Into The Aether

Chapter Twenty-One: Redemption

The bright light began to fade allowing me a moment of confidence to slowly crack open my eyes and adjust to the light. I could feel my whole body was still tensed up and rigid. Plus, the whole commotion in general had left me dishevelled and unkempt when I was torn from my bed so suddenly. My coat had been hastily thrown on and my hair left loose and no doubt beyond windswept.

The blinding white haze slowly dissipated before everything came into focus. I looked around and was  immediately greeted by the familiar lobby of Kino der Toten.

I had been vindicated.

I was then interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat which drew me from my thoughts. I confusedly looked around to see Richtofen looking at me sternly. My face set into a frown wondering as to why. He picked up on my confusion before he looked down - inviting me to follow with my gaze. To my horror, I realised I was still gripping my poor victim's arm. My ignorance of who exactly my victim was instantly rectified when I recognised the male arm. I was absolutely awash with embarrassment.

My fingers had sunk into the familiar rolled up sleeve of Primis Richtofen. I was completely shocked as I looked up to see his reaction. He was tall like Richtofen but my face felt hot as I looked at him - he was absolutely handsome. The same piercing blue eyes glared down at me before a faint smile formed on his lips.

"I shee jou haven't travelled like zhis before?" He said smirking - and almost a bit flirty.

I quickly relinquished my grip as he gave me another coy smile.

"Perhaps I can grab onto jou for dear life nexsht time", he added sarcastically yet playfully.

The moment was swiftly interrupted by Richtofen who again purposely cleared his throat to get our attention. He was no longer marvelled by his younger self as he glared at him before turning his back to us and mumbling to himself.

"Zhis is not zhe Moon?!" Richtofen grumbled.

Upon this realisation, he quickly swung around to face us again.

"I mean -- ahem! Ve are in Berlin in nineteen hundred und shixty-zhree... our intended destination, ja", he announced with his usual over the top theatrics.

Dempsey, Takeo and Nikolai all looked over to me as they were shocked that I had been able to predict the next destination with such accuracy. And this gave more weight to my claims. I calmly looked back at Richtofen as to avoid arousing his suspicions.

"Zhe firsht zhing ve must do is to secure zhe area. Take out any of mein patients who remain und ve shall discuss things furzher. Jou! Come vith me", Richtofen ordered indicating to Primis.

I grabbed Primis' wrist causing him to turn to look at me. I gave him a stern look before glancing at Richtofen and looking back at Primis. I wanted some confirmation that he would not try to kill him again.

Primis narrowed his eyes at me defiantly but I was determined to stop him interfering with this timeline... not when I had a chance to fix things this time. I looked over at my three comrades who were confused as to why I was acting strangely. But the urgency in my eyes indicated that Primis was not to be trusted.

"You know what, Doctor? I'll tag along if that's okay", I said to Richtofen.

He narrowed his eyes and looked between me and Primis.

"I vould razher--", he said before I abruptly cut him off.

"Ahh! Excellent let's go, shall we?" I said now walking away from Primis and towards Richtofen.