"What do you mean 'seen'?"
The moment he heard Nik's voice, Harry rushed toward him.
He didn't want to hope… but he couldn't stop the thought.
Could it be that he really found something…
"What did you find, Nik?"
Suddenly, Nik pulled a cat out from behind one of the twisted pipes.
The cat was calm. Too calm.
Nik exclaimed excitedly, "Oh… you're so cute…"
He started petting it, ignoring the surroundings, ignoring the darkness.
Harry swatted him. For a few seconds, he just stared.
"Damn you… I thought you found something important."
Nik shrugged. "Don't worry. I doubt we'll find anything here either."
He set the cat down and waved his hand at it.
They continued walking.
They checked the alley inch by inch.
Walls, pipes, wet ground.
Every little sound made them pause instinctively.
Suddenly, Harry stepped on a piece of wood.
It was small, but the sound echoed through the alley.
Clack.
They both turned at the same time.
The cat.
The same cat.
A few meters back, standing and watching them.
Nik said, "Huh… it's the same one."
Harry whispered, "Yeah… that's it."
He stepped forward instinctively, hand reaching out to pet the cat's head.
In an instant, everything changed.
The cat hissed and sank its teeth violently into Harry's right hand.
"Gah… damn it!"
Harry gritted his teeth.
The cat wouldn't let go. Its fangs sank deeper.
If he tried to pull his hand away gently, it would tear.
Harry lifted his hand, ready to slam the cat against the wall.
At that moment…
Dust exploded everywhere.
It was as if the alley had blown up.
He couldn't see a thing.
Harry and Nik were side by side, panting, but couldn't see each other.
The cat was gone.
Both covered their mouths and noses.
A few moments passed…
Then gradually, the dust settled.
Harry lowered his hand.
A woman was approaching them.
Her steps quick, nervous.
Black formal dress.
The same woman.
Her eyes suddenly turned yellow.
"You've gone too far."
Her fist rose.
Hit.
Harry didn't even have time to react.
The world went dark.
Blindness.
Where am I?
Am I blind?
No… his eyes were closed.
It felt strange.
Calmer than expected.
His mouth was taped shut too.
Damn… this feels wrong.
Then he realized his hands and feet were bound.
Why do I always notice late?
"Ugh…"
Suddenly, the tape on his mouth was violently ripped off.
Pain shot through like sparks.
"Excuse me… can you tell me what's going on?"
His voice trembled, though he tried to stay calm.
"No."
The woman's voice, cold and firm.
"Very good."
A sound came from behind.
"Uhhhmm."
Nik.
The sound of high heels approached.
The cloth over Harry's eyes was removed.
The room was small.
Mudbrick walls.
Four gas lamps in each corner of the ceiling.
In front of him, a woman sat on a chair.
Beside her, another woman stood.
They were beautiful.
Too beautiful.
Harry tried not to stare.
Behind him, Nik was still struggling.
The standing woman went and removed the tape from Nik's mouth and eyes.
Nik yelled, "Ugh! Are they going to… I like my body!"
Harry froze.
He struck Nik on the back. "Idiot! They're women!"
Nik paused. "…Yeah, you're right."
Then he added, "But maybe they'll send a man? After all, gay people are everywhere."
Harry sighed. "If they do, you just have to endure it."
Nik's eyes widened. "So relaxed."
"I know."
The seated woman spoke. "Can you stop talking nonsense?"
Nik immediately said, "No."
Harry was shocked. "You just said no?!"
Nik quickly corrected himself. "Sorry… I was angry."
The woman exhaled softly. "Why did you come to that alley?"
Harry said, "How do you know?"
She replied sharply, "Answer me."
Harry took a deep breath and told everything.
About the paper.
The sentence.
The alley.
The cat.
When he finished, only one thought remained in his mind:
These two… are far stronger than we think.
To be continued…