Reia- A Novella (COMPLETE)

Chapter 10

Meanwhile, Morai was having a similarly pleasant time. His head hurt, his chest hurt, and he was locked in a closet. Morai didn't bother wrestling with the locked door- pounding on it pointlessly would just waste his energy. Instead, he sat patiently on the ground and waited for his headache to subside.

It wasn't until hours later that the closet door swung open and a guard, taking him roughly by the arm, dragged him out into the light. He was left tied to a chair, sitting in the center of a wide, pristine office. Glass windows took up an entire wall behind the long desk. A shelf to Morai's right was covered in golden awards, and the crimson carpet gave the room a warm feel. But none of this made much of an impression on the man held captive inside. He was too exhausted to care much about the opulent room, but one thing did catch his eye.

This is Goiya's office, Morai realized, heart sinking as he read the golden placard on the desk. What more does he want from me?

Suddenly a door clicked behind him, and Morai craned his neck at the visitor. Goiya himself walked in, wearing a dark suit and a darker expression. He was flanked, as always, by two guards in full uniform. Goiya strode around to the far side of the desk and sat down, tapping his long fingers together.

There was a long, quiet moment.

"Mr. Paira," Goiya said delicately. "You have given me quite a bit of trouble over the past few hours."

"A cliché introduction? I thought I was worth more than this, Goiya," Morai replied, against his better judgment.

"Don't talk to me like that," Goiya spat. "Or you'll find yourself wishing you'd never been born."

Morai gulped. His temporary boldness had vanished like a flash of lightning.

"I'm giving you one last chance to tell me the combination to the sound machine," Goiya said calmly. "After you tell me, I am going to go straight to the WSEC to verify it. And if I don't like what I am told, Mr. Paira, well... you won't like the consequences."

I could tell him- Marfa might have found a better hiding place. Maybe... he could have even tried to change the WSEC code, Morai thought suddenly. But... what if he hasn't? Is it worth telling Goiya and taking that chance? What if Hazira is in there? What if, what if, what if!

Morai froze, staring Goiya dead in the eyes. "I'm... not going to tell you, sir."

After a moment, Morai felt a searing pain down his right upper-arm. Morai gasped, looking at it. One of the guards had slashed him with a knife, and blood was now dripping down his already-tattered shirt. Morai bit his lip, trying not to cry out.

"What was that I heard, Mr. Paira?" Goiya asked.

Morai looked up, breathing heavily. He paused. "I said I won't tell you, sir."

Morai shouted as a similar blow landed on his left arm.

"Mr. Paira, I don't think you understand," Goiya said in a frustrated voice. He got up and began to walk towards Morai, who was shaking, teeth locked together furiously. "You're going to die. Right here, in my office, unless you answer my question. All you have to do is say four simple numbers aloud. I'm just asking you to say the code to Mr. Marfa's lab. Do I make myself clear?"

The door clicked again, but this time there was a bang as it smacked off of the wall of Goiya's office. Goiya's eyes widened.

"Rha Parulo!" he said jovially. He stepped forward, towards the visitor and out of Morai's range of view. "I didn't know you were coming!"