I don't know what happened through the previous week, but I goddamn know, that Apollo is going to stay with me for a while longer.

I must consider myself lucky, as my mom isn't returning from her personal journey, yet.

It is around 8 a.m when I wake up and first thing first, check my instagram, because obviously that is what most of the teenagers do these days!

This time, instead of checking my own dull account, I stumble upon Apollo's pictures on the hot-trendy lists! Salem has done it!

"APOLLO!" I yell.
After a moment, I hear a joint of fast paced foot steps getting closer.
"Milaya?! What is wrong?" Apollo is panting and his face is red, his eyes blood shot and his hair messy. I think, I just scared him.
"You are famous! Look, 1 million likes. Bro, you are on the hot list of the week. Look at those comments!"
Apollo's mouth is ajar and he stretches his arm. I hand him my phone and he begins to scroll.
"Handsome... Contact me oo voo?"
"It is Uwu." I correct him.
"You look like a God... marry me... guys, I will let him take my virginity... I bet he is one of those area 51 aliens america was hidding from us..."
Apollo reads the English comments out loud and I have to snifle my laughter everytime he turns red after reading a thirst comment.
"I saw this picture, now I am gay..." Apollo faces me with rounded eyes.
I laugh out loud and slowly punch him on his arm.
"Don't worry, these are just normal conpliments you get once you are famous! Lemme show you Shawn Mendes's instagram. Beside alot of hot biceps' pictures, you can also entertain yourself by reading the comments."
I jump from my bed and sit up. Apollo sits beside me.
"Here, look. Just read the comments until I make breakfast for both of us." I hand him my phone and make my way to the kitchen. I boil the water, and cook eggs.

"Apollo, the breakfast is ready!" I call.

Apollo sits at the table and gives me my phone. Just when I am about to take a bite from my freshly toasted bread, my phone starts to screech.

It is Connor.

"Mornin'." I say.
"Mil-ayaaa, I have got a good news and a bad news."
"Go for the bad one first."
"Apollo's family are dead..." For a moment, all I can do is take a quick glance at him. He is sipping the tea very delicately, like the delicate boy he is.

"A-and the good news?" I ask hesitantly.
"The police have tracked a guy, who looked alot like him and has been missing. He is Canadian."
"And what are the witnesses?" I ask while staring at Apollo's arms.
"A whole life, Mil-aya. Trust me with this. We have to meet." He says at last.
"Ok, let's meet this afternoon."

I sit back and clear my throat. Apollo looks up.
"Hey-y, buddy. You never told us, what you remembered that day? I think, what you'll see today, is partly connected to that."

"How?" How am I supposed to know?!
"I don't know. Connor called right now and said that the police have found someone like you, who has been missing from Canada."
Apollo rubs his face and sighs.
"I don't understand. I know this is frustrating for you, too. But I can't remember anything! I am so sorry. I- I better go now."
He looks utterly hurt, maybe I shouldn't have talked about him. Way to ruin someone's day, Milaya!

But he is going.... seriously

"Where are you going?"

"Salem." He walks out of the kitchen while answering which pisses me off alot. That is rude!

"What are-"
"Don't worry Milaya. I am just going to do my job. I will be the model and I will get the money." Apollo smiles and goes to his room. The last part of his sentence sounds so much like Salem. Something in the tune of his voice is bothering me. Well, I hope he doesn't cause a trouble.

...

"Mil-aya!" Ugh, it is Connor. I really can't have a moment for myself.
"What do you want?" I growl before opening the door.
"Where is Apollo?!" He is shaking me by my shoulders.
"Calm down, would you?" I set myself free and take a breath.
"We went out to meet Salem. And I am sure he will come back with a new hair cut, unlike you!" I point at his head.
"First of all, you are changing the subject. Secondly, my hair cut is perfect!" He crosses his arms over his chest.
"Yes, yes, for you ofcourse. But you are wearing the same hair cut since five years ago..." I mumble to myself before sitting down.
"So tell me what is going on." I begin while pouring tea in a cup and handing it to Connor.
"So many things Mil-aya. Trust me with this one. I don't know how to explain it.
But let's start."

"I am all ears."
Connor narrows his eyes and hands me a folder. I look at him for a moment before opening it. I pull out a picture... it is Apollo's. And besides that, I also see a newspaper.

"Read it out loud." Connor says quietly.
"No." I say and continue with reading.

"It is unbelievable, Connor. This is bullshit. So this means that he... Apollo was murdered here. Th-that he was murdered sixteen years ago? 2003?! I don't believe this." I throw the folder back to Connor and he catches it, before the papers scatter away.
"Mil-aya, but this isn't the only proof. I even called the police and asked about it. They sent an official confirmation." Connor flips the papers and finds the said proof. I can't believe this. Connor is good at pranking and making bullshit out of everything. This is stupid! But... the man in the picture is Apollo. He has died when he was only 18... and his real name is Louis Adams.
The murderer has commited suicide in the jail.

This is fake.

"Connor, I can't tolerate your pranks at this point anymore."

"But they are real. Trust me!"
I know when he is lying and when he is telling the truth. But Apollo, I mean Louis is alive...

"If Louis is alive and walking before us, then this means he-"
"He is a dead man walking." Connor cuts me. He is so stupid. But I can't help but smile. But I also punch his arm.
"He can be someone else... doppelgänger of this guy, Louis Adams." The end my words.
"That hurts. Ok, puns aside. I have an idea. The only way to prove this, is to do a DNA test." He says and rubs his arm. Somehow he deserves it.

______________

I thought this story wasn't going to get noticed, but I am happy that you guys are reading it and liking the chapters.

Thanks EsorThePanLord for your nice, funny comments. They boost my motivation.

18.08.19