Day6 || Hunt

Part III

Shivering in silence, you follow him obediently, knowing very well who holds the upper hand. You're in his territory now, and you have a feeling you're about to find out the full meaning of that snake tattoo.

After several minutes he pauses outside another set of large, oak doors. Turning towards you confidently, he smiles as he speaks.

"In the room we're about to enter, you'll find some guests who are...unique," he says, carefully.

You can't help but scoff at his word choice.

Expecting him to continue, you look up to find him watching you carefully. He's still calm, still has the same grin he wore earlier in the evening, but his eyes have changed. The light amusement they held previously has given way to something much more serious. They hold a warning mixed with something you can't quite interpret.

"Once we're inside, I suggest you let me do all of the talking. I will do everything in my power to help you, but in return you have to promise me one thing," he says, his gaze holding yours with intensity.

"What's that?" you ask uneasily.

"I need you to give me the flash drive."

You try to control your expression, hoping not to give away your sense of panic. How did he know about that? And if he knows, how many other people are searching for it? You were afraid before, but it suddenly dawns on you just how deep in this mess you are, and you have no idea what you're doing.

Seeing your hesitation, he speaks again.

"I'm not going to take it," his voice is appeasing. "I just want to look at it; then I'll return it to you. Do we have an agreement?"

You weigh your options. It's risky; it doesn't make sense. What can he possibly gain by inspecting a flash drive? He's probably planning to steal it, hoping to get his hands on whatever information it holds. Hesitating indecisively, you know you don't have much time.

"I don't have it," you admit, staring at him earnestly, "but I can get it for you."

Young K told you the drive is encrypted. Without someone to decode it, he won't be able to read it. And although, with his connections, he can probably find someone easily, agreeing will at least buy you time to find Young K. If he dies you won't be able to use it anyway.

"I have one condition," you interject, quietly.

The man with the tattoo raises an eyebrow, looking intrigued.

"You have to promise me you won't hurt my friend. If I give you the flash drive, me and him leave here tonight. Alive," you stress the last word.

The handsome stranger flashes you a satisfied grin.

"It looks like we have a deal."

The weight of your decision rests on you heavily, and in one last attempt to calm your nerves you step forward, leaning in to study his expression carefully.

"How do I know I can trust you?" you ask suspiciously.

Tilting his face down to yours, his smirk falls away, his eyes locking with yours intensley.

"You don't."

/-/

"Cardinal, what brings me the pleasure of your company this evening," the man by your side says, smiling.

He looks calm as he enters the room, but as you approach the table you can feel his body tense by your side.

The man he called Cardinal chuckles darkly. He's a large, cruel-looking man with a menacing smile and cold eyes.