Chapter 101 - Little Game (III)

They slowly made their way deeper into the hallway. Mark was feeling tensed about the situation. He felt the man from earlier did not lie. How does he know? The fear in his eyes was enough for him to know if it was the truth or not. If Kevin wasn't in the next room, then it only means Oliver is playing dirty. 

Reaching the room, Mark was once again astonished by the displays. There was only one enormous display in the room. There were a couple of small ones above, but the grand and most attractive one was easily the one before him. 

The display had small huts and cavemen in a jungle. It looked like a small village during the time of the caveman. He walked closer and saw there were a total of only 4 huts and 8 cavemen models in the display. 

"Kevin are you here. Kevin, it's me, Mark. I am here for you." shouting as he looked around. He closed his eyes, searching for any sound he could pick up, but there was none. He exhaled in disappointment. 

'Did, Oliver play dirty this time. I will kill that midget when it is the right time.' thinking about Oliver's gimmicks. His eyes were red with anger thinking about it. Clenching his fist, he decided to look up even though there was almost no hope. Walking up the stairs to the first floor, Mark searched each of the displays, but there was no trace of Kevin. 

Walking down the stairs, Mark shouted once again, "Kevin, I am here. Just give me a sound so I could find you." but once again, there was only silence in the whole room. But as he made his way towards the hallway, feeling both sad and angry, he heard a noise. 

It was very faint, and even Mark would not have picked it up. It isn't for his upgraded hearing power. He stopped and turned around with an expectant gaze. The sound came from behind him. He looked at the village display and went near it, taking a chair once again. 

He smashed the glass a couple of times before it crumbled against his strength. He threw it aside and went inside the display. He made his way towards the nearest hut and checked inside. There was no one except a small child wax figure. 

Exiting the hut, he looked around for the other huts. They scattered the other three across the display. One was only a few steps away from him, while the other two were in the opposite corners. He went towards the nearest and checked inside. But this time it was an empty hut. 

He looked at the last remaining two huts and went to the nearest one. This one was also empty. He looked at the last hut, feeling tense. He could feel his heart rapidly beating as he made his way towards the hut. Suzie was right behind him. 

Suzie had a similar feeling inside her. She was also close with Kevin through Mark and could be considered as good friends. So, even if she was pretty much expressionless outside, she was anxious inside. 

Reaching the last hut, Mark finally bent down and peeked inside. His eyes shot wide as he saw a wounded man tied up, lying inside. It was Kevin Frost. 

"Kevin." as he went inside. He couldn't stand and was on his knees as he caught Kevin's body. Kevin's eyelids were wavering as he saw a figure taking him into his hands. He used the last ounce of remaining strength he had to bump into the hut when he woke up, hearing Mark's shout. 

"Kevin, wake up Kevin. I am here now, don't worry. You will be alright." she spoke anxiously and worriedly. He was tapping on Kevin's face, trying to keep awake. Scared that he might die once he slept. 

Kevin felt someone tap his cheeks as he was losing consciousness, begging him to stay awake. He slowly moved his lips and said, "Wa-water." with a completely dry throat. He didn't have water for the past 2 days and his throat was practically as dry as the desert. 

Mark turned towards Suzie and asked, "Get me the water bottle in my bag. Hurry up." Suzie opened his bag and quickly gave it to him. Mark chewed the cap away and poured water into Kevin's mouth slowly. Kevin felt water going into his dry throat and took it all in without waiting. He felt his soul returning to him as the water slowly slid through his throat.

Mark felt relieved as he saw this. He was shaken to the core when he saw him tied up and on his last breath. By the looks of it, it seemed like they didn't give him even water for days. He looked at him and his torn bloody shirt. His hair was unkempt, and he looked like a beggar. His skin was swollen, probably from repeated physical harassment, he had to go through. Mark felt responsible for his current situation. 

Seeing his friend in such a dire situation, his eyes couldn't help but water. Never did he want to see someone close to him in such a situation once again. This was also a reason for him becoming an introvert and subsequently thinking of suicide. His eyes were now red with rage thinking about Oliver. 

'Oliver, you took this way too far once again. Your end will be very soon. And once it arrives, I will show you hell and make you beg me to kill you. This is a promise I made and a promise I will fulfil, even if it costs me my life.' looking at Kevin.

Kevin felt some strength return to his near-death body as he slowly opened his eyes. His vision was clouded, but he could identify the silky black hair and the devilishly handsome face. His lips curved up and said, "I-I was wai-waiting for you." 

Mark nodded and said with a resolution, "Don't worry. I am here now. Drink some more water." Pushing the bottle further. Kevin nodded at his friend's worry and continued to drink some more water. After drinking water, Mark untied him and slowly made him sit against the wall.

"Are you fine now?" 

Kevin nodded and said, "Yes, I can speak now. But I'm really hungry." Rubbing his empty stomach. Oliver stopped giving him food for over four days and water for the last two days. He was really hungry at the moment. Mark nodded and opened his bag. He took out an energy bar and gave it to Kevin.

"Here eat this for now. Once we go somewhere better, We can have some proper food " Kevin only nodded and took the bar with his shaky hands. But he did not have enough strength to open it. Mark took it from him and opened it. 

Kevin slowly munched on the energy bar. Mark looked at him as his face slowly regained some colour. After he completed the energy bar, he felt some strength come back to him. 

"Can you walk?" 

Kevin nodded and tried to slowly stand up but could only stagger because of the small hut. Mark supported him with Suzie and they walked out of the hut. But as Mark walked out, a bullet Peirce's his shoulder, pushing him to the ground. 

Mark's eyes went wide as he fell down with Kevin and Suzie. He clutched his shoulder and noticed there was blood. Before he could turn around more bullets came his way. He immediately pulled Kevin with one hand and went behind the hut. 

His shoulder was throbbing in pain at the bullet wound. The blood did not stop oozing out as more bullets were fired their way. He took out his gun and held it with one hand. He peeked outside and saw two people standing on the first floor with guns in their hands. Before he could shoot another bullet came his way and he backed away again. 

"Both of you stay here." And ran towards another hut to the side. He held his head with an arm and tried shooting the ones above. As he reached for the other hut, he looked carefully and shot one of their legs. He took cover as the person screamed with the bullet in his legs. But this did not stop the other as he continued to shoot Mark. 

Mark could only take a deep breath and come out once again and fire at the remaining person. The bullet pierced the remaining person's gut, and he fell down beside his partner. Mark exhaled when he saw them down but did not forget to fire once again at the first one right at his hand, which was reaching for the gun beside him. 

With both of them down, Mark's adrenaline ran out as the pain took over once again. He dropped the gun and clutched his shoulder again. Suzie and Kevin ran up to him with worried expressions. 

"Mark are you fine?"