Zark followed Jojo down the narrow staircase, curiosity building with each step. The sounds of the busy streets above faded into a muffled hum, and the air grew cooler as they descended. When they reached the bottom, Jojo swiped a keycard across a panel. The door slid open with a quiet hiss.
Zark's eyes widened.
"What the…?" he muttered, stepping into the room.
This wasn't some dingy basement. It was a high-tech command center—completely hidden beneath the computer shop.
"These setups… they're top of the line," Zark whispered, his eyes scanning the room.
He noticed the circular table at the center, with multiple high-end computers arranged around it. Each station had a custom-built CPU, sleek monitors, and top-tier mechanical keyboards, all humming softly. Alienware, ASUS, Corsair—these weren't just for gaming. They were workstations, designed for serious operations.
"Who could afford all this?" Zark muttered.
Jojo leaned against the wall, casually watching him.
"You'll learn more in time, kid. For now, take it all in."
Zark stepped further into the room, his hand brushing across the glass surface of the circular table. The tempered glass was reinforced, lined with soft blue LED lights.
"This place... it's like a tech fortress," Zark said, his voice low with awe.
"Everything here screams security and power."
Jojo chuckled, nodding toward the flat screen mounted on the wall.
"That's not just for show either."
Zark squinted at the massive screen.
"It's connected to everything here, isn't it? Like a command center."
Jojo grinned, clearly impressed.
"You catch on quick. This room is built for efficiency. Encrypted communications, high-end security, and complete discretion. Nobody knows about this place unless they need to."
Zark's mind raced. He glanced around the room again.
"Who funds this?" he asked, his voice steady but suspicious.
"Where does all this money come from?"
Jojo met his gaze, his face unreadable.
"You'll find out soon enough. For now, just know you're in good hands."
He paused, studying Zark's reaction.
"The people behind this... they've got the means to make anything happen."
Zark narrowed his eyes, feeling the weight of Jojo's words.
"So, what exactly am I here for?"
Jojo smiled, but there was something deeper behind his eyes.
"That depends on you, Zark. You've got skills—skills that could be useful. But before we get into that, there's someone who wants to talk to you."
Zark frowned.
"Who?"
"Samantha," Jojo replied, nodding toward the flat screen.
Zark raised an eyebrow, confused.
"Samantha? Who's that?"
Jojo leaned against the table, crossing his arms.
"She's the one who brought us all together. Assembled the whole group. She's the only one who knows our boss. None of us have ever met him or seen his face—only Samantha has. She coordinates everything through him."
Zark's curiosity grew, but before he could ask more questions, the door behind them creaked open. Zark turned to see a woman step into the room—her long, curly red hair immediately catching his attention. It was Samantha. She froze the moment she saw Zark, her eyes wide in shock.
"What… what are you doing here?" Samantha's voice cracked, clearly surprised.
Zark blinked, confused by her reaction.
"You… you know me?"
Samantha stepped forward, a mixture of disbelief and curiosity on her face.
"Of course, I know you. You were the talk of Lumenis Institute—a programming genius. I never thought I'd actually meet you here."
Zark's brow furrowed.
"How do you know all that?"
Samantha smiled awkwardly, brushing a strand of red hair behind her ear.
"I've been looking for you."
Her voice softened.
"That's part of why I'm here. I didn't know what happened to you after you disappeared. But when I saw you in the squatter area, I had to report it."
Zark's eyes widened.
"Report it?"
His voice was laced with suspicion.
Samantha nodded.
"Our leader… they tasked me with finding people like you. People with exceptional skills. I had no idea you'd end up here."
Jojo stepped forward, cutting through the tension.
"Looks like fate brought you here for a reason," he said, clapping Zark's shoulder with a grin.
"Since Samantha was tasked with finding you, I think it's safe to say you belong with us."
Zark felt a knot in his stomach.
"What exactly are you asking me to do?"
His voice was quiet, but there was a hint of determination.
Jojo leaned in, his tone growing serious.
"We need someone like you on our team. Someone who can handle the tough stuff—the coding, the hacking. Breaking into systems that seem impossible. Your skills are rare, Zark, and with the right people, you could do a lot more than just survive."
Zark looked down at the floor, feeling the weight of his decision. He had spent so long just scraping by, but now, they were offering him something bigger. Something that could change everything.
Jojo's voice softened, breaking the silence.
"I handle the finances—keeping everything running smoothly. But someone like you? You could be a game-changer."
Zark's eyes flicked up to meet Jojo's.
"And if I don't want to?"
There was hesitation in his voice.
Jojo sighed, stepping forward again.
"Look, Zark... no one's forcing you to stay. But the truth is, you've made enemies out there. Jason Cheng doesn't forget."
Zark froze, his chest tightening at the mention of Jason. He hadn't fully grasped the consequences of his escape, but now it was all hitting him at once. Jason Cheng—he wasn't someone you just ran from without looking over your shoulder.
Jojo continued, his tone firm but sympathetic.
"You'll be safer with us than on your own. People like Jason... they have long memories, and they don't forgive."
Zark felt his stomach drop. The reality of his situation weighed heavy. Samantha nodded in agreement, her expression softening. But it was Jojo's words that stuck—Jason Cheng. Zark had barely escaped him, and now, he had to decide whether he would run again or stay.
Finally, after a long pause, Zark sighed deeply.
"Alright," he said, his voice firm yet resigned.
"I'll stay. But I need to know more before I fully commit."
Jojo grinned, the tension in the room easing slightly.
"That's all we ask," he said with a chuckle.
"Take your time. We'll show you the ropes, and when you're ready, you'll join us for real."
Samantha exchanged a glance with Jojo, her expression softening. Zark took one last look around the room. His life had taken another unexpected turn, but for the first time in a long while, it felt like he might be part of something bigger than himself.