It's not the same anymore (Duskwood Fanfiction)

Chapter thirty four

When we arrived at the wasteland, which was really completely empty of buildings or whatever, Alan was already there. Not surprising as we had to bring back my bike and then come here.

Jake stopped his car not that far from Alan's car. "Well, i guess this is it." He turn to look at me.

I smile to him, trying to stop myself from panicking even more. I trusted Jake and i kind of trusted Alan at some point, but i was still anxious about how all of this would work out.

"I guess so. Are you ready ?"

"I am. I have faith, for the first time." He took my hand between his and squeezed it one time before bringing it to his lips. "I'll be fine Judith."

And we probably took too much time for Alan's liking because we saw him get out of his car, closing it behind him. He slowly walked to Jake's side while Jake was putting his mask back on. I watched him open his window.

"We'll come out in a second." He didn't let Alan reply, as he had nodded his head to him, before closing his window. He turned to me again. "It'll be easier to talk outside. And there is no one here. We're safe, for now."

"Okay. We'll be alright." I was saying that more to me than to anyone else. After taking a breath, i opened the door and got out at the same time as Jake did.

"Well, never thought the day would come where i would see the famous hacker in the flesh." Alan said, crossing his arms. "As much as seeing is possible."

"The mask is for my safety, do not worry about that." Jake said and i was suddenly reminded of the first time we ever spoke when he sent me a video of him being completely covered.

"You'll get use to it, don't worry Alan." I joked, because i liked causing him a headache. That's what he get for wanting me to talk with him.

"I'll not go down that path with you again Judith. I'm merely here because of what you told me."

"And what she told you was the truth. If i had the power in hand, i could bring the government to the ground with the things i know and saw. But then again, i'm only some random guy."

"What do you have ?"

"Why do you feel the need to always go for it the second you're in a conversation ? No, that's a genuine question for once." And i was really asking. Because all the time i've had a talk with him, he always started the talk with the topic of the conversation.

He looked at me for a few seconds before answering. "Default setting from being a police chief i guess."

"I actually would want to be done with this rapidly. I'm not used to be outside for that long. We never know who will see me."

"Right. I suppose Judith is staying then ?"

"You're supposition is right. I'll stay. Gotta keep an open eye." I pointed at my eye. I actually was looking around a lot, in case i saw anyone that could be suspicious. Yes, that was paranoiac. But we can't let our guards fall.

"Let's start then. So, what makes you think i should trust anything you're saying ? You could be lying for all i know."

Jake fished something from his pocket, pulling out a USB key. "Pictures, videos and files on it should be enough to prove that." He kept the USB key in his hand. "For now, i can tell you the big lines."

"I'm listening."

And i was too. I was nervous about what Jake would be explaining. I didn't know what actually happened for him to be wanted by the government. I just knew he found some things he wasn't supposed to.

"Judith told me that you were aware of the embezzlement. It's nothing new, as far as i know, they did this for... quite some times. There was different ways. The most commons ones where money laundering, abuse of dominant position, fraud, tax evasion. And a lot more."

"That's... already so much."

"And it's not the worse. Far from it."

Jake looked like he was going to be sick. Which was a weird look on him. I never thought i would see him like this. But i stayed silent, just listening him talking.

"There was also... some cases. Sickening cases."

I took his hand in mine, squeezing it slightly. He didn't look at me, but i didn't care. I just wanted to bring him some sort of comfort. And i didn't care if Alan was here to see this.

"I was young and dumb. I thought it would be like a... test ? To see if i could pass the breach that was keeping me from all the information back then. Well, i was actually smart enough to find a way in and stumble on all the files."

"Are they all in the key ?" Alan asked, pointing at it.

"It is. You'll see in details. But i'll say the big lines again. But i have to warn you. What you're going to see ? It's not for the faint of heart."

"What do you mean ? What can i possibly see ?"

"You're a police chief, you probably saw it all already. Or maybe not, but it would be close enough. Are you aware of the deep web ? Or dark web, whatever you prefer."

"I am."

I was too. I never had gone on it, but everyone knew the basics.

"Combine everything you can see there. Money ? Drugs ? You'll find whatever you want. Kidnapping ? Trafficking ? You got it. But some of the worse ? They used to engage hit man and have pictures of the victims being send to them. And i must warn you again."

"Warn me ? Against what ?"

Jake stayed silent, probably thinking about what he was going to say. I stroked my thumb against his shaking hand.

"Do you have a kid ? A wife ?"

"No ?"

"Good. Because you'll find videos and pictures of kids and women being assaulted."

Oh no.

"Assaulted ?" Alan asked.

"Raped. Brutally. And killed."

Oh god. No wonder Jake looked like he was going to be sick. I felt the nausea rise in my chest, making me swallow against nothing. It was sick. I never knew. I never thought it would be that much. And the worst is, Jake was probably keeping things from me. Once again.

"I think that's enough for you ? I would never make this up. Plus, if you have a minimum of relation with them, you'll recognize some of the men by their faces or by some of their names." Jake finished by extending his hand to Alan where the USB key was. Alan nodded his head and took it.

"Do not lose it, i won't be copying the files again." It must have been hard doing this a first time.

"I won't."

"I guess this is it then ?" I ask, still at Jake's side.

"For now." Alan responded to me. "I will take a look at this when i can come home. It's better if i don't do that at the station."

"Yes, please do that. It won't be a good time and you will be looking at this for a long time." Jake nodded his head in understanding.

"Are we done ?" I asked. Because honestly ? I didn't want to talk about all of that anymore. Alan had gotten his clues, we were done here.

"I think it would be better if we parted ways." Alan said, looking at me. I must have a bad face because he seemed comprehensible.

"I agree. I suppose you will contact Judith about it later ? And please this is not a joke. This is reality." His hand tighten around mine.

"I will look at it carefully, do not worry. I'll... help you. I agree with the deal we talked about."

I let out a breath i wasn't aware i was holding. Jake turned to look at me and nodded his head without saying anything.

Alan was on our side.