‘Richie won’t let me in his territory now that he knows everything. I have to find a way to make him believe me that I am unaware of everything and harmless for him. But how to even do that?’ The weight of his helplessness pressed down on him like a leaden cloak, suffocating him with its crushing inevitability.

With a heavy heart, Markus sank to his knees. ‘How? What to do? Think. Think, Markus.’ His fists pounding against the cold stone floor in a futile display of frustration. ...