Orion Lee felt a lingering sense of unease as he stood before the plain-looking young man.
He couldn't reconcile the sight of this seemingly ordinary individual with the idea that he owned a three-story building.
"Come on in," the young man said, his voice casual and inviting.
Orion agreed somewhat awkwardly, stepping through the threshold into the dimly lit hall. It was cluttered with random furniture and boxes, as if the man had not yet settled into his own space.
They made their way toward a small table at the back of the room, the young man gesturing for Orion to take a seat.
"Would you like tea or coffee?" he asked, already pouring a cup without waiting for a response.
"Uh, coffee's fine," Orion replied, a little taken aback by the young man's eagerness.
"Great choice." The young man placed the steaming cup in front of him. "Sugar?"
Orion hesitated, then nodded. The young man quickly offered him a packet, and Orion took it, unsure if he should pour it in.
The young man took a sip of his tea and settled back in his chair, studying Orion with an intensity that made him squirm. "So, what brings you here?"
Orion was still grappling with the oddness of the situation. "I got your business card. You mentioned needing help?"
"Yes, many people got that card. But I'm interested in you." He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What's your story?"
Orion's heart raced a little. "I'm, uh, nineteen. Just a university student. I think I can handle the job."
"University, huh?" The young man's interest visibly piqued. "What do you study?"
"Just general studies for now." Orion felt a wave of anxiety wash over him. "But I'm a quick learner."
"I see." The young man nodded thoughtfully, then straightened in his seat. "I'll need to ask you some important questions to see if you're suitable for this role."
Orion gulped. "Okay."
"First question." The young man leaned in, his eyes locked onto Orion's. "Do you feel confident handling danger?"
Orion took a moment, considering his answer. "I guess I can manage. I mean, I've faced some tough situations before."
"Good. Next question." The young man paused, gauging Orion's reaction. "How do you handle incomprehensible situations?"
Orion's brow furrowed. "What do you mean? Like…surreal moments?"
"Exactly." The young man's tone remained steady. "You're faced with something so absurd that it defies logic. What do you do?"
Orion swallowed hard, the weight of the conversation pressing down on him. "I try to make sense of it. I need to understand."
The young man's expression shifted slightly. "How does this relate to being an assistant?"
"It… doesn't," Orion replied, now more confused. "I thought we were discussing the job?"
"We are," the young man said, unblinking. "But I have more questions. Are you an ability user? Do you have any affiliations with the federal government?"
Orion's eyes widened. "What? No! I'm just a student. I don't—"
"Calm down." The young man held up a hand, interrupting him. "Next question. Are you an evil person?"
"What?" Orion exclaimed, sitting up straight, alarm bells ringing in his head. "Who are you? Why are you asking me this?"
The young man's gaze remained unwavering. "It's just a question. Do you possess the capacity for goodness and love?"
Orion hesitated, wrestling with the implications of the question. "Yes! I mean, I try to be a good person. I care about my friends and—"
"Good enough." The young man's demeanor shifted slightly, as if the tension had lessened. He stood and extended his hand toward Orion. "Congratulations. You're hired."
Orion eyed the outstretched hand with suspicion. "Hired? Just like that? I don't even know who you are."
The young man chuckled lightly. "You're the first candidate to hear the final question. You deserve an explanation, don't you?"
Orion frowned, still reluctant to shake the man's hand. "You haven't really told me anything about what this job entails."
"Fair point," the young man admitted, retracting his hand slightly. "But you've shown potential. You have a unique ability to understand danger and grasp the abstract. That's what I need."
"What do you mean by unique ability?" Orion asked, confusion etched on his face.
The young man leaned back, crossing his arms. "Let's just say, the world is more complicated than it seems, and I need someone who can navigate through that complexity."
"What does that even mean?" Orion felt a knot forming in his stomach. "You're being cryptic."
"Cryptic?" The young man shrugged. "Maybe. But I assure you, your life is about to become much more interesting. You'll be working on tasks that… well, they may not fit the conventional idea of a job."
Orion's curiosity was piqued despite his apprehension. "Tasks? What kind of tasks?"
"I can't reveal everything just yet." The young man grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "But let's just say it involves uncovering truths that others might want to keep hidden."
"That sounds… risky," Orion replied, his pulse quickening.
"Risky, yes. But also rewarding. You'll learn about your abilities, your potential, and perhaps even the truth behind your parents' deaths." The young man's tone shifted, now serious.
Orion froze, a rush of adrenaline coursing through him. "How do you know about my parents?"
The young man smiled knowingly. "Information is power, Orion. I have my sources."
"Stop calling me that," Orion said, feeling a surge of frustration. "You don't even know me."
"True, but you will soon." He leaned closer again, the intensity returning to his gaze. "So, do we have a deal?"
Orion stared at him, his heart pounding. He felt an unsettling mixture of fear and intrigue, a craving for answers battling with the instinct to flee.
He opened his mouth to respond, but the words caught in his throat as a loud crash echoed from outside, jolting them both.
"What was that?" Orion asked, instincts flaring.
The young man's demeanor shifted instantly. "Looks like our time here might be cut short."
"Cut short?" Orion stood, anxiety flooding his system. "What do you mean? Are we in danger?"
"Let's just say," the young man said, moving to the door, "it's best to be prepared for anything."
Orion followed him, heart racing as the weight of uncertainty settled heavily on his shoulders.
Before he could voice another question, the young man opened the door and stepped outside.
The world beyond was cloaked in a darkening haze.
Orion hesitated at the threshold, caught between the promise of answers and the instinct to retreat.
"Are you coming?" the young man called back, his voice edged with urgency.
With a deep breath, Orion stepped out into the unknown, leaving behind the safety of the cluttered room.
What awaited him was a world that had suddenly turned chaotic.
The air crackled with tension, and Orion felt an unshakeable sense that everything was about to change.