19

So, did you find what you were looking for?" Argo asked curiously. As per usual, she had asked the question almost straight away as they had been riding through the streets of New York. After having ridden around aimlessly throughout New York, she had insisted that they go out and do something together to keep their minds off of everything. And so they had ended up at the mall, having lunch and finding themselves seated on a bench outside a small coffee shop, while they waited for their food to arrive.

Njat nodded slowly as he thought back to that afternoon, remembering the many times she had asked about what he had been doing on that particular day, or if he had been able to find any clues regarding the murders yet.

"It was kind of hard to describe. I saw some strange things, but I'm not even sure if they actually happened or whether they were simply hallucinations. I think that what happened is sort of related somehow, although I don't think I can explain it all in one day. I'll probably need more time to research this. I might also need you to explain to me a couple of things. Like who killed those people and why they chose that specific location to kill them? And, as far as I can tell, there isn't any other body or anything of note in that apartment complex."

When he mentioned the apartment complex, she frowned for a second as she pondered whether she should mention that she was going to visit the apartment complex the next day after school and search for clues. She couldn't bring herself to tell him that. If he found out then what were the chances of him asking questions about where she had been and why she had left so early that morning. That was a problem she definitely didn't want to deal with.

"That's true", she said instead, "there are no bodies at that apartment complex either, but that doesn't prove anything. There was some evidence that they died in a similar manner to the victims in those apartments, but unfortunately for them, that isn't enough. That doesn't rule out the possibility that they had all died from the same cause. Although, considering the amount of people who live there, there isn't any reason for anyone to commit suicide."

"Are you saying that we may be facing a murder investigation?"

"Yeah", she said while lowering her head, "if someone has really committed suicide that means they were murdered in that apartment complex and that means the killer may also be there. If we find any clues at all that might help us solve the case, then it's possible that the murderer may have left traces behind so we can figure out who they are."

"But what are we supposed to do while we wait for you to do whatever you plan to do?", he wondered aloud.

"We can't be everywhere at once", she shrugged, "it'd be too dangerous for us if the killer is still lurking around waiting to strike again. Plus, it would be pointless for us to search every single room separately."

"Then what can we do?"

"We keep watching", she offered in reply, "we don't know where to start, and we don't have any clue as to what the killer wants. It seems pretty likely that they'll try and attack us again sometime soon. But if we're lucky they'll do it tonight, or tomorrow morning at the latest."

"Okay", Njat murmured, leaning forward slightly towards the window to glance at his watch. It was already ten o'clock. "Should we be heading home by now?"

"Let's see how long it takes us to get home", she suggested, glancing out of the window as well.

It wasn't long before Argo turned to stare at Njat again and she gave him a smile.

"Are you okay with being on the bike for the whole night?", she asked, "I hope that it's not a big issue for you."

He shook his head.

"Not really", he muttered. "The last thing I want is to spend another sleepless night like that. Besides, if it makes you feel better, I don't mind taking a nap."

"What?", she exclaimed in surprise. "You really don't mind?", she questioned further.

"Nah, not really." He smiled at her reassuringly before returning his gaze outside, "although, I am curious to learn what your secret is, though. What is it you like about bikes? You don't seem to care that you ride one for hours every day," he remarked teasingly.

Argo rolled her eyes and scoffed.

"Hey! It helps me concentrate!", she shot back playfully. "I know that sounds kinda lame, but it helps me get rid of some of the thoughts that bother me sometimes when I'm walking around at night." She paused for a few seconds before continuing, "Also, I think that it reminds me of being with you."

"Me?", he repeated questioningly, raising an eyebrow. "Why? Because bikes are cool?"

"Because I like it", she said simply. "It feels familiar. I guess it helps me remember what it was like to be normal."

"You mean when you were normal?"

"No, not anymore.", she replied. "I'm happy with the way I am now...", she continued, "but I miss the feeling of normality. I wish I could go back to it. I wonder if you still miss your old life as well...", she said, gazing at him, "...and as much as I tried my hardest to forget you, it never seems to work... Even when you were gone, you still haunted my dreams. It was as if you had returned. Or even worse, you had become one with me. But I'm just afraid that one day, you'll disappear forever." She glanced down at her lap. "If there's anything good that came out of my nightmare, it was seeing you again... And it was also giving me closure about the past, and letting me move on. I guess it made me realize that we should never let memories define our actions. I've learned that. And it's thanks to that memory that I managed to finally forgive myself. But even though I'm happy with the life I had before..." She looked up at him and continued after a while, "I'm glad that I have gained a new perspective on life…"

"It's good that you have. I understand what you're talking about," he said, nodding to acknowledge her words, "in fact, most of our friends share your sentiments. Especially after what happened to Viggo, they understood my need to move on... We all felt really close to him; I guess that part of my grief and anger over his death also led to me losing contact with him and losing him to time. I guess some part of me is still angry with him, and I can't help but feel a little disappointed. I'm also grateful that he's dead, because he brought us to realise how important it was that we all move forward, and that life moves on too, even in situations like these." He chuckled briefly, before turning to look at her, adding, "Besides, he wouldn't want you blaming yourself for things like this, right? He was always telling you that it wasn't your fault that the others were caught and that it wasn't your fault that his murder got leaked and that you had to endure what you did today. Remember?"

She gazed at him for a few seconds, and then looked back out of the window. Then, after a moment, she reached up and placed a hand on his arm and squeezed it gently to comfort him for whatever reason.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up like that"