Zigh drove his sports car at high speed, the momentum pressing Lian back into the seat. Lian, however, remained unfazed, indifferent to the aggressive acceleration. From the rearview mirror, Zigh observed Lian, whose gaze was fixed solely on the view passing by the left window.
After a long drive, they arrived at the military prison just as the sun reached its peak.
Zigh parked the car, and they stepped out, followed closely by Outer. Zigh approached Lian. "Lian, this is the military prison where the sniper is being held."
"Can we speak to the sniper directly?" Lian asked.
Zigh crossed his arms. "Why the sudden rush?"
Lian scanned the prison grounds. The towering concrete walls and the windows reinforced with iron bars brought back haunting memories of the incident in Serion City.
"Lian, are you alright?"
Lian offered a faint smile. "Perhaps if I hadn't run away, my fate would be..." Lian muttered, trailing off.
Zigh stared at Lian for a long moment. Run away? he thought to himself.
"Let's head to my office, Lian."
Lian nodded, and Zigh walked a half-step ahead. Outer stayed glued to Lian's side. The prison staff couldn't take their eyes off Lian—clad in an oversized shirt and three-quarter length shorts—but they quickly looked away the moment Zigh glanced their way.
"Lian, pay them no mind."
"Understood," Lian replied briefly.
After a few minutes of walking, they reached Zigh's office.
Lian saw the nameplate in front of the door with the gold-inked inscription: Colonel Zigh Eosvile. Makes sense why he acts like that.
"You work here?" Lian asked.
"I'm just here to monitor the situation. Let's head inside."
Zigh sat at his desk immediately. "Lian, you can take the chair by the window."
Lian nodded and sat down, looking up at the sky. "The sky is so blue," Lian murmured.
Zigh pulled out his phone. "Dev, have you moved the sniper to the interrogation room yet?"
"Yes, sir. Lexin and I have everything ready. You just need to head over."
"Very well. I'll be there shortly."
"Understood, sir."
Zigh ended the call. "Lian, let's go meet the sniper."
Lian turned around, smiling. "I want to see the face of the one who pulled the trigger."
"Right. I'll accompany you."
They walked to the interrogation room, where Devin stood waiting. Devin saluted. "Good afternoon, sir."
"Afternoon."
Devin's eyes flicked toward Lian. The boss actually brought his partner, who was sick earlier, to the interrogation room? he wondered.
"Is something wrong, Dev?"
"No, sir. But... is your partner joining you inside?"
"Yes, of course. My partner is the one who captured that sniper," Zigh revealed.
Devin's eyes widened. How could that fragile-looking person possibly have caught a sniper? "But, sir..." Devin hesitated.
Zigh clapped a hand on Devin's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll take full responsibility. Let us in."
"If you say so... please, sir."
Devin opened the door, revealing Lexin and the shooter inside. Zigh stepped in. Lian caught Devin's eye, offered a faint smile, and walked inside as well. Outer followed, waving a hand in front of Devin's face before disappearing into the room.
Devin tilted his head. Why does the Boss's partner feel... off? he mused.
***
Inside, the prisoner sat in an orange jumpsuit, facing Lexin. When Lexin saw Zigh, he stood up and saluted.
"Good afternoon, sir."
"Afternoon. Any progress?"
Lexin glanced at the suspect and shook his head.
Zigh sighed. "I'll take over."
Lexin looked at Lian. "But, sir, your partner..."
Zigh crossed his arms. "I'll be accountable. You and Devin, stand guard outside."
Lexin paused, then leaned in toward Zigh. "Forgive me, sir, but your partner isn't affiliated with the military or the police, is he?" he whispered.
Zigh patted Lexin's shoulder and whispered back, "Don't worry. My partner has a very... effective way of making the sniper talk."
Lexin nodded. "Very well, sir."
Zigh smiled. "Wait outside with Devin. Don't let anyone in. Give me the key."
"Yes, sir," Lexin replied.
He exited, and Zigh locked the door behind him.
Click.
He turned back to Lian. "Lian, just sit down."
"No. I want a closer look at the sniper."
"It's dangerous."
Lian whispered, "You know we aren't just the two of us here, right?"
Outer smirked.
Zigh swallowed hard. "What are you planning to do?"
"Just sit and watch," Lian whispered.
The sniper watched them calmly, but his fingers were working slowly, trying to pick the lock of his handcuffs. Lian walked toward him. The sniper ignored Lian, focusing entirely on Zigh, who sat down and glared at the prisoner.
"It's a shame you failed to kill me," Zigh said.
The sniper remained silent, stopping his attempt to pick the cuffs.
Lian stood behind the sniper, observing his bound hands and feet. Reminds me of my time at the Serion City military hospital, Lian thought, letting out a small, chilling laugh.
Suddenly, the room's temperature plummeted.
Zigh looked at Lian. What exactly is he planning?
Lian met Zigh's stare with an innocent smile.
The sniper clenched his fists. Why is it suddenly so cold? he thought.
"Let's get to the point. Is the Oleander Organization behind the shooting?" Zigh asked.
The sniper offered a cynical smile but kept his mouth shut.
Lian walked over and stood beside Zigh.
"Outer, take good care of the guest."
Zigh's eyes widened, his hands trembling slightly. "Lian, what are you doing?"
"Relax. I won't finish him off."
Zigh looked back at the sniper. The man's face was now drenched in sweat.
"The sooner you answer, the sooner you leave this room!" Zigh snapped.
Still, the sniper refused to speak.
Lian laughed. "Zigh, let me ask."
Zigh clicked his tongue. "Fine."
Lian reached out and held Outer's hand, which was resting on the table. Instantly, a dark, shadowy form manifested in the eyes of Zigh and the sniper.
Outer, who had been hovering behind the prisoner, grinned directly at Zigh.
"Wh—what is that black thing?" the prisoner stammered.
Lian giggled, while Outer's fingers gently caressed the prisoner's cheek.
Zigh's breath hitched in his throat while watching what Outer did to the sniper.
"Wh—what are you doing?!" the prisoner screamed.
Lian tilted his head. "I'm just standing here."
Outer stroked the prisoner's cheek again, breathing heavily right into his ear.
The prisoner felt every hair on his body stand on end. What is this black thing... it feels so cold.
"If you reveal the truth, what you see and feel now won't be your end," Lian remarked.
Outer laughed, the sound echoing through the sterile room.
Outside, Devin and Lexin jumped at the unnatural, chilling laughter.
"Dev, did you hear that?"
Devin sighed. "I did."
"Why are you so calm about it?" Lexin complained.
"And what exactly do you propose we do?" Devin retorted.
Lexin fell silent, staring at the floor. "Is it possible for the boss's partner to laugh so loudly that it echoes?" he muttered.
"Let's just wait for the outcome," Devin suggested.
Inside the room, the silence that followed was suffocating.
"I'll show you something interesting," Lian said.
Outer began stroking the prisoner's head. Slowly, the sleeves of the prisoner's jumpsuit began to fade and dissolve, all the way to his shoulders.
The sniper's eyes flickered everywhere. How could my sleeve have vanished without a trace?
Lian smiled. "Still want to keep your mouth shut?"
Outer stopped stroking the prisoner's head. "Say yes."
The prisoner's eyes went wide, his breathing erratic. No, I have to talk. If I don't, this dark thing hugging me will... he thought.
Even Zigh felt a tremor seeing the shadow envelop the prisoner.
Lian clapped once. "Outer, please."
Outer smirked. The shadow morphed into a thick mist, wrapping around the prisoner's entire body. Outer's face loomed inches away from the man's.
The black creature opened its mouth, revealing its sharp, white teeth. The prisoner began to shake violently, sweat pouring down his face.
"Me... mercy..." the prisoner wheezed.
Zigh looked away, his hands clenched tightly under the table. Lian, you're truly skilled at this, he thought.
"Mercy? Hmm... tell me, was it the Oleander Organization that ordered you to shoot Zigh Eosvile?" Lian asked softly.
"If... if I answer... will you let me go?" the prisoner begged.
Lian glanced at Zigh. "What do you think, Zigh?"
Zigh reflexively looked at Lian. "Not enough, I want more than just that," he said.
Lian smiled and turned back to the prisoner. "You heard him."
Outer began to giggle. The sound made Zigh bite his lip.
"W—what do you want?" the prisoner gasped.
Lian touched his own cheek. "Zigh, what do you want from him?"
Zigh's eyes turned sharp. "Give me every piece of information you have on the Oleander Organization!"
To be continued...