I step into the dimly lit room, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows on the walls. Yong is already there, waiting for me, his face etched with a mixture of weariness and determination. It's become a regular routine, these clandestine meetings in the heart of his shelter, a chance for us to share information and try to make sense of the chaos that has engulfed our world.
As I settle into a chair, my eyes adjusting to the gloom, Yong leans forward, his voice low and urgent. "I've got news," he says, his gaze locked on mine. "Something that could change everything."
I feel a familiar surge of adrenaline, the thrill of a new lead, a new piece of the puzzle. "What is it?" I ask, my own voice barely above a whisper. "What have you heard?"