painted white, sarajevo

IX

A few hours back, Elias had emailed Ada asking for the notebook so that he could show it to Kane. A knock came crisply from the door.

"Come in," he called, eyes still trained on his computer. He hadn't pulled his gaze from the screen ever since he had read the first entry of Safet's story.

"Greetings, Mr. Wilcox," Ada said as she poked her head through the door, her hair spilling across her shoulders. "I... Are you all right?"

"Mhmm. Yeah. Fine."

Elias' heart settled in his chest again, comfortable by the presence in the room. It was jumping around previously, erratic, crazy, and on edge due to the lack of people in his room.

"Your eyes are red," she noted, taking a few steps into the room. "Oh, pardon me—may I come in?"

Elias finally lifted his eyes from his computer screen, blinking. "Go ahead. I'm just... tired, that's all."

Ada took several steps once again, laying the diary on the table next to his computer. "You don't look good. Let me get you a drink of water. Just a moment."

Elias picked up the diary, examining it in his hands, turning it over cover to cover. It was a priceless thing, yes, something that belonged in museums. Doubt, as unfamiliar as it was to him, started to bubble in his stomach again. Elias ran a finger along the cover, tracing a pattern into it.

"Ada," he called. "Do you want to meet my co-worker?"

She paused halfway to the door, hand still resting on the doorknob. "Your co-worker? Why, it would be a surprise, and surely something pleasant, yes—"

Elias rose from his chair, rubbing his neck and hearing a pop. "I think we all deserve a rest, don't you think?"

Ada cocked her head, watching him with a cool glaze to her eyes. "Why, yes, but I was under the impression that you had other work to do."

His back burned, the burden of his deadline on his shoulders. But he forced himself to ignore it, and instead smiled.

"No, no, not at all! It would be fine, if you're up to it."

"Then I won't deny the offering. I should get ready—"

"No, no, it's fine. Kane doesn't care for appearances—" His eyes warm, Elias tapped the side of his temple. "He's got a good head on him."

She blinked, absorbing the hint. "Ah. I see."

Elias took a glance at the diary, hesitating, then slid it into his bag, just as he did when he met Ada. "Kane's across the hall, actually not that far. Nah, not at all."

"I see."

Elias moved his hand towards the door as he spoke. "Ladies first."

Opening the door, she walked out, waiting for Elias behind her. As they headed down to Kane's room, the door opened and Kane stepped out, as if he knew that the two were coming.

Upon seeing them, he blinked sleepily. "Elias. I was just 'bout to head down to your room."

"Actually, we were going to go out and grab some food to eat." Elias tossed a grin in his direction. "Wanna come?"

Kane dragged one hand down his face, looking through his fingers at Ada. "And you are?"

"Ada. Ada Kopanja. Translator."

"And what're ya doin' with Elias?"

"I don't think there's really any need to be that rude, Kane—"

Ada held her fingers to her mouth, surprise parting her lips. "I thought you, as his co-worker, would know of the diary?"

Elias let his gaze ghost around the hallway, mouth quirking into a frown. "Shush about that. It'll shock the whole world when I announce it—I don't need the surprise ruined."