Otkroveniye Complex // Book 1 of the Takaryev Series

Chapter 101

Here's a song you should definitely listen to while reading this chapter. 

To Azla by Birdmask (it's on Soundcloud, go find it and don't start reading this chapter until it's playing in the background)

Artem had his resignation form all typed up by the next morning. He hopped into the Land Cruiser, then drove to headquarters. 

He found the building sitting empty, but with all the lights still turned on. He figured maybe he was just early, so he shrugged and went down the hall to Urvi's office. 

He didn't know someone was following him. 

He wove down the corridor, searching for Urvi's office, oblivious. 

That is, until someone jumped out behind him. Artem froze in place as he heard the click of a gun. 

"Turn around." 

So Artem pivoted one-hundred-eighty degrees on his heels, too petrified to do much else.

He found himself staring wide eyed at Ravil. 

Ravil's green eyes were dark and blank, almost weary, and dark circles sat beneath them. They'd really done a number on him. 

"R-Ravil?" Artem murmured, barely believing what he was seeing. 

Ravil's face didn't change. He kept the gun pointed at Artem's skull. 

"Ravil, please," Artem said. He felt tears burning in his eyes again. "You don't remember me?" 

Ravil said nothing, just stared. His gun didn't budge. 

"Please," Artem whimpered. "I'm your boyfriend, we ate Soya bars together-" 

A second person walked down the hall and stood a few feet behind Ravil. "Don't listen to him, Ravil." 

Artem shuddered. What was going on? Who was this? Why was Ravil pointing a gun at him? "Ravil, please," 

Artem thought he saw Ravil's eyes widen a bit, recognition flickering within their green depths. The gun wavered. "Artem?" 

Artem dropped his resignation form. It fluttered to the floor. 

"Ravil. Look." said the second person- Artem saw that they were a boy with black hair- "If you don't shoot him, I'll shoot both of you. You were sent here on a mission." 

"I can't shoot him." Ravil answered. Conflict dashed back and forth in his gaze. "I can't."

"You can." pressed the other guy. "Do it."

"No." Ravil refused. 

Artem put his hands in his pockets to keep them from trembling. 

Ravil's eyes blurred with tears, and before Artem could say or do anything else, Ravil ran down the hall and was gone. The other guy followed him. 

"Ravil, I love you!" Artem shouted after them. 

And then he was alone again.