Chapter Eighty-two

Chapter Eighty-two
Bryan
"And where have you two been?" Francis asked like a mother worried about her children as he stepped out of the elevator to meet us.
Kacy and I looked at our feet, feeling embarrassed as other employees were looking at us, curious about the commotion.
"Please don't make me ask you again," Francis said in a firm tone. "You don't know how worried I am that you two suddenly disappeared without telling me why. I thought you were already taken away by the enemies."
"So strict," Kacy muttered.
"I'm so sorry for making you worried, Francis," I apologized, still not able to look at him in the eyes. He's always private about his things and emotions; it's rare for him to show his worries to us.
"You're the boss, Bryan, but what you did doesn't suit you well. Aren't you the one who should be cautious about what you're doing? You already know how dangerous it is to go outside, but you still did," Francis lectured.
"That's why we put on disguises," Kacy defended. "I understand that you're worried about us, but you don't have to be; we are fine. No one recognized us."
"Even so," Francis asserted. "What you did is still dangerous. We still have no idea who we are dealing with. Our enemies aren't just ordinary people. Something's off about them."
"I also noticed that," I said, taking the chance to turn the topic somewhere else. "They can use magic."
"Sounds like Harry Potter," Kacy added.
"Yeah, that's what I am telling you. You already know how dangerous the enemies are but still went out," Francis went on again.
"Please, just forgive us, man. We won't do it again without telling you," I said.
"So you're planning on doing that again?" Francis asked, frustrated.
I can't help but scratch the back of my head. Francis had really changed. He became a worrywart. I can't blame him either; after Denver's death and Jonas's betrayal, we're the only friends he has left. He'll be lonely once we're gone.
"We don't want to, but we can't just stay here doing nothing," I said. "We're not like you, Francis. We can't stay in our room all day. We need to go outside to breathe fresh air."
"Okay, fine. I won't argue with you anymore. Do whatever you want to do. But if something happens, don't blame me for not warning you," Francis said before leaving like a grumpy old man.
"Why is he so mad?" Kacy asked.
"I dunno either. I think we should do something to make up to him. We'll become beggars if he drives us out."
"I don't think he'd do that. Maybe he's just worried about us; that's why he's so mad that we went outside without telling him. I think we should gather more information about the enemies; this is our priority," Kacy said.
"Speaking of information, I got to talk to the spy. He must have remembered some information about his boss."
"I'll go with you."
"You don't have to."
"But I want to." She held my hand. My weakness. I can't decline her every time she does this. Every time our skin touches, it electrifies me, making me remember all the sex we had together.
"Alright then. Let's go." I led her to the cell.
The spy was asleep when we entered there.
"Hey, man, wake up." I slightly slap his face.
He groaned, barely opening his eyes. He looked thinner than the first time I saw him. He must be hungry. We forgot to bring him food and water, so I asked Kacy to get some. We don't want him to die yet. There are still many things we need to know. It'd be difficult to get more information about the enemy if he dies.
"My wife," he said in a hoarse voice.
Despite being in this situation, he's still thinking about his wife and child. He's a good husband and father for them. He accepted a risky job just to support them, but he didn't know that he only made their lives more dangerous.
"Don't worry about them," I said, feeling sympathetic towards this man. I'm not really this kind of guy who cares and comforts others, but maybe it's not bad to show some care sometimes. "I already told Francis about it. He's sending some men to watch over your wife until she gives birth and comes out of the hospital. You'll meet her soon and your child."
"Thank you," he said with a weary smile.
"Save your breath. You can't die yet."
"Right." He remained silent, just looking at his feet with brooding eyes. He already stinks and smells a little rotten. "I still want to see my wife and child before I die."
I would let him take a shower if I could, but he hadn't earned my trust yet, and Francis will surely make a fuss if I become a little loose towards this man.
A few moments later, Kacy came back with a tray of food and a glass of water. She put them on the table. It's difficult for him to eat restrained, so we decided to take off his tie.
I know Francis would be mad if he knew we did this, so I ask Kacy not to tell him. "You may take a seat," I told the man.
He sat down in the chair. Confused why we're treating him this way. He's our enemy, and setting him free means he can do bad things towards us. Well, he doesn't seem to have the strength to do that yet.
"Go on, that food is yours," I said.
Without saying a word, he started eating the food like a hungry lion. Tears streaming down his eyes while chewing. He must be very hungry.
"Take it easy, man," I said. "You might be hungry, but I heard some people choked to death by eating too much altogether."
"I'm sorry, but this is so delicious."
"Everyone who's been locked up without food for a while will find anything." I sighed, remembering the movie I've watched where a hungry man saw another man as a fried chicken due to hunger and ended up literally eating him up.
Kacy and I waited for the man until he was done eating. Then we restrained him again. There are some bits of food on his face. He looked a little better now, but he still stinks. He had probably peed in his pants or maybe pooped.
"Do you think it's better to let him shower first?" I asked Kacy in a whisper.
"You're right. He stinks," Kacy whispered back.
"Are you talking about me?" The man asked angrily.
I coughed to clear my throat. "No offense, but you smell bad, so we think it'll be good if you take a bath first. Take your time; you might remember something in the shower," I said, taking off his tie.
"Are you sure?" he asked. "Aren't you worried I might escape?"
"Do we have to be worried?" I asked, looking into his eyes.
"No, you don't." He bit his tongue and smelled himself. "I'm sorry. I peed in my pants like a kindergartener."
"You should have called us if you needed something."
"I don't know how."
"Right. We should leave you a bell to ring later."
"You don't have to," he said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I'll cooperate with you. Now I realize the trouble I've put myself into. I accepted the job without asking questions. I don't even know who my boss is, and I know nothing about you, the people whom I am supposed to kill," he said.
"You made the right decision. But just so you know, we don't fully trust you yet. You have to prove yourself. Your words aren't enough to convince us that you won't trick us," I said.
"I will. Thanks."
"You don't have to thank me. Now go to the bathroom and take a bath. We'll talk after you shower," I said.
He nodded and walked towards the bathroom. He opened the door and entered there, and the water started gushing. Kacy and I sat down on the wooden stool. This place is like that place used by mafia organizations to punish their enemies. A wringer, to be specific. I don't know why Francis has this room.
"Do you think we can trust him?" Kacy asked.
"I'm not sure yet. But let's give him a chance to prove himself. Besides, he has no other choice. If he escapes, he might still lose his wife. It's better for him to cooperate for their protection," I said.