THE SWEDISH COVID MILLIONAIRE - Chapter 5: The Cries of Lost Innocence
A 50-part fiction series, unique to Nicholas' Chronicles
(The picture depicts Eva Bengtsson 1974).
The smoke-filled apartment in Östermalm was enveloped in a dense haze that nearly concealed the ornate walls and heavy curtains, allowing only slivers of pale moonlight to penetrate. The party, organized by the notorious Doris Hopp, was in full swing.
The rooms were filled with a mix of Stockholm's high society, businessmen, politicians, and young women, some barely more than children, enticed by promises of quick money.
Peder leaned against a bookshelf, observing the scene. He and Prime Minister Olof Palme were there as part of Viktor’s Ariosophical Circle, an elite and secretive group that held power over many. The Swedish intelligence service had its suspicions, but Peder and Palme's involvement was well-hidden. They were at the party to locate a specific child for their dark rituals on Värmdö.
In the midst of the murky din, Peder spotted Palme. The Prime Minister was there to personally oversee the evening's proceedings. Peder had received specific instructions to ensure everything went smoothly.
That was when Peder saw her. Eva Bengtsson, a young woman whose presence cut through the thick atmosphere. She had a beauty that seemed unspoiled despite the circumstances that had brought her there. Their eyes met briefly, and Peder felt an immediate attraction to her. There was something in her gaze – a blend of strength and sorrow – that set her apart from the other women there.
Eva was 14 and have been living at Ulvsunda Youth Home since a couple of months back, after her parents had separated, leaving her unmoored. She had met Doris Hopp through friends, a woman who exploited her vulnerability and drew her into a world of prostitution. Now she stood here, surrounded by people who saw her as a commodity rather than a person.
Peder approached cautiously, aware that every movement in this room could have significance. "Hi," he said softly as he got closer. "I'm Peder."
Eva regarded him for a moment before responding. "Eva," she said, her voice soft but firm. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same," he replied, a spark of humor in his eyes. He felt an immediate connection, a sense that they were both outsiders in this moral quagmire. But he was also mindful of his mission and the delicate balance he had to maintain.
Before Eva could respond, a figure moved behind them. Doris Hopp, elegantly dressed in a red gown, approached with a sharpness in her gaze that suggested she had not missed any of their interaction. "Peder, isn't it?" she said with a voice that was buttery yet sharp. "And Eva, I see you two have already acquainted yourselves."
Peder felt the atmosphere in the room shift. "Yes, it seems so," he said, keeping his gaze steady on Doris.
"Good," Doris said with a slight smile. "I like it when my guests get along."
As Doris moved on, Peder felt Eva's hand reach for his. She was terrified, and he could feel her trembling. "We need to get out of here," she whispered, and he nodded.
They slipped out of the apartment and onto the street where the night's chill enveloped them. For the first time in a long while, Eva felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe she could leave all this behind. Maybe, with Peder, she could find a way out of the darkness.
They walked along the quiet streets, away from the place where power and corruption reigned, and towards what could be a new beginning.
In the background of their escape echoed the sounds of the party's depravity, but for the first time in a long time, she felt the wind of freedom on her face.
Peder knew what he had to do, but right now, it was more important to attend to Eva.
Peder and Eva sit in the backseat of the taxi, the silence between them thick with unspoken words. The streets of Stockholm gradually give way to quieter, more isolated roads as they head towards Värmdö. The night is dark, the only light coming from the occasional streetlamp and the moon, which casts an eerie glow over the landscape.
Eva sits close to Peder, her eyes wide and her body relaxed from Champagne. She looks out the window with her blue eyes, watching the city fade away. Her long, light brown hair falls in loose waves around her thin, pale face, and she wears a simple black dress that looks out of place in the luxurious taxi. Her hands are clenched in her lap.
Peder, on the other hand, appears calm but is inwardly conflicted. He watches Eva from the corner of his eye, trying to gauge her state of mind. His tailored suit, with its wide lapels and patterned tie, is immaculate, a stark contrast to the turmoil he feels inside. He knows the significance of the night and the role he must play, but the vulnerability of the girl beside him stirs something unexpected within him.
The taxi driver, oblivious to the tension in the backseat, focuses on the road ahead. The car's interior is filled with the faint hum of the engine and the occasional crackle of the radio, which plays soft, indistinguishable music. The scent of leather seats mixes with the lingering trace of Eva's perfume, a light, floral fragrance that seems almost out of place in this dark scenario.
As they drive deeper into the countryside, the landscape changes. The tall buildings of the city are replaced by dense forests and open fields. The road becomes narrower and more winding, flanked by trees that seem to close in on them as they approach their destination. The night air, filled with the scent of pine and damp earth, seeps into the car through the slightly open windows, adding to the sense of isolation.
Peder finally breaks the silence. "Are you okay?" he asks, his voice low and somewhat hesitant.
Eva turns to him, her eyes reflecting a mixture of fear and confusion. "I don't know," she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. "Where are we going?"
Peder hesitates before answering, choosing his words carefully. "We're going to a place where you'll meet some important people," he says, avoiding the full truth. "It's important that you trust me."
Eva's gaze hardens slightly, a spark of defiance showing through her fear. "Why should I trust you?" she asks.
Peder sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Because I'm the only one here who can help you," he replies, though he isn't entirely sure of his own words.
The driver looks at Peder in the rearview mirror.
The taxi finally turns onto a gravel driveway, leading them through a thick forest. The headlights of the car illuminate the path ahead, casting long shadows that dance and flicker. The trees eventually part to reveal a grand manor house, its silhouette imposing against the night sky.
As the car comes to a stop, Peder reaches for the door handle, glancing at Eva. "Stay close to me," he instructs. "And remember, everything will be fine."
Eva nods, though her expression remains uncertain. They step out of the taxi, the night air immediately wrapping around them. The manor looms before them, its windows dark and unwelcoming. The only sounds are the crunch of gravel underfoot and the distant rustling of leaves in the wind.
As they approach the entrance, Peder places a reassuring hand on Eva's shoulder, guiding her towards the heavy wooden doors. The journey from the apartment in Östermalm to this remote estate has been long and filled with dread, but the true horrors of the night are just beginning to unfold.
The ritual involving Eva was to take place on Värmdö. The serene island, known for its natural beauty and tranquility, now held a sinister secret.
The plan was shrouded in darkness, orchestrated by Viktor and his Ariosophical Circle, who thrived on power and fear.
The air was thick with the scent of pine and saltwater, a stark contrast to the evil that lurked beneath the surface.
The perpetrators wore make up, their clothes a grotesque image of vikings, blending sophistication with horror.
The music that played was haunting, a distorted lullaby that echoed through the night, mingling with the whispers of the wind and the distant cries of seagulls. Screams that would soon be replaced by the cries of lost innocence and shattered faith in humanity.