The Breaking Point

Chapter 18

"Mark." 

It was a low whisper from behind him, quiet, yet slightly high pitched; and it shattered through his train of thoughts. He turned around to see Byron, eyes narrowed, expression serious.

"Byron?"

"You were right."

Mark raised an eyebrow. "What? Right about what?"

Byron's eyes darted to the left and right. His eyebrows furrowed suddenly and he grabbed Mark's hand. "We can't talk here. We're being watched. I'll explain everything, just come."

Byron took off, dragging Mark after him. The brunette was relieved that Byron was at least offering him an actual explanations for his actions. They slid into a dark alley where Torch, Gazel, Debolin, and Jordan were all waiting for them.

"About time," Torch muttered.

"You guys-"

"Save it," Gazel cut in. "We'll talk first."

Mark held back a sigh and nodded.

"Listen, first, you were right," Debolin began. "It's not Archer. We received E-mails from the detective stating the outlines of the case. It was.............our guess. But you're right. It's not him because if he was involved, things would have gone differently. That's not important though, we need you to know that you have to leave Japan. Now. You have to go immediately."

"Hold on, what?"

"Save your questions. What we have to say is more important," Gazel responded.

"But I don't wanna leave Japan," Mark protested.

Jordan sighed and approached the goalie. "Mark, we'd never hurt you. You're in danger. We have to get you somewhere safe-" Jordan froze and covered his mouth.

Debolin sighed.

Gazel hung her head.

Torch face palmed.

"Sorry," mumbled the greenet, but it was too late.

"Wait, how am I in danger?"

Torch, Gazel, and Debolin turned to glare at the midfielder, clearly unamused.

"Remind me, why's he here again?" asked Torch.

Gazel rolled her eyes and didn't respond. She turned to the goalie instead. "Never mind, Mark. What's important is to get you out of here."

"I'm not leaving. I'm staying until I find out exactly why I'm in danger and why Byron said we were watched. I also wanna know how you guys knew it wasn't Archer all of a sudden."

Debolin grit his teeth. "We can't tell you that. It's for your own good."

"How is it for 'my own good' if I don't know what's going on? I need to know. You guys gotta tell me," Mark insisted.

Debolin took a deep breath.

"I'm back!" Byron burst in, before Debolin could say anything. "Car's waiting outside." He grabbed Mark by the shoulders and steered him out of the alley.