"What are you doing here?" I blurted.
"And that's your idea of gratitude?" Silius arched a pale brow.
"You're… working together?" I glanced at Andrew—who didn't look happy about it either.
"Volkin, you can put him down now," Andrew said instead of answering.
"Teacher Storik, Alan's badly hurt. He needs a doctor. Now."
"I can see that," Andrew snapped. "Silius—where?"
"Two walls," Clyde said calmly. "I'll guide you."
While they argued, Nick lifted me into his arms.
I didn't even try to resist.
Didn't have the strength.
"Thanks for the rescue, but if we don't move, Alan—" Nick looked down at me, panic creeping in. "Hey. Stay with me. Don't pass out."
He adjusted his grip, pulling me closer so my head rested against his shoulder.
"This way," Clyde said.
Everything blurred.
I forced my eyes open.
Barely.
"Matilda," Clyde called, "move. Fix him."
I was lowered onto something soft.
A bed.
Through half-closed eyes, I saw a woman leaning over me.
Beautiful.
Sharp.
Focused.
"Did I die…?" I mumbled. "Did an angel come get me…?"
…Even now, I think of myself as a man.
Is that it?
Have I finally accepted it?
But I still want my body back.
No—
Alan.
Anna.
Stop lying to yourself.
I'm Alan Holivan now.
Time to let her go.
My thoughts scattered as she cut through the soaked bandage.
"Move faster, can't you see he's out of it?" Clyde snapped.
"When you asked me to come to the city today, I imagined something very different," she muttered.
"Did I give you any task besides escort duty?"
"I thought—…never mind. He's lost a lot of blood," she said, her voice tightening as she touched my cheek.
"Then do your job," Andrew said sharply.
"I—I'm trying."
Warmth spread through my side.
The pain dulled.
Faded.
"I've stopped the bleeding," she said.
My vision was already going dark.
Too hard to stay awake.
"But he's not waking up!" Nick's voice broke. "Do something!"
"I'm a medic, not a miracle worker!" she snapped. "I can't replace the blood he lost! And I wasn't planning on dealing with near-dead patients today."
"We're not taking him back to the academy like this," Andrew said. His voice turned cold. "No one finds out about today. Clear?"
"Why?" Nick shot back. "Someone tried to kill him! We should report it!"
"And then what?" Andrew snapped. "You think that stops anything? Or do you think it gives everyone else the same idea?"
"They already might!"
"We know who did it," Clyde cut in.
Silence.
"Matilda. Go back to the academy. Give this to Samantha." Paper rustled. "Come straight back with whatever she gives you."
"But—"
"Go. I'll double your pay. But if he dies before you return…"
"…Understood."
The door slammed.
"So who?" Nick demanded. "If you know, why aren't we doing anything?"
"Because you don't take someone like that down on suspicion," Andrew said grimly. "Marcus Holivan isn't just anyone."
"…His father?" Nick's voice faltered. "Why? Just because he joined the special division? But Theodore—he cares about him."
"Cares?" Clyde's voice turned ice-cold. "I wouldn't be surprised if he suggested it himself. Easier than dealing with the consequences."
"That's not—he wouldn't—"
"He what?" Andrew cut in. "You know something."
"…Yesterday," Nick said quietly. "He came to me. Said he was worried about Alan. Told me about the pass. Said Alan wouldn't ask him for help… asked me to step in instead."
A pause.
"God… I'm an idiot. He wanted him in the city."
"Took you long enough," Clyde said flatly. "You'll keep your mouth shut. And remember—you weren't with him today. Anyone see you?"
"What if the killers talk?"
"They won't."
A beat.
"…Before the movie," Nick said slowly, "we were at a café. Korhenger and his group saw us."
"That complicates things," Clyde said. "We'll handle it. Anyone else?"
"No."
"You're sure?"
"He can sense people he knows," Andrew said. "At a distance."
"…Good."
I thought I heard relief.
"I'll call a taxi," Andrew said. "Take him to my place. Bring him back in the morning—if we get something useful from the doctor."
"You're going to move him like this?" Clyde said. "That's not like you."
"And what do you suggest? I can't afford a room here—and your room's already covered in blood."
"I'll pay for another one. I'll stay. Volkin—you go back."
"I'm not leaving," Nick snapped. "Not until I know he's okay."
Clyde sighed.
"You're all exhausting."
Then, quieter—
"Tell me, special. Why do you care so much?"
Nick didn't look away.
"I could ask you the same thing, Mr. Silius."
Whatever Clyde said next—
I didn't hear it.
I couldn't hold on anymore.
Everything slipped.
Darkness closed in.
And for the first time—
I chose.
Even in my own head—
I was him.
Because the line between this body and my soul—
was gone.
There was no separation anymore.
My last thought—
sharp.
Clear.
Final.
If I live—
I stop thinking of this body as чужое.
From now on—
I am Alan Holivan.
Anna is dead.
And I am never going back.
I knew it long ago.
Since the explosion.
Since the injuries.
I just refused to accept it.
Not anymore.
Now I do.
…Just—
let me live.