“My bedroom is up the stairs, I could show you the way, but I think you’ll manage yourself – it’s yours for the night.” He gave her another one of his cold glares as he brushed passed her, glancing at her tails. “And if you wish to eat something – now is your chance.” Aleks sat down on the couch, taking the towel and her clothes and putting them on the table in front of him. This was going to be a long night and he knew that well. He didn’t register whatever Lilith was doing or saying. If she wouldn’t attack him before, there was even less chance now. She wanted to get something from their deal - after all, she would prosper whether he failed to deliver or not. Meaning she wanted him to stay alive, at least for now.

He closed his eyes as he listened to the soft tapping of the rain on the window. A long night indeed. The world around him gradually faded away to nothing more than a few swirls and unknown patterns, the only remnants of the day behind him.

***

The rain subsided, but the wind kicked in – making these late night hours far more unpleasant than before. Aleks stood on the balcony, overseeing the city lights that were basking in their glory – all for him to enjoy. Two in the morning – not the ideal time for making out-of-the-blue calls, but the circumstances were asking for it.

He held his phone close to his ear, patiently inhaling the brisk air, as the artificial sound hypnotized him. The muffled voice on the other end of the line brought him back to reality. “Yes?” It was barely audible, a clear sign that he had woken the man up from his peaceful slumber. “Volgin… It’s me, Aleks.” A yawn made its way to his ears even before he managed to finish his short sentence. “Aleks? Why are you calling me in the middle of the night?” The man still sounded like he was half-dreaming. But his tone quickly changed, accompanied by a shuffling of what were probably sheets. “Is everything alright?” The man seemed genuinely worried about him.

Volgin was a good man, if that meant anything in this materialistic world. He met him shortly after starting to actively work for his foster father. Should Aleks be just a little bit ordinary, he could even call Volgin his friend. But right now, he was the man that could help him.

“I’m sorry for waking you up, but it is an emergency. I need a favor…”