Fall From Grace | ENHYPEN

XXXV

As usual, it was Jaxen that herded them to the bunker. Like a true shepherd, he is, gathering the strays and leading them back to the line, keeping them in check.

He is like the glue that keeps them together, keeps them from falling apart.

"I have no time to play house with you little shits, I have places to be," Tyrron said harshly, his rough tone complementing his haggard look. It's been days since Yyan was captured, it has also been days since he last felt at ease.

Hendryx stands up, sporting a serious face that he rarely puts on. "He's right. I have this feeling that I can find Yyan soon, I have no time to sit and idle." He began walking out. Tyrron puts out his cigarette on the ashtray before standing up as well, easily catching up to the younger despite the latter's large steps.

Jaxen worriedly eyed Michaelis, urging him to speak up.

"We figured out where Yyan might be," he spoke up, and all of a sudden two pairs of eyes glinted dangerously as they darted to him. "I sneaked out and met my mom, she gave me some hints—" Michaelis was stopped when Tyrron grabbed him by the lapels.

"You sneaked out?" His voice was low and menacing. "Are you trying to get us killed?" Michaelis gulped as he was forced to experience the dangers of crossing Tyrron Scorpius.

"No one saw me, I swear. No one followed me here." His stomach tightened when the older's eyes only darkened.

"You think that was enough?! Do you even know who is after your asses?! This is not a simple hide-and-seek game that you play at the park, Oleandre, you are not only risking your lives but also throwing Yyan's efforts to keep you safe!" Tyrron was raging, and they could easily tell. His eyes are dark and his knuckles are white from gripping Michaelis's shirt tightly. But it feels different, they have seen him mad, like on the first night they saw each other, and this was different. It seems personal, almost like he is more worried than mad.

"Let's listen to the kid first, Tyrron, who knew, his intel might be valuable." Hendryx pulled them apart, and surprisingly, Tyrron did not retaliate, as if he was still in a trance. "Explain." He said coldly.

Michaelis cleared his throat before giving Theon a signal to show the board where their clues are written out. "My mom said that Yyan is hidden in plain sight and that only I could know where he might be. For some reason, other than that little info, she could not give us more." He ignored the intense glare he was receiving from the two. "So, I began listing the possible places he might be, crossed out some and tried to figure out the rest. At first, I thought that they might bring Yyan overseas, so I thought of possible routes." He points to the board.

"In the air would only be pointing toward their location, and they might be powerful, but Amerryllis is still a wanted criminal by law. So, my second guess would be on land. But the land is covered by Hawthorne's men, the Governor has eyes everywhere, and they might be helping each other, but they both play a role and Governor Ezekiel won't ever risk his image by letting his wanted friend roam free." He licks his lips. "If not the air and land, then what else is left? The sea. That's when it struck me because I remember hearing my father talk to one of his investors about maritime travel and shipping.

He also mentioned a dock owned by Malcolm Amerryllis himself, one they used to ship illegal arms and contraband. But, why would they need Yyan? If they want intel, wouldn't be better to take one of us, use us as collateral, and force Yyan to speak up? Honestly, it's more ideal to do it that way because Yyan would always sacrifice himself for others, trust me, I know." He smiled bitterly, thinking back to a distant past.

"So, what are you trying to say? What else would they need Yyan for if not for intel?" Tyrron asked.

"Don't tell me..." Hendryx paled, already concluding back in his head.

Max stepped up, "You said you have been on their tail since you were young, then you might know why would they need Yyan in the first place." He scoffed when he got no reaction from the two. "Amerryllis do not only import firearms and explosives, and Oleandre do not only import wines and liquors," he stated watching them grow pale in realization.

"They are using Yyan as a lab rat to test the new drugs they procured," Jethro said, white smoke from his drag escaping his lips. "Yyan could be dying any time now, the drugs and poison in his vein slowly killing him."

Theon sighed. "You don't have to be that graphic, you know?" He nudged the younger who only gave him a shrug.

They gave them a minute to take in the information, letting them breathe and contemplate.

"And, where is this dock?" Tyrron asked. The seven shared a look, and Cozen took it as his cue to speak up.

"The Dirty Waters," he said. "As you said before, my dad supplies weapons to the gangs in the Dirty Waters. He has a dock there, hidden and probably abandoned, I heard it closed after the Independence Day Riot and the 8th generation Midas Union disbanded. Fitzgerald over here mentioned that they did not disband, instead they all died. All because of a very lethal drug from Brazil, that I'm sure, my father procured." He said nonchalantly if only his hands were not trembling inside his pockets.

Hendryx looked taken aback for a moment. "How did you know that?" He asked Jethro.

The younger shrugs. "Read it when I was young." He replied.

"Dirty Waters, huh?" Tyrron scoffed. "That was his playground before, I wonder if he would still enjoy it to this day?" He grinned almost maniacally. That made Hendryx release a shaky breath, a grin also forming on his face.

"Uh, and who are we talking about?" Ytriel raises a brow in confusion, Jaxen beside him also has the same expression.

"It's about time he was released anyway," Tyrron stretches before standing up.

"I bet he was bored to death wherever he is." Hendryx giggled.

"And that person is?" Ytriel pressed. He won't be able to relax until he figures it out.

"The owner of the Bunker Extension #2," Hendryx smiled, "the one-half of the formidable duo, the yin, Brahman Ymarithe."