Chapter 12: Working together
Lian and Cole looked at the guy before them tongue tied. The guy groaned and turned his attention to the two.
"What!"
Cole jumped and hid behind Lian," A... are you going to kill us?"
"What?"
"I knew I would be sentenced to death..." he covered his mouth and looked away bashfully,
"... I just didn't expect to die this soon. Am too young to die."
"What are you going on about over there huh?"
"It's nothing, ignore him," Lian explained," who are you and why were we brought here?"
The guy eyed the two and let out a sigh," You can call me Ryuu. Not Ryuu the noble but Ryuu the dragon."
Ryuu had long blue green hair which resembled that from the ancient Chinese times, some of his hair covered his golden dragon like eyes. His build was like that of a giant, he had a dragon tattoo which filled his entire right hand and with the grim expression on his face, one would have to re think messing with him.
"And we are..."
"Yes yes the boss' prisoners, follow me," Ryuu said and turned from the two seemingly impatient.
The two exchanged looks before walking after Ryuu who was a few feet ahead of them. Leaning closer to Lian, Cole shuffled uneasily and Lian noticed this.
"What's wrong?" he asked and Cole looked at him.
"I have a bad feeling about this. That guy..."
Lian could tell from his voice that he was scared and with his hands bound, he could not even pet his hair or pull him into an embrace to comfort him. A sigh escaped his lips and he smiled warmly.
"Don't worry at least you are not in this alone. Am right by your side."
Cole did not know why those words made him less anxious. Maybe it was because it had been a while before anyone cared this much about him to tell him such soothing words. He smiled a small smile and gave him a quick nod.
"Are you two done? If yes... I would really appreciate it if you came over to where I am," Ryuu said his distaste broad as daylight.
The two quickened towards him and stood before him. Ryuu's eyebrows scrunched and he turned from them to rummage through his desk. Seconds later, he turned to the two files in hand.
"Here are the case files you will use?"
"Huh?" both Lian and Cole exclaimed at the same time.
"You wanted to know why you were brought here right? Well then, you two dimwits are to help the boss in solving the cases in these files."
"Us?"
"Cases?"
The two looked at him their confusion obvious. Ryuu crossed his arms across his chest and closed his eyes in annoyance.
"Why the hell do I need to explain everything to these two? Ding owes me big time for spoon feeding these two idiots," he mumbled and opened his right eye.
"Um... Ryuu... why does Mr. Ding need our help?" Cole asked and Ryuu rubbed the bridge between his eyes and nose, trying to calm his anger.
Lian softly nudged him and whispered," He looks agitated."
Cole nodded his head and shifted slightly," Why? Is it what I said?"
"Can you two be quiet!" Ryuu shouted and the two stood alert their lips sealed.
Ryuu watched the sight before him and a sigh escaped his lips. He pulled the chair and sat down indicating for the two to do the same. Both Lian and Cole took the seats opposite Ryuu and watched him silently.
Ryuu raised the two files and waved them in front of the two," The cases presented here are on the recent kidnappings that have taken place. It has been brought to our concern that the police do not want to handle these issues."
At the mention of this, Lian's blood ran cold," The police do not want to handle the kidnapping cases? Why?"
"Probably because they think dealing with a few missing children is a waste of their precious time," Ryuu replied, disgust present in his tone," those bastards."
Lian whacked his brain for some questions before turning to Ryuu," Did anyone report this to the authorities? And if so, what did they say?"
Ryuu lowered his gaze to Lian's eyes and rubbed his chin," Someone did report it, but the authorities said they were too busy to deal with a ' bunch of missing homeless children.' So, Ding took the liberty to find them and..."
"Hold up! Hold up! Hold up! Let's go back a few words okay... did you say the missing kids were homeless?" Lian asked and the expression on Ryuu's face made him regret asking," sorry for interrupting."
"Since you seem to know more than what you lead on, I guess I don't need to explain further," he replied eyes glued to Lian's," well then, you've saved me the trouble. Here you go..."
He handed the two the files, uncuffed them and pushed them towards the door.
"H- h-hey!"
"The master is awaiting your presence," he said and slammed the door shut straight in their faces.
Lian and Cole stood dumb founded staring at the closed door.
"... what just happened?" Cole asked clearly not comprehending anything.
He turned and knocked on the door," Hey! You forgot to tell us where we can find Mr. Ding.... hey!"
Lian sighed and grabbed his hand," Let's get going."
Before he could say anything, Lian walked down the hall dragging Cole with him.
"Do you even know where you're going?"
Lian stopped walking surveying their surroundings before taking a sharp left turn into the dimly lit hallways.
"It is supposed to be here right?"
Cole stopped walking and called out to him," Hey! Can you seriously answer my question? Do you know where you are going?"
Lian stopped and turned to look at him," Honestly, I have no idea."
"Great."
Cole rolled his eyes and Lian ignored this," Come on."
He preceded down the hallway and stopped by a huge door. Cole walked up to him and stood beside him. Lian raised his hand to knock when the door creaked open.
"Looks like you have a sharp memory."
The two walked into the room and stood before the mafia leader.
"I wouldn't call it that but this place is hard to forget," Lian replied and Ding tapped on his desk with two of his fingers.
"Well I presume you know what to do right?"
"Sir? We..."
"Not really!"