C19 (1/2)

The sky had already begun to darken. Outside the photographic hall, a middle-aged man in suspenders walked out and prepared to lock the door.

”Wait, please, help me with these barrels of film.” I hurried over to him.

”I'm sorry, I'm off duty.”

”I'm counting on you. Even if you can get one out, I'll pay you double the amount.” I opened my schoolbag and riffled through the film.

”Sir, you are wasting your time.” The middle-aged man glanced at the paper in my hand.

”These films must have been exposed to the air for more than ten years. God can't save them from mildew …”

Suddenly he was attracted by the camera in my schoolbag. He adjusted his glasses.

”Oh my god...” This, this is the Leca 0 series? Where did you get this camera? I never thought that I would ever see the Leca 0 series again in my lifetime, it's already out of print! ”

He quickly opened the door of the studio and plunged into the shop.

”The 1923 Leca 0 series, I dare say there won't be more than 30 of them in this world … Look, if it's in good condition, this camera is worth a house in Beverly Hills! Sigh, the internal mold has changed. What a pity, such a pity... ”

The middle-aged man placed the camera under the tungsten filament lamp and looked at it. I didn't understand the camera at all, so I was confused by his words.

”If you can help me get these films out, I'll give you this camera.”

The middle-aged man widened his eyes in disbelief.

”Sir, don't lie to me. I'm too old to be frightened.”

”It's a deal.”

The middle-aged man picked up the magnifying glass and carefully examined the camera: ”The inside of the lens has already become moldy...” Eh? There is still half a roll of film left in this camera, so I might as well see if I can get it out. ”

”That's great! How long do you need? ”

”I'm afraid I can't make it today. Leave your phone behind, I'll call you if there's any progress.” The middle-aged man passed me a pen and paper.

”Please, please contact me as soon as possible, I …” There's not much time left. ”

When I returned home, the sky was already completely dark. Upon entering the door, Lina's eyes were filled with tears as she said to me: ”Wuu, Lei, that litter of kittens were all bitten to death.”

Lina and Alpha sat on the carpet and fed the milk to Peter. The wounds of the kittens had already been treated, and one of their eyes was covered with white gauze. Lina sighed: ”I wonder if that female cat went crazy, I just can't understand, we didn't touch those kittens, why did we bite them to death?”

Alpha raised his head and looked at me. His eyes were abnormally calm, as if he knew that I wouldn't tell him the truth.

I really couldn't tell you the truth, and if I did, it would be like admitting that I wasn't at the institute that afternoon. The reason why I hate lying is that once the deception begins, it will continue to deceive, with each lie bigger than the previous one, like a snowball rolling bigger and bigger.

I sighed. ”Maybe... Maybe some other stray cat did it. ”

”One of Peter's eyes may be going blind. If you have suppuration tomorrow, you'll have to take it to a pet hospital and have it removed. ” Lina's voice was filled with pain.

The kitten, Peter, was curled up on the carpet, ostensibly a harmless little animal, but my mind was full of how it had bitten its brothers and sisters to death.

When the kitten was full, it looked around with its one eye and then back at me.

Somehow, I actually felt that its eyes and Alpha's were somewhat similar.

That was the cold and beastly gaze of someone who had seen the Infernal Realm.

”See you tomorrow.” Alpha carried Peter and stood up from the carpet.

”Wait, we'll go with you.” I held Lina's hand and said, ”We have been living here for so long, yet we have not officially visited you and Maria. It's still early, so let's go and disturb him. ”

Alpha stopped at the door and looked at me. ”You'd better not go.”

I remembered the look he had in his eyes that day in the darkness behind the desk.

”Alpha, don't worry. The two of us are only going to go see Maria. We won't disturb him for too long.” Lina said.

Alpha did not say anything, and only opened the door. Outside was the dark corridor.

My palms were sweating.

I have to go, and I must make Lina come with me. I must take off this old lady's mask in front of Lina.

Walking through the dark corridors, I remembered the first time I saw Alpha on a rainy night.

He sat quietly in the corner, his face lit up by lightning, his hair blond and his eyes blue.

If it hadn't been for the shock, but for any other scene, I would have exclaimed that the child was too good-looking.