You're My Target

Chapter 61

"Troy, i cant be Areum. i dont look anything like her for first of all..." Hwayoung of course did not seem to agree with Troys decision. she shook her head no.

" They dont know what Areum looks like. I got you this far." Troy pointed out.

"wow. so far. in the back of a stuffy van with tacky leather seating. on our way to who knows where." Hwayoung was still not keen on the idea.

"well we cant turn back now! so just, be Areum. follow my lead. i just need you to trust me." Troy urged her, though he himself was just as nervous inside.

"okay fine. youre right, what choice do we have now." Hwayoung shrugged.

The van drove for some time, before finally starting to slowdown, and come to a complete stop. Troy and Hwayoung looked at each other anxiously as they heard the driver turn off the engine. The back doors of the van swung open, and the faint orange glow of the nearly set sun poured in.

"we're here." the driver said. he waved for them to come out. Troy took hwayoungs hand and she followed him out the back of the van. they hopped onto the pavement below. Troy looked around. besides a rather small unmarked 1 story building in front of the van, there was nothing else around. a tall but dying field of weeds and grass stretched out quite far. beyond that, some random trees and shrubbery.

"man, where are we, whats this place?" Troy asked.

"its our facility for this area. follow me." He told Troy, leading them to the entrance. Troy looked at the building carefully, observing its layout and design. it didnt have many windows and even less doors. The man pulled a card from inside his suit and swiped it at the main doors. the card reader blinked green a few times and the sliding metalic elevator-like doors slid open. He stepped inside, Troy and hwayoung followed slowly. the doors closed behind them. they were now in a narrow bright white hallway with yet another set of doors. The man pulled yet another card out and swiped that one. sure enough the doors slid open. they walked through the doors and were greeted by some people. some in suits like the man with them and others in long white lab coats.
"IDs please." One of the other suited men said holding out his hand. the others around him hid their faces behind their sunglasses, arms folded to show they were all business.

"Agent E11." The man who drove them there said handing over all of his credentials.
"and what about you 2." he said demandingly to Troy and Hwayoung.

"i dont have any sort of ID and she wont either.." Troy tried to explain. The man waiting for their IDs reached inside his jacket, but the driver stopped him.

"relax, hes with us. did you think i'd just let some outsiders in here with me?"

"you never know they could have taken you hostage." The angry and suspicious security agent said. Troy looked over to Hwayoung, who was looking very nervously back at him.

"no need for our weapons to be drawn Gentleman" said a familiar voice, coming from a familiar face approaching from behind the security.

"SIR!" the security officers jumped to attention, saluting him, even the driver.

"It's been awhile hasnt it Troy?" Said none other than Lt. Chad, greeting troy.

"Oh, its you, Lt. Chad!" Troy remarked and quickly saluted him.

"sorry men, Troy here isnt required to carry ID because of his mission assignment. forgive the rude welcome.." he turned his attention back to troy.

" i tried to get up here for your arrival but ive just been very busy with all the work.

"its not a big deal, sir." Troy replied."is this, the girl you were telling us about?" Chad rubbed his chin and took a good close look over Hwayoung.

"yea, this is the girl Areum." Troy nodded. "i think you will be quite pleased."

"yes we are all very eager. im just, rather shocked you managed to bring her in so peacefully." Chad commented.

"yea we are actually shocked as well. we just got so close getting to know one another.. when i finally had to play my cards she just agreed to go peacefully and work with us. funny how things work out huh?" Troy said nervously.

"so thats why you came out all this way. thank you Troy." Chad shook Troys hand. "As for you miss, shall we show you to your quarters?"
Chad escorted Hwayoung along, and Troy followed up behind. As they got to another set of doors down the hallway, 2 buff security guards stood on each side. Chad noticed Troy was following him.

"Oh. Troy. this area is for authorized personal only. besides there's no need for you to go along any farther. If you go to the other end of the hall, theres a lounge if you want to eat or rest before heading back home." Chad said to him. Troy was not expecting to be separated with hwayoung. not yet anyway.

"but.. i thought.." Troy had to think of something.

"no, part of the deal was for Troy to be with me all the way through this. he goes where i go." Hwayoung said confidently, surprising Chad and even the guards. they all looked skeptical. Chad scratched his buzzed head.

"i dont know.." Chad mumbled.

"Then the deal is off." Hwayoung said. she took an aggressive step away from Chad. the security guards reached for their guns.

"WAIT!" Chad threw up his hands ordering them to stop. "keep your guns down. i said there is no need for that."
the security did as chad told them.

"Troy can accompany us down." chad decided to let him join them.

"cool" Hwayoung smiled. Troy sighed in relief. He walked up to the doors with them.

"your weapon please." one of the guards said holding out his arm for Troy.

"no firearms in the lab Troy." Chad told him. Troy reached behind his back where his pistol was stuck in the back of his pants. he pulled it out and pulled the magazine release, letting the clip slip out. he then pulled the slide back, and let the bullet clear from the chamber. he handed the items to the guard.

"ok then, let's get going. ill show you the labs." Chad said. he swiped his keycard opening the doors revealing an elevator. Troy, Hwayoung and Chad got inside. Chad pushed a few buttons on the console after the doors closed. The elevator began to descend slowly.

"so, whats the story with this place?" Troy asked chad. "how can you maintain and operate a place like this here?"

"it took some time and it was complicated, but after jumping through all the hoops and continuing to do so, we manage." Chad answered him with a smug look.

"that was a broad answer." Troy commented.

"so you guys are always cryptic in your communications, not just with people like me, but with each other as well." Hwayoung commented. the elevator didnt descend very far and it came to a stop. the doors swiped open and chad stepped outside.

"this is where the magic happens." Chad said holding his arm up revealing the lower levels to them. Troy and hwayoung stepped out. more white walls. a white so white it kind of hurt Troys eyes. whiter than the white at Soyeons.

"this is our research lab area. we are 2 levels below ground right now and yes thats as far down as we go." Chad explained.

"Whats on the upper levels then?" Hwayoung asked curiously.

"supply storage, staff quarters.. things like that." Chad continued to explain. "but down here we run various tests and perform all sorts of diagnostics to study and learn all we can about Elementians."

"What kind of tests?" Hwayoung had lots of questions. Questions troy was thinking as well.

"ah yes, im sure you may be concerned but i assure you these tests are not going to be harmful in anyway. actually im kind of hoping since you came here willingly we can just discus things openly." Chad said in a light hearted manner.

"i dont see a problem with that." Hwayoung shrugged.

Chad walked them down the halls showing them various rooms. Troy was taking careful note of the layout and also keeping an eye out for Hyomin whom he assumed would be here. So far, no sign of her.

"This is where you will be staying." Chad opened a door showing Hwayoung a small furnished room. A small table, a desk a chair, a bed and even a TV.

"can i hang some posters up, the room is really lacking style." Hwayoung said not liking what she saw.

"if you want we can have some installed." Chad replied happily.

"Are there any other places like this?" Troy asked chad.

"not in this area no." He answered."

so then you have other people here you have questions and tests for, correct?" Troy continued to ask.

"Yes. each have their own room and get to spend their free time in the designated area for that time." Chad revealed.

"Id like to meet them." Hwayoung said to chad. Troy nodded in agreement.

"im afraid the few other guests we have are all busy right now. you can see them later." Chad declined her reuqest.

"oh i see." hwayoung replied depressed.

"in the meantime why dont you get situated here, ill have staff posted outside your door, if you need anything let them know. im going to go back to my office and begin preparing for your stay." Chad told them. He went to leave but was stopped by Hwayoung.

"uhm, exactly how long do you expect me to stay?" She asked him."as long as it takes to fully understand everything about you and your kind." Chad answered. he left the room, closing the door behind them.

"Troy, what the heck is this place!" she said shoving him. " we are going to be trapped underground in some lab like rats!"

"stop freaking out. thats not going to help. in case you didnt realize, everyone here is afraid of you." Troy told her.

"what do you mean?" she wondered.

"before we came down the elevator, Chad would not let his men draw their weapons. They are taking good care of you, giving you this room. it's all because they fear what you can do." Troy said sitting her down on the bed. he took a seat on the chair at the desk across from her.

"but i cant do anything." Hwayoung shrugged.

"but Areum can. or so i've made them believe. They think if they threaten you, you will retaliate in some elementian powered rage." Troy revealed.

"oh. i see." Hwayoung nodded. "you really think Hyomin is here?"

"i hope she is or this was all a giant waste of time." Troy sighed. "and i dont see any other guests like Chad said. which makes me believe they arent being treated as fairly as you are right now."

"what if shes already gone?" Hwayoung sounded worried.

"dont say that." Troy didnt want to even think about it as real as the possibility might be.

"and if she is or isnt how are we going to get out of here, what do we do when they call our bluff, when they find out im not Areum?" Hwayoung pressed Troy for solutions. "that fear plan isnt going to last forever!"

"i dont know.. i'll think of something." Troy said quietly. " and in the chance we dont.... "

he wasnt quite sure he could pull off his grand plan, even after all his encouraging words to Hwayoung.

"thats not good enough Troy. is that what you came here for? to just play it all on chance? because i thought you said you wanted to make things right!" she jumped to her feet.

"i do!" he yelled. but he knew Hwayoung was already aware of his growing timidity since they descended to the lower levels.

"then do it, because i came here with you for the truth and apparently to save Hyomin, not to become some test subject or science project. this isnt where my beautiful blossoming life ends! so focus, and think. think of a way out think of everything you have waiting for you."

Troy just let out a single chuckle."im doomed either way. ill have nothing waiting for me if i make this happen."

Hwayoung slapped Troy across the face.
"what about Soyeon you moron! dont you want to see her again!" she shouted.

"id love to, but ive already walked away from that. i decided it was best for both of us." Troy said sadly. his face stinging.

"well guess what i have people i want to see and hyomin has people she wants to see and no matter what you think lies in wait for you, you owe it to hyomin and ME to see this through to the end. you said it yourself. thats whats going to make it right. so stop second guessing yourself. stop hesitating. stop moping and get some ideas cranking in that thick head of yours. THERE IS NO TURNING BACK NOW REMEMBER" she said jabbing her finger hard into the top of Troys head. The door to the room opened and Mou stepped in unexpectedly.

"sorry to interrupt." he said stepping inside. "i just had to see this for myself."

"Mou?" troy was surprised.

"so this is Areum?" Mou said walking up to Hwayoung and looking her over. His face had a look of approval.

"like what you see?" hwayoung said holding a small sassy pose.

"shes a spunky one, eh?" Mou laughed to troy. "but... i feel like ive seen you before."

"you have. you're Troys friend from back home." hwayoung answered. Troys eyes widened but he couldnt stop her from saying too much. not in front of mou. All he could do was hope Mou wouldnt remember that she was not Areum.

"but i dont recall ever meeting an Areum... ive been over the reports so many times. youd think id know." Mou chuckled and shrugged. "whatever. im just expecting some nice results from this little cookie. especially after the disappointing waste of resources you handed over to us last time." Troy had no time to be relieved Mou didnt realize the truth about Hwayoung after his ice cold comments about Hyomin. He went right to feeling anger. Troy grit his teeth, he had to remain calm.
"so an actual elementian huh." Mou continued to stand looking over Hwayoung.

"thats right. " Hwayoung said with a smug half smile raising her chin.

"how about a small sample." Mou smirked he held up his hands making a small gesture with his thumb and index finger.

"even the smallest taste would knock you right out of your cheap suit." Hwayoung puckered her lips blowing an exaggerated kiss at him.

"oooo" Mou said. "i like her."

"eat your heart out." Hwayoung said dismissively.

"let me go get Chad so we can get the ball rolling on this catch." Mou said almost excitedly.

"you should seriously consider becoming an actress." Troy told her when Mou was well out of the room. "you can really ham it up."

"you would know what it takes wouldnt you?" she replied not toning down the sass.

"very funny." he remarked. "but you're right. and you're right that i may not know whats going to happen to me after all this. but i know im going to do whatever it takes to get you and hyomin home safely."

"i take that back. you're a terrible actor. you're just corny and hopeless." Hwayoung said unimpressed by his motivational reassurance.

"fine then good luck getting out of here on your own." Troy smiled.

"id probably have a better chance to be honest." Hwayoung cracked an even bigger smile right back. Troy held out his hand to her for a shake. She grabbed it and pulled troy to her wrapping her arms around his shoulders giving him a tight hug instead.