48

The First Encounter

Some people are good in persuasion through lavish words,  some speak by their actions.

   "He has so much belief in himself! I will prove to him that I am better.  You,  Hugo, better go!"

    Shana started walking.  In her annoyance, she never paid attention to things happening around.  Her friend greeted her on the other side of the street but she did not mind. Luis,  her former professor waived at her but no response came from her.  She went straight into the waiting area for tricycles. She was about to ride when a guy in black suit grabbed the documents given to her by Hugo. She made a firm hold.  The man tried to snatch it but Shana was not letting go.

   "Let go if you want to live," the guy took his gun out and was about to point at her when someone kicked it and the people around ran in different directions. 

    Shana was surprised and could not move her feet to escape. Eventually,  she started shouting for help. The guy who holds a gun earlier was beaten so he called for his allies to aid him. Other men came and the ensuing actions came. While Shana was in a sort of panic, a guy grabbed her hand and persuaded her to go with him. It was Hugo.  He was the man who kicked the gun. 

   "What happened?  Why is that guy aiming his gun?" Hugo asked as they were running.

   "I don't know! He was trying to steal these papers. I was no letting go!"

    When they arrived at a black car on the Namuat-Cagbunga juncture,  someone opened its door so they went inside.  The chief was also inside. 

   "Did the man succeed in taking those documents?" the chief asked.

   "No Sir, she resisted."

   "Good.  You are in Shana.  You are ready to die for our cause. Let us go," the chief's car and the back up vehicle sped up.

   "Why are they trying to get these documents?  Do you know about this Hugo? Where are we going now Chief,  they might be following us?" questions from Shana came incessantly. 

   " You are a rookie. Why not look at what you are holding?" Hugo interrupted.

   The chief looked at her, and looked at the papers she is holding.  Then Shana started scanning through them.   For a while there was silence.  Then Shana in nervous flurry spoke. 

    "I thought we are the one to track down who our clients wanted to follow? But these guys, these cult-looking people in these pictures,  are they trying to check our whereabouts? Please Sir, answer me straightforward."

   "Shana, there are things in this world that ordinary people find mediocre, so ordinary.  But for us,  PIs,  every action has meaning,  every word is not always taken in its literal context," the chief sounded profound.

    "I don't get your point Sir."

    "For us,  this planet is a puzzle which needs uncovering of truth.  While life goes on,  mysteries strike one after another. You need to pay attention to details. Or else,  you will be buried along with those mysteries."

    "The more you talk,  the more I feel drowsy. If I ask this guy beside me, this Hugo who speaks rarely, there is nothing I will get."

    The car stopped.

    "Here we are.  Whatever you will see,  they are meant for your eyes only.  Questions will be entertained later.  Can you follow given instructions?" the chief seriously spoke while Hugo and the two other guys inside looked at her reaction.

    "Okay,  I can handle that I guess."

    "Good enough for a rookie," Hugo smirked.

    "For your info,  I am not talking to you, Mr.  Arrogance,  a.k.a expert," Shana laughed scornfully.

    They went out of the car but still, Shana and Hugo are trying to bully each other.

    "You owe me,  for your info.  I saved you from a near-death catastrophe.  That man could have killed you."

   "So what, it's better that I was killed then rather than having a gratitude to someone like you."

    The chief interrupted, "Better suit yourselves at each other, you will have a long time being buddies."

    The chief placed his right hand on a scanner,  then his left hand. The door opened.

    "Welcome to the NERVE Shana! This is the house of the real private investigators!"