Where the sea sleeps [HoonHao] ✔

14

Minghao is seated at one of the tables, mid-conversation with Seungcheol when Dino walks in, a white haired boy following right behind him. His eyes scan behind them, waiting for a third person to appear, but there appears to be so sign of him.

"Dino?" he starts, looking over at him with a quizzical expression. Eyes scanning the doctor, worry starts to sink in at the sight of him trembling and with a glance at the stranger, he knows something good could not have happened. "Where's Woozi?" he asks, standing.

Dino shakes his head, still gasping for breath. His hand rests on his chest as he attempts to reclaim said breath and when they lock gazes, his eyes are fiercely apologetic. "The guards," he says between breaths. Straightening his posture, his expression turns sullen. "The guards got him."

Seungcheol is the one to respond. "What do you mean they got him?" he demands, voice hinting at his enragement. "How did they get him?"

"The guards recognised me. Started coming after me. We were coming back, but they were persistent so we had to run," he explains, voice quaking. "They— They grabbed him," he stammers. "I didn't want to leave him but he told me to go." His voice seeps with guilt, his expression grim.

Without a second thought, Minghao steps over and hits his hand gently against his back. "You did the right thing, Chan."

"They recognised you, but they didn't know him. He hasn't been with us long enough. They probably assumed he's one of us, like a new addition. He got caught in the crossfire," Vernon murmurs, practically narrating the situation. He looks up at Dino as he continues, "But it's better than both of you being taken away."

He's seated at the table with his hands folded, wary eyes resting on the stranger Dino walked in with. "How are you involved in this?" he asks when a silence looms over them, Minghao too preoccupied in ensuring Dino is alright rather than firing the questions necessary. The questions were running through his mind, but asking them was the last thing on his mind. Which meant the job automatically got handed over to Seungcheol and Vernon. It was something that occurred over their years of working together.

"He helped me," Dino responds before the guy can say anything. "He and Woozi were speaking and I asked him to get us out of there."

Minghao considers him for a moment before bowing his head. "Thank you for bringing Dino back safely."

"It's my pleasure," the guy says. He's got a soft aura to him as he smiles. "I am sorry that your friend was taken. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know."

"And how do you suspect you can help us?" Seungcheol fires.

"I live here, for one."

"Meaning?"

"I know the town better than any of you," he says smoothly. "I know where they're taking them and, because I'm one of the stall workers, I know the schedules of the guards." He looks completely relaxed and at ease as he says this. It's clear he's not a part of the group with the way the rest of them sat, squared shoulders and worried eyes flashing between everyone and around the room as they most likely try to come up with a solution.

Before they can continue the conversation, Minghao shoots the group a single look that is enough to keep them quiet while he ushers Dino to take a seat. Seungcheol immediately scoots over, assessing him and ensuring (most likely for himself) that Dino really was okay. Knowing fully well that he's in safe hands, Minghao turns his attention back onto the guy in front of them.

"And what's in it for you?"

The guy looks at him incredulously, as if incentives were the last thing on his mind which is rubbish as far as he's concerned. Minghao has been in the business long enough to know that nobody willingly does something without incentive. "I just want to help," he insists when realizing how serious the question was. "I spoke to your friend for a bit and he seemed genuinely nice. So, I'd like to help."

"I don't buy it." Crossing his arms, he takes a quick look at the guy, dressed head to toe in clothing much similar to theirs; a white shirt and loose pants. He's even wearing boots. "What's your name?"

"Joshua," he replies instantaneously. "And I swear, all I want to do is help."

"There is not a soul on this earth that 'just wants to help'," replies Minghao, air quoting the words. He would have mimicked them too if he didn't think that would have him appear too childish. "So what is it that you want in exchange for your help?"

"I take it you're considering accepting my help then," Joshua comments, a smile curling it's way across his face.

"I can't deny that your assistance in this will be more than just a tad bit useful," Minghao informs. "And if my crew here agrees"

"We've already discussed it," Seungcheol pipes in. "We think it'll be great having him help."

He doesn't think Joshua's smile could stretch any further, but somehow it's managing exactly that as he looks at the others and mouths a 'thank you'. When he turns back to Minghao, the smile hasn't disappeared, but his eyes have managed to turn a shade darker as the seriousness of the situation fills them in.

"If you're so insistent on me having an incentive, I'll give you one so long as you let me help." Joshua sticks out a hand, looking expectantly at Minghao with a slight tilt of his head and his eyebrows lifting to disappear beneath the hair resting across his forehead. "Sounds reasonable, don't you agree?"

Without a word, Minghao grips his hand and gives it a solid, firm shake before dropping it a second later. They join the rest at the table.

"So, how are we going to get him back?" Vernon queries when nobody says a word.

They're all a little tense around Joshua, but it's the best they can do for now. Minghao asks him to give them as much information about the guards and their schedules as he possibly could and as he speaks, he's certain that Joshua is their best bet in having a one hundred percent success rate in the rescue. He's almost as certain about his certainty. Minghao didn't want to consider their success rate without someone who knew their way around this town. Of course he knew, but he only knew as far as he could remember. He knew the way the streets turned, paved and chipped and where the best bar was, but as Joshua parrots the relay of information, he knows he wouldn't have been able to compete. He wouldn't have been able to provide all this information which becomes the most vital part in the plan they devise.

While Joshua's a complete stranger to them, he's glad they have him around. Minghao's lips curl slightly at the corners.

"Do we need a plan B?" Dino murmurs once they've covered the plan and Joshua looks ready to intervene, but Minghao's already shaking his head.

"This is the only plan we'll need," he assures confidently.