Chapter Ninety-Eight
Martin
 
     Martin had spent the past strange years imprisoned in different houses; most of his time was summed up in three things: programming, exercise and reading; when Martin was on the treadmill; Mr. Cobb entered the room and while he looked excited and a bit flustered; he sat on the couch in front of Martin and said: "Martin, you're acting differently today."
     Martin, tired of getting off the treadmill, went to a large table that was full of magazines and newspapers and in a corner of it, there was a bottle of water, a glass and a pill box. He took the bottle and the glass in his hand and turned to Mr. Cobb; he filled the glass with water and was thinking about this strange remark of Mr. Cobb "You're acting differently today." What did he mean by that? Mr. Holland's mind was not working properly these days; he finally said: "What do you mean by that?!"
   James, looking directly into Martin's eyes, said: "What happened?"
   Martin said nothing, just looked at the glass of water; the water in the glass was wavy and turbulent like the sea. Martin's hand was shaking. He swallowed his saliva hard and said: "I gave Amy the address here and all of my houses."
   James laughed and said: "She'll probably come after you with an MP5." He got up and went to Martin; took the glass from his hand and said: "You did this to see her again? Did you explain everything to her?"
   "No, I regretted it. I don't want to face her even once."
  James put the glass on the table and then took Martin's arms with his hands and while shaking them, said: "You talk like criminals! Are you scared?"
   "I don't know myself anymore. I don't know if I'm guilty or innocent; I don't care at all. Every breath I take is like torture; why doesn't this torture end?!"
   James let go of his hands in disbelief and said: "If you wanted to continue this crappy life, why did you stand in front of that damn kiosk every day? Why did you start this game?"
   "Because I'm crazy; because I'm tired of this life; because I don't want to hurt anyone's life."
   "So what about your own life?"
   "My life has no importance or value for me."
   "It's too late for this decision. Everyone's life has value; why don't you take back your past life? Take back your happiness; please don't back down."
   "Happiness and past life are not important to me anymore."
   "You were scared but it's too late. Be the powerful person who cares about nothing but his goal."
   "What if those phones start again; what should I do? What if her life is in danger?"
   James hugged him and said: "I'll help you. I swear."
   When they parted and Martin finally took his pill, he looked curiously at James and said: "Did you say you agree to see her?"
   "So you want to see her."
   "It's too early for this meeting."
   James said: "By the way, Lisa Marks messaged me; she says someone is threatening Peter; she sent him a message saying 'Did you know I'm a serial killer?' "
   "Who is this now?! So my time is running out before things get worse; I have to do something."