Tomas woke to birdsong and sunlight creeping across the blankets on the abandoned rooftop.
For the first time in many years, he felt warmth in his chest — not only from Laura's body curled against his, but from the memory of last night's kisses.
She was still asleep, her arm wrapped around his waist, her head resting on his shoulder.
He slowly, carefully brushed the hair away from her eyes.
Laura opened them and immediately saw his green ones — soft, different from usual.
"Good morning," she whispered, a smile blooming on its own.
"Good morning. How did you sleep?" Tomas replied with a smile she had never seen on him before.
Laura hugged him tighter.
"I don't want to let you go… I don't want to wake up from this dream."
He kissed her forehead gently.
"Don't be afraid. I'm not going anywhere."
After a few moments, they both got up. Laura glanced around the rooftop — blankets, the telescope, the empty wine bottle.
"By the way… when did you have time to prepare the whole plan for yesterday? It was the best day of my life," she said, touching the obsidian pendant on her neck.
Tomas blushed slightly.
"Remember when I texted you that I had a few things to take care of in the city? That's when I was preparing everything. I wanted to make a good day… for someone I like."
Laura's heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
"My heart has never beaten this hard because of anyone."
She came closer and kissed him warmly.
"I really, really like you," she whispered.
"I really like you too," he answered, hugging her tightly.
In his mind: I think I've just added another point to my list — be with Laura.
They packed up their things and climbed down to the car.
"Shall we go get breakfast?" Tomas asked.
"Yes!" Laura nodded cheerfully.
A small cozy café — Sunny Kitchen.
They walked in holding hands, both glowing so visibly that even the waitress smiled.
"Today we have a discount for couples — waffles with berries!"
They looked at each other and, at the same time, shyly said:
"Yes, we'll have that!"
Tomas, blushing like a schoolboy:
"So… are we a couple now?"
Laura burst out laughing.
"I think we are."
Both of them smiled as if they had never been this happy in their lives.
After eating, they drove home.
But Tomas kept glancing at the mirrors.
"Is everything okay?" Laura asked, noticing his suddenly serious expression.
"I think we're being followed," he said quietly.
Laura turned — a black car with tinted windows.
"I saw the same car when I was leaving work… I thought I was imagining it. It's probably my uncle's people."
Tomas's eyes turned cold as steel.
"I'll turn into a gas station. When I stop, lock the doors. No matter what happens — don't get out."
"Tomas, I'm scared… what if something happens to you?"
He gave a short, calm smile.
"Don't worry. I'll handle it."
The black car stopped. The doors opened.
Tomas stepped out and closed his own door so quietly that Laura could hear nothing but her own breathing behind the glass.
Five men. Four will come out, one stays behind the wheel. Knives — not guns, too many cameras. Good.
Laura locked the doors. I heard the click. She's safe. Now I just need to keep them away from the car.
Four men formed a half-circle.
Tomas scanned instantly:
The big one — 110 kg, right leg limps 3–4 mm shorter than the left. Old meniscus tear.
Left-handed — knife on the left, shoulder lower, probably past dislocation.
The boxer — hands high, classic stance, but left side exposed.
The youngest — eyes darting, breathing too fast. He'll run first.
The most dangerous — the fifth one I don't see yet. He'll circle around. I have 30 seconds before he reaches her.
The first attacker lunged — a wide slash toward the neck.
Too slow. Too much force, not enough precision.
Tomas turned 45°, caught the wrist with his forearm, elbowed the solar plexus.
Diaphragm paralyzed for 6–8 seconds. Enough.
A knee to the patella — crack.
He won't walk this week.
Second and third attacked at once.
Left-handed first.
Knife swung sideways — Tomas ducked, grabbed the wrist, twisted it counterclockwise — the radius bone snapped.
Sounded like a twig.
A strike to the tracheal notch — not fatal, just enough to choke on air.
Third already behind — knife pulled from the sleeve.
Tomas felt the shift of the air.
Dropped to one knee, swept the legs, the man flew forward.
Tomas jumped onto his back, arm around the neck — carotid artery.
Four… three… two… one. Sleep.
The fourth stopped three meters away.
Already scared. Good.
"Run," Tomas said in an icy voice.
The man turned and bolted.
But then — the fifth.
Shit. Missed him.
Already at Laura's door. Laura screamed.
Tomas spin 180°.
The fifth stabbed downward — the knife straight into Tomas's thigh.
7–8 cm. Not the artery. Muscle. Burns like hell, but he can walk.
Tomas grabbed the attacker's wrist, pulled the blade out using the man's own force, twisted — the knife dropped.
A knee to the inner thigh artery line — critical zone.
If he pressed harder — the man would bleed out in 4 minutes.
He didn't press. Just pain.
Second knee — to the face. The man collapsed.
Tomas surveyed the scene: four unconscious, one crawling and jabbing at his phone.
Location sent. They have at most 4 minutes.
He limped to the black car, stabbed all the tires — pssssst! — four loud hisses.
Then back to his own.
Laura unlocked it, eyes full of tears.
He fell into the passenger seat, pressing his hand to the wound.
"You drive," he said calmly.
"But… the blood…"
"Home. Now."
They drove.
Left the car a few houses away.
Tomas, limping, leaning on Laura, made it to the apartment.
"Bring the medical kit," he asked calmly.
He sat down, pulled off his jeans, examined the wound — deep but not an artery.
No stitches needed — he applied pressure, disinfected, bandaged.
Laura helped, her hands shaking.
"You got hurt because of me… if I hadn't—"
He hugged her, cutting her off.
"I'm fine. I told you — as long as you're with me, I won't let anyone hurt you. You're not alone anymore."
Laura pressed against him and broke into tears.
He stroked her back until the tears dried.
"Do you know what they want from you?"
"They think I have something my mother left behind… but I don't know anything."
Tomas stared at one spot for a while, then said:
"We need to find out what they're after. Otherwise they won't stop."
Laura looked at him warmly.
"Yes. I'm not alone anymore."