Nik hung up the phone, a grim expression on his face as he turned to Adelmo. "Another dog was killed," he said, his voice heavy with sadness. Adelmo, however, seemed unfazed by the news, continuing their conversation as if nothing had happened. "So, about you moving to America?" he asked casually, steering the discussion in a different direction.
Adelmo shared his story with Nik, recounting how his grandfather had helped him settle in America. "I turned 18 and my grandfather made it possible for me to find a place to stay," he explained. "He even covered my living expenses until I graduated from high school. I'll always be grateful for his support." Adelmo then expressed his appreciation for Nik, mentioning how he had been the first person to befriend him in a new country.
Nik, with a sense of pride, acknowledged his ability to recognize good people. "I have a knack for finding genuine individuals, and you seemed like someone who needed a friend," he told Adelmo. Reflecting on their high school days, Nik remembered how Adelmo had stood out by being the first student to have his own place. As the conversation drew to a close, Nik glanced at the time and mentioned that it was almost time to finish up for the day.
As Adelmo stepped out of Nik's office, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. He knew that there was a possibility of meeting up with Nik again in the near future. The thought of spending more time together excited him, and he eagerly awaited the chance to reconnect. With a smile on his face, he assured Nik, "If the opportunity arises, I'll definitely give you a call later. We can plan to get together again and have a great time."
Adelmo, however, wasn't entirely certain about what the future held. He understood that life could be unpredictable, and plans could easily change. As he responded to Nik's suggestion, he expressed a hint of uncertainty, "Just give me a call, and we'll see how things go. I can't say for sure what might come up, but I'm open to the idea of meeting up again." Adelmo's words reflected his willingness to be flexible and adapt to any unforeseen circumstances that might arise.
With their conversation coming to an end, Adelmo bid farewell to Nik and left his office. As he stepped out of the police station, he glanced at his watch and realized that it was almost 8 pm. Curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to take a detour to the newest crime scene. Adelmo wanted to experience it firsthand before Nik had the chance to arrive. Determined to beat him to the scene, he made his way there swiftly, heading straight to the back yard. The sight that greeted him was gruesome, with scattered pieces of a dog and a putrid stench that filled the air. Adelmo struggled to keep his composure, covering his nose with his sleeve in an attempt to shield himself from the nauseating smell.
Adelmo cautiously surveyed the surroundings, his eyes darting from one corner to another, desperately searching for any trace that resembled the crime scene at the grocery store. His heart raced as he stumbled upon a damp patch of soil, its surface imprinted with a mark identical in size to the one he had seen before. Intrigued, he knelt down, his hands trembling slightly, to examine it more closely. Little did he know that danger lurked just inches away.
Suddenly, a deafening blow struck Adelmo from behind, sending shockwaves of pain coursing through his body. The world spun around him as he crumpled to the ground, his consciousness slipping away. Unbeknownst to him, his assailant had silenced him, leaving him defenseless and vulnerable.
As Adelmo lay unconscious, his mind plunged into a realm of terror and uncertainty. The same haunting dream that had plagued him for the past two nights resurfaced, intensifying his fear for his own life. With a surge of adrenaline, he regained consciousness and instinctively fled towards the back of the house, desperately seeking any means of protection or escape. His eyes frantically scanned the area, but all he could find was a lone bicycle. Without a second thought, he seized the bike, his grip tightening around the handlebars, and cast a desperate glance around, searching for a path to safety. However, all he could see was an endless expanse of dense forest, seemingly stretching into eternity. Determined to outrun his pursuer, he mounted the bicycle and pedaled with all his might, his heart pounding in his chest. Yet, no matter how fast he pedaled, the presence of his pursuer loomed ominously close, as if breathing down his neck. In a cruel twist of fate, a sudden dip in the terrain caused the rim of the tire to shatter, sending Adelmo hurtling towards the ground. The impact was jarring as he collided with a sturdy tree, his body aching from the fall.
Abruptly, he snapped out of his dream, his heart racing and his body covered in sweat, struggling to catch his breath. As he reached up to touch his head, all he could focus on was the throbbing pain, and he discovered a tender lump. Feeling disoriented, he found it challenging to differentiate between the vivid dream he just had and the actual world around him.
In a haze, he glanced over at his clock and realized it was already morning, time to start the day. The transition from the surreal realm of his dream to the harsh reality of waking life left him feeling unsettled and slightly confused.