Bloody Snow
The house was close. Just a few steps away — the first floor.
He had to make it.
A light was on in the window. She was home.
Erian reached the door, leaning his shoulder against the wall — and only then realized he had almost no strength left. His body was holding on by a miracle.
He barely reached the doorbell. His fingers trembled.
The bell rang.
Then — footsteps. Quick. Close.
Exhausted, he slid down the wall, leaving dark crimson streaks behind him. Breathing became difficult, every inhale tore at his chest, but he held on. Because she was behind the door.
— Just… — he whispered to himself. — Just a little more.
The door opened sharply.
— Erian?.. — her voice broke before she even saw the full picture.
She fell to her knees beside him, cupping his face in her hands, repeating his name over and over — as if that could keep him here.
He tried to focus on her eyes, on the warmth of her touch.
— Everything will be alright… Hear me?.. Hold on… — she whispered through tears, dialing a number.
Only fragments of words reached him: “Please… help… he’s still breathing…”
He heard her voice. From afar now.
— Time of death — 23:47, — the paramedic confirmed.
The stairwell filled with noise. Stranger voices. Open doors.
When the forensic team arrived, Teruko entered first — and immediately froze.
She didn’t remember how she got closer. She only remembered the black bag. How its edge was lifted for a second.
She already knew.
Aria broke down. Her scream echoed down the corridor.
She saw Teruko and lunged at her, grabbing her shoulder.
— Leave her, — Teruko said.
She led Aria outside.
It was a quiet winter night.
Through the snowy white, dark patches showed. Blood. It was already starting to be covered.
Outside, paramedics stood by in case anyone felt unwell.
A few minutes later, Daniel came out of the building. He found the girls with his eyes and approached.
— Are you okay?
Teruko didn’t answer. She seemed in a trance. Daniel tapped her shoulder.
— What? — the girl shrugged.
— Are you okay? — the officer was worried about his colleague.
— Daniel… In our line of work, can anything really be “okay”?
Without thinking much, he said:
— Paycheck.
— Very funny… — she replied sarcastically.
— Follow me.
Daniel led them into the apartment, carefully avoiding the body. The door closed — the stairwell noise stayed behind.
They sat Aria on the couch. She still trembled, her shoulders shook.
A paramedic explained something and pulled out a syringe.
— This will make it easier now, — he said calmly.
He administered the sedative. Movements — practiced, without extra words.
Aria nodded. Her eyes slowly lost focus. Glassy. Her eyelids dropped. Her breathing leveled.
Teruko stood aside.
She looked at the wall.
At the crack above the switch.
At the shadow of the chandelier.
Anything to distract herself.
— Teruko, — Daniel called softly.
She didn’t immediately realize he was talking to her.
— Can you hear me? — he snapped his fingers in front of her face.
She blinked. Nodded. Or maybe it seemed like she nodded.
He stepped into the corridor and moved to the window. Took out his phone.
Teruko only caught fragments:
— Yes…
— She’s not in a state.
— Got it.
Daniel returned.
— Captain Arin said to send you home. Not alone, — he said simply.
They went outside.
The night was quiet.
Snow fell slowly, softly.
Daniel stepped closer this time — without words. He just hugged her.
— I guess… That was your brother?
She stayed silent.
— Everything will be fine, — he whispered into her hair. — I’m with you.
A few minutes later, a taxi arrived. He opened the door.
— I’ll go with you, then I’ll come back.
She got in. He — beside her.
Snow continued to fall. Slowly covering the traces.
