Noah was inside Ron's home with Emma. The main door lock had been mangled by a rock and thrown away. Noah was inspecting the upstairs area, which had two rooms, a large king-size bed, a closet, and a bathroom, while Emma was inspecting downstairs.
The entire house was spotless. The horrific incident seemed to have vanished completely. Even the blood spilled by the beheaded chicken had disappeared. Noah was now infuriated, trying his best to find even a single clue, but failing miserably.
"I have to go to work now," Emma said anxiously.
She then added,
"And I don't think the neighbors see us as good people."
"The neighbors are suspicious! Ron has disappeared, and they think we are suspects!" Noah said in a hostile tone, his face looking like it was about to explode with anger.
"Be calm, Noah. Be logical. We should leave now. I'm sure we will find Ron."
Emma tried to calm him. She touched Noah's cheek and smiled.
Emma's smile somehow calmed Noah. He sighed and then said:
"Fine… you're right. I'm not being logical. I hope Ron is just fine."
———————————
Lord Yin, wearing his white fox mask without ears, marked with three red stripes on each cheek, wearing a dark green jacket, jeans and light green t-shirt. Waiting patiently and quietly for someone.
He was sitting on a black chair with a white table in front of him and another black chair across it. The room was empty except for the chairs, the table, and Lord Yin himself.
Suddenly, a man entered the room alone. His footsteps broke the silence. He was wearing a thobe with a shawl. He was middle-aged, brown-skinned, and had a fist-length beard.
"Assalamu Alaikum, Saif al-Rahman. It is a pleasure to meet you. Please, have a seat," Lord Yin said in a calm yet respectful tone.
The man sat down cautiously and said suspiciously:
"I don't know why you asked me to meet you on American soil. If you're planning anything illegal, I warn you—I have a suicide bomb attached to me."
Lord Yin chuckled and replied:
"It's a private island. You don't have to worry about anything. There's nothing to fear here. I just want to ask you something…"
He paused and became serious.
"Do you know about the Freedom Tower terrorist attack?"
Saif al-Rahman became more alert and said:
"Al-Qaeda is not responsible for that attack. We may be responsible for many attacks, such as 9/11, but for this one, someone else is responsible."
Lord Yin leaned back in his chair.
"We are responsible for the attack. Our organization carried it out, and we need your help."
Saif al-Rahman was stunned by the sudden revelation. He coughed, trying to regain his composure, and said:
"That is… disturbing information. What do you need from me?"
Lord Yin placed his hands on the desk, clasped them together, and leaned forward.
"You may already know that your leader has gone missing, and there is a power struggle within your organization. I don't think you will emerge as the leader."
Saif al-Rahman's eyes widened in shock, his mouth nearly falling open. He couldn't believe an outsider knew this.
"How do you know this? And what do you want from me?"
Lord Yin remained calm, ignoring Saif al-Rahman's tone and expression.
"We will help you gain power, and in return, you will give us access to your bases and your army. I don't want authority—just access. And you need a strong ally now, because after the Freedom Tower attack, the USA will do everything it can to eliminate every member of Al-Qaeda."
Saif al-Rahman thought for a moment, then said:
"Do you really think my people will accept a non-Muslim like you?"
Lord Yin stood up from his chair and said:
"I don't care about religion or rituals. I only want access to your bases and soldiers. These days, religion is often used to control people, not to guide them."
Lord Yin extended his hand for a handshake, offering the deal. Saif al-Rahman hesitated briefly, then shook his hand, accepting the offer.
"I'm trusting you," Saif al-Rahman said. "Don't you dare betray me."
"Don't worry," Lord Yin replied calmly.
"By the way, what is the name of your organization?" Saif al-Rahman asked cautiously.
"THE BALANCE OF RED," Lord Yin said.
———————————
Some time later, a helicopter flew away and disappeared into the sky, an Al-Qaeda flag trailing behind it as Saif al-Rahman departed. Lord Yin watched silently. A red-cloaked, masked figure approached and whispered something into his ear.
Lord Yin walked toward a small tower in the middle of the island with a red button on it. He pressed the button, and an elevator rose up. Lord Yin and several red-cloaked figures entered the lift.
After some time, Lord Yin and several of his members stood inside a prison-like room. In front of them was a weak, feeble man with the same beard as Saif al-Rahman, but much older. His clothes were torn from constant whipping.
The weak man spoke in a trembling voice:
"Do you really think—"
He coughed violently.
"—that you can take over my organization by killing me? Soon they will learn the truth and betray you."
Lord Yin took a gun from a masked figure and pointed it at him. His bloodthirsty, gleaming eyes stared coldly.
"As if I care about their betrayal."
——————————
On a hospital bed lay the weak man's corpse. Blood continued to seep from his forehead, dripping down the side of the bed.
"Give that man a proper Muslim funeral. Let him rest in death," Lord Yin said, standing just outside the room where the body lay.
The masked figures obeyed his order. Suddenly, one of them approached with a walkie-talkie and said:
"Lord, they are asking for permission to kill them."
Lord Yin took the walkie-talkie and replied:
"Kill the man and the woman. Permission granted."
He pause
"Remember no mistakes"