Key West
A tropical breeze gently moved the curtains, allowing a glimpse of a new day about to begin. Soft jazz music filled the room, which was adorned with elegant furnishings from a more refined era. Complemented by a wardrobe containing a few tailored suits from Seville Row in London, the Key West house served as Remington Cole’s sanctuary, a retreat from the noise of the world. Cole, a photographer and bon vivant of the old school, always started his day in the same way, with his morning coffee ritual and going through his emails. The turn of the millennium hadn’t brought only good things for a man like him. Social media and the associated “always-on” availability made it increasingly difficult to secure good assignments. For Cole, being a photographer was also about being an artist, free from the constraints of a stifling profession that slowly sapped away his joy of life. It was crucial for him to protect this way of life under any circumstances. Giving up the familiar freedoms and the associated travels was impossible and unthinkable. His connections with extraordinary personalities always provided the necessary levity and the proverbial spice of life. He loved capturing the world through his lens, preserving moments that would otherwise be lost. He had seen many places and heard many stories, but he was always searching for the next adventure, the next thrill. He quickly grew bored of routines and conventions. He needed the challenge, the new, the unexpected. He was a man of many talents and passions, but also one with many secrets and scars. He had loved and lost a lot, but he never gave up. He was a survivor, a fighter, a dreamer. After taking a hearty sip of Italian coffee, he checked his incoming emails, hoping to be able to prioritize art over a regular full-time job for the next 20 years as well. One message caught his attention that morning... a certain Amelie Riley, an employee of Professor Keller, who was well-known as a patron of the arts, invited him to an event in Iceland. The flight ticket and hotel had already been paid for. “Things that look too good to be true usually aren’t,” he thought. However, the mere thought of taking up an ordinary job to make ends meet filled him with dread. After a brief phone call with Ms. Riley, Cole accepted the invitation for the event and started packing his suitcase for the upcoming trip. A long flight lay ahead. He didn’t know much about Iceland, except that it was an island in the North Atlantic known for its volcanoes and geysers. He had never photographed there or known anyone there. He wondered what Professor Keller wanted from him and what kind of event it would be. Little did he know that this journey would change his life forever. He had no idea that he would soon immerse himself in a world full of magic and danger. He had no idea that he would find his greatest love there... and his greatest enemy.
