Previously: James and Maya head to the address they got from the now dead first drug man and to there surprise it leads them to another box party, and the only lead is the name on the piece of paper comtaing the address.
They kept their heads down, blending in with the crowd. Maya could feel the eyes on them, the suspicion and curiosity of those who didn't recognize them. They weren't here to party, but they had to play the part.
James leaned in close to Maya. "We need to find Leo he his the one who that guy told us about you know the lead to the second drug man who is closer to the shadow He's the one we need to talk to."
She nodded, scanning the room. They pushed through the crowd, their eyes darting to every person they passed, looking for someone who might stand out. Finally, in a shadowed corner by the bar, Maya spotted a man slumped in a chair, his eyes half-lidded and unfocused. His face was gaunt, his hair unkempt, but his hands—those were unmistakable. Thick gold rings adorned his fingers, and the glint of cash peeked from his pocket. This was Leo.
Maya's heart raced, and she nudged James. "There he is," she whispered.
James nodded. They walked toward Leo, and as they did, the music seemed to grow louder, drowning out the rest of the world. They stopped in front of him, and Leo barely registered their presence. His eyes were glazed, clearly high on something. His body swayed with the rhythm of the music, even though he wasn't moving.
"Leo?" James asked, his voice calm but firm.
Leo blinked slowly, his gaze unfocused. "Yeah, yeah. What do you want?"
James leaned in, keeping his voice low. "We've heard you know a lot about the Shadow's operations. We need information. Now."
Leo's head lolled back, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Shadow, huh? What makes you think I know anything about them?" He chuckled, swaying in his seat, clearly not in the right state of mind.
Maya felt her patience wear thin. She needed answers. "We're not here to play games," she said, her voice sharper than she intended. "Tell us what you know, or we'll make you talk."
Leo's smile faded, and he blinked slowly at her. He didn't seem scared. Instead, he looked... amused, like he was playing some game that they didn't understand.
James glanced at Maya, his hand subtly moving toward the gun tucked in the waistband of his jeans. Maya knew he was ready if things turned south, but she also knew that using the gun would only escalate the situation. Leo wasn't their main target—he was a means to an end. But if they didn't get the information now, they'd lose their chance.
"Leo," Maya said again, her voice calmer this time, "you're not the first person we've talked to. We know you're mixed up with the Shadow. Don't make this harder than it needs to be."Leo finally focused his bleary eyes on her, as if he were just now processing the words. He sat up slightly, then let out a small, cynical laugh. "You think I'm some kind of hero, huh?" he slurred. "You think I'm gonna help you?"
James took a small step forward, his hand resting on the gun, but Maya caught his arm just in time.
"Leo, we're not asking you to be a hero," she said, her tone softer. "Just help us. Help us get to the Shadow. You don't want to be involved in this anymore. We can make it worth your while."
For a long moment, Leo stared at her, his eyes narrowing as if he was weighing the offer. Then, he shook his head. "You're in over your head, kid. The Shadow doesn't work like that. You think you can just walk in, ask some questions, and get out? Nah."
Maya's frustration was building, but she kept her cool. "Then what do we do?"
Leo leaned in closer, his voice low and full of regret, as though he was speaking from experience. "You want answers? You go to the second building—down by the docks. That's where you'll find what you're looking for. But you better be ready, because they won't make it easy."
Maya felt a small sense of relief, but she wasn't foolish enough to let her guard down. "And you? What happens to you?" she asked.Leo's eyes flickered with something darker, something almost sad. "I don't make it out of here," he said, almost to himself. "But you? You're still alive. That's more than I can say for most."
Before she could respond, Leo's gaze flickered to the side, and his hand shot out, grabbing her wrist. "But remember one thing," he whispered, "The Shadow doesn't forget. And they never forgive."
James stepped forward, pulling Maya back slightly, and Leo let go, returning to his dazed state. Maya and James exchanged a glance. The information they needed was right in front of them, but they still weren't safe. The clock was ticking, and every moment they spent here made it more likely that someone would realize they didn't belong.
"Thanks for the help," James said quietly, his voice barely audible over the pounding music. "We'll take it from here."
As they turned to leave, Leo's voice called out after them. "Just remember, no one gets out easy. And don't think you're the exception."
Maya felt the weight of his words, but she didn't stop. They had what they needed—the next building, the next step.
Outside, the cool night air hit them like a slap to the face. They moved quickly, sticking to the shadows as they made their way down the dark alley.
The docks were just a few blocks away. But the further they went, the more the sense of danger tightened around them. They were getting closer to the heart of the Shadow's operations, but it wasn't going to be easy.
Maya glanced over at James. "This is it," she said, her voice steady. "We find the answers, or we don't make it out."
James nodded, his face grim. "Let's move."
And with that, they set their sights on the next building, ready to confront whatever awaited them inside.