Old friends
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlcvRwUg8W
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlZe5TcF7e
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.
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU9zOIFtpY
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVZLP9RCMb
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.
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveKgnKS5OA
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMagURrYyD2
"Come in, my old friend," Are said, his voice carrying a mix of familiarity and gravity.
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXxti7pLvq
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKVQLmQ5Q2
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.
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcZHG2gw75
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28oKp10YC5
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.
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UyK3Mvq5s
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3k803J2rK
"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.
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZdhzkGdqD
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoEYL4kOQ4
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?"
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HiPg8sK5k
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhUGv4GPBX
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.
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVkHqJzwnF
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNY00YCsKR
"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?"
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJkbmXT5U8
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tEFvcC78Y
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."
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxxof4g8Sj
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwdIv3Noyt
"Don't worry, old friend. I'll take care of it," Are assured him, his smile masking the tension underlying the situation.
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRu51CG6GhM
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cmMf1exYi
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.
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxwd1tSZQj
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKYG3KutTy
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."
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisVC9XCATx
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkSp2GHUnp
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.
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwR0OiKeJW
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLKjDpCcPv
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.
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVo07s3SoC
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLALr4dFGm8
"Here, young lady, take these crayons and sit at the table," Are said gently.
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DNTrCRHnR
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdFDkaKHLp
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.
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp34Pxc5H8n
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyxrhzASpp
Eva looked at Are, curiosity and weariness mingling in her eyes. "Who are you? How do you know Mathis?"
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4nZHGZREQ
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z5KQhQjYk
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.
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2ggruKroB
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWURxHxISV1
"No thanks," she said, her tone more relaxed but still guarded.
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX3XlFd1xd
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQdIqJhTCc
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?"
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC3bcDCzHY
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOzObFyLiB
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.
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3lb21FzEg
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwb3Wl2Wxpw
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.
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OmIHmMz45
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm0Gkb7q7M
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.
ns216.73.217.1da2
然後按「加至主畫面」