Beyond The Fine Line

Chapter XXXIV - Win and Fort vs Fort and Win

The night air in the industrial area was thick with humidity, clinging to every surface like an unwelcome second skin. The oppressive heat of the day had barely dissipated, leaving a heavy blanket of warmth that seemed to muffle the sounds of the city. The narrow alleys and hidden passages twisted through the district like a labyrinth, their dimly lit paths revealing the grit and grime of a poorer district. The streets were littered with debris, the occasional flicker of a neon sign casting eerie, fleeting glows onto the cracked pavements.

Win and Fort moved silently through these darkened corridors, their steps purposeful as they blended seamlessly into the shadows. Masks covered most of their faces, obscuring their identities and shielding them from the heavy scent of diesel and pollution. They passed by crumbling buildings with faded facades that whispered tales of better days long gone. The occasional distant shout or the clatter of metal echoed through the night, a reminder that danger was never far in this part of the city.

Their destination was an abandoned warehouse, its once-sturdy structure now a skeleton of rusted beams and broken windows. The building loomed ahead, a dark silhouette against the smoggy sky. Its rooftop offered a vantage point they needed, a clear view of one of Chaiyawat's factories that should be closed for the night.

"This way," Fort said in a hushed voice, beckoning him to follow through a narrow gap in the fence. "Mind your head."

Win rolled his eyes. "You do remember that I'm the leader, right?"

He shook his head with amusement. "Who made you a leader, huh?"

"I chose this spot, so it's a natural consequence, and if we get anything, the credit goes to me," Win added with a cheeky smile. "No worries, I will let you bask in my greatness."

"I'm honoured, your leadership."

"I hate you so much sometimes," Win huffed, setting his backpack on the other side and squeezing through the fence. "How do you know about this place?"

"A few guys from my year do political graffiti to express their displeasure with the current system. They know all sorts of abandoned buildings around here."

Win looked at him, surprised. "Aren't they afraid?"

"Probably not less than us," Fort shrugged. "But it's their way to fight. Their Instagram has a decent following, and it is slowly building up. I thought maybe we could work with them at some point, but what we do is too risky."

Win nodded with understanding, cautiously looking around. Even if their mission was about finding clues and evidence, their safety was the main priority. They were no longer eager to dive headfirst into danger... the consequences were too tangible. As always, recently, his thoughts lingered on Tay. It has been months since he was admitted to the hospital and weeks from the last update on his condition. Sometimes, he was worried Tay would never wake up... on better days, Win was concerned if he would still be the same person. It was unbelievable but Win even missed his constant fights with Sean.

"Third window from left," Fort whispered, crouching behind him. "The panel is loose. You can push it far enough to get in."

Win shook off his thoughts and nodded, slowly making his way to the entry point. The air was thick with tension, every sound amplified in the stillness of the night. Suddenly, the barking of dogs echoed through the area. They both paused behind a pile of debris, holding their breath as the barking grew louder and gradually faded into the distance.

Win took another cautious step forward, the rubber soles of his shoes barely making a sound against the cracked pavement. His heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't stop while Fort stayed behind, scanning their surroundings for any sign of danger.