Blaze

The Next Issue

~_____~

A theater stood erect ahead. The surrounding area was fenced up, behind it an empty area – its utilities perhaps removed for the building no longer functioned. Among the popular red bricked buildings in the area this one was built out of cemented stone. In this cold pouring rain, it appeared like a gloomy cathedral church.

Chilled down to the bones Lay stared at the structure, imagining how it might be like inside. How many men were there waiting for their arrival? Was Suho dead or alive? Who was the man speaking to them and what did he want?

The rain made everything seemed drearier than it already was, as if it was foretelling a terrible future. Again, he droned over how he had driven Suho off.

He needed to patch up his mistake.

"What are you waiting for?" Kris questioned from beside him. "Lets go get him."

In unison, the two walked forward trying for the front door. For a second Lay feared getting inside would be another hard obstacle to pass today, but it easily opened when they pulled the door handle. It was dark inside, the only light received came through the windows. As expected, it wasn't much due to the heavy clouds.

Emptiness loomed inside. The old red carpet reeked of abandonment and the counter stood alone in a ghost-like manner. Down the right the hallway ended where movie posters of films showing would have stood for advertising. Lay imagined plants in the corner before the turn to the longer hallway where refreshments were sold. Further down were separated sections where movies played hourly.

All was ghostly, desolate, and lonely. The darkness didn't aid with how his nerves were becoming jittery, despite trying to remain calm and cool. In the open space around them it was obvious there wouldn't be a surprise attack, but he always knew it was better to be on edge than to be relaxed.

Reaching toward his back he pulled out the Glock 17 assigned to him just in case he needed to fire. Kris silently moved along behind him, turning to look behind them every few seconds being the cautious team they were. As they neared the movie rooms nervousness started to ease into his system, the silence becoming louder.

They entered the first room with utmost caution to find the seats empty. Nauseas from fear he still forced himself to search the rows of seats for any clue that might lead them to Suho.

There was none.

Quickly exiting the movie room they started into the next and the next and the next until all rooms had been searched. Feeling more lighthearted he and Kris paced the hallway, both lost and confused.

"You don't think he lied to us?" Kris worried.

The air was stuffy and warm, none of which helped to drive away the cold glued to his clothes. Lay wiped invisible sweat off his forehead and looked around.

"I'll kill him if he did." Lay muttered.

Today was too long. What time was it?

"The basement."

Lay immediately turned to look at Kris who he'd been slightly ignoring. His eyes widened at what he'd never thought of.

"In a small place like this, there's always got to be a basement," Kris continued turning after him.

"If not, there's always a room...or a employee room," Lay's eyes grew bigger.

Running back down the hallway toward the refreshment stand, Lay paced around it in search of a door marked Employees Only. They discovered it a hall down from the bathroom and retaining his excitement pulled the door open. This time the hall loomed with complete darkness, a complete disadvantage to them.