83: I know why now

Maksim’s head throbbed. His vision blurred as he got into the backseat of his car and slammed the door. Ivan started the car immediately, and the journey to Sin City began. A call after Camilla’s had him taking an impromptu trip to Nightfall Hills.

The tip was wrong, and the caller paid for it with his life.

No one knew he was searching for Sofiya. Ivan had driven him into the neighbouring city without an idea why they were there. He could always explain it as a business deal, but he owed no one an explanation. Part of him considered Sofiya dead. The other half hoped otherwise. He wanted so badly to believe what Doris told him as a child. That she was gone. Dead. Believing his mother was dead was easier than thinking she was alive. It would give him hope, and he didn’t need hope. But if Papa would say nothing, he had to do something of his own. Where was she?

Maksim stared at his hands, bile running through his throat. For the first time since his mu