"Why are you looking for him?" the girl asked, her eyes narrowing with curiosity.
"I might find some information about myself with him," Mildo said in a calm voice, though it carried a weight that made her tense.
"What do you mean?" she asked, stepping a little closer.
"Nothing specific, but I have to find him," he replied, staring into the distance.
Then he suddenly stood up and said, "I have to go now."
He left quickly, leaving the girl standing there, her eyes still following the door he had closed behind him.
"What's with this guy? He seems like an empty machine," she whispered to herself, feeling a mix of astonishment and curiosity.
Mildo walked quietly through the narrow streets until he reached a place with a sign: Hotel. He stared at it for a moment, then muttered to himself, "Right, I don't have money."
Suddenly, a voice called from behind him: "Haven't found a place yet?"
He turned sharply, his eyes flashing alertness, and said harshly, "Luca, where did you disappear to?"
Luca smiled calmly, showing no fear. "I didn't disappear. I've been nearby the whole time."
"Let's get out of here," Mildo said firmly.
They walked together until they reached where Mildo had parked his motorcycle. He sat quietly, then grabbed a worn cardboard piece placed nearby, spread it on the ground, and lay down, staring silently at the sky.
Stars scattered above them, dimly shining as if observing this mysterious man who rarely slept easily.
Luca sat near him, arms behind his head, then said with a faint smile:
"You know, you're foolish. Why didn't you ask that girl to let you sleep in the restaurant?"
Mildo slowly nodded without taking his eyes off the sky. His silence was almost an answer, as if his heavy words could change nothing.
Luca sighed, then said more seriously:
"You always make things harder than they need to be."
Footsteps approached rapidly. Mildo grabbed his mask and put it on in seconds.
"You… what are you doing here?" the girl from the restaurant said, her eyes shining with surprise and suspicion.
Mildo looked at her from behind the mask, his voice calm and cold:
"It's you. Nothing… just… the sky looks good from here."
She glanced around and said in a calm tone, "The sky… or you have no place to stay?"
Mildo didn't answer. He turned to look for Luca, but he had vanished again, as if the city had swallowed him.
Mildo sighed slowly, as if the air itself weighed on his chest, then looked back at the sky, indifferent to the surrounding situation.
The girl stepped closer, extending her hand: "Come on."
"What do you want?" Mildo replied angrily, his voice tense and charged.
"I'll take you from here," she said determinedly, though she felt his anger rising.
Mildo pushed her hand roughly this time, his eyes flashing with anger:
"Do you even know me to trust me? I'm a bad person! Stay away!"
The girl trembled slightly at the force of his words, but she didn't back down. She sensed that behind his anger lay something deeper, hidden beneath the mask covering his face.
"I won't move until you come with me. I don't know you yet, but I trust what I see."
Mildo didn't reply, remaining silent for a moment.
"Work with me at the restaurant, and I'll provide you a place to stay," she said, trying to break the silence.
Mildo got up without a word, started undoing his motorcycle straps, then began walking ahead. After a moment, he turned to her:
"Aren't you coming?"
She smiled lightly: "Yes."
She ran after him, and together they walked through the streets until they reached a multi-story building.
"Park your motorcycle here," the girl said, pointing to a safe corner at the building entrance.
They climbed the floors together until they reached her apartment.
"Let's go in," the girl said, opening the door.
As the door opened, Mildo sensed something strange. Before he could comprehend it, a bullet rushed toward them!
Mildo pushed the girl away quickly, taking the bullet in his hand, but he didn't stop.
He rushed inside, drew his weapon, and fired toward the man, but he had vanished from the window before Mildo's shot could hit him.
Mildo looked outside, ready to jump after him, but the girl grabbed him tightly: "No!"
Blood flowed from his hand, yet Mildo hadn't yet realized he was injured.
"Your hand… it's bleeding," the girl said, holding it firmly, trying to control the bleeding.
But Mildo hesitated, eyes shifting between caution and anger.
The girl immediately understood that he didn't like interaction with others and was the type who relied only on himself.
"Don't worry. I won't hurt you. Let me just treat your wound," she said cautiously, her voice calm but firm.
He hesitated, then let her touch his hand carefully.
They sat together, and the girl brought a first aid kit, opening it carefully to begin treating the wound.
"Take off your coat," she said softly, trying to focus on the wound, not the tension in the air.
Mildo slowly removed his coat. The girl froze, staring at the scars on his body—the marks of pain and suffering he had endured for years—and tears began to fall uncontrollably.
Mildo looked at her, trying to understand the reason for her tears. His heart felt a strange mix of confusion and guilt.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
She heard his apology, froze for a moment, tears still streaming down.
"I think I understand… this boy… he can never be truly bad," she whispered to herself through trembling sobs.
She extended her hand to continue dressing his wound, her fingers shaking from crying. He simply watched, curiosity in his eyes.
When she finished, she smiled gently: "You can put your clothes back now."
Mildo didn't move for a moment, then slowly raised his hand, took off his mask, and finally removed it in front of her.
"You can see my face now," he said quietly, as if this decision was heavier than any battle he had fought.
The girl gasped softly. His face wasn't ugly as she imagined; it was a mixture of beauty and harsh scars. She approached and touched, with trembling fingers, the scar running along his cheek.
"I think I'm the one who should apologize," she said in a hoarse voice, eyes shining with sorrow.
Mildo froze for a moment, staring at her, unable to understand why she cried for him.
"What's your name?" he said coldly, his voice low.
"Olivia," she answered quietly.
She gestured to the room: "This will be your room. You can use it as you wish."
Mildo glanced at the room briefly, then back at her:
"Thanks."
Olivia smiled lightly: "You can rest now."
"Alright," Mildo entered the room and closed the door behind him.
Olivia looked toward the window, eyes full of concern and questions:
"Who was behind the attack, I wonder?" she whispered, sensing the lingering danger in the air.
Mildo sat on the edge of the bed, observing the room with contemplative eyes.
He touched the bed softly and whispered quietly: "Warm."
Unconsciously, he surrendered to the surrounding calm and fell into a deep sleep, feeling, for the first time in a long while, some safety and comfort.
Yet, soon, his old nightmare returned.
He saw himself as a lonely child in a dark room, trapped between endless walls.
Corpses surrounded him, their distorted faces and empty eyes staring, whispering in one overlapping voice:
"You killed us… you're a killer."
The bodies slowly moved toward him, their bony fingers stretching to drag him into the darkness.
He stumbled back, shouting desperately:
"Leave me! Stay away!"
The more he tried to escape, the tighter the space became, the corpses heavier, pulling him into a boundless black abyss.
At that moment, he heard a deep, cold laugh, an echo he knew well.
He turned to see a huge shadow standing afar, a black mask covering his face, watching silently, as if the sole ruler of this hell.
A massive hand reached toward him, and the air around Mildo felt heavy and suffocating with fear.
"Nooo!" Mildo screamed in terror and despair.
He woke up abruptly, screaming from the nightmare:
"Get them away from me! Don't touch me!"
Olivia rushed into the room, finding him collapsed, trembling violently.
She ran to him and held him gently:
"Mildo… it's me. Calm down."
He whispered, terrified: "Get them away from me."
Olivia's voice was calm yet firm:
"It's okay. I'm here. Just breathe."
Slowly, Mildo began responding to her words, calming down gradually. His eyes still held remnants of fear, but he started regaining control.
He finally looked at her, tired but sincere:
"Sorry… I caused trouble."
Olivia smiled gently, trying to ease him:
"Don't worry. The important thing is you're okay now."
"I'm fine… thank you, Olivia," Mildo said, standing up, trying to restore calm after the chaos.
The sun had risen, and birdsong filled the air, as if nature itself tried to heal the anxiety left by the night.
Olivia smiled lightly: "Let's get ready and head to the restaurant."
Mildo nodded, composed himself, and began dressing, each movement deliberate and careful, yet he seemed steadier than the night before.
They left the house. Mildo put on his mask as usual.
Olivia noticed and asked with a smile:
"Will you wear it all day? Won't it tire you?"
Mildo replied calmly, eyes hidden behind the mask, expression unchanged:
"It's fine. I'm used to it."
He walked to his motorcycle confidently and gestured: "Hop on."
Olivia climbed on behind him carefully, holding him lightly as the bike roared through the streets, the engine sound embracing the morning and the cold air filling the surroundings.
Mildo remained silent, focused entirely on the road, while Olivia felt the pulse of the city around them.
They reached the restaurant. Olivia opened the door and put up the sign: Open.
Mildo parked his bike in the designated spot and followed Olivia inside.
She handed him an apron quietly: "Put this on and follow me."
Mildo took the apron, wore it quickly without a word, silent but observant, his eyes sharp.
Olivia smiled gently, trying to ease his tension:
"Today will be a bit different, but I'm sure you'll get used to it quickly."
A customer entered, and upon seeing Mildo, screamed and ran away.
Olivia sighed lightly, then approached him, eyes full of determination and a faint smile:
"Give me your mask and wear this white scarf; it'll make things easier."
Mildo hesitated for a moment, eyes flashing their usual intensity, then quickly removed the mask and wrapped the scarf around his face, covering the lower part and leaving only his eyes and upper face visible.
Olivia smiled with satisfaction: "There, now you can move more freely."
Mildo began carefully wiping the tables, each movement precise and orderly.
Suddenly, a man entered the restaurant, raising his voice:
"Olivia, I've arrived!"
It was a young man with dark blue hair and lighter tips, sharp eyes gleaming with curiosity and confidence.
He paused, scanning the place, then spotted Mildo, who remained silent, eyes behind the scarf watching the newcomer intently.
"Taylor, you fool! Why didn't you come yesterday?" Olivia said.
"Heh, sorry," Taylor laughed mockingly. Then he glanced at Mildo with sharp eyes:
"But who's this?"
"This is Mildo. He'll help us at work," Olivia smiled, pointing to him.
She called Mildo softly but confidently: "Mildo, come greet Taylor."
Mildo stepped forward slowly, eyes watching Taylor through the scarf, silent but cautious, every movement calculated.
Taylor smiled, extending his hand freely: "Nice to meet you, Mildo. You seem strong and calm at the same time."
Mildo only raised an eyebrow slightly, shook Taylor's hand quickly, then stepped back quietly, maintaining his usual silence and mystery.
Olivia watched the brief interaction lightly:
"He's very quiet. I hope you two get along."
She then turned to Mildo, trying to maintain a friendly, comfortable atmosphere:
"Come on, let's start before the restaurant gets crowded."
Mildo nodded.
Taylor paused, observing Mildo silently, eyes studying every movement and detail.
"There's something strange about this boy… and what's with that odd coat?" he muttered to himself.
Then he shook his head slightly, as if his thoughts were split between curiosity and caution, and headed to the kitchen to start work, leaving Mildo his own space.
Customers passed by him, some smiling or greeting, but he only watched them with sharp eyes, silent.
"Mildo, let's take this dish to that table," Olivia said calmly but firmly.
Mildo took the dish without a word, his movements smooth and precise, placing the dish quietly before the customers, then returned to his spot, silent.
Meanwhile, Taylor handled the register, watching customers and interacting lightly and cheerfully.
"Come on, it's break time!" Taylor said with a smile, waving them out.
Mildo went into the storage room, removed the scarf, and sighed quietly:
"Why is life so difficult…"
He noticed a strange file on one of the shelves, marked with a black symbol familiar to him.
He recognized it instantly, taking it quickly in his hands:
"What's this doing here?"
He delved deeper into the storage, then spotted carefully hidden weapons, raising an eyebrow in thought.
Before he could examine the file further, someone rushed and took it from him.
Mildo turned to see Taylor, unusually angry:
"What do you think you're doing?" Taylor said, gripping the file tightly, eyes flashing with anger.
"Who are you?" Taylor demanded, voice stern and charged.
"Where did you get this file?" Mildo said angrily, eyes glowing behind the scarf, emotions flaring.
Taylor stepped forward, grabbed Mildo by the collar forcefully:
"Answer my question first. You're a spy, aren't you?"
Mildo couldn't restrain himself. He was used to attacking whenever he felt his life threatened.
As Taylor held Mildo's collar, Mildo grabbed Taylor's arm swiftly, flipping him onto his back in one calculated move, stopping his charge without either of them getting hurt.
"What's happening here?" Olivia entered quickly, eyes wide as she saw Mildo and Taylor in this position.
Some dishes fell to the floor and broke loudly, the air around them charged with tension and anger.
Mildo and Taylor paused for a moment, each evaluating the other, nerves tight, the mysterious file in Taylor's hand.
"He was searching the place. I saw the file in his hands!" Taylor said, voice a mix of anger.
Mildo didn't explain, didn't speak, simply stared silently with cold composure.
"Is this true, Mildo?" Olivia asked, but received no answer.
"Leave this place!" she said angrily, trying to assert control over the situation.
Mildo moved toward her quickly, took the mask from her waist, and put it on his face.
"I'm leaving. Thanks for everything," Mildo said calmly but sharply, then walked out without looking back, leaving Olivia and Taylor in stunned silence.