Old friends
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07eMw4L4SC
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbE69kx6ZV
Perched atop a mountaintop, a quaint little house overlooked a picturesque sea village below. From its vantage point, one could observe the bustling marina at the foot of the slope, where numerous fishing boats gently bobbed in the water. The view was serene, but beneath the calm surface, tension simmered.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EnFKa49mE
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3U0yoWzzN
Mathis carefully parked his sleek, silver car outside the charming house and knocked on the door, his heart racing with a mix of relief and urgency. Footsteps echoed through the door, which swung open to reveal Are Sandberge. The tall, weathered figure exuded authority and wisdom, his face etched with the deep lines of a life well-lived. His striking swath of gray hair, with a subtle tuft at the temple, crowned his head. His stern gaze softened as he saw Mathis, revealing a visage marked by battles and triumphs. Despite the faint scar peeking out from beneath a rugged eye patch, a warm, genuine smile graced his features. Are wore somber denim trousers and a deep forest-green sweater, exuding an air of strength and resilience.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMdXF1Wk9D
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldByN3rSDF
"Come in, my old friend," Are said, his voice carrying a mix of familiarity and gravity.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI3DzuAXAb
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuCINL6f7k
Mathis stepped inside, waves of nostalgia washing over him as he took in the cozy interior. The walls were adorned with military service photographs from various corners of the globe, a testament to Are's storied career. The windows framed a tranquil sea view, and the modest sofa, along with the small kitchen visible in the background, gave the space a sense of homely comfort.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSAmGdyoos
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNPRKdg0Tb
Eva and her daughter, weary from their ordeal, settled onto the snug couch, seeking a semblance of normalcy in their temporary refuge. Mathis and Are moved to the small dining table, where Mathis's expression shifted from urgency to somber determination.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I0Hv516JW
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcHHjM4d3J
"What do you need help with, Mathis? Have you gotten yourself into trouble again? I remember that time..." Are's voice trailed off as he registered the seriousness of the situation.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYxRleyOFq
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqVqCRZ03q
Mathis looked at him, a touch of disappointment in his eyes as Are fell silent. "Can you take care of Eva and her daughter? Get them out of the country without registration? Deliver them to Safe House Number Nine?"
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZAd3hssCx
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EwZWMGJ1p
Are's expression turned grave, his gaze hardening with the weight of the request. He had known Mathis long enough to understand that this was no ordinary favor.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L5w9qS03R
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIEE99cZJV
"I see. Can't you get them through conventional channels?" Are asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and concern. "You wouldn't be here otherwise. I can help. Is there anything else?"
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A4ucyKx6y
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eHp4MfJpL
Mathis exhaled deeply, relief washing over him as he absorbed Are's response. He glanced at Eva and her daughter again, managing a faint smile. "I don't need anything else. Just ask Eva if she needs anything. Once they're safe, please message me to confirm."
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPzDnYWifL
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5umZujUSP
"Don't worry, old friend. I'll take care of it," Are assured him, his smile masking the tension underlying the situation.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BE232tsgy
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4iYk2NZPx
Mathis rose and approached Eva. She embraced him tightly, her gratitude palpable. She kissed his cheek and met his gaze with a blend of hope and weariness. "Thank you for saving us. How can I ever repay you?" she asked, her voice trembling.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxhZmBpdsJ
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmoKPJu8g5
Mathis stroked her hair and offered a comforting smile. "It was nothing. Just listen to what Are tells you. He'll get you out safely; you can trust him. I must go now."
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNj6uEIQJh
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6sjDolrDf
He left the house and got into the car, taking one last look at the refuge he had secured before driving off into the uncertain night.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqN4IWbpooV
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GRXT5edyQ
The elderly gentleman turned to Eva and her daughter as the sound of the car faded into the distance. He offered them a warm, reassuring smile before momentarily retreating from sight. Moments later, he reappeared, kneeling next to the little girl.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡup6CWmtxLC
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡww76DvbyAb
"Here, young lady, take these crayons and sit at the table," Are said gently.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24qjpSB6Uq
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX1uHXUR3l
The little girl's face brightened as she eagerly took the crayons, settling at the table to draw. Eva nodded reassuringly, signaling to her daughter that everything was fine. The small act of kindness helped ease the tension, if only for a moment.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7rJoAgsVr
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG00SfBwdJ
Eva looked at Are, curiosity and weariness mingling in her eyes. "Who are you? How do you know Mathis?"
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcPlPlRszI
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb139gRUOkq
Are stood at a small, circular bar, pouring a generous amount of brandy into a glass. He paused, glancing at Eva to see if she might want a drink.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv3MmuPMxX
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCeOiVDd0A
"No thanks," she said, her tone more relaxed but still guarded.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE7awvP2gx
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NjEubGfTA
Are sat beside her on the sofa, his demeanor reflective. "My name is Are Sandberge. I was once a colonel in the military and trained Mathis Kristensen. He served under me before becoming the leader of a specialized squad. I came to this place seeking inner peace and to atone for my past mistakes. How did you end up here?"
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhT4KQmtMt
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw7MBCg0Yl
Eva leaned back, her features softening. After a moment of hesitation, she reached for the glass. "I think I'll take that drink after all," she said, her voice betraying her exhaustion.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvPH5mofCi
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sayLqu86l
Are handed her the glass, and Eva began recounting the series of harrowing events that had led them to this refuge. As she spoke, Are listened with empathy and concern, understanding the weight of her words. The house, once a place of serene isolation, now became a haven of shared understanding and solidarity.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bsFJ3CFV6
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxk5eKQ5tZ
Are's thoughts swirled between past regrets and present resolve. Protecting Eva and her daughter wasn't just about fulfilling a promise to Mathis; it was also a chance for redemption. As Eva's story unfolded, the old house seemed to embrace them, becoming a sanctuary where the past and present intertwined, offering fragile hope and emerging trust.
ns216.73.216.176da2
