Song of Pain (BOOK THREE)

Chapter 26: Ektorp

The soft, quiet hum of suburban Ektorp felt like a strange lullaby to the weary group. After the chaos of Norrköping, the isolated streets and low-rise apartment buildings offered something they hadn't had in a while—peace. But peace was fleeting, and Sophie knew better than to trust it.

They'd pulled into the small street late in the afternoon, the fading sunlight casting long shadows over the concrete sidewalks. The air smelled of freshly cut grass, the distant sound of children's laughter floating on the breeze. It was almost normal, almost perfect.

Kimchi's voice shattered the fragile illusion as she slammed the car door and threw her backpack over her shoulder. "Fucking Ektorp? Who kidnaps people here?" Her tone was sharp, and there was no mistaking her frustration. "This place looks like it's made for retirees and bored housewives. What the hell are we doing here?"

Sophie rolled her eyes, but she couldn't quite blame Kimchi. She felt the same way. After everything they had been through, Ektorp seemed like a strange choice for hiding out. But Aaron had insisted. They needed to lay low, and this was as close to "normal" as they were going to get.

"Dumb people," Sophie replied, her voice low. She stuffed her hands in her pockets, staring at the small, unremarkable apartment building in front of them. She didn't want to think too much about it. They had no other options.

Aaron leaned against the hood of the car, eyes scanning their surroundings. "Does any of you have guns?" he asked, his tone casual but with a dangerous edge.

Kimchi didn't hesitate. She pulled open the trunk and lifted a black duffel bag. "I do. It's in the back of the car." Her lips curled into a wicked grin. "Thought you'd never ask."

Ava, who had been leaning against the side of the car, gave a small, cynical chuckle. "I have some too. Stole 'em from my dad." Her eyes flicked toward the others. "You're gonna need 'em, trust me."

Kendrick, who had been uncharacteristically quiet for most of the day, spoke up from the back seat. "I have a Glock." He said it matter-of-factly, as though it was just another item on his list of things to grab before they left Norrköping. He reached into his jacket and pulled out the weapon, checking the magazine as if it were second nature.

Erron, who had been staring out the window, finally shifted his gaze toward the group. His lips twisted into a small, grim smile. "Perfect."

The words hung in the air for a moment, a grim confirmation that they were all on the same page. Weapons were a necessity now, just another part of their survival kit. It wasn't just about running anymore. They had to fight back, or they'd never escape whatever had been chasing them.

Aaron nodded, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the apartment complex ahead. "Alright. We get inside. We stay low. We don't draw attention." He paused, looking each of them in the eye. "This is our home for now. We need to be ready for anything."

Kimchi snorted, a laugh tinged with bitterness. "Ready for anything? Like what? A fucking parade?"

"No," Aaron said, his voice cold. "But there are things out there that won't rest until they find us. And we can't afford to be caught off guard."

They moved in unison, grabbing their bags and weapons and heading toward the building's entrance. The door creaked as Aaron pushed it open, revealing a dimly lit lobby. The air inside was stale, and the faint hum of an old fridge buzzed in the corner. No one spoke as they moved through the building, the quiet oppressive as they made their way up to the second floor.

Sophie followed behind Aaron, her mind racing. Was this really it? Were they going to be safe here? She didn't believe it, not for a second. But it was the best they had. For now.

Once they entered the apartment, the group scattered. It was small, with only two bedrooms and a living area that was cramped with mismatched furniture. The kitchen was bare, the fridge holding only a few bottles of water and some instant noodles. It felt like the kind of place where people came to disappear, the kind of place where no one asked too many questions.

Aaron immediately went to the window, pulling back the curtains just enough to get a clear view of the street. He stood there for a moment, watching the sparse traffic roll by. "We'll have to be careful. No one can know we're here."

Kimchi flopped down onto the couch, kicking her feet up on the armrest. "Yeah, I'm guessing we're not gonna get a 'welcome to Ektorp' party."

Ava wandered over to the window on the opposite side of the room, her eyes scanning the street. "I don't like this," she muttered. "I've had a bad feeling since we got here."

Rosemarie, who had been quiet for most of the day, turned to face the group. "We all know we're not safe. But we have to make it work, don't we?" Her voice was quiet but firm. "We can't keep running, not without a plan."

Sophie nodded in agreement, though she felt the weight of the decision pressing down on her. What were they supposed to do now? They couldn't stay here forever. But they couldn't keep running, either.

Aaron finally broke the silence, his gaze still fixed on the street outside. "Tomorrow, we figure out our next move. For tonight, we rest."

The group settled into a kind of uneasy peace. No one spoke much as they unpacked their things and claimed their spaces in the small apartment. The air was thick with tension, but at least they were together. They had each other, and for now, that had to be enough.

Later that night, as Sophie lay in bed, the muffled sounds of the city drifting in from the street, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were trapped in an endless loop. No matter where they went, no matter how many times they ran, the past would always catch up with them. And Ektorp, for all its quiet charm, was just another stop on the road to nowhere.

But as she closed her eyes, she allowed herself a moment of respite. For tonight, they were safe. Tomorrow would bring whatever it would bring. And when it came, they would face it together.

For now, that would have to be enough.