Frozen. That's how you could describe both you and him. There he stood, the man you had seen dragging Nina away, holding a clipboard and wearing the customary white coat, signaling his position as a doctor at the hospital. Everything about this meeting was messed up. Why was he here? Where was Nina? Why did you have to run into him at the place where you were supposed to forget Nina and all your worries for a time? But you couldn't let this opportunity pass you by. He had to know something and you were gonna find out what it was, even if you had to use force.
You silently dared him to escape, as you narrowed your eyes and shot him a glare, ''I think we have something we should talk about, don't we?''

You were both quiet. After having seated yourself at a table near the windows, you were left wondering what to say. The man was silent, staring down at his intertwined fingers with a solemn expression. Looking out the window, where the trees' green leaves shook in the wind, you made up your mind.
''Is Nina safe?''
He clenched his hands. Not a good sign. Not a good sign at all.
''I don't know for certain, but the last time I saw her, she was physically unharmed.''
A moment of silence ensued.
''How do you know Anna?''
''Anna?''
''Nina's real name.''
Real name? Had she been using a fake one? And for what purpose?
''I'm her...- Well, I used to be her classmate before she disappeared. I want to know where she is. You have to tell me! I know no one else who can help me with...-''
''I understand that it must have been hard to deal with all this'', he interrupted you, ''But it's not safe. I can't let you get involved in this. I don't even know where she is at the moment.''
You slammed your hands on the table, wincing at the searing pain in your right arm, causing the man in front of you to jump slightly in his seat, ''But you have to know something! Please, you don't understand at all. I have to find Nina, I have to, I just...'' You slumped down into your seat, ''...I don't know what I'll do without her. Not knowing whether she's safe or dead, or tortured, or, or... I DON'T KNOW! Please, just... tell me something.'' You gazed at him with pleading eyes, ''She's my only friend.'' He was looking at the surface of the table.
''You've heard of the murders of middle-aged couples across Germany, right?''
''Huh? Yeah, I have. This BKA inspector named Lunge mentioned those too.''
His head shot up fast enough to give you a shock, ''Lunge? You've talked with inspector Lunge from the BKA?''
''Yeah, I fell when I was chasing you and Nina, and I hit my head so hard that it knocked me out. I was brought to a hospital, and he interviewed me there. It's because of that murderer of that gardener at Heidelberg castle.''
''Ah, I see...'' His head lowered once again, ''...I want you to understand how dangerous this is. Nina is chasing someone extremely dangerous and is probably going to try and kill him.''
''WHAT? Kill someone? That's...-'' He shushed you, and gestured to the people passing your table, who had turned to face you after your shout. This wasn't exactly a conversation that either of you wanted anyone else to hear, so you quickly closed your mouth and waited for the man to continue.
''I need you to understand just how dangerous this is! The one Nina is chasing is the mastermind behind all those murdered couples. If you are dead set on following Nina, those murders would be the place to start, but the chance of running into her is not very big.''
''I'll take that chance. Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it... Oh, I still don't know your name.''
For the first time, he gave small smile.
''It's Kenzo Tenma.''

Having said your forlorn goodbyes, you walked down the street, still processing the info you had been given. You had info. Your questions had been partly answered, but new ones had arisen. What where you going to do now?

It was about halfway home you remembered the package you were supposed to pick up, that you had forgotten. Great.

You returned to your aunt's house, with a sprained hand and no package. Your aunt wasn't pleased, but that was mostly because of your arm, and not because of the forgotten package.
''Honestly, you just went out to have a small trip to the town, and you come home with a sprained hand? This trip was supposed to be relaxing for you and then this happens. Dear child, the world isn't on your side today.''
Oh, it might not have been, but that was all going to change soon. In the meantime, you would spend your next couple of days preparing. Fortunately, your aunt had a computer you could use. Spending the day with your aunt, helping her weed the garden and prepare dinner, you soon found yourself the only person in the house who was still awake, as the sun had gone down some time ago. Turning on the computer, you winced at the loud start-up noise and the whirring of the fans, hoping it would not wake your aunt. Opening up Webcrawler, the search engine on the computer, you typed out the words and clicked on 'search'.

You only stayed three days. Just enough to make your parents believe that you had managed to relax. But that was far from the truth.
The trip home was vastly different than the trip there. When you had arrived, you had been exhausted, devoid of emotions, and barely able to feel the slightest shred of hope. Now, you had a plan and the will to carry it out. No matter what it would take. You could not waste any time. Leaning forward, you poked your head out between the front seats of the car, getting your parents attention.
''Hey, I know I just had three wonderful days at my aunts' house and I really appreciate it, but would it be possible for me to have the house for my self tonight? Maybe Clara and Beate could come and we could hang out, talk about what happened. I feel like we should stick together when we're obviously all affected this much by it. You know, make it a sort of girls' night.''
Your dad turned to you, your mother unable to do so as she was driving, he seemed happy to hear your suggestion, ''That sounds just swell. I'm glad to hear that you finally want to hang out with those sweet girls. I know you were in shock at the beginning, but it will definitely do you good to finally accept the support you are offered. I'll just take your ma out for a nice dinner in town; maybe we'll even go to the cinema. You just have fun tonight, and we'll make sure to be out of your hair.'' Perfect.

It was still light out when you returned home, but you managed to convince your parents to have a nice day in town, instead of just a night. When the door finally closed after them, you got to work. Getting out a suitcase, you started packing your clothes and other necessities. When that was finished, you went into the office, where you know the safe was. There was an unbroken trust in your family, and you were going to break it today. Typing in the safe code, you took a bit of the money out and placed it in your bag. It would be enough to last you for a while, but then you would have to get a job afterwards. Your parents would definitely be able to survive even if you took a bit more, but you had already violated their trust, breaking into their safe and everything and you did not want to let your parents down any more than necessary. When you had finally made sure that you packed everything, the sky had gone red, signaling the end of the day. You had to catch the bus out to the Heidelberg train station.
You exited your house, keeping your eyes cast downwards as you turned around to lock the door. You dropped your keys in shock when you heard someone say your name from behind you. You quickly dropped down on you knees to get the keys while the stranger continued, ''You're leaving already? Didn't ya just come back from Düsseldorf?''
It was Peter. You were left without words. Why was he here? At your house? In front of you? Where there any other ways to describe his position?
''You alright? You not gonna answer me or anything? What, did you forget how handsome I am and now you're simply frozen in shock? I wouldn't be surprised.'' He wore a smug expression while his arms were crossed in front of him. No words could describe how wrong he was. There you were, running away from home to follow your classmate who was in big danger, and he was talking about how 'handsome' he was? You couldn't handle this right now.
You grabbed your bag and went around him, heading towards the bus stop. Peter, however, had other plans. He grabbed your arm as you tried to pass him, ''Seriously, what is up with you? I know you make it a point to be rude to me every time you can, but that's usually in the form of mean comments, not by blatantly ignoring me. I thought you were feeling better. I met your parents out in town, and they told me you were home and looking much better than before you left so I wanted to give you a visit. And it's probably a good thing that I did, you honestly don't seem that well.'' He tried to make eye-contact, but you refused to meet his eyes with your own, which were slowly becoming damper and damper. Your arms starting shaking slightly and Peter definitely noticed it, with the way he grabbed your shoulders and turned you to face him, ''What is happening? You have to tell me or I can't help you.''
You could feel the tears welling up in your eyes, the reality of the situation finally hitting you head-on. You had hoped that your newfound feeling of determination would have overshadowed your fear and insecurity, but now you could feel your brave face crackling and falling off in front of your classmate. Your lips quivered, as you struggled to get the words out.
''I have to go, Peter.''
''Go? Go where?''
''To find Nina. I might be able to track her down, but it's going to be dangerous.'', you took a sharp breath, ''...And, and, I know this might seem like a stupid idea, but I have to! I know that we should just leave this to the police, and I'll probably just get myself killed but I...-'', Peter interrupted your blabbering before you could continue, ''Woah, woah, woah! What's all this about getting killed? And you can track down Nina? Why haven't you told us? Why are you planning on going all by yourself?!''
You shook your head as tears started trailing down your cheeks, ''I don't want to expose you to danger. And I know you don't want me to go because it's dangerous for me too, but I have to!''
''WHY do you have to?''
''Because I LIKE HER, Peter! You can't even comprehend how much she means to me. I have to go- do you- do you understand?'' You finally looked him in the eye, tears streaming down your cheeks and you could feel a bit of snot just around the opening of your left nostril. Peter's eyes were wide as he looked at the display in front of him, processing your words, before finally managing to utter a question.
''Like... like her?''
''Yeah, just like you do.''
''Oh...'' He went quiet. Real quiet. Quiet enough to make you consider running away and just forget this whole interaction.
''So, are you like, a homo?''
Wanting to both laugh and cry at his unexpected question, you settled for a sigh as you answered him, ''No, it's a bit different from that Peter.''
''How so?''
''I like boys too.''
This was clearly not what he had expected, you could tell. His whole body conveyed his confusion, and you wished you had the time to explain, as he actually didn't seem disgusted by you, but you didn't have the time. The bus was leaving in seven minutes, and you absolutely had to catch it.
''Look, Peter, I'd love to explain it, but I really gotta catch the bus.''
That seemed to snap Peter out of it. As your made your way towards the road you heard him yell for you to wait. You stopped on the spot and look at him.
''Look, I really don't understand any of this but I want you to promise me two things.''
''What?''
''I want you to promise that both you and Nina will come back home safe, and then I want you to promise me that no matter how close you manage to get with Nina during all of this, you'll still let me ask her out for a date when you both get back!''
Once again, he managed to surprise you. You let out a light laugh, feeling the tension slowly dissolve and slowly be replaced by a light feeling of joy in your chest.
''You have my word Peter.''

You opened your eyes slowly, letting them adjust to the sunlight coming in through the window. The hotel room was small, but cozy, and the bed was so warm. Wrapped in a cocoon made of your blanket, the edge of the bed seemed so far away. But it was time to get up. You had a plan – you couldn't let yourself screw it up on day one. The plan, as simple as it was due to limited information, was to learn how to defend yourself, before going after Nina. This town had a shooting range and that's where you would learn how to handle a gun.
Having never been at a shooting range before, you didn't know what to expect, as you walked in. You were given the equipment, as they gave you instructions on what to do, how to aim, and the likes. Your first shot didn't go to well, you were totally off the target. The next shot, and the one after that weren't any better. Taking off the headphones, you wiped the sweat off your forehead that had gathered due to your embarrassment. The group of men looking at you, who were clearly not impressed by your shooting, made you quite uncomfortable. You did not like it when people looked at you as you attempted to do something for the first time. Especially since they didn't even bother to hide their amusement at your failed attempts.
''Hey, girly, why don't you get outta here and leave all this violence to the men? I doubt you'd manage to tame a gun with dainty hands like yours.''
Your cheeks burned in embarrassment at the rude comment, as they laughed obnoxiously.
''Honestly Hans, I doubt you have any right to say such things when you were even worse off when you tried shooting for the first time. And for what reason did you suddenly have all the time in the world to practice? Oh yeah, wasn't it because your wife took your kid and left you for another man? That certainly left you with a lot of time to pursue your hobby.''
The men quickly stopped laughing and glared at the newcomer. It was a woman. She looked to be rather old, as her skin was wrinkled and her hair was grey, and yet she was nothing like any other old woman you had ever seen before. She obviously worked out a lot, as she was big and muscly with wide shoulders. Her face and arms bore several small scars, and she displayed them proudly. Her nose was crooked, as if it had been broken once or twice. Her grey hair was short and wild, her dark green eyes were fixed on the group of men who had tried to humiliate you just a few seconds ago. Now, they had scuffled together, as if the elderly woman was a threat not to be taken lightly.
''Oh c'mon Mila, don't be like that, I was just joking.''
''Well, I wasn't.''
Her answer left the men speechless, and deciding the conversation was no longer interesting, she shifted her gaze to you. She came closer and looked at the holes your earlier shots had left in the wall, way off target.
''Give me your gun.''
Wordlessly, you obeyed her request and let her take the gun out of your hands, before she quickly got in the perfect stance and shot three times. When she was done, you could see that she had managed to hit the target all three times right in the middle.
''And that's how it's done. Think you could pull it off?''
Absolutely not. You had barely even gotten started and she wanted you to land three perfect shots? Not happening. You shook your head.
''Then let me ask you this; why do you want to be able to handle a gun?''
''...There's someone I have to protect.''
You could feel her looking at you, trying to figure something out, but you weren't sure what it was.
''Then a shooting range won't do you much good. Let me train you.''

You were quick to accept her offer. Mila turned out to be a local celebrity, as everyone greeted her, when you were walking down the street towards her house. Turned out she had lived here for quite some time, and had quickly managed to become the 'hero' of the neighborhood, always standing up for those who couldn't themselves.
''I don't care much for those people who make others feel bad about themselves. They're certainly no better than us, yet they've somehow come to the conclusion that they are. Hans and his friends are just old men who obviously think themselves to be better than us women. Probably why all of them are either divorced or single. You just gotta let them know your mind and they'll leave you alone though. They're quick to back off if you let them know you won't take their bullshit.''
The way she walked, the way she talked, everything about her radiated confidence. Not a confidence based on the vain belief of being superior, but rather the confidence one would gain by being completely honest and at peace with themself.
She let you stay at her house so you wouldn't have to worry about living expenses. She helped you land a job at the local butcher, another person whom she appeared to be rather close with. The lady in the butcher-store, Sofia, was another sweet old lady who had opened up her business many years ago, and it had managed to become something of a well-known location. She was more than happy to hire you, and promised you a good pay. When you weren't working, Mila kept you busy with various exercises, both physical training and teaching you how to handle a gun. Mila was definitely one of the nicest people you had met, but not when she was training you. She barked orders and you tried your best to keep up with her, even when your muscles started to burn and you had sweat dripping down your face.
It was after the first three weeks, that it started to feel a bit easier. It was also about this time that you noticed a change in Mila. She was usually talkative and open, but the last few days, she had been oddly quiet. You didn't want to pry, but at the same time you desperately wanted to know what was going on.
It was during one of your quiet evenings that you asked her.
''Is anything bothering you? I've noticed that you've been kinda quiet these past few days.''
She didn't even look up from her book as she answered, ''It's nothing big. I'm just thinking about the past. I was assaulted around this time about 30 years ago.''
Oh, you probably shouldn't have asked, ''Oh, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to pry...''
''Did I say it felt like you did? No, I wanted to tell you. If you're curious I don't mind talking about it.''
You were kind of curious, but at the same time it felt rude to ask her to continue.
Ignoring your silence, she continued; ''I wasn't very open about who I was back then, you know.''
You cocked your head to the side, ''What do you mean?''
''I'm not into men. I knew it even back then, but I was scared of course. Being open about it could easily bring you in trouble, so I was very careful about who I told it to. But apparently, I wasn't careful enough. I don't know who sold me out, but one day while heading home from university, a group of people ganged up on me.'' Still looking at her book, her face was devoid of emotion, as if talking about these memories did nothing to her, ''Many of them had knives, and some had wooden bats.'' She finally put down the book and raised her arms, ''That's how I got all these scars. 'They tried to kill me, but I fought back. I survived. I sent four of them to the hospital. The rest of them fled after the fourth guy went down. As I watched them flee, my arms and my face littered with bleeding wounds, I swore to myself that I would never stop