Sit, Stay, Roll Over ✓

(32) Sacrifices

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AFTER HOURS OF DRIVING, Abe and I finally arrived at the city. We were minutes away from EXRay Media, so I got myself ready as well. I know that the Association is already aware of my uncle's connection with chairman Herbert Orlando, but with the situation that I'm in, I'm confident that they won't think that I'll hide here out of all places.

     "We're finally close," I say in relief before looking back at the suitcase. "When I arrive at the company, I'm going to open this suitcase. All I have to do is put the code and—" I immediately stopped myself when I felt something strange.

     Without wasting any second, I immediately looked at the opening, expecting to see a code, but to my surprise, there wasn't any place to put on the code at all.

     "This is a fucking keyhole!" I shouted in shock.

     How could I have not noticed that all this time? I was so preoccupied with Damien that I didn't even notice that this wasn't going to open with a code at all. Damien didn't even give me a fucking key!

     "A keyhole?" Abe asks, looking back at me confusingly.

     "The suitcase, it's supposed to have a code like Victor said," I explained as I showed him the suitcase.

     "Well, if push comes to shove then just break the thing. Wouldn't that be easier?" Abe suggested, but for some reason, I have a bad feeling about it. If someone could just easily break this open, then why hasn't anyone done it yet?

     "I don't think destroying this is a good idea," I say. "Someone would have easily done that already if it was possible," I then explained, and Abe started touching his beard like he was thinking of something.

     "Well, you know those high-tech shit in movies where one guy tries to open a lock and the thing just explodes. Maybe that suitcase is like that," Abe tells me, and my eyes immediately widened in realization.

     "That might actually be the case," I say as I lifted the suitcase up. Now that I'm holding onto it like this, it is a bit heavy for a suitcase that's only supposed to hold papers.

     Wait, why am I so calm about this? There's a fucking bomb sitting on my lap. Who knows when it will explode? I could have also dropped it earlier!

     "Wouldn't this already be like...expired? How long has it been? Maybe if I force it open, it won't explode anymore," I then say, trying to convince myself that it's safe to just drive around with a bomb.

     "Bombs have a long shelf life that may even reach decades, so they might still work. So please, don't try to open it or even shake it. I just bought this truck three months ago," Abe then says, which was pretty interesting since he's more concerned about his truck than his own well-being.

     "Anyway, we're here."

     Abe stops the car in front of a tall building. I looked out the window and noticed that we were now in EXRay Media. I was only gone for almost two days yet it already feels way too unfamiliar.

     "Do you want me to come in with you?" He then asks me.

     "No, it's fine. You should head back instead and check if you're family's okay," I tell Abe, and Abe smiles and nods his head. Before stepping out, I then pull out my wallet and gave Abe all the money I had in it. "I know this isn't enough, but please take it. I promise to give you more when we meet again. I know money won't be enough to show you my appreciation but thank you for helping me. I really mean it."

     Abe stares at me in shock, but then he chuckles and tells me, "You're as kind as Hael said. Thank you, Mr. McCarney."

     "No, thank you." I opened the door and got out of the car, but just before I could walk away, Abe suddenly calls out for me, making me turn to look back at him. "What is it?" I ask.