Beauty from Ashes

The End is Nigh

Kong was pacing in his room when he was startled by the opening of the door. Korn slowly entered the room, peaking over his shoulder to make sure he was no one else was around.

"Korn? What are you doing here? Where's Steve? What's going on? It's almost sundown and it'll be time for the wedding. Have you heard from Nam Soon?"

"That's why I'm here. I told him where we are, but I wasn't able to finish our conversation. I think he was able to track my call, but I'm not sure. You have no choice but to marry Steve."

Kongpob sat on the bed and wrung his hands.

"Are you crazy? I can't do that."

"You have to. If you don't, I don't know what Steve will do. The only thing keeping him relatively sane right now is the thought of marrying you."

Kongpob stood and walked over to Korn.

"I've seen the way you look at him. I know you love Steve. Korn looked at Kongpob and shook his head.

"No. You're wrong."

"Am I? I know what it's like to love him. I know prison has changed him and he is damaged now, but I also know the Steve from before. The only who is tender and loving. The one who is willing to risk it all for those he loves." Korn lifted his head and met Kongpob's eyes. "I understand. There will always be a part of me that loves him, but what he's doing here is wrong and you know it or you wouldn't be helping Nam Soo."

"I just...I just don't want anything to happen to him. If helping Nam Soon keeps him from going back to that horrid place, then I'll do it a thousand times. Nam Soon promised me that he would make sure Steve would get the help he needs."

"I want that too. I carry the guilt of what happened to him in prison every day, but this is wrong. He didn't just kidnap his ex-lover but kidnapped a member of the Royal Thai Police. Do you know how serious this is?"

"But Nam Soon said..."

"Don't worry. He and I will do everything in our power to make sure Steve gets the help he needs but in order to make sure that happens, I need your help."

Tears formed in Korn's eyes as he considered Kongpob's words. He sighed deeply and sat down on the bed, looking up at Kongpob.

"What do you need me to do?"

"First, I need a phone. Then I need you to..."

Shrouded in twilight darkness, Nam Soon and his men swam from the ocean and took up position in the thick mangroves surrounding Steve's island. Through a series of hand signals, several groups of men maneuvered their way to various positions along the beach, using the mangroves as cover. Once Nam Soon was satisfied with everyone's position, he peered through his nightlight binoculars to survey the main house on the island.

"What do we do now" asked Arthit nudging Nam Soon to get his attention.

"Look gnome. I told you when I agreed to let you come that you would kindly shut the fuck up and let me do my job. What part of that meant you would constantly poke me while asking stupid questions?"

Arthit angrily whispered to Nam Soon. "Look asshole. There's like 50 commandos around here with a shitload of artillery. We know where Kong is. Why don't we just sweep in and get him? What the fuck are we doing out here freezing our asses off in the bushes?"

"Look. We are not doing nothing. Me and my tactical team have taken up position so we can be ready to advance under cover of darkness. Before we do that, we need to know exactly where in the house Kong is. Our mission is extraction without civilian casualties. This isn't a movie you little gnome. As soon as we get word from my man on the inside, we'll make our next move."