" Ryan , please don't misunderstand . I'm not questioning your decision and I don't want to either . What I'm trying to say is that just be a little bit careful while making acquaintances and entrusting them with something . "
" Over the time , all of my acquaintances have proven to be effective and profitable without any problem . That already proved that my judgements about acquaintances were never wrong . So I don't see any point of being extra-careful with the very job I have been doing successfully for all the while . "
Shawn continued , " Ryan , confidence is a very good thing but I think you're crossing the limit that separates confidence from overconfidence . "
" I know my limits . You just remember one thing , if such day comes when my acquaintances are at fault I would be the first one to finish them off . " , Ryan said in an emotionless voice .
" Anyway , the vampire ...."
" Do you have any other things to talk about ? " , Ryan cut him off . Shawn could easily see that Ryan didn't want to talk about the matter anymore .
Shawn sighed and said , " I think , you're disturbed with something . I hope , you get my point when your mind gets cleared . " , with that he left .
..........
Some times later .
Ryan was massaging his temples when he received a message . He opens it .
( In text )
[ Ryan , I've checked what you asked me to . ]
He started replying .
( In texts )
[ What's the outcome ? ]
[ They won't be a problem for you guys . ]
[ And ?? ]
[ What they told you was true . They won't achieve anything without some support . That's why they're asking for support from you . ]
[ But , what would I gain in return ? ]
[ The things , you guys are lacking , a force , close informations ...those things are enough I guess . ]
[ Right , they are . ]
[ Don't worry , I've checked very closely . It'd be profitable for you if you work with them . ]
[ What about their loyalty ? ]
[ I don't think they'd like to betray you since they know very well that they are no match for you guys . ]
[ Okay , I get it . ]
[ So , are you up for their offer ? ]
[ I am . ]
[ What about your members , would they agree ? ]
[ I'm not planning to inform them . ]
[ What ! Why ? ]
[ They don't need to know . ]
( Pause )
[ Alright , goodnight then , Ryan . ]
[ Goodnight . ]
.....
Some times after Ryan finished chatting he got a call . He recognised the unknown number .... it was the very number , he has been declining so many times in the last twenty hours . He received the call and immediately other party spoke up in a hopeful voice , " Ryan , please consider our offer . You won't regret . We really need your help and we'll return your favour in every possible way..." , the person was going to say something more but Ryan spoke up , " I'm ready to work with you ...."
-----------------------------
Next morning .
Angel base .
Enilese was heading towards the hall . Today , the girl , Enilese brought to the base , was to be taken to another base where others like her are kept . Enilese wanted to meet the girl for one last time before she gets transferred .
Pierce joined her from the midway .
" Good morning , Pierce . " , she greeted him warmly as always .
" Good morning . " , he replied .
They were approaching the hall , talking about this and that . On their way , they saw Selina and Riley going towards the garden .
Both Enilese and Pierce stopped talking , almost unconsciously . After some moments of silence Pierce spoke up in an undescribable tone , " Are they together ? "
" It seems so . " , Enilese replied casually .
" She didn't tell you ? " , he asked .
" Not very clearly but she didn't deny either . " , somehow Pierce found Enilese's tone a bit displeased . So he asked , " Are you not happy about them ? "
She said , " Oh , it's not like that . I am very happy for her . It's just ..."
" Just what ? " , Pierce asked absentmindedly .
" Umm , I feel bad about one thing . "
" And what's that ? "
" You know , we have been sharing room for almost two years . So I've seen her pretty closely . She is a very good friend of mine . But she didn't ever open up about her feelings to me . She's always stayed by my side , of course you were there too . But it's disappointing that I couldn't be any support to her . And Riley who doesn't interact much with anyone became someone Selina decided to rely upon . "
" I see . "
" Ah , I know , I am being a bit immature here but yeah I felt a bit bad . "
( Pause )
" Enilese , everyone can't always manage to be the one , somebody wants in their lives . And we can't really understand what is it that someone needs the most . Riley must've been the one she needed the most . "
" You're right . Anyway , I'm happy if she is happy . "
Pierce just nodded suppressing the bitterness in his heart .
------------------------------
Dark Soul Base
Shawn came to Ryan's room . Ryan didn't go for breakfast . Shawn thought , Ryan must've been still in a bad mood because of last night's argument . So he wanted to talk to him . When Shawn entered the room Ryan wasn't there . The sound of running water was coming from the bathroom . Shawn decided to wait for Ryan to come out .
Some moments later , Ryan's phone started vibrating . Shawn didn't make any attempt to answer the call . The phone stopped vibrating after a few moments , but it again started vibrating , almost instantly . Shawn frowned and picked the phone from the bed to check the caller ID . It was an unknown number . After some hesitation , Shawn finally received the call . The other party started , " Ryan , I have come up with a plan . Now , I think , we should meet and discuss about it . "
" Plan ? " , Shawn asked in a straight voice . The other party didn't seem to realise that he wasn't Ryan , so he continued , " Yes , about the project that you were talking about last night . I must say that it's a very complicated project but I think if we work together we can get it done successfully . "
Shawn didn't reply . Somewhere he didn't like the person's way of speaking . The other party started again , " I heard that you decided not to involve your members . I think that would be best ..... Okay let me know the time and place .... "
Shawn hung up the call before the person could finish .
He stared at the shut bathroom door one last time before leaving the room .
------------------------------
Some days later .
Dark Soul Base
" Aaron did you look into the thing that I asked you ? "
" Yes , I did . You were right . Some people are gathering a lot of negative energy somewhere . But sorry , I still don't know the exact location of that place . The informer said , he'll try to confirm the location as soon as possible . "
" That's okay . Any other information ? "
" Well , the energy pool would be full in some days . Then we have to destroy it . It can be destroyed only when it's full . "
" I see . What about the people who are gathering the energy ? "
" You remember once I reported about the group of the dead people . "
" Yes . " , Shawn replied .
" Most probably , it's them . "
" Okay . Try to confirm it . "
" Yes I'll . I just hope we get to know the location before it's too late . "
" Hmm . "
" Anyway Shawn , have you heard anything from Ryan ? He hasn't returned for some days . I tried to call him , he didn't pick up . "
" He must be busy with something . " , Shawn said indifferently .
Aaron was a bit surprised to see Shawn's indifference . He asked , " Shawn , has anything happened between you two ? "
" No . "
" It doesn't seem so . "
" Aaron , stop worrying about him . He has his acquaintances . He must be busy with them . "
Aaron frowned and asked , " Shawn , what are you talking about ? "
" I'm saying facts . He is really proud about his connections . I think , he trusts them more than us . "
Aaron didn't know about the argument between Shawn and Ryan , but after listening to Shawn he could guess that something must've happened between them . Shawn was going to say more but Aaron spoke up , " That can't be right ...oh Ryan !? " , when Aaron was talking his eyes caught a familiar figure standing at the door .
Hearing Aaron , Shawn also looked at the door only to find Ryan standing with an expressionless face , crossing his arms around his chest . Shawn remained silent . Aaron was going to say something but Ryan spoke up before him , " Shawn , I want to talk to you ...... alone . " , saying that Ryan proceeded towards his room . Ryan's voice was unnaturally cold .
Aaron was a bit upset hearing Ryan but he didn't say anything more . Shawn gets up and followed Ryan .
------------------------
In Ryan's room .
" So finally you decided to talk ? " , Shawn asked , looking straight into Ryan's eyes .
" I have something important to share with you . " , Ryan said in an emotionless voice . Ryan's eyes were blank and his voice was a bit mechanical . Something was not right about Ryan , Shawn could feel it .
He said with a bit uneasiness , " What is it ? "
Instead of answering Ryan starts taking small steps towards Shawn . Shawn frowned and asked , " What's wrong with you ? Why are you coming forward ? .... Who are you ? "
Ryan neither stopped nor answered . He continued approaching Shawn until there remained no gap between them .