The cold, stifling air of the interrogation room made it difficult for the sniper to breathe. Outer kept a firm grip on the sniper's chin.
Zigh let out a deep sigh. "Now, tell me! Where is the Oleander Organization's main headquarters?"
The sniper's legs trembled, then slowly went limp. Why? My legs… I can't move them, he thought, pressing his chest to stem the flow of blood.
As the man remained silent, Zigh slammed his fist onto the table. His sharp, green eyes had lost their usual light. "Answer me!"
The sniper's breathing grew ragged. "Pant... In... Eripe City... pant."
Zigh ran a hand through his hair, observing the sniper. So, it's there, he mused. He glanced at Lian. "Lian, do you know Eripe City?"
Lian shook his head.
Zigh noticed, then shifted his gaze back to the sniper. If Lian doesn't know Eripe City, the place where Miss Edelweiss lives... then it all makes sense now, Zigh concluded.
"What is the name of the Oleander boss?" Zigh pressed.
The sniper's breath grew shallower. "Pant, pant... El... Elfinder... pant."
Zigh's eyes widened. "I never expected it to be him," he muttered.
"Do you know him?" Lian asked.
Zigh nodded. "He's a famous actor in Echo."
Lian let out a soft laugh. Zigh clicked his tongue. "What's so funny?"
"You," Lian replied.
"Huh!?"
The bluntness of Lian's remark caused Zigh to shift in his seat. "Me? Why?"
"A Colonel, yet you keep up with the entertainment world," Lian remarked.
Zigh raked his hands through his hair, pulling it back. "Whatever... I have the information I need." He looked at the sniper, whose face had turned as white as a sheet. "You will be tried for your crimes!" Zigh declared.
The sniper offered no response. Zigh stood up and approached him, while Outer suddenly dissolved, vanishing from Zigh's sight. Zigh placed his index finger near the sniper's nose.
"Relax, he's still breathing," Lian said.
Zigh took a long breath. "How did Outer do that?"
Lian smiled. "That's a secret."
Zigh exhaled, then repeated the action three times to steady himself. "Can you do this when we face the Oleander Organization later?"
Lian glanced at Outer, who had reappeared by his side.
"Easy," Outer chimed in.
"Outer says it's easy," Lian relayed.
Zigh clenched his fists, staring at Lian for a long moment. Outer... that creature is truly dangerous... but Lian... he thought.
"Are you afraid?" Lian asked, his expression blank.
Zigh bit his lip, choosing silence. A suffocating stillness filled the room, as if the oxygen had been completely drained away.
Zigh ran his hands through his hair again.
"You do that a lot," Lian noted.
"Is there a problem?"
"Your hair is soft."
Outer let out a wicked grin.
Zigh sighed. "Let's get out of here. Let Devin and Lexin handle the rest." He walked to the door and unlocked it. "Click." He opened it and looked back. "Lian, hurry up."
Lian smiled and followed. Outside, Lexin and Devin exchanged glances as the two emerged.
Did something happen between those two inside? Lexin wondered.
"Take care of the sniper. Don't ask questions," Zigh commanded. They both nodded in unison.
As they left the area, Zigh stopped mid-stride.
"Lian, are you not afraid of Outer?"
Outer bared his teeth, his blank, pure white eyes fixed on Zigh.
Lian looked up at the bright blue sky. "He is a part of me..."
Zigh looked down at his own hands, which had been shaking slightly in the interrogation room. "I see."
The clear sky bore witness to the awkward silence between them.
Zigh turned to Lian. "Do you want some castella cake?"
"Why?"
Zigh offered a faint smile. "I don't know, I just feel like having something sweet," he replied.
"Are you angry?"
"Lian, I just need to process the information we just got," Zigh deflected.
An excuse, Outer whispered in Lian's ear.
"I'd rather have ice cream," Lian said.
"Yeah, that might be better for today," Zigh agreed, staring back at the vast blue horizon.
They headed to the parking lot. Lian and Outer followed a step behind. No one spoke as they got into the car. Lian stared out the left window, while Zigh focused on the road, the car moving at a steady pace as if time itself were slowing down.
Did I make him angry? Zigh Contemplated.
When they arrived at the shop, they stepped out.
"Lian, you've just been recovering so... should we get something else instead?"
"No, I want ice cream."
"Very well. As you wish."
Inside, Zigh approached the counter.
"Welcome, what would you like?" the clerk asked.
Zigh turned. "Lian, what flavor?"
Lian, who had been observing the shop, replied instantly, "Vanilla."
Zigh sighed, looking at the menu. Vanilla... fine, he thought. "Two large vanilla cups. For here."
"Please wait a moment," the clerk said, handing a board number.
Zigh took the number. "Thanks."
After paying, Zigh gestured, pointing his index finger to a corner table near the window. Lian nodded and they sat. Lian remained silent, his gaze fixed outside, while Zigh watched him, waiting.
In the silence, the waitress came to the two men's table.
"Here's your order, sir," the waitress said.
Zigh nodded.
The waitress served the order at their table, then left them after bowing. Oh, my… Did they fight? she wondered.
"The ice cream has been served," Zigh said, nudging him. "Eat it before it melts, Lian."
Lian took a spoon and began to eat.
Zigh smiled slightly. "How is it?"
"Cold," Lian replied.
Zigh stirred his own cup with his spoon, round and round. "Lian, are you angry with me?"
Lian said nothing.
Zigh stopped stirring for a moment, then resumed. "We're partners, right?"
"Yes," Lian said.
Ever since I asked about Outer, he's been like this... did I do something wrong? Zigh wondered.
Lian continued eating slowly, while Zigh's vanilla ice cream began to melt into a puddle.
"I hate people who waste food," Lian said firmly.
Zigh's eyes widened, his spoon clattering against the bowl.
Outer bared his teeth. That Eosvile is annoying.
Lian sent a telepathic message: Let's just watch for now.
Zigh fumbled, scooping up the melted ice cream. "Still cold..." he muttered.
They sat in silence until the bowls were empty.
"Lian... do you want more?" Zigh offered.
"No need."
Zigh clenched his fist, looking Lian straight in the eye. "Sorry."
"For what?" Lian asked.
"I offended you."
"Weren't you the one who was angry at me?" Lian countered.
Zigh startled. "Why would you think that?"
"Back in the interrogation room, when the sniper fainted... you glared at me," Lian stated.
Zigh didn't break eye contact. "That... I was just surprised. I didn't expect Outer to be capable of that."
"Didn't you already know my power before we started this contract?" Lian asked.
Zigh's blood pressure increased. "Of course. You displayed your strength clearly right in front of me," Zigh retorted.
"Then what is it?"
Zigh's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"Forget it. I will keep my end of the contract."
Zigh stood up. "Lian, I don't like it when you're like this."
Lian looked up, his gaze icy. "I don't like your attitude either."
Zigh's pulse quickened, his heart hammering against his ribs. He walked toward Lian, his eyes blazing.
Outer suddenly appeared right in front of Zigh and placed a heavy hand on his shoulder.
Eosvile, the promised? Outer whispered.
To be continued...