𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆. 𝑲𝑺

Thirty six

Warning: this chapter may not be suitable for some readers. Read at your own risk.

Krist searched frantically throughout his home, his heart pounding in his chest. Every room, every corner of the compound was scoured, but there was no sign of Singto. The silence was deafening, only interrupted by the low, haunting echoes of his own footsteps.

As he stepped into the search further, his breath hitched at the sight before him: the lifeless bodies of his bodyguards sprawled across the ground, their expressions frozen in horror. Overwhelmed by grief and anger, he dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face as he cried out, "Singto!" The name echoed off the walls, a desperate plea that seemed to hang in the air long after he fell silent.

After a moment of despair, Krist gathered himself, before rushed to his packing area, grabbing the keys to his favorite black car—a sleek, powerful machine. He tore away from his home, the familiar landscape blurring past him as his phone rang and he picked up.

"After handing Kim to the police, we found out he's one of those who have been running a drug operation, and the police have been after him for ages." Off said on the phone.
"Nah, I think it's Tay. And Kim is willing to do anything for his good for nothing bro—"
Suddenly, Krist's heart sank as he felt the brake pedal go soft beneath his foot.

"Off, wait! I can't clutch on the brakes! They're not working!" he shouted, panic rising in his throat. He gripped the steering wheel, trying to steer the car straight as it gathered speed, the headlights slicing through the darkness.

"What? focus! Krist! Where are you now?" Off pressed, his voice steadying as if trying to ground Krist in the chaos.

"I'm on Blah Road, heading towards Blah Blah," Krist replied, trying to maintain control. "You know the area—it's surrounded by hills, which means no one can find me if I am dead." His voice cracked again, fear creeping in as he realized the gravity of his situation.

"That must be Tay's doing! He tampered with your car, Krist! We'll send help," Off said, urgency now marking his every word.

"I'm trying to control it!" Krist shouted, his voice rising in pitch as he fought to keep the car from veering off the road. " And I'm going too fast! I can't crash—I can't!"

"Just breathe, Krist. You can do this," Knott chimed in from Off's end, his voice surprisingly calm. "Can you steer into the gravel on the side of the road? It might slow you down."

"Yeah, yeah! I'll try!" Krist replied, sweat beading on his forehead. He took a deep breath, focusing on the road ahead. "If I don't make it out of this, tell Singto I—"

"Don't you dare say that!" Off cut him off sharply. "You're going to make it. Just focus on the road, Krist. Singto and precious needs you. We all need you."

The sound of gravel crunching beneath the tires filled Krist's ears as he steered the car toward the shoulder. The vehicle jolted violently, but he fought to maintain control, desperately wishing for a miracle.

"Okay, okay! I'm slowing down! I think it's working!" he exclaimed, adrenaline fueling his hope.

"Good! Now, just keep it steady," Knott advised. "We're on our way. Just hang in there, Krist."

As the car finally began to decelerate, Krist felt relief.

"Wait for me my love, I will find you. Just wait for me. won't let you down, I promise I'll find you Baby," he said, his voice firm now.

Off and knott breathed in relief on their end.

Singto slowly opened his eyes, the dim light of the abandoned warehouse piercing through the haze of confusion clouding his mind. He blinked repeatedly, trying to shake off the disorientation that enveloped him like a thick fog. Panic surged through him as he attempted to move his hands, only to find them bound tightly to a crossbar made of cold steel, suspended above his head.

His heart raced as he processed the terrifying reality of his situation: he was precariously balanced on a rickety bench, the only thing preventing him from dangling helplessly in the air. The heavy weights affixed to either side of the crossbar. The ominous silence of the warehouse amplified every creak and groan of the dilapidated structure, and the sight of the weights hanging there taunted him; he couldn't discern what they contained, but their sheer presence was enough to send shivers down his spine.

Tears streamed down Singto's face, blurring his vision as he gazed desperately at the heavy weights. He felt utterly trapped, as if the world had conspired to ensnare him in this nightmare. His breath quickened, and the sheer weight of despair crashed over him like a tidal wave.

Suddenly, his eyes locked onto a figure sitting in a plastic chair not far from him. It was Tay, a smirk plastered across his face, an unsettling contrast to the fear that gripped Singto.

"Why are you doing this?"

Singto choked out, his voice trembling, cracking under the weight of his fear. He scanned the dilapidated surroundings, the shadows lurking in every corner, and the eerie silence that swallowed his cries. The warehouse was filled with towering tanks, each one a looming mystery, an unknown threat. He felt a wave of helplessness wash over him as he realized just how isolated he was in this desolate place.

Tay leaned back in his chair, the smirk deepening, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"Does it really matter, my love?" Tay replied, his voice smooth and taunting. He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and something darker. "You're here now, and we have all the time in the world to chat."

Singto shook his head vehemently, tears flowing freely now as he pulled desperately on the ropes binding his wrists, his panic escalating.

"TAY! TAY!! LET ME GO! PLEASE, TAY, LET ME OUT OF HERE! YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS!" His voice rose in pitch, a raw plea that echoed off the cold, bare wall.

Tay simply chuckled, the sound sending chills down Singto's spine.

"Oh, but I do. You see, this isn't just about you anymore. It's about the choices you made— how I got hurt because of you."

Tay stood up slowly, a predatory grace in his movements as he approached Singto. Each step he took felt like a knife twisting deeper into Singto's heart, a reminder of his captor's control over him. Singto's body trembled uncontrollably, fear coursing through him like electricity. He felt utterly exposed, a small animal ensnared in the clutches of a predator.

Singto trembled visibly, a cold sweat breaking out across his skin. "You're not yourself, Tay. This isn't you! Please just let me go."

Off sat in the back seat, his brow furrowed in thought, while Krist occupied the passenger seat, his fingers drumming on the dashboard. Knott was behind the wheel, glancing at his friends in the rearview mirror, waiting for someone to break the silence.

"So, now that you've escaped Tay's first trap," Off began, his voice low but steady, "what are you going to do about Tay?" He leaned forward, his expression serious.

Krist turned towards him, his eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and wisdom.

"Well, you see, there are other kids out there who are just as hard to get along with, and if you want to befriend them, you might have to play their game," he replied cryptically, speaking in parables. "It's like a dance, really. You have to learn their steps, mimic their moves, and then maybe, just maybe, you can lead the way."

Off and Knott exchanged puzzled glances, trying to decipher Krist's metaphor.

"What do you mean? Are you saying we should act like Tay?" Knott asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.

Krist shrugged, a playful grin creeping onto his face. "Not exactly like Tay, but can you start the car?"

Knott turned the key in the ignition, and the engine roared to life, breaking the tension that had enveloped them. He backed the car out onto the quiet street.