“AAHHH…!!!?”
A shrilling howl pierced through the entire room, blowing off layers of cold air surrounding it.
Zack gets up from his bed, straightening his body directly out of his sleep. His breath is panting. Sweats came down all over his forehead and down to his body. His grey eyes are wide open immediately. Scanning everything around him with a frantic movement.
“Again… that dream…”
Seconds passed, and he was still in confusion and complete shock. Sitting on his bed, staring blankly at the broken window that he patched with planks a few days ago. Trying to contemplate things slowly. Touching his neck. Checking his pulse.
Although he’s already wide awake, the sensation is lingering there. Being pulled down to the deep dark depth. Suffocating him with the freezing ocean surrounding him.
The helplessness. The fear. As if someone is faintly still choking him down at this very moment.
No matter how hard he tries, he can’t get back to sleep again.
Besides, shreds of morning light already slipped between the gaps in the window.
“Zack! Wake up, dummy!”
The voice came from the door. Probably Aura is standing right in front of the door already. Waiting to pounce on his sleepy self the time he steps out of the room.
Zack sits on the edge. Processing the voice earlier. As he get things to prepare before heading out, his gaze stopped at a mirror on one side of his room. Walking toward it. Pulling down the cloth covering his neck. Staring at the mark etched on it.
A faint sigh escaped his mouth.
Too many things for him to do and think about. No way he can ignore her annoying call by the door now. Ever since they three got back from grocery shopping together, Nikola’s health has been getting worst.
His medicine had run out. Aura’s scold reverbed days in and out. She doesn’t know nor even care the fact how much his money has been squeezed out.
Those two expensive ID Cards only made them run out of luck. Those elites gave them a glint of ease only to later be plucked.
Zack needs to fill their stomachs. He needs money.
For the sake of Nikola’s health. For the sake of Aura’s endless worries. For the sake of his last undisturbed sanctuary.
Wishing he’ll have a peaceful sleep tonight, hopefully.
The door shut slowly. Behind him, is the apartment where two little kids are still asleep soundly inside. Not forgetting to call the caretaker right before he exited the room.
Along with his dark-colored coat, Rukevic immediately walks off from the apartment and calls out a passing taxi. The chilly northern autumn wind sure is bothering him. Moreover, the sun is still shy enough to show its warmth in the vast azure sky.
For these last couple of days, he had tried to search all four suburban districts. Based on what those kids told him while looking for ice creams, he went on the search in The South on the first day. Even though he got a rough idea of the whereabouts, his effort seemed to be fruitless.
After that, he randomly roamed around the other districts on the remaining days. From narrow alleys to the main artery roads, while carrying a suitcase anywhere he went. Kruger’s request to meet the person of their interest.
And that’s why today, the fifth day of his search, a thorough search on The Central District is his final effort in this marathon.
Starting from the base of operation for this colony.
Although he had walked down every path that people usually use around The Central House, not even a clue caught his senses. Aimlessly moving his feet, with his wandering thoughts back to that trip from the hospital.
The unnerving glare from Kruger was the only thing left in his memory as he heard that order. To keep his distance away from everyone he’ll meet from this point, with goals to keep in his mind.
First, digging up the information and background of the person of their interest. Second, Kruger personally asked him to carry the suitcase with him. Whatever lies inside, Kruger’s request is in there.
His mind suddenly dragged back when Rukevic accidentally bumped into a passerby. Their body pushed back from the impact after both being absent-minded, with a cold silence following them afterward.
The person nonchalantly walks away without saying a thing, leaving Rukevic to stand there. For a while, his gaze is sharply directed straight to where they go.
“Are you perhaps… Mister Adrik…?”
Suddenly, the person reacted, stopping midway, then glancing from behind his hood. Even though there is some distance, Rukevic could still see his widened eyes before replying with an ill stare. Slowly turning his body to face Rukevic.
“What do you want…?”
“You wouldn’t hate a morning coffee session, yes?”
“Bold of you to assume I want a coffee.”
Minutes passed, and there they are, sitting face to face inside a family restaurant not far from The Central House. Away from other customers, they’re sitting on the corner by the window. The awful memory of a few days ago still lingers. Ironically, they both have the same taste for coffee.
While Zack seems to be more and more uncomfortable, Rukevic takes a slurp of his drink.
“Don’t give me that answer. A friendly treat wouldn’t hurt someone as carefree as you, no?”
“Rich coming from you with those injuries.”
“Pay no mind to it. Mostly has been healed after a night at the hospital. Regardless, I look forward to how you could deliver such a precision yet non-lethal barrage and teach me about it.” Said Rukevic with a smile. “And, how about you? You also suffered quite an amount of damage back then I recalled.”
“Hey, ain’t got any time for bullshit, you know that?”
Tack.
“That’s a shame. Then, let me get straight to the point…” The cup was put on the placemat gently. “The Lieutenant himself is offering, or perhaps giving you this gift especially for you even, as a form of apology and recognition of prowess from him. From fellow fighter to another.”
Rukevic puts the suitcase that he had brought to all four districts yesterday. And finally, today he’s about to hand it over to the person in question. A weird sense of relief appears upon knowing that it won’t be his responsible from here and out.
The case is opened wide. Curiosity engulfs them both. Not even Rukevic knows exactly what’s inside. Kruger only told him to hand it over immediately.
Sitting there, is a thick blade black in color, with a slight curve from the middle part to the rounded edge.
What they’re looking at now, is Kukri, sitting majestically with memory foams surrounding the inside of the suitcase. The carvings on its blade amplify the impression on them.
“It is said to be one of his most prized personal collections.” Zack takes a good look at it. His hand hesitantly hovers above it. “Use it, treasure it, or even sell it right away to some shady marketer for profit. From here and on, it’s all yo-”
“I refuse.” Zack harshly closes the lid and slides the case back to him. “Ain’t no way this is for free. No strings attached. Whatchu want, for real?”
Rukevic sighed from that reaction, “As someone with such talent and combat prowess, it’ll be a waste to let your talent remain unpolished. Unused for a good cause. So, with this, it’s an invitation to be one of us. What do you think, Mister Adrik?”
“Not interested.” Said Zack clearly with annoyance etched deep behind his eyes. “Ain’t y’all out of your mind and too damn desperate to offer this to someone that beat the shit out of your asses days ago?”
“Listen, Mister Adrik, not everything in this world can be achieved with an endless endeavor alone. Naïve for one to say they could get to places and get things done with their own effort. That’s why exist people offering help. Opportunities for one to grow, by any means necessary. If so, as the sanest person, would you skip the given opportunity then?”
“Hell, I ain’t give a shit ‘bout your offer or wise lecture. I’m outta here.”
“If I help you to break into Central House, would you consider this offer?”
Tension rises. Immediately stopping him, Zack was frozen the moment those words spouted out of Rukevic’s mouth effortlessly. Zack frowns. Rukevic carves a smirk. An unnerving stare was exchanged between them.
“So?” Asked Rukevic calmly as Zack sit again.
“Don’t make baseless assumptions.” Zack clears his throat. Maintaining his composure. “Ain’t gonna do something as bothersome as that, not me.”
“Well, your tongue might be lying, but that was not the case with your gestures and eyes.” His statement made Zack tilt his head. Crossing his arms. “How on earth someone would be as absent-minded as a starving crow while staring at one’s house if he’s not thinking about a way to get in?”
“That ain’t enough to put me in your presumption.”
“You think so? I thought it was normal to be in awe of the architecture and all, not the case with observing every crack and gap for a person to break in, that is.”
Being cornered is something that Zack doesn’t fond of. While he’s trying his best to keep his composure, Rukevic puts on a calm expression along with a shady gaze at him. As if, he’s not breaking a sweat being clairvoyant for a glimpse there.
“Also, it’s fine not to drink the coffee. Don’t force yourself. I know your body and eyes are dying for sleep after staying up late to observe the building.” Again, Rukevic spouted his thought after glancing at Zack’s movement.
“Hey, stop it. Ain’t you disturbing your negotiation partner if you keep saying those things?”
“As long as it helps to handle things in my favor, I don’t mind.”
Somehow, since Zack came here, he can feel the uneasiness looming around Rukevic. As if Zack was just a piece of crumpled paper being spread out wide open on the table. Being read through him simply just from the stare.
He knew, that no matter what he do, Zack feels like he’s been defeated right away upon sitting here for the first time. He doesn’t much of a choice other than to play along.
Zack exhales heavily. Leaning back. “Fine, let’s say… I do want to get insi-”
“No, you do really want to do it.” Rukevic corrected mid-sentence. Zack just gave up and threw a death glare.
“Okay, whatever. If that’s the case, then what…??”
“Now, now, don’t be so hasty.” Rukevic rise his pointer finger straight. “I need to know what exactly you need to do there.”
“…”
“Knowing your purpose may help me to decide the best plan for us. Is it because, of the rumored so-called secret file…? Based on the motives of the recent heist incident. The rumor. The priceless file.”
Zack falls silent. Rukevic put his guess right off the mark. But then, an eerie feeling is slowly crawling down his spine when a thought crossed his mind.
Being able to guess right on the spot…
…Ain’t that make him a clairvoyant then…?
“And also, no. I’m not a clairvoyant or using any magic. This is just my deduction from what I observe from you.”
Like hell, I’d believe that…!
Rukevic takes another sip of coffee. “The reason I’m doing this is to make us on the same page. When mutual understanding is reached, doing things in a group will be easier. Thus, a mutualism will be achieved.”
“What will you gain from this?”
“I’ll tell you once you join.”
“What you’re tryin’ to say is, you’re willing to help…?”
“Exactly, Adrik.”
The change in tone when he called him out made Zack tilt his head. Putting him in more anxiety. Moreover, a faint grin is carved on Rukevic’s face to make his feeling even worse.
“And, what if I refuse then?”
“Simple, I’ll just expose your true identity as much as I want, like reading your mind through a spread piece of white paper.”
Zack laughs nervously, “Well, ain’t you more than meet the eye, you sly b*stard…??”
“Happy to hear that.”
Tack.
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