Three days have passed and I went back to the warehouse. I saw the leader barely alive.
James grinned, "Boss, he's almost dead, but not going to die yet until he answers your question."
I nodded.
I asked, "Where is Emily? Don't play games. You had suffered enough."
The leader looked up weakly, "S-s-she r-r-ran a-away."
I asked frantically, "Where? Where is she now?"
"I d-don't k-k-know. S-she could b-be a-anywhere."
I swore. Great. She could be anywhere.
The leader mumbled, "S-sorry."
I turned around, "What did you say?"
He looked at me and smiled, "S-s-sorry. I don't a-ask for y-your f-forgiveness, but I can t-t-tell you really l-love that g-girl. She's r-really l-lucky. I just w-wanted to tell y-you that b-before I die."
I stared at him, not knowing what to say. For some reason, seeing him reminded me about Emily. The leader and I are both in a warehouse, except Emily isn't anywhere to be seen. Deep inside, it hurt so much.
"James, untie him."
James opened his mouth in shock, "What?"
I sighed, "Untie him. He already answered my question. There's no need to keep him any longer. Let him go."
James untied him. The leader looked at me with genuine gratitude.
He exclaimed, "T-thank you so m-much for l-letting me go. God b-b-bless you."
I looked away and said, "You're free to go."
He thanked me again and started limping toward the exit; however, as he was about to reach his hand on the door, he collapsed.
"Matthew, go check on him."
Matthew went to check on him and replied, "Boss, he's dead."
I turned around and asked James, "How did you guys torture him to death?"
James replied, "It was easy. He wouldn't answer your question, so we whipped him, hit him""
"Enough. I don't wish to hear more about it."
"Yes, boss."
I sighed, "You didn't have to kill him."
Matthew looked at me sympathetically, "Boss, we've known you for six years. We know you too well. On the surface, you appear to be a ruthless, cold leader; however, we know you have a kind heart inside. That's also your biggest weakness."
I snapped, "Matthew, watch who you are talking to. Don't think I have softened up just because I let that fag go. Talk to me like that again and I'll cut your tongue."
"Sorry, boss."
"I'll be going back to my office. Take care of the body."
James inquired, "Throw it into the river, boss?"
I stopped and mumbled, "Bury it."
Matthew looked at James who sighed, "That's our leader. He appears tough, but we all know he isn't inside."
Matthew nodded.
