Olivier turned his head left and right, shocked. Just now he was still in the café and in a flash, he found himself in an unfamiliar environment. Well, no. The environment wasn't entirely unfamiliar. Paved roads, tall buildings, scattered streetlights. This was the place Olivier had just seen in the book.
"Does this mean…"
Olivier shot around, looking towards the direction where he could hear the flowing water. Without caring about anything else he crossed the street and stared down the slope. He instantly spotted a man clinging onto a root, his hand slowly giving up.
"Hold on!"
Just as Olivier made the first step towards the slope Sam's hand lost its last bit of strength. It let go of the root and Sam's body slipped down the slope. Olivier instantly began to run. A plop sounded and Sam landed in the water floating on his belly. The river flow wasn't disturbed as it carried an additional object.
Olivier reached the side of the river. There was not a moment of hesitation as he jumped in. The water pulled on his clothes, but Olivier was in his element. His own home was called 'Swamp' because of its hostile environment. Without being a good swimmer, one wouldn't be able to survive. Although Olivier was always rather weak, he nevertheless knew how to efficiently move in water.
With practiced, strong strokes of his arms and legs Olivier quickly reached Sam. He carefully approached from the man's legs as even unconscious people could sometimes react and wrap their limbs around another person, dragging them both down. Olivier had personally seen such a fearful situation once.
But luckily nothing like that happened. Olivier reached Sam's head, pushing it out of the water first before turning the unconscious body on its back. He grabbed Sam below his arms and using only his legs forcefully pushed both of them towards the shore.
Olivier took a few deep breaths as they arrived on land. But he knew that the danger was not over yet. Listening closely, he revealed some relief as he ascertained that Sam was still breathing. But it was still important to act quickly. Olivier alternated between pressing the man's chest and blowing air into his mouth. This method might look strange to Sam's peers, but in Olivier's homeland where saving drowning people was nothing rare, this had long become the standard.
After a couple minutes of Olivier's efforts Sam suddenly awoke with a start. He coughed heavily, wheezing, spitting water from his mouth. Both men were utterly exhausted. Olivier stared at Sam, asking between breaths:
"Are you alright?"
"I… don't think so."
Olivier stayed silent. I was apparent that Sam needed some time. Another ten minutes passed before Sam rigidly turned his heavy head towards Olivier.
"Thank you. You… saved my life."
Olivier simply nodded. He was contemplating what to say. What did the black cat expect from him? Was it just to save Sam or was there more to it? He wished he had more information. He should've read more about Sam in the book earlier but then he might've been too late to save the man. The information would have been obsolete. Now he could only fish for information from Sam himself.
"Sir…"
"Oh, you can just call me Sam."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Olivier. So, Sam. Do you want to tell me how you ended up in the river? I hope you didn't try to… you know…"
Facing Olivier's gaze, Sam shivered. Although he did have some negative thoughts from time to time, he never tried to really end his life. His groggy brain moved slowly, and he remembered the feeling just before he fell. Something seemed to have stung his leg. A dart? Sam scrutinized his own legs but after falling into the river there was nothing left to see. Sam sighed inwardly. What was he supposed to do? Should he say that someone was trying to kill him? Would anyone believe him?
Sam thought back to that dark night. No one ever believed him. They treated him like a serial killer just because he carried a knife with him. If the murder streak had stopped, no one would have entertained the idea that Sam might actually be innocent. It was better not to make things overly complicated. He would take care of it on his own.
"Ha, no no. I was just… overworked. Let me thank you again, Olivier. This… I can't even put it into words."
"Alright… How are you now? Should I maybe accompany you home?"
Sam hesitated for a moment. But considering that there might be a murderer out there, it was naturally safer in numbers.
As Sam nodded, Olivier stood up. In the dim light and wearing a drenched tailcoat he was quite the strange figure. At least Sam thought so as he accepted the outstretched hand and stood up with Olivier's help. He was still somewhat weak on his legs, supporting himself on Olivier's arm.
Meanwhile the Barista was thoughtful. What was his mission here? Why did Sam appear in the book? Did he have a connection with the café? Was Olivier supposed to win him as costumer? With these thoughts swirling through his mind, Olivier stared at the man next to him. Suddenly some information popped up.
[Sam Hugh
Lifespan: 32,4/76,5
Origin: Bell Town, Kerv
Status: Shocked, Poisoned, Intoxicated, Fearful, Doubtful…]
Olivier flinched in surprise, earning him a confused glance from Sam. It was unexpected that the eyes of truth suddenly worked. After coming to this city, Olivier had of course looked at Sam, but he couldn't get any information. Only now as he concentrated more intently did it work, and it even came with additional information. It seemed the rules of eyes of truth changed outside of the café. It was more difficult to gleam information, but it was also more detailed.
At this point Olivier was brought out of his thoughts as Sam began to talk. Perhaps the man found it difficult to endure the silence. Sam didn't mention his little swim again, instead talking about inconsequential matters, but those unexpectedly caused Olivier to sweat. When Sam asked about Olivier's job, he could still truthfully answer that he was working at a café. But the logical follow-up question inquiring about the café's name and address was difficult to answer. Olivier squirmed around, which only made him appear even stranger in Sam's eyes.
After a while of walking the two men arrived at a street where it was still somewhat lively. Sam thanked Olivier, saying that he would find home alone. Olivier could only helplessly watch him leave.
However, Sam was Olivier's only clue as to why he appeared in this world. Of course he wouldn't allow the man to leave. He sneakily followed Sam.
Sam's nerves were taut. At each corner he expected someone to suddenly jump out. The shadows looked like fierce monsters. But even with his vigilance he didn't spot Olivier who followed him some distance away. This was proof of the latter's skill. As someone who had always been rather weak, hiding was one of Olivier's most proficient abilities.
Although the unfamiliar environment didn't make it easy for Olivier. The sound of a slow carriage attracted his attention. The electrical streetlight flickered. Once or twice he almost lost sight of Sam. But fortunately, they were already close to Sam's home.
Sam threw one last glance over his shoulder and finally let out a sigh of relief as he entered through the door. He didn't know that a second later a person stepped out from behind a corner. Shadow covered half of his black and white tailcoat. Who else could it be but Olivier?
A thoughtful expression covered the barista's face. He stared at the door, not sure how to proceed from here. His own body told him that there was no need for food, drink, or sleep. This did make things easier. But Olivier still didn't know what his goal was. What was he supposed to do in this world?
Just as Olivier was scratching his chin, feeling lost, he noticed movement out of the corner of his eyes. He turned his head and spotted a black cat emerging from the shadows. That sauntering step and haughty posture. There was no doubt. It was the café's cat. So she followed him here?
Olivier stared at the approaching black cat.
"Did you come to answer my questions?"
The black cat jumped on a windowsill, facing Olivier's inquiring eyes. She nodded lightly. Olivier let out a sigh:
"How generous… So, can you tell me what I'm supposed to do here? Am I here to save Sam?"
The black cat nodded lightly, causing Olivier to turn thoughtful. If his job was to save Olivier, wasn't he already successful? Or was Sam still in danger? Olivier thought back to the earlier scene. Sam falling into the water… Sam being evasive… Sam's status… poison? Did someone poison Sam? Was someone trying to murder the man?
However, what was he, Olivier, supposed to do? Despite all the strange occurrences surrounding him he was still just a normal person. Should he really face a murderer? Why? How?