Episode 24

The cobblestone streets of Amsterdam, still slick with a recent shower, reflected the muted glow of the streetlamps as Hans and Sadie strolled arm-in-arm. Robert, nestled in a specially designed carrier on Hans’s back, emitted a soft, contented sigh, his tiny nose occasionally twitching. The air, crisp and cool, carried the faint scent of canals and blooming tulips, a stark contrast to the familiar grit of their city. Yet, beneath the picturesque surface, a disquiet had begun to settle in Hans’s gut. The Gamora Godmother’s directive, chilling and absolute, echoed in his mind: *Sadie Sterling. A problem to be… resolved.*

He squeezed Sadie’s hand, a gesture meant to reassure, but it felt hollow even to him. She, blissfully unaware, pointed out a charming canal house, her eyes alight with genuine wonder. “Look, Hans! Isn’t it beautiful? I’ve always dreamed of visiting Amsterdam.” Her smile was so pure, so trusting, it twisted the knot of dread tighter in his chest. He was supposed to be protecting her, not being the very danger she was unknowingly walking into.

Back in their hotel suite, the carefully curated ambiance of luxury felt like a thin veneer over the impending storm. Robert, released from his carrier, immediately began a frantic sniff-and-explore mission, his tail a blur of happy motion. Sadie, humming softly, unpacked a few items, her movements fluid and unburdened. Hans, however, remained by the window, his gaze fixed on the darkened street below, his mind a whirlwind of possibilities. Why Sadie? What had she done, or what did she represent, that the Gamora, a syndicate he’d only ever encountered in the shadows, would target her with such ferocity?