Annoying like a Curse

The days passed in a peaceful, almost perfect harmony. The children spent a lot of time in the garden, playing together and helping to further expand the tree house. Aurora and Inspector Schäfer watched them from time to time, smiling and remembering their own childhoods. It was almost as if the grim events of the past few months had never happened.

In the evenings, they often sat together at the dining table, enjoying family meals and talking about everyday things. The conversations were simple, easygoing, and without the heaviness that had once hung over their lives. It was a time of peace, but also a time of foreboding. The moment when their world would be shaken again was drawing ever closer.

At night, when they were alone, they sometimes talked about the recent events. Dr. Aurora and Inspector Schäfer were still not quite sure what to make of it all. There were questions that remained unresolved, and while they tried to enjoy the peace, they knew it couldn't last forever.

At some point, the children noticed that something was changing, without being able to put their finger on it. A faint shadow suddenly hung in the air, as if the harmony they had built was only an illusion that would soon shatter. But for now, they simply enjoyed spending the day, seeing the sun, and turning their thoughts to the future.

But even the calmest times come to an end. And it wasn't long before something new was on the horizon. Something they hadn't expected, but deep down, they knew would soon come to them. And in the stillness of the night, as the wind blew through the trees, they felt that a new storm was brewing.

It was a sunny afternoon, and the children continued to build their tree house. The birds were chirping, the rustling of the leaves was soothing, and the scent of nature hung in the air. Their parents, Aurora and Inspector Schäfer, stood at the garden gate and watched them for a moment.

"Listen," Aurora said finally. "We're going on a date tonight. You can keep building, but please be quiet, okay? We don't want the neighbors to notice you're alone."

"Understood," replied the children, looking forward to being able to work undisturbed again.

"We won't be gone long," added Inspector Schäfer as he got the key and started the car. "Be careful."

With a final wave, they drove off, leaving the children behind, setting their sights on the treehouse again. The sun was high, the sky cloudless, and time seemed to stand still.

Hours passed, and the treehouse slowly took shape. But at some point, as the afternoon turned into evening, something unusual happened. Out of the corner of his eye, one of the children saw movement in the garden. A strange figure was standing there, near the garden fence. It was a man who had positioned himself motionless, as if simply waiting.

He wore a dark jacket and a mask that completely concealed his face. The children stood still as they examined him more closely. It was as if there was something in the air, an invisible tension that felt stronger with every second.

"What is that?" one of the children whispered, but no one could really answer.

For a moment, everything was quiet, only the soft rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds could be heard. The man didn't move; he just stood there, as if watching them. His presence was uncomfortable, almost like a shadow looming over the garden.

The children turned hesitantly to each other, then looked back at the figure, still standing motionless. A chilling feeling crept up their spines. Something about the silence was eerie, almost oppressive. The air seemed to breathe heavily, as if it had momentarily stopped time.

Then, after a seemingly endless second, the figure finally turned without saying a word and slowly disappeared behind the bushes, out of the children's sight. They were still standing, completely motionless, staring in the direction in which he had disappeared.

"What was that?" one of the children whispered. "What was he doing there?"

"I don't know..." the other answered, his voice trembling slightly.

The minutes passed, but the children couldn't really focus on the tree house. Something was different. Something had happened to that moment that they couldn't grasp. The sun began to set, and the garden grew darker, the shadows longer.

Finally, as dusk bathed the world around them in a ghostly light, they heard the familiar sound of the car. The parents were back.

"There you are!" Aurora called as she unlocked the gate and stepped into the garden.

"How was your date?" one of the children asked, trying to hide her nervousness.

"Pretty good," Inspector Schäfer replied as he got out of the car. "But we're back, and it looks like you did a good job."

But then Inspector Schäfer noticed something. "Did you see him?" he asked in a slightly tense tone.

"Who?" Aurora asked, looking around as if searching for something.

"The man in the garden," he answered, looking in the direction where the children had been standing earlier. But no one was there. The garden was now quiet and empty again.

"Don't worry, it probably wasn't anything," Aurora said, but her voice sounded less confident than she might have expected. "We had a strange encounter. Someone was following us."

The children exchanged glances, but no one said anything. They all sensed something was wrong. But what?

The children followed their parents into the house, still lost in thought, glancing at the garden every now and then. The atmosphere seemed somehow thicker, the air less fresh than before. But when they closed the door behind them and stepped into the living room, their breath caught in their throats.

There he stood. The man they had seen outside earlier stood in the middle of the room. He was even closer now, having entered the room without them hearing or noticing him. His presence was almost tangible; a cold, uncomfortable silence surrounded him.

His face was still hidden behind the mask that completely obscured his features. The children stared at him as their hearts raced. What did this man want here? How had he gotten into the house?

Aurora and Inspector Schäfer froze when they recognized the man—or at least what he radiated. Something about the moment was surreal, as if the world held its breath for a brief moment.

"Who are you?" Aurora asked, her voice unintentionally firm. But she also knew an answer wouldn't be easy to come by. The man just stood there, watching her, not moving.

For a moment, the room was completely silent. No one dared to move. Only the faint sound of the wind from outside crept through the house, as if even nature itself was tense. The children stood frozen near the door, their eyes fixed on the man.

"Joshua..." the man's words suddenly came, and a feeling of confusion filled the room. "Joshua said I should ask you if it's safe here." The man spoke in a voice that sounded cool and controlled, but also had something strange about it, something that didn't feel right.

"What... what do you mean?" asked Inspector Schäfer, his brow furrowing as he tried to comprehend the situation. He took a step closer to the man.

"I don't want to be recognized," the man said, pulling his mask up a bit so only his eyes were visible. The children felt the space around them narrow even more. Why was he here? What did he really want?

The parents exchanged glances. Aurora nodded slowly and then looked at the children, whose faces now bore a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"It's... it's better if you come with me," the man said with a cold calm that didn't really reassure anyone.

The atmosphere was filled with an uncomfortable silence. They all felt the same thing—that something was wrong. But the man acted as if he were completely harmless, as if he were just asking about something. Yet each of them knew that wasn't the case.

The man stood motionless, his eyes fixed on the children, but there was a hint of nervousness in his gaze. It was as if he wasn't sure of his own words, as if he were torn inside. "I'm in danger," he finally said in a subdued voice. The words were quiet, but they carried a weight that made the children shiver.

"Joshua said I'm only safe here," he added after a brief pause, his voice now tinged with a forced calm. It seemed as if he were deceiving himself about his own words, as if he were caught in a moment of confusion and mistrust.

Max and Lukas stared at him with wide-open eyes, not yet fully able to grasp the significance of what this man had just said. "But why?" Max finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Why are you in danger?"

The man looked down briefly, as if searching for the answer, before raising his gaze again. "It's not just about me," he said, the words almost a whisper, barely audible in the silence of the room. "It's about everyone. But here, with you, I'm safe. I won't be found here."

The children looked at each other, but no one knew what he really meant. It felt as if an invisible bond was stretched between them and the man—Lenny, as he called himself. They didn't know if they could trust him, but at the same time, they sensed that his words didn't quite add up, that something was hidden.

"Joshua said it's safe here," he repeated. "So I'll stick to what he said. But it won't last long. Someday, the day will come when you understand why I'm here."

The man slowly stood up and took a step toward the door. His shoulders slumped slightly as he said quietly, "Okay, I understand. If you can't trust me, I'll leave." His words hung heavy in the air. Aurora looked at Schäfer, who frowned at the stranger. It seemed as if time stood still for a moment. Aurora finally shook her head. "No," she said firmly. "Stay here. At least for a few weeks." The man paused, turned slowly, and looked at her. His eyes seemed exhausted, but a hint of gratitude crossed his face. "Thank you," he said quietly. Schäfer nodded curtly. "A few weeks," he repeated. "No longer." The man nodded in return, his movements deliberate, as if he were weighing each word. Then the tension in the room eased a little, and everyone finally went to sleep. The darkness of the house brought peace, broken only by the occasional creak of the old floorboards.

The next morning, a light mist lay over the garden. The man who called himself Lenny stood motionless at the window, watching the children outside continue working on their treehouse. Their laughter echoed through the morning silence as they hauled wooden boards and ropes. Finally, he went outside. Without saying a word, he approached the treehouse and watched the two at work. The children didn't notice him until he knelt down and began to tighten a loose board. "You'll help us?" Max asked, surprised. Lenny glanced up briefly and smiled weakly. "Only if I may," he said calmly. It wasn't long before the children included him in their work, and soon they were laughing together over failed attempts to properly secure a rope. The day passed in this peaceful routine, with Lenny always by their side, silent and observant, but never intrusive.

The sun slowly began to set, and the sky turned warm shades of orange and pink. The children proudly climbed out of their treehouse, which had now grown a little further, and ran into the house, loudly discussing their progress. Lenny stayed behind, leaning against the trunk of the tree and observing the children's work. It was a simple but solid structure, and the children's joy at it seemed to touch him in a strange way. He ran his hand over the rough wood, as if searching for something long forgotten within.

Inside, dinner was already served. Aurora and Schäfer had set the table, and the children rushed in full of energy to tell us about their day. "It's going to be really cool, Mom! We've added a rope ladder!" Max exclaimed enthusiastically. His brother nodded vigorously and added, "And Lenny helped us secure the big board at the top. We never could have done it without him." Aurora glanced briefly at Schäfer, who was sitting at the table with a thoughtful expression. "That's nice to hear," she said kindly, glancing briefly at Lenny as he walked through the door.

Lenny sat quietly at the edge of the table, but kept to himself. He watched the family laughing, talking, and telling each other what they had experienced. There was a warmth in the room that he seemed unaccustomed to. Schäfer suddenly interrupted the conversation. "So, Lenny, what exactly did Joshua tell you? Why do you think it's safe with us?"

The children fell silent, and Aurora also looked questioningly at Lenny. He paused briefly, as if considering his answer, and then said in a calm voice, "Joshua meant that you are good people. That you are the kind of people with whom one can find refuge. He... he meant that I would be safe here, from whatever is hunting me." His words caused the family to pause for a moment.

"What's hunting you?" Aurora asked cautiously. Lenny lowered his gaze, a shadow passing over his face. "It's better if you don't know," he said quietly. "The less you know about it, the safer you'll be."

The tension in the room was palpable, but before anyone could respond, Max jumped up. "I'm done eating! I'm going to the treehouse, Dad, are you coming with me?" Schäfer nodded slowly, stood up, and placed a hand on Lenny's shoulder. "We'll talk later," he said seriously before following the children.

Lenny stayed behind with Aurora, who continued to watch him. "We want to help you, but you have to be honest with us," she finally said. Lenny looked at her for a moment, his face expressionless, before quietly replying, "I'll try not to put you in danger." With that, he stood up and headed outside, back into the cool of the evening.

The next morning, Max and Lukas were in the garden early, full of energy. The two boys carried wooden boards, nails, and rope back and forth, plotting how to make their treehouse even more impressive. It was now more than just a simple hiding place—it had become their joint project.

Lenny leaned against the porch door and watched the two for a while before finally approaching them. "What are you planning to do today?" he asked in his deep, calm voice.

"We want to build a second story!" Max exclaimed enthusiastically. "And maybe a slide or a rope to climb down!"

Lenny raised an eyebrow. "A second story? That sounds pretty ambitious. Have you thought about how you're going to make it stable enough?"

Max and Lukas looked at each other, unsure how to approach this challenge. "Um, not really," Lukas admitted.

"Then let's see," Lenny said with a small smile. He knelt down next to the boys and began to explain how to reinforce the base and balance the weight of the additional story. With his help, they planned the construction in every detail, and soon the three of them were working together like a well-coordinated team. Aurora and Schäfer watched the proceedings from the kitchen. "He seems to get along really well with the boys," Aurora said thoughtfully as she poured a coffee.

"Yes," Schäfer replied, his brow slightly furrowed. "Maybe too well. I wonder why he's really here."

"He said he was looking for shelter," Aurora replied. "Maybe we should just believe him and give him a chance."

"Maybe," said Schäfer, but the thought persisted.

Meanwhile, an impressive construction was being built in the garden. Lenny showed the boys how to securely fasten the rope and stabilize the ladder. He helped them position heavier boards and gave them advice on how to implement their ideas.

"You're really good at it," Max said admiringly as they took a short break.

"I used to build a lot," Lenny said casually. "But that was a long time ago."

"Can you teach us anything else?" Lukas asked enthusiastically.

Lenny nodded. "Sure. But you have to promise to work safely. No shortcuts, no wobbly constructions. Deal?"

"Deal!" the two boys shouted simultaneously, laughing.

Aurora and Schäfer came outside later that afternoon to inspect the treehouse. They were visibly impressed by the progress. "It looks fantastic," said Aurora. "You guys really did a great job."

"Lenny helped us," said Max proudly. "We could never have done it without him."

"Thanks," Schäfer said to Lenny, his voice honest but with a hint of caution.

"No problem," Lenny replied calmly. "It's fun working with the boys."

With each passing day, the treehouse grew, and the bond between Lenny and the family grew stronger. The boys began to see him not just as a helper, but as a friend, someone they could rely on. Aurora and Schäfer seemed to slowly come to terms with his presence, even if Schäfer's mistrust didn't completely disappear.

But as the treehouse grew and the family's life flowed harmoniously, there were moments when Lenny paused, as if thinking about something far away. A shadow sometimes seemed to pass over his face, but he skillfully hid it when the children looked at him.

The next day, an old but well-maintained truck rolled slowly up the family's driveway. The children heard the hum of the engine and rushed outside curiously. "What's that?" Max exclaimed excitedly when he saw the back of the truck.

Lenny got out, a slight smile on his lips. "Well, what do you think?" he said, slapping the truck's tarpaulin once.

"What do you have there?" asked Lukas, his eyes wide with anticipation.

Lenny pulled the tarpaulin aside, and underneath it appeared a gigantic, bright blue slide. It was at least six meters high and so long that it extended beyond the back of the truck. The children stared at it, open-mouthed.

"That... that's a slide!" Max finally shouted, almost jumping up and down with excitement.

Aurora and Schäfer also stepped out of the house, attracted by the noise. Their eyes fell on the slide, and Schäfer raised his eyebrows skeptically. "What the hell is that?" he asked.

"An extension for the tree house," Lenny said calmly, folding his arms. "I thought the kids would like it."

"Lenny, that looks... incredibly expensive," Aurora said, examining the slide more closely.

"How much did that cost?" Schäfer asked suspiciously.

"Not that much," Lenny replied, as if it were nothing special. But as Schäfer continued to stare at him, he sighed and finally said, "About a thousand euros."

Aurora clapped her hands over her mouth. "A thousand euros?! Oh my God, that's... that's way too much! We can't afford it! We'll pay you back, really. It might take a while, but..."

Lenny raised his hands in a placating gesture. "No. I'm doing this for the kids. I don't want any money from you. It's a gift, from me to them."

"But..." Schäfer began, but Lenny interrupted him.

"I was more than happy to pay for it. It gives me joy to make the boys happy. So please—no talk about money."

The parents looked at him, and Aurora seemed speechless for a moment. Schäfer opened her mouth, then closed it again, and finally nodded slowly. "Well... that's... very generous of you," he said, his voice hesitant but honest.

"Really generous," Aurora added, her eyes warm.

The children were beside themselves with excitement. "Can we try it out?" Max shouted, jumping up and down.

"Once we've installed it," Lenny said with a wink. "It's going to be a bit of work, so we'll have to hurry."

With Lenny's help, the slide was attached to the treehouse within a few hours. The children could hardly wait to finally slide down. Their laughter and shouts filled the garden as they tirelessly slid down the slide again and again. Aurora and Schäfer stood on the porch, watching their children work and play with Lenny. "He really seems like a good person," Aurora said quietly.

Schäfer nodded, albeit somewhat reluctantly. "Maybe I misjudged him."

From that moment on, the family began to truly integrate Lenny into their daily lives. The children saw him as a hero, the parents began to like him, and the family atmosphere became more and more harmonious. But as the days passed and the bond deepened, one question lingered in the back of Schäfer's mind: Who was Lenny, really?

The children were eager to do it. Max hammered nails into the wooden beams while Lukas cut the boards with a small saw. "Will this really hold?" Lukas asked skeptically, examining the construction.

"Of course!" exclaimed Max, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "We're doing this perfectly."

Lenny stood a few meters away, looking at the treehouse with a satisfied smile. "You'll see, this bridge is going to be awesome," he said as he cut another plank.

"Will you help us?" asked Max, lifting a heavy piece of wood.

"Sure, I'll be right there," Lenny replied, walking over and pitching in. Together, they secured the first tier of the second tree. The children laughed as they learned from Lenny how to make the knots more secure.

"This will be the best treehouse in the whole neighborhood," Lukas said proudly.

"Not just the best," Lenny replied with a wink. "The safest, too. No one will ever fall out of here."

The children nodded enthusiastically and continued working. Above them spanned the bridge Lenny had built the day before. It elegantly connected the two trees and seemed to rise into the sky like a work of art.

Suddenly, Aurora called from the house: "Kids, come in for a minute? There's ice cream!"

"Ice cream!" cried Max, jumping up excitedly.

"But first, let's finish the last screw," said Lukas, turning to Lenny. "Will you help us, Lenny?"

"Of course," said Lenny, kneeling down to stabilize the wood. "Let's finish quickly before the ice melts."

With Lenny as a helping hand, the children soon felt they could do anything.

The children climbed down from the tree house and landed with a soft plop on the soft grass. Their faces were covered in dust, and the excitement of the day was clearly visible. Aurora stood nearby, holding a bowl of ice cream cones.

"Ice cream, who wants it?" she called, waving the cones in the air.

"Me!" cried the children, and immediately rushed over to her. Lenny, who was also standing nearby, grinned.

"Do you want some ice cream, Lenny?" Aurora asked with a smile, holding out a cup.

"Why not?" Lenny replied with a smile and gratefully accepted the cup.

The children then all sat together on the wooden bench in the garden and enjoyed their ice cream. It was a moment of peace that put the excitement of the day in the background. Laughter and conversation filled the air.

Schäfer, who had been standing on the porch watching the scene, finally cleared his throat. "I need to go shopping," he said as he turned to the others. "There are a few things we need."

Lenny, who had also leaned back comfortably, looked up and nodded. "Can I help you?" he asked. "I could come with you."

"Really?" asked Schäfer, hesitating for a moment. "You really want to come with us?"

"Why not?" Lenny replied with a grin. "I thought it might be fun."

Schäfer shrugged. "All right, come with us then. Let's go."

The sun was high in the sky as Schäfer and Lenny climbed into the car. The smell of freshly made ice cream and hot asphalt filled the air. Lenny glanced at the cup he'd just emptied and smiled. "Can't hurt to eat some more ice cream, can it?"

"Well, if you stuff yourself with any more ice cream, you'll soon be running like a refrigerator in this heat," Schäfer replied with a laugh as he started the engine. The car jolted as he put it in gear and slowly drove down the driveway.

"Oh, you have no idea," Lenny said, leaning back in a relaxed manner. "Ice cream is never too much. But okay, you're right. Not exactly the best time to overeat."

"Yeah, there's not much point in overeating in this heat," Schäfer agreed. He drove the car through the streets, carefully watching the trees and houses passing by. "But still. It's good that you're keeping me company. It's kind of strange that you're suddenly with us, but it still feels... normal, you know?"

Lenny looked at him sideways. "I know what you mean. Don't worry, I didn't expect things to work out here so quickly either. But somehow it feels good."

"Is that so?" asked Schäfer, giving him a quick glance. "Well, you're... different than I expected. Not what you'd imagine. You're not a stranger who comes to town and thinks he has to watch us all. You're just... you. And that's okay."

Lenny nodded and looked out the window as the wind blew through the open window. "I understand. Sometimes you don't have to say much to know it's right."

The two drove in silence for a while, but the feeling of familiarity between them grew. Once they arrived at the supermarket, Schäfer parked the car, and they both got out. "Let's see what we find. All I want is some fresh air and a good dinner."

"Good choice," said Lenny as they walked into the supermarket, scanning the shelves of products and sales, and repeatedly striking up conversations. The tone was relaxed and informal as they got to know each other better.

"You know, it's really not so bad shopping here with you. I never thought we'd be such a good match," said Schäfer as he put a pack of pasta in the cart.

Lenny grinned. "Sometimes it's just the company that counts. Who would have thought we'd be standing here talking about pasta?"

"Well, we don't just talk about pasta," replied Schäfer with a broad grin, "but you're right. I never thought we'd be so relaxed together here. And it feels good. Really."

"Exactly, no great conversations necessary. Just a little fun and the right people around you," said Lenny, pushing another item into the cart.

The moment was relaxed, almost friendly, as they continued strolling through the aisles. What began as a simple shopping trip had turned into a real, genuine exchange that neither would soon forget.

The two continued strolling through the aisles of the supermarket, the sound of shopping carts and the murmur of the few other customers filling the air. Schäfer pushed his cart through the aisle while Lenny strolled beside him, occasionally picking up an item and then putting it back in the cart.

"You really are a real adventurer, aren't you?" asked Schäfer as they passed the corner of the outdoor section. "Have you always done things like this?"

Lenny grinned and nodded. "Yeah, I like the unusual, you know? If you live life in the usual ways, it gets boring at some point. Somewhere in the mountains or camping – that's where you really get your mind off things. There's always something new to discover. And you?"

"Actually, exactly the same," replied Schäfer, stopping at a shelf of bars. "I used to go climbing and hiking. But somehow my job doesn't leave much time for that. I'd like to be outdoors more."

Lenny raised an eyebrow. "I almost thought so. Being an inspector takes its toll, doesn't it?"

"Yes, it does," sighed Schäfer as he put the bars in the cart and continued walking. "But it's not just the job. There are other things that spoil the fun. Like, when you're constantly dealing with people who only see the negative side of everything."

"I understand what you mean," said Lenny thoughtfully as they continued walking. "That's why I avoid all the bureaucracy. I just let life happen and discover it as it comes."

"Sounds good," said Schäfer, realizing how much he was beginning to appreciate Lenny's calm, natural manner. He was a good conversationalist—not someone who was constantly searching for something, but someone who enjoyed things without overthinking them. "And you're right. When you embrace the adventure, life feels much more real."

"Exactly! Who needs all that stress?" Lenny laughed and pointed to a shelf of spices. "Spice is all you need to truly enjoy life. A little paprika here, a little chili there. It makes everything better."

"Ha! I agree. A little heat never hurts," said Schäfer with a broad grin. "I'm a big fan of spicy food. I could eat hot sauce every day."

Lenny nodded in agreement. "Me too! But you also have to learn that the best things are often not the ones that jump out at you. You have to find the quiet moments and take your time. Like cooking: It's not just what you do that matters, but how you do it."

Schäfer looked at him thoughtfully as he placed a bottle of olive oil in the cart. "You're absolutely right. Sometimes I get lost in the hustle and bustle. But it's conversations like this one that give you perspective again."

"Exactly," said Lenny, continuing to scan another product. "It's not always the big trip that counts. It's the small moments when you discover something for yourself. And that's what really sticks."

"I have to say, you have an interesting perspective on the world," admitted Schäfer. "You know, I think I've started to forget that. Maybe it's not just my job that makes everything so one-sided, but also that I've always focused too much on the big picture."

Lenny turned to him as they walked down the last aisle. "It happens to the best of us. But sometimes it's the moment when you stop and simply see the moment that brings you clarity."

Schäfer nodded, feeling a true friendship developing between them. "I guess that's what sets us apart, Lenny. You live in the here and now. I'm often too caught up in my head. But today I learned how to focus on what's important."

"It's never too late to learn that," Lenny said with a smile. "And maybe, just maybe, what you need most isn't another adventure, but to simply stop and enjoy the moment."

They continued on their way, the conversation continuing to revolve around everything they shared—from hikes to good books to the best barbecue recipes. Schäfer felt himself slowly opening up and trusting someone who had no hidden agenda, but was simply a good person.

At the end of the aisle, they filled the cart with all the things they needed, and by the time they reached the checkout, it felt like they hadn't just been acquaintances for a long time, but friends.

Schäfer and Lenny stood at the checkout, the scanner beeping incessantly as the clerk scanned the products. They continued to talk about what they'd seen in the supermarket and laughed about small mishaps. It was a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere that increasingly reinforced the feeling of true friendship.

"So, the cheese was a good deal, right?" Lenny asked as he continued filling the cart.

"Definitely," Schäfer replied with a crooked smile. "You really have a good eye for these things, Lenny."

When they finally paid for the last items, the clerk wished them a nice day. The exchange was quick and uncomplicated, but it was the first time Schäfer had truly felt that he, too, could be truly relaxed in the presence of another person. They went outside, continuing to talk while they loaded the bags into the trunk of the car.

Schäfer closed the door, leaned against the car, and looked at Lenny with a serious expression.

"You know, Lenny," he began slowly, "I never really trusted you. I always eyed you with some suspicion. But today you really showed me what kind of person you are. You proved to me that you can be trusted. And that means more to me than you think."

Lenny nodded thoughtfully and replied with a slight smile, "I'm glad to hear that, Schäfer. I know trust isn't easy, especially when you've been disappointed a lot."

"Yes," Schäfer agreed, "but today... today I feel like I can trust someone again. After a long time. Thank you, Lenny."

At that moment, a loud horn sounded. Schäfer turned around abruptly. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a car speeding toward them, much too fast and much too close. It was a reflex, a moment of instinct that didn't give him much time to think. But before he could react, Lenny pushed him hard to the side, directly onto the other side of the parking lot. Schäfer flew through the air, landing roughly on the asphalt, but it was enough to save his life. As he picked himself up and looked at the car in confusion, all he saw was the car slamming into Lenny at full speed. It was all much too fast, too sudden.