the black leather shoe in his room. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w6LuAaVhe

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFspQ5CZ71

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQve4vn39iP

For some reason, however, he had slipped the brass token into his jacket pocket. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteydp9RyxE

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkIjE3ej2t

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxABOV1vt4

He ran all the way to the main road. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYy8jVb7SI

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyReyrrVHrA

As he turned the corner at the crossing, his shoulder brushed against a man coming from the opposite direction. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytoLHh0Dgm

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PdX16XlH1

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbab6ppK6l

“Sorry—I’m in a rush!” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQ2OWAdXeR

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFpyc01jgi

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMW90SJcg8

Ryan called out the apology without stopping. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemvblDJ2fz

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJiOPXTWGK

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEG5WK2Jg2g

He hurried across the road with the crowd and quickly disappeared among them. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbXyumz9Sw

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnaAbs1ghg

────────────────────── ⚜ ─────────────────────

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iGY9WWDHH

The man stopped. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjib9ioHOr

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGTH2Sgfy8

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SHrsHJvOl

His baseball cap was pulled low, hiding his eyes in shadow. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhtyfSU6Ds

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3kkkuLzG4

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUryjuOWcJm

A light blue shirt hung open over a plain white T-shirt, matched with cream-coloured trousers. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp3RRh7yyk

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer6FUyksiY

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJPZVZShES

There was nothing unusual about his clothes. In a crowd like this, hardly anyone would have looked at him twice. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexGG89fXlJ

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhs2XZ7CAB

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy5vKm0BbL

He turned his head slightly and watched Ryan’s figure move farther away. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NKLJaxpqK

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEhn09lKo8

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5yEuG1Hnp

After a moment, the man raised one hand and slowly smoothed out a crease on his other sleeve. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTjonVXj5G

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jL0VktTWl

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9gpaiEx9T

There was no crease there. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ou4hk6Omb

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5ZWorhcTu

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmX8ZENry3B

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MfoWGB1xX

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4arTM0mdyL

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmmMeyxRyv

“…Your other shoe will be returned to you later, Mr. Glenz.” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWaSOFtwVA

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vWzve5GfZ

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpzyIKBmgE

His voice disappeared into the noise of the morning crowd. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hWSUH1fwY

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwfXyr82Ek

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuACDhIeqAs

No one heard him. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArSNoCwtrk

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVI9SZ5660

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vk6xhnz5s

At that exact moment, the pedestrian signal gave a clear— 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxigeNVz5Zh

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPpbs1jYvj

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcG6HFm8xA

Ding. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jf2Jle1xx

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWagqmUW9l

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MADIdqly3

The crowd began moving across the road again. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhowSNCt4A

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNMKLggjrT

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKrbKFibG9

When the other side of the street came into view, the light blue figure had already disappeared into the crowd. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wF3rJP2OC

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPKrVqH5Km

────────────────────── ⚜ ───────────────────── 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOJfGXwdbE

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Aa7hS8E8a

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOcDV5R5Dh

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd75EVIk7b

88.181.249.5

ns88.181.249.5da2