...How would I tell everyone the truth about Bach?
What if Zuzanna was okay now?
There would be no need to say anything.
But I knew, with absolute certainty, that Bach would not stop hurting people.
Magda...
What if you knew that Bach was the one who killed Jan?
What would you do?
Would you stay silent, as you always do?
Or did you already know—and kept quiet because you were powerless?
Why do you protect Zuzanna alone? Why her, specifically?
I believe only Szymon can uncover the truth...
He is the key.
Everything revolves around him—Jan, Zuzanna...
He's the only witness to what happened that night.
Filip tried to do something.
He was like a shadow to Mir, watching and following her every move.
We spoke about what we should do, and suddenly Filip said:
– "We can't wait any longer. We can't all escape… but the four of us can get out of here."
He meant himself, Szymon, Lina, and me.
Everyone agreed eagerly this time...
Except me.
Me, the one who had always longed to escape—something inside me had changed.
Szymon said:
– "We'll do it tonight, after we're sure Zuzanna's okay. I'll force Magda to tell me where she is."
Then he suddenly looked at me.
And I thought: This could work...
Maybe Filip could help us a lot outside, just as Kamil once did when he took care of us
But... what if Magda is lying?
What if she sold Zuzanna off, like the others before her?
Their fate is still unknown to us.
We weren't prepared for the worst...
Everyone left, and it was my moment to speak.
– "Szymon... there's something I need to tell you."
He panicked instantly, assuming it was about Zuzanna.
– "Can we sneak out?" I asked him.
He shouted:
– "Now? Never! That would be too dangerous, especially with Mir watching everyone."
I calmly replied:
– "Yes... now. I have something that can help you."
Then I added:
– "I told Filip about our absence."
He was surprised, but I assured him:
– "Yes, I told him everything. We have nothing left to lose."
In the middle of the forest, after we slipped away...
Szymon asked me, puzzled:
– "Why come all the way here?"
I approached a certain tree...
The same tree I had once rested beside, next to that blond clown.
I reached into a crevice and pulled out the gun I had hidden there.
Szymon was stunned, speechless.
He muttered in disbelief:
– "W-what… my God! What is that? Where did you get it?! Are you insane?!"
I answered steadily:
– "Where I got it doesn't matter... but what you're about to hear is far crazier."
– "Alright, alright... What is it?"
I told him the truth.
That the one who killed Jan was none other than Bach.
He didn't believe it at first—I knew he wouldn't.
I told him that the hand with the severed finger belonged to Bach.
That he was behind many of the vile deeds happening in this place...
Yes, it was him.
The earth shattered beneath him.
He screamed—once, then again.
Then collapsed to the ground, weeping heavily.
In a trembling voice, he said:
– "Yes… his behavior was always odd. The way he looked at us…
But why kill him so easily?
He must've known how much Magda valued Jan...
I don't understand.
And that awful Magda.... does she really not know he's a criminal?
She must know. She has to know.
I said:
– "If she knows... then she's truly a demon.
But we have to confront her to be sure."
Szymon stood suddenly, turning back toward the orphanage.
I told him:
– "But she hasn't returned yet…"
Then I held out my hand to him:
– "Take this... it's yours now."
He hesitated and said:
– "But..."
I snapped:
– "But what?!
Do you know what I went through to get it, you coward?
You said you're worried about Zuzanna?
Then make Magda talk!
Search for her! Do something!
Don't make excuses like you did last time…"
Tears welled in Szymon's eyes.
He tried to hold them back... but he gave in.
He knew what I meant... the time Jan was killed.
I didn't apologize.
I wasn't looking for sentiment.
I wanted him to find courage... to be a man.
Because our lives are different—and we must be different too.
He took the gun from my hand, then suddenly said:
– "Thank you…"
I looked at him with pride… then walked ahead of him.
But he called out to me:
– "Karina... are you with me in this?"
It was as if he sensed my shift...
But I didn't respond.
Because honestly… I don't know when I'll back out of all this.
I don't want to keep going with this madness.
I just want to wake up…
He spoke again, in a soft voice:
– "Okay… What am I to you… I mean, what do we mean to you, Karina...?"
What a strange question, I thought. Why now?
I felt sadness for a moment—
I remembered my brother Kamil the day we parted.
Szymon repeated:
– "I'm asking you… what are we to each other?"
His eyes waited for my answer, in silence.
My breath quickened as I finally said:
– "We… are siblings."
Then louder, more firmly:
– "Yes. That's what we are. Always."
We returned to the orphanage.
Szymon's eyes never left me.
But I tried, with all my strength, to avoid meeting his gaze.....
When we got back, I asked Lina for a pair of scissors. I needed to find a weapon for myself.
Lina looked at me, startled:
– Are you crazy? What do you want to do with scissors?
I told her I was going to cut someone's hair.
Lina went to the sewing kit but couldn't find the scissors there. She searched here and there until she finally found them.
Mir asked her:
– Why are you carrying scissors?
Lina had already come up with an excuse: she said she was going to cut the little girls' hair too, because of a lice outbreak.
Mir said:
– Fine… just don't forget that witch's hair.
For some reason, she meant me.
Lina gave me the scissors, and I took them.
Mia… I cut her bangs. I wanted her to look prettier, and to stop the girls from making fun of her eyebrows.
I did it quickly. Mia didn't understand why, but she was happy with her new bangs.
Then I asked Lina to cut my hair too.
Lina said:
– You really are crazy!
But she did it. I told her she was really bad at it.
The girls looked hilarious… Lina had butchered them all.
Laughter filled the room, and we became the center of everyone's mockery...
The boys got their revenge after we made fun of them last time because they all had the same haircut— like soldiers in a boot camp.
But I know this atmosphere will not last long.....
***In the forest, where the darkness was thickening slowly, a group moved silently between the dense trees...
The Caller spoke in Russian through the device:
— Сэр, цель перед нами. Начнем?
("Sir, the target is in front of us. Shall we begin?")
Kazimir responded in a cold, calm voice:
— Да.
("Yes.")
The Caller replied instantly:
— Ясный.
("Understood.")
Kazimir muttered to himself with contempt:
"You twisted little dwarf...
You want to lead me like a dog just so you can win the grand prize and leave me with scraps?
Let's see what we'll get from Mr. Mikael…"
Meanwhile, in a camp deep in the forest, Luca was preparing to carry out his mission.
He had overslept without realizing it.
He jumped up, alarmed, and rushed to wake his dog:
— "Blanco, come on! Let's move! We're late...
I promise you a delicious feast after this mission—just don't let anyone notice we're behind schedule!"
Then he muttered sarcastically:
"Lucky for me you're a dog and can't talk…"
Blanco gave him a puzzled glance for a moment, then looked away indifferently.
Luca whispered to himself:
"Damn it… I still don't know how to earn this dog's trust."
Suddenly, Blanco growled silently, baring his teeth and taking a combat-ready stance.
Luca, anxiously:
— "What is it? An animal? Someone?"
(Then he whispered tensely)
— "Blanco? Do you feel anything?!"
He muttered with frustration:
"Damn it… I should've moved earlier.
Now I'm in trouble, and more delays because of that bastard Rafal…"
But the group approaching the tents didn't belong to Rafal—the one who had promised them safety...
No, it was another unit, loyal to Kazimir.
They came closer... and the moment to strike had come.
Blanco barked loudly from inside the tent, ready to fight.
The men outside paused, waiting for someone to come out, thinking they had caught their targets off guard.
But no one appeared.
Blanco suddenly intensified his barking, as if about to pounce.
Then, in a sudden ambush, he and Luca burst out from behind the tent and raced into the forest at full speed!
One of the attackers shouted:
— "Two people escaped! Fire!"
— "Team, move! Fire!"
They began firing at the empty tents—while Luca and Blanco had already vanished among the trees.
One of the enemy soldiers was backing away, gripping his rifle nervously.
His companion shouted at him:
— "Move forward! Now!"
He stepped forward heavily, checking the area, whispering:
— "Damn it... no one here.
The second tent… empty too.
What the hell is going on?"
Fear began to creep into their hearts.
They lost their composure, yelling at one another as their sense of control crumbled.
Not far away, Luca was watching them closely.
He narrowed his eyes and whispered:
— "Why are they speaking Russian?
Damn… who are they?
Let's try to understand what's going on…"
Then he sighed with frustration:
— "Ugh… damn it, I hate using the pistol.
But just this once… because I'm not alone.
I'll protect you, Blanco."
One of the men moved closer to the trees, unaware of the danger.
Blanco crept toward him like a silent assassin.
Luca whispered sharply:
— "Damn it… I give the orders here, Blanco!"
The attackers had brought portable light generators with them.
That gave Luca an idea...
Target the men with the lights first.
This was his night.
He knew this forest.
He knew how to move through it.
And he was skilled in fighting in the dark.
The battle broke out...
But it wasn't a normal fight.
It felt like a battle between ghosts....