Silent Shadows

By Maria Karagianni

Could just a few words turn the very flow of life around forever? Munich, December 1997, Hector, son of a former German captain in WWII, visits his parents for the Christmas holidays. Following a heated family argument, his terminally ill mother reveals a terrifying secret that she had kept hidden for more than fifty-three years. This marks the onset of a quest for Hector seeking the truth about the history of his family, starting from Munich and passing through the most northwestern tip of Messinia, Greece. The story of this quest is a thrilling journey through time, revealing at each step horrific murders, cursed love and ghosts lurking in memory that stroll like shadows in the picturesque narrow streets of the Upper Town of Kyparissia.
One novel, two different stories that progress in parallel at the present and in the distant past, with its protagonists fighting till the end to regain some of their lost innocence, to vindicate the souls of the dead and complete their unfulfilled love.

| About the author |
Maria Karagianis was born in the early 80’s in the beautiful town of Kalamata. In 2003 she graduated from the Greek Police Academy and soon after entered the Law School of the University of Athens where she completed her studies in economics. She speaks three languages and at every chance she packs her dreams and aspirations into a small suitcase and travels to the cities of the world... Her love for the sea has recently made her return to her hometown, where she works as Police Chief.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iWrite - Pigi - Daidaleos Publications
• Release date: Sep 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9789609599993

Maria Karagianni

Maria Karagianis was born in the early 80’s in the beautiful town of Kalamata. In 2003 she graduated from the Greek Police Academy and soon after entered the Law School of the University of Athens where she completed her studies in economics. She speaks three languages and at every chance she packs her dreams and aspirations into a small suitcase and travels to the cities of the world... Her love for the sea has recently made her return to her hometown, where she works as Police Chief.

Book preview

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title: Silent Shadows

author: Maria Karagianni

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translated by Christos I. Savvas

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1st edition: April 2016

isbn: 978-960-9599-99-3

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website: www.pigi.gr

contact us: 2311 27 28 03 | [e-mail]

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book’s artwork, layout, cover design & book curation was done by PIGI publishing atelier

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PIGI Publications

http://www.pigi.gr

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Copyright © by Maria Karagianni & PIGI Publications. Unauthorized reproduction of this ebook is prohibited under the Copyright law of the European Union and the international Intellectual property law schemes.

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Author’s bio

Maria Karagianis was born in the early 80’s in the beautiful town of Kalamata. In 2003 she graduated from the Greek Police Academy and soon after entered the Law School of the University of Athens where she completed her studies in economics. She speaks three languages and at every chance she packs her dreams and aspirations into a small suitcase and travels to the cities of the world… Her love for the sea has recently made her return to her hometown, where she works as Police Chief.

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For you, whose silence in my ears had voices.

- Maria Karagianni

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The story you are about to read is fictional but the historical facts that are mentioned in it have all been approved as well as the events that accompany them respond to real situations of that era, and are elements of personal research of the writer herself.

Munich - December 1997

From the lobby of the old mansion lying on the snowy Dalagia slope, a loud quarrel could be heard for yet another time. No one dared to intervene when a fight between father and son broke out. All those working in the mansion had become accustomed to fights of epic dimensions between Mr. Rainat and his only son Hector, withdrawing discreetly as the storm between them broke out, and staying away until the raging winds beating against the walls of the paternal hearth finally abated. Hector had arrived just two days earlier from Berlin to spend the Christmas holidays with his parents. For more than three decades, since the late 60’s, he lived alone on Pariser Platz in Berlin, in a renovated Renaissance apartment. After completing his postgraduate studies at Humboldt University Medical School, he continued to work there becoming one of the school’s most distinguished professors and head of an important research team of neuropathologists and biologists at the Charité University Hospital. Over the years he limited his visits to Munich to twice or three times a year at the most, and these were made only for the sake of his mother, Phaedra, whom he loved dearly. But lately his visits were becoming more frequent, as he realized, more clearly than anyone else, the signs indicating that the final countdown had already began. On New Year’s Day 1997, just before her seventy-third birthday, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and a few months later it was determined that it was a glioblastoma multiforme. The histological heterogeneity and the highly aggressive tumor behavior unfortunately allowed little room for any type of medical intervention. Hector’s inability to save what he held most sacred in his life was consuming him, to the same degree as his unjustified rage and anger, igniting almost automatically within him every time he faced his father. Nobody could deny that Mr. Rainat had been a good husband and father throughout his life; a man who always took care of his family. But he was introvert, which made it very difficult for him to express his feelings; something that Hector’s always blamed him for in their quarrels. No one could really be certain of this man’s true feelings. They were kept well hidden behind the silence and a completely stringent facade. He had no emotional surges and many called him a cold blooded general behind his back. But he was a man who enjoyed the respect of his peers for his courage and the integrity of his character. In his youth, during the hard years of the war, he was awarded many medals for bravery and for his contributions to the German army, but he never wanted to talk about that dark period of his life. Mr. Rainat was approaching eighty six, yet his spirit was still thriving and his body was strong.

The commotion abated for a while. From the lobby center, Hector could see the portrait of his mother decorating the wall above the golden fireplace. Almost instantly a faint nostalgic smile appeared on his lips. Since he was a child, he could remember standing for hours in front of the fireplace staring at his mother’s figure. This picture of incomparable Greek beauty was so strongly imprinted into his mind and subconscious, that he could recall every single line of her face. But he could never understand why her eyes always seemed to be so melancholic. No matter how much he pondered over this question and how many times he asked about it, he was never provided with a sufficiently convincing explanation for the reason why. So young, so beautiful, but..., he muttered through his teeth.

Why does mother appear to be so melancholic in this painting? sounded Hector’s voice.

His father turned his gaze nonchalantly out of the window and sank further into his silence.

I am talking to you! he repeated, raising the tone of his voice further, making the veins visible at the ends of his temples. Why this melancholy? Very few times have I seen mother laughing with her heart. What deprived her of her laughter? What robbed the smile from my mother’s face? Why don’t you answer me, damn you! Look at me, look at me straight in the eyes and tell me...

The resonance of his agonizing cry reached the chamber on the first floor of the mansion where Phaedra, curled up in her bed, weak from the influence of the powerful sedatives, turned to the side and burst into tears.

Rainat still stood upright and silent beside the window, pretending to be looking at the snowy hills.

Why do you never look at me straight in the eyes? asked his son with a trembling, defeated voice.

No answer came out of his lips. Hector fell silent, while clenching his fists to suppress his rage. He knew very well by now that their quarrel had come to an abrupt close. His father was always the one to mark the end, and always in the same manner, with his absolute silence; the silence that frightened him ever since he was a teenager. What lay behind his father’s silence and the infinite melancholy clearly reflected in his mother’s eyes? These thoughts tormented him for years now.

At moments like this, I really hate you..., he said abruptly and ran up the stairs leading to the second floor.

The door of his mother’s room was ajar and he immediately felt guilty about his impulsive outbreak. Trapped in her bed of suffering, day by day, Phaedra’s body and mind were gradually fading away, but her soul still managed to struggle against the degenerative disease. Hector stood for some time puzzled, at a distance, watching her remote hazy gaze, while making an overwhelming effort to regain his composure. For a moment, he thought she was ready to burst into tears.

Mother, forgive me, he said, his voice overflowing with love and affection, and with two strides he was standing beside her.

He sought her hand and brought it gently to his lips.

I really love you... he whispered as he felt a hard knot tightening in his throat.

Phaedra, much calmer now, nodded to him. Her eyes glistened in the half-light of the room. As he observed her more closely he was overwhelmed by the thought that she was trying to tell him something but could not find the right way.

Help me to sit up, she said with great difficulty.

Hector took her gently in his arms and helped her sit up in bed, skillfully shaping the pillows so that they would support her back in a proper way. Then he pulled a chair and sat next to her. From this position he could clearly discern her melancholic look.

Forgive my outburst, but I cannot control myself when I am with this man. I really can’t. I really can’t explain why this happens to me. It’s his passivity that outrages me, do you understand me?

Phaedra sighed, this time avoiding his gaze completely.

I told him that I hate him mother. Oh my God, how could a child hate his own father? How?

Realizing that he had just verbalized his deepest inner concerns and queries, which had haunted his soul for such a long time, he shamefully buried his face deep into his hands choking with guilt.

You don’t actually hate him my child, you’re just heartbroken, replied his mother as she gently stroked his hair.

Hector slowly lifted his head and looked deep into his mother’s eyes noticing new tears forming and running down her face.

Sometimes I really hate him... he admitted. And he hates me as well; I can sense it in the coldness of his voice.

Your father loves you Hector, but unfortunately he has found no way of expressing it. He always cared for you and was proud of you my son, like I was. Have no doubts, your father loves you.

No this man is incapable of loving.

Everyone has a heart my son, but each one ticks at a different pace. Your father loves you in his own way and he has feelings as well, even if he does not express them.

How have you been able to stand this cold blooded man for so many years mother? The sadness hidden in your eyes is what made me hate him even more. I think he is somehow responsible for it.

You’re being unfair with him Hector. He is not alone to blame; I am to blame as well. Perhaps more so. All of us struggle with our demons my boy; paying for our past mistakes... she confessed, hesitating to complete the sentence.

What do you mean?

It’s all my fault. He truly loves you my son... she whispered in between sobs.

What is this nonsense? You are an angel; a being equal only to God. I feel that I have nothing in common with that man. At times I feel that he is a complete stranger to me, he continued stubbornly. Do you know that for many years now he does not look at me straight in the eyes? He refuses to even look at me, and you are telling me that he loves me? If he loves me why does he avoid looking at me, mother? Why? How can he bear it? This man hates me. Why? What have I ever done to him?"

Because you remind him of your father; your real father Hector, she confessed apprehensively as her eyes immediately flooded with liberating tears. This is why he is not looking at you my child. You look too much like him…

Hector’s huge black eyes widened with astonishment, utterly dumbfound and inert.

What, what did you say? he managed to articulate, trembling.

"I said that it is not German blood that flows in your veins. That you real father was a Greek and he was quite a brave man. You are the descendant of Kostantis Labropoulos, the only man I have ever truly loved in my life.

Panting with difficulty and crying incessantly Phaedra sat up at her bed and looked at him purposefully, with the look of a person conscious of her approaching end.

What are you talking about? Do know what you are saying to me? This can’t be true. Tell me that this is not true. I am begging you. Mother talk to me…

That damned war is to blame for all... Search to find your real father and tell him that I never forgot him; that I never betrayed him, she mumbled faintly; ready to collapse from the emotional upsurge. This, my child, is my last wish before I close my eyes. I hope someday you understand and forgive me. War is a voracious beast, devouring human souls regardless of which side they stand on, it makes absolutely no difference.

Hector sealed his lips with his hands, as if trying to prevent an overflowing river of words from spilling out right in front of his mother just before her life’s end.

How could you do this to me? How could you? He repeated as if hypnotized.

Forgive me, forg….

Mother? Mother talk to me please.

He reached right away for the sphygmomanometer; her blood pressure was very low.

Call for an ambulance immediately, he yelled so loudly, his voice penetrating the entire mansion.

Despite the fact that this was not the first time that such an event occurred in recent months, immediately a great havoc prevailed in the old mansion. Rainat entered the room almost running, panting.

What happened, he asked with a shaking voice.

Her blood pressure is very low, the same with her pulse. She should be transferred to the hospital immediately, he replied without turning to look directly at him, in a voice clearly marked with disdain, while simultaneously injecting a strong dose of adrenaline into his mother’s vein.

The ambulance is coming …, he whispered and leaned next to his wife, lying on the bed, sunk in a stupor, from which no one knew with certainty if she could escape yet another time.

Come back to us, my love. Don’t leave me..., he murmured, holding her hand.

Hector, looking somehow puzzled, gave him a fast sidelong glance, noticing for the first time two tears of despair rolling out of the cold eyes of the man he until recently thought to be his father.

He was baffled and at the same time a cold shiver traced his entire body making him angry at himself, as he realized he was feeling pity for this man.

The ambulance is here! announced the housekeeper, stumbling as he entered the room.

Behind him followed two nurses, in their tight light blue uniforms, hastily placing her on the stretcher. It was evident from their familiarity with the place that they were not novices at crossing the steps of this mansion. In the snowy roads of the Dalagia slope the peaceful atmosphere was suddenly broken by the shrill sound of the ambulance siren, causing birds resting on their branches all puffed up and lethargic enduring the winter cold to suddenly open their wings and fly away, abandoning their hard earned but fragile comfort. Hector sat at his mother’s side, busily trying to provide all possible assistance. Fortunately her pulse and blood pressure, though still low, had stabilized and this was sufficient cause for a smile and a little optimism.

The ambulance was followed by the family car driven by Thomas, the family chauffeur who never parted with his old woolen rust-colored cap. His wife Rena, who had also worked as a cook in the mansion had knitted it for him. It was her last gift to him just before she died. Thomas was the oldest and most trusted of the employees in the Gramel family home, a man who possibly knew many hidden secrets…

***

The ambulance siren was finally silenced upon reaching the gate of the private hospital where Phaedra was now quite often hospitalized. Nurses were running, pushing the stretcher towards the end of the long corridor, the dead silence of the intensive care wing broken only by the sound of heels hitting its icy marble floor. As they rushed through the large door, it shut with a loud bang, closing behind it Phaedra along with all her family’s fears and hopes. Outside the large door of the intensive care unit waited her son, Rainat and Thomas, all immersed in a dreadful silence. Throughout that horrible waiting period, Hector stubbornly continued avoiding Rainat’s gaze. Now, he also could not stand looking at him. Ironically, albeit for just a single moment, he felt they had achieved some sort of connection. He swallowed hard. He once more felt angry with his impulsive nature and with himself. All acquaintances of the Gramel family, agreed that his son had inherited his mother’s character; that sweet woman who overflowed with love and kindness. Would she ever wake up from her deep sleep, would she be able to talk to them again? The anger and pain caused through the awareness that he had been deceived by his most loved ones, was crushing him inside. "Oh my God! How is it possible, for a few simple words to shake you so much as to upset your very existence? Who’s my real father? Where is he? Will I ever find out?" he pondered sitting in a chair with his head bowed down gazing at the floor. "If she… if…," he did not dare to complete his thought. He had to think optimistically, he had to keep his hopes up. There was still much to discuss with his mother. They needed time, but would God grant them this favour? Show courage, he murmured to himself, he tried to overcome his anguish by befriending it, while his gaze was still fixed at the gleaming hospital floor.

Across the corridor stood Rainat. He had by now completely regained his familiar composure, which made the lines of his face harden to such an extent that all traces of facial expression had completely vanished. Thomas also waited discreetly aside in a corner, playing nervously with his fingers. At this moment, all three men shared a common anguish, however each silently endured the martyrdom of the long wait in his own solitary way. The hours passed painfully slow and their anguish culminated each minute the men kept staring in vain at the large sealed door at the end of the corridor.

Outside darkness had fallen. Hector seemed to have entered a state of hypnotic stupor as he watched the snowflakes, passing briefly and then disappearing behind the glass window of the waiting room. Suddenly, the door opened and Dr. Miller’s figure appeared standing at the back. The doctor removed his glasses, pressing the upper part of his nose with two fingers of his right hand to remove the strain caused by the glasses, and with a weary gaze sought his colleague.

Doctor Gramel! He exclaimed, recovering his strength.

Hector ran towards him, with the two elderly men following him behind.

What’s happening doctor? How is my mother?

His heart was beating furiously through his shirt, as if ready to explode.

We’ve managed to restore and stabilize her. But her condition is rather critical. She will remain in intensive care intubated for at least forty eight hours and I hope that she responds so that it all goes well, explained the doctor, while putting his glasses back on.

I understand..., Hector nodded pursing his lips.

Can I see my wife, Doctor? said Rainat, intervening.

No not yet. Her body is exhausted..., the doctor replied with a somewhat strict tone of voice. Be calm. You know that we are doing whatever is best for Mrs. Phaedra, he continued, addressing all three men this time.

Rainat nodded with a sigh and without uttering a single word collapsed in a chair.

Doctor Gramel, you will require all the courage you can master. I will be at your disposal for anything you might need, he said before leaving and held out his hand to clasp in complete sincerity the hand of the other man; the hand of a son who agonized over his mother’s life, but also the hand of a brilliant scientist.

The large door banged for a third time that day. Hector exhaled deeply and stood motionless staring at it aimlessly for some time. Thomas approached him and gently touched his shoulder.

Everything will be fine. Mrs. Phaedra will return home to us. I am sure she will make it! he told him with a voice full of sincere conviction.

As if awakened from his slumber Hector turned to face him. The old man smiled at him in a meaningful way. Thomas belonged to that category of people who knew how to smile open heartedly. His smile was always beautiful and innocent, like a young child’s smile.

You are right he replied nodding in agreement. Mother is strong"

Would you like me to drive you home Mr. Hector? There is nothing you can do for her now. I can drive you back home together with Mr. Rainat and I can return to the hospital if you like.

No, Thomas, I cannot leave my mother. I will stay. You take my fa..., a knot in his throat stopped any coherent continuation of speech and instead a strangely malicious nervous laughter was released, resembling the cry of an elf.

Rainat sprang up from his chair and looked at him in dismay. Anxiety and fear now filled his eyes. "Does he know?" he wondered and collapsed back in his seat.

When the furor subsided, Hector bent his head down exhausted from the emotional stress of the day.

Go home Thomas, I’ll stay.

Thomas nodded in agreement and turned his gaze to Rainat.

I’m not leaving my wife, he announced firmly in a manner befitting a general.

I think you should rest and you are already late in taking your pills, said the old man in a last attempt to persuade him.

Go away..., please, sounded Hector’s voice from the other side of the room in an almost pleading tone.

Rainat did not respond. He bowed his head and finally stood up with great difficulty. Thomas rushed to help him. Supporting him by the arm Thomas helped him exit the hall, while glancing over his shoulder back at Hector, who was watching expressionless the two elderly men depart, sending him messages of reassurance.

***

Dawn, the next day, found Hector at the same place next to the window observing the city as it awakened. The snowfall had stopped, but the roads were covered with the previous days’ snow. The piercing cold shrivelled up with its icy breath everything that stood in its path, making people bend over stiff as they rushed by in their woollen and fur coats. A faint suspicion of a sun made the snow-covered roofs and tree leaves shine as if thankful to this unexpected caress. I loath the cold of this country, he murmured as he noticed a little bird falling dead from the tree branch. At the same time, he shut his eyes and tried to imagine Greece, where it was always summer. This is how his mother described her country. He had never visited his mother’s birthplace but she also never expressed a desire to return to what she had left behind more than half a century ago. Despite this, Phaedra remained a proud Greek who loved her country, its culture and its sun. She insisted and eventually got her way with her husband, that her son be taught the Greek language as well. And although she never expressed it in words, he was sure that she had never forgotten her homeland. "How could she bare to be so long away from her land? Finally, was he Greek or German?" How deeply confused he was. Everything in his mind and soul appeared to be in state of absolute disarray. Of all he thought he knew of in his life until yesterday, what was finally true and what was simply a lie? He considered himself a geneticist. He had spent his life ‘locked up’ in laboratories studying for more than two decades the genomic imprint of humans, exploring humanity’s most secret pathways in the hope of offering healing, while at the same time he actually seemed to be completely ignorant of his own DNA. He laughed sarcastically at this realization, shaking his head in a sign of despair.

At the same time the two elderly men entered the room. Thomas approached the window, holding in his right hand a carryall bag.

You look bad Mr. Hector. You look as though you did not get any sleep the entire night, noted unhappily the faithful man. I have brought you clothes and your cell phone that you had forgotten at home. Ms. Cynthia called..., he said meaningfully as he placed the cell phone in his hand.

Where is the doctor? Call the doctor, cried out Rainat, filling the room with his thundering voice.

Tell him not to shout, Thomas, the doctor is with mother, he will be here soon, Hector whispered in Thomas’ ear. Then he briefly went out to make a call. He had completely forgotten of Cynthia. At any rate he had no time to waste.

***

Cynthia? his voice sounded fatigued.

I hope you have a good explanation for disappearing all day yesterday Hector she shrieked from the other side of the line.

My mother’s not well. I’ve been in the hospital since yesterday, he tried to explain

Are you telling me the truth or were you having fun with another woman and you are making up stories? she responded laughing.

At once he felt the blood in his veins swell up, like a tidal wave. How dare she offend him in this contemptible manner? He stretched his fingertips nervously and replied bluntly, My mother is seriously ill, you know this. I don’t have time for silly conversations, so if you don’t have a serious reason for calling I will appreciate it if we talk at another time. Goodbye.

Hold on. Sorry my love. I have something very important to tell you..., she blurted trying to sweet talk him.

Well, I am listening.

Look, Angela and Michelle booked a chalet in Arber for Christmas Eve. They’ve also invited us. We’ll go, right? Come on Hector you’ve promised me. I’ll chase away all your worries... you know how! You’ll see; it’ll do you good..., she said, trying to persuade him in her most provocative tone of voice.

My mother is seriously ill. What don’t you understand; She may even..., his voice faltered, his fists clenched and his teeth creaked with anger.

That means you will not come. Too bad! I will go alone then my dear. I have taken my leave and I need some rest. You are not angry with me, right?

Of course not, my dear. You go. I have to take care of my mother. Goodbye.

He ended the call feeling completely infuriated. He had an allergic reaction to stupidity. "How could he stand the presence of this ignoble woman next to him all this time? Loneliness is capable of making one vulnerable, perhaps even blind," he realized angrily and violently discarded the phone from his hands onto the pavement, which scattered in pieces among the rocks and the snow. Then he returned where he felt he belonged the most.

***

Hector spent three days and nights in that cold waiting room. The hospital director allowed him to use one of the doctors’ rooms so that he would not collapse from exhaustion and lack of sleep. On the fourth day, the hopes and wishes of all were amply rewarded. Phaedra opened her eyes and the simple movement of her eyelids elated the hearts of all three men.

Now you can see her for a while, announced Dr. Miller through a snow-white smile.

All at once the three men got up to reach the large door.

One by one, noted the doctor.

The two older men retreated right away, giving way to Hector. He sighed deeply, and seconds later his figure disappeared behind the door. As he approached his mother’s room his footsteps suddenly became heavier. He was overwhelmed by terror. He had so many questions to ask. He had to learn the whole truth, but this was an entirely inappropriate time for such emotionally charged conversations. He feared himself and especially his highly impulsive character. He had no choice but to exercise his outmost calm and restraint. Her life was the clearly the main priority at this time. He had to put aside all those questions that were for so many days now ruthlessly pillaging his mind, turning his life into a living hell. I’ll restrain myself, he murmured, making something like a promise to himself while approaching her hesitantly. The sight of his mother, lying weak and helpless between the white sheets, brought hot tears to his eyes whose traces faded out before they even formed.

Phaedra had surrendered completely to a quite sleep and the slight movement of the sheets covering her chest was the only evidence that this weak creature had any life still in her. He stood for some time over her head looking at her tenderly in a highly reminiscent mood. Then he sought her hand.

Mother can you hear me? he whispered softly in her ear.

Phaedra’s eyelids flickered, until she managed to keep them open.

My son…, her voice sounded like a whisper coming from afar.

I am here, he tried to calm her and tenderly pressed her hand into his own.

Where’s your father? she asked still in stupor

Hector bit his lips so hard trying to seal them, until he could taste the blood in his mouth.

Outside…

As if brutally awakened from her sleep, Phaedra remembered the moment just before losing consciousness four days earlier. She felt ashamed and at the same time a faint drop of moisture formed on her eyelids, trying persistently to find an escape route. She let out a painful sigh and wiping the tears that now flowed freely on her troubled face with her wrinkled fingers she began to speak with great difficulty in her native language.

Hector, at the city center there is a notary. Ask Thomas to take you there. Tell him that it is my wish, otherwise he will say nothing to you. You’ll receive a parcel; it is for your father. she swallowed hard. … for your real father. Go and search for him. The notary will provide you with instructions to help you in your quest. Will you do it? she asked looking imploringly into his eyes.

Once you get better we’ll go together. I promise you, he said trying hard to keep his emotions under control.

There’s no time my son. I am approaching my end, I can feel it. Go. Find him. I’ll wait for you till you come back. I will not allow myself to die until then. I give you my word.

Hector looked at her dumbfounded, unable to utter a single word, nodding unconsciously.

Thank you..., she mumbled weakly and sank back into a lethargic stupor.

***

Thomas parked the car in the parking lot next to the New Town Hall in Marienplatz. Christmas was approaching and the decorated square was full of people with happy faces who strolled through the streets oblivious to the bitter cold. The heavy snowfall of the previous days had them tucked away in their homes and now young and old seemed to make the most of it. Hector followed Thomas, who walked briskly crossing the festive square. They passed through the Viktualienmarkt flea market, where colourful Christmas kiosks selling all sorts of goods had been set up, and then they turned right, where standing in front of them was Kaufhof, the huge department store, with people queuing outside its entrance. Hector’s agitated nerves were further aggravated by this crowding and clamour. In the exact opposite corner there stood an old Gothic-style building.

We’re here! said Thomas, his breath forming a vapor cloud in the freezing cold.

The two men passed the imposing entrance of the large building and climbed the stairs to the fourth floor.

Here we are..., announced Thomas breathless. Mr. Hector, take this as well, you’ll need it, he continued panting as he pulled an envelope from his pocket.

What’s this?

It’s your mother’s written statement that you can have the parcel. Ms. Phaedra has foreseen everything. It’s yours..., he said and placed the envelope in his hands.

Hector nodded mechanically and knocked on the door with resolute determination.

I’ll wait for you in the waiting room, said the old man.

The notary’s office smelled of paper and ink and he was surrounded by huge book cases, filled with folders and leather-bound books, all in a dark brown colour. An authoritative looking man with a thick moustache got up from his leather chair and approached him, offering his hand.

Mr. Gramel I was expecting you. Please take a seat. How is your mother? Thomas told me that she had to be hospitalized. Is she better? he asked with genuine interest.

She’s better, thank you, he answered politely, while playing nervously with the envelope he held in his hands.

I see you have her written statement! noticing his nervousness, he hastened to end his agony.

Hector nodded and immediately passed the envelope into his hands without saying a word.

Swiftly, the notary stood up from his seat once again and pulled out from the book case behind him a thick volume labeled on the side: ‘1982 Cases’. He returned to his desk with the heavy load opening it decisively. Then he called his secretary giving her some instructions. She obediently came and then left in complete silence only to return shortly afterwards, carrying a blue box which she placed gently on the notary’s luxurious desk.

This belongs to you, said the notary in a steady voice while pushing the box gently towards him.

Hector exhaled loudly, trying to eliminate the stress accumulated within him, perfectly aware that this instant marked the starting point of a journey into well-hidden secrets and revelations. He took it in his hands and opened it without losing time. The time to face the truth had come.

It contained a smaller, well-sealed box and two envelopes. One was intended for Kostantis Labropoulos and the other for the notary, who took it right away and opened it.

Well, in this letter your mother provides some instructions intended for you, he explained. Mr Gramel, I’m sure you already know that as a recipient of this package, you are obliged to travel to Greece, find Mr. Labropoulos and hand over to him this box, whose contents, of course, I am completely unaware of. Your search starts at the southwestern tip of mainland Greece, in the wider area of a city called Kyparissia. This will be the beginning of your journey…"

Hector stood speechless staring at the person with the thick mustache quoting for some time supposedly useful information indented for the recipient of the blue box.

Have a nice trip. I hope you find what you are looking for, he said. Then extending his hand he said goodbye to him with a hearty handshake.

Hector and Thomas left the notary house exiting on the main street and headed towards the main square. As they silently crossed the middle of the street, Thomas looked out of the corner of his eye towards Hector. Walking next to him, was a sullen figure, lost in a new and frightening world.

Mr. Hector are you well? he asked with his soft voice and placed his hand gently on the man’s arm.

No.

Allow me to offer you a cup of coffee, he said and led him to the opposite side of the crowded square where the historic coffee house Dalmayr was situated. Hector absent mindedly agreed and followed him as if hypnotized, holding the precious blue box tightly in his arms.

As they crossed the majestic entrance the central heating of the cafe along with the live atmosphere warmed up their blood from the unbearable cold and boosted their spirits. A vestibule laid