I This chapter contains a somewhat graphic(?) scene with suicide around the end of the chapter I

Nothing. You had nothing. Well, not literally, but there was no way to track Nina. No hint, no clues, no anything. What had seemed like an okay idea at the time turned out the best the worst idea you had ever had. You left Nina and ran from the police, only to find out that you actually didn't have enough information to make a plan with. Why hadn't you tried to go with Tenma? Perhaps, it was because you feared that me might now allow you to continue with your dangerous quest. You were stuck now and staying in this hotel was draining your wallet. You couldn't go home. If you did, you feared that you might just stick your tail between your legs and give up on Nina. It would be too easy to fall back into your everyday life with no danger, only the threat of one of Kronecker's insane assignments. You had to go somewhere, where you could stay without it being too expensive and where you could get a job...

There was one place you could go to.

They didn't know anything about what had happened. You didn't exactly have a lot of communication with them; it was more one of those 'you're family but we only see each other once a year and never really talk, and I also can't really remember who you are'-situations. You were unsure of what exactly they were in relation to you, but you knew they were on your father's side of the family. You never really considered them friends or cared much for them at all really, but you knew they would be delighted to see you, and you were ready to pull on all the resources you had to continue the chase.

The trip to Münich was long, but you were finally here. They were ready to greet you at the front door, offering to carry your suitcase to your temporary room, and showing you around the house before offering you tea and cookies.

After listening intensely to their conversation, you had finally managed to catch their names without having to awkwardly ask for them yourself. They had of course asked why you wanted to stay with them and what about your school, as family always asks. They did not have any kids of their own, so it was a piece of cake to make up some lie about your university sending out the students to study a subject on their own for a while, before returning with a presentation about said subject, as a way to promote independent studying.

''Well, Robert and I are very happy that you decided to stay with us for a little while. It's always nice to catch up with family, isn't it dear?''

''Of course it is, Anja.'' He looked at you, ''You're welcome to stay with us as long as you'd like.''

Score.

It was hotter these days, the leaves one the trees turning into a clear green color, and the days lasted longer. Your nape was sweaty, hidden behind your hair, which your boss had ordered you not to put up in a ponytail.

''It looks better down. Costumers are more likely to come in if the servers look nice, and you can deal with a little sweat.''

You could indeed, but that didn't mean that you wanted to. You were lucky to have found a job this quickly, but if you had the chance you would definitely switch it with something else. Your boss was alright most of the time, but at times he could be so difficult and rude that you just wanted to quit on the spot, but you needed the money.

''Must be though working with him.''

It was one day, after having just endured another unfair lesson from your boss that she talked to you. A brown-haired girl with glasses and olive-green eyes, whom you had serviced a couple of times before. She was sort of a regular here.

''Tell ya what, you seem like a nice girl, and I don't like seeing that guy yell at you every time I come here, because of some stupid thing that wasn't even your fault. I might be able to get you a nice job that pays well.''

It was a strange proposition, coming from a stranger, with whom you had never had a real conversation, but that didn't mean you weren't going to hear her out.

Lotte Frank, as she had introduced herself, worked for the business tycoon Hans Georg Schuwald, a name you had easily recognized. She just did the cleaning and other household chores, but was paid very well. After you had quit your job at the café, she had managed to talk Mr. Schuwald into letting you work with her at his house. While working there, you had noticed several boys from the nearby university coming over to read books for Mr. Schuwald. Lotte had explained that Mr. Shuwald's eyesight had gotten worse as he had gotten older, and since he did not want go give up on his Latin literature, he had decided to hire those boys to read for him. It was also normal for him to chew the boys out for their incorrect pronunciation, or anything else they did wrong really, but he was not like that towards Lotte and you, but you figured it would be a bit harder to pronounce Latin correctly, than it would be washing some bedsheets. Most of the guys had quit rather soon after Schuwald had yelled at them, but you noticed that one persisted. Lotte had noticed him too.

''His name is Karl Neuman, he attends the university nearby, just like me. He's quite the odd one, continuing to come here when Schuwald clearly treats him harshly.''

Lotte was looking out the window, gazing down at the male student as he left after another failed reading session with Mr. Schuwald.

''Who knows, maybe he has some specific for coming here? Maybe really needs the money.'' You suggested, while wiping a table with a dustcloth.

''I'm planning on asking him. He's the only student who stays, even if Schuwald chews him out every time he is here, telling him how awful he is at reading Latin. I want to know exactly why he puts up with it.''

It was a couple of days later, that Lotte asked you to go somewhere during the night of Friday with her and Karl.

''You haven't met him before, right? We are going to find out what it is, that Schuwald is doing out so late every Friday. Karl was the one who asked if he could go with me, and I figured that might also be the perfect time for you to meet him.''

''I don't mind tagging along, but why are we going to spy on Schuwald? Isn't that kind of illegal actually?''

She shook her head as she smiled at your question, ''It's not like we're going to follow him around for several days, just one night. We'll just take a quick peek at whatever he's doing, and that'll be that. Nothing more.''

You would probably look back one day and consider it a stupid decision, but why not? As long as you didn't get caught, it wouldn't be too much trouble and it would make Lotte happy. You did kind of owe her for getting you this job. So you agreed.

You had never been to a red light district before, and for some reason you were a bit disappointed when the street wasn't red. You had no idea why you thought it would be, you just did.

''I can't believe this. Some kind of 'vampire' he is, that Schuwald. Visiting a place like this? He really is just on ordinary, old, gross man. We're just wasting our time here. I'm going home.''

''Okay, take care.''

You both looked at Karl confusingly, ''You're not going home Karl?'' you asked him.

''No, I'm going to check this out before I head home.''

You couldn't deny that you were curious as well. For some reason, you had the feeling that there was more to this scenario than you had witnessed, and if Karl was going to investigate it further anyway, you might as well join him.

''I'll go with you.'' You said, and got an appreciative smile in return from Karl.

''Ah! Then I'll go with you too.'' Lotte declared, as she jogged to catch up with you and Karl, as you made your way into the building, which Schuwald had left only a few moments before.

Margot Langer, is who the lady in the apartment declared herself to be.

''I won't lie to you and say that he comes here for a fun time, I honestly don't believe he's got much left in that department. No, he comes here to give me money. Of course he does, how could he not, after he got me pregnant and left me alone with the child. He threw me away like trash, so when I met him and told him who I was, he cried and begged for forgiveness.''

Karl grit his teeth, while Lotte was looking confusedly between him and Margot.

''No. You're not Margot Langer.'' Karl said with a stern look on his face.

''Ye-Yeah, I looked up Margot Langer, and she was a former prostitute who...'' she cast a nervous glance at Karl, judging his expression, ''She was a former prostitute who was found murdered a year ago, and the murderer still hasn't been found. You're not his mother!''

At this, the fake Margot Langer erupted in laughter, ''And he knows it too. He knows I'm not the real Margot Langer, but he still pays me handsomely. Since the real deal is dead, he's just 'using' me instead, showering me with riches as an attempt to absolve himself of the guilt he feels, with the only thing he knows; money.''

Karl looked crestfallen, his head hanging down as he tried to wrap his mind around the truth.

''Now, don't try to act all high and mighty with me. After all, humans are not so different.''

Karl lifted his head at this, ''What do you mean?''

''You're just trying to extort some money too, aren't you? Well, besides you and I, there's another one. He came to talk to me too, just like you.'' She raised her cigarette to her lips and took a deep breath, before blowing the smoke out, ''He's one of those boys that read to Schuwald every week. Lets see, if I remember correctly, he's the Thursday boy.''

Lotte had only seen him once, as she did not work on Thursdays, but she had forgotten something once, at Schuwalds house, and when she went to pick it up, she saw him.

''He is blond and extremely handsome.''

That's how she had described him. Lotte had a knack for researching, and had managed to figure out his identity rather quickly, but it seemed that he had not attended school when Lotte and Karl were looking for him. It finally came to a point where Lotte had lost her patience, and decided to give Edmund Fahren a visit in his dorm.

''His room number is 204.'' Lotte said, as she, you and Karl made your way up the stairs. Lotte and her research-skills were not one to be underestimated. You had to remind yourself not to get on her bad side.

''Alright, this is it'' she announced as you arrived at room 204. She motioned for Karl to knock, which he did. No one answered. Karl looked at you and Lotte, wordlessly asking if you were alright with this, and he slowly opened to door.

None of you know how to react, to what you saw inside. You could only stare at the body hanging from the ceiling, eyes open wide in horror.

You wrung the grass under your hands, feeling the soft texture of it, as you pulled and tugged. Lotte and Karl sat on the stone bench, which you wearing leaning against, reading the school paper, while wearing sullen expressions.

''It's awful. The whole school is talking about Edmund Fahren now. I can't believe he killed himself.'' She leaned towards Karl to look at the school paper, ''I cannot continue to pretend... Do you think he was talking about the whole affair with Schuwald?''

''Possibly. He probably felt guilty about posing as his son.''

The grass straws snapped under your hands as you clenched them, ''Then he shouldn't have pretended to start with. You can live without being rich...'' This whole ting had left a bitter taste in your mouth, and it felt like your guts were twisting around inside you.

''I'm sorry about what happened to your mother, Karl. This must have been tough for you.'' You placed a reassuring hand on his knee. It was only after your visit to the fake Margot Langer, than you had been told that Karl was the real Margot Langer's son, and also Schuwald's illegitimate child. This must have been harder for him than just anyone else.

Karl gave your hand a squeeze with his own, ''Thank you. I'm glad that you two have supported me through this.''

Lotte placed her hand on his shoulder, as you all sat in a comfortable silence.

''It sounds like you had quite a day yesterday, Lotte.''

You couldn't help but notice the silvery voice with which the handsome newcomer spoke.

''Yes, the police questioned us for a long time, since we were the ones who found the body.'' Lotte spoke to the newcomer, who seemed to be an acquaintance of hers.

''Schuwald was pretty upset about the news. He did not want to be read to today.''

Lotte shifted in your and Karl's direction, her eyes not leaving the figure in front of her, ''Let me introduce you two. This is the boy who reads for Schuwald on Fridays.''

The blond stranger reached out his hand, ''It's a pleasure to meet you.''

Karl grasped it with his own and shook it, ''You too. I'm Karl Neuman. I study economics here.''

You accepted the handshake too and introduced yourself, ''I'm not a student here, but I'm friends with Lotte and Karl.''

As he was holding your hand, the blond introduced himself to you and Karl; ''Johan Liebert. I'm in the law school.''