In those moments, Hidara had dashed with Neil and Rin toward the city center. Hidara (with suppressed anger): Damn… it took us thirty minutes to catch up with him. Neil: It seems we're getting close to the control device—or rather, the kidnapper. Hidara: Alright. The bikes approached the tracker coordinates until they stopped in front of a huge, abandoned warehouse. Neil: This is the place. Hidara looked at it in awe. Hidara, Neil, and Rin dismounted their bikes quietly, their steps cautious, as if the ground itself was watching them. Hidara: Alright, we must go in. Rin: But first… your hands are bleeding from the burns. Hidara: Don't worry about it, it's nothing. Rin: No, wait. She tore a part of her clothing, split it in half, and wrapped it around Hidara's hand, saying: Rin: There… it will ease the pain. Hidara: Thank you. Rin: You're welcome. Neil tossed a dagger-like cleaver to Hidara. Neil: Take this, Hidara. We don't have much time. Hidara looked at the cleaver with a strange, almost fearful gaze. Neil: This is not the time to hesitate. We must act now. I've been hiding this in my sleeve… I think now is the right time to use it. He drew a firearm… a pistol. Hidara (fearfully): Are you sure? Neil: What? I have nothing stopping me from using it. Hidara: Alright. Rin: And what about me? Hidara: What do you mean? Rin: I'm going in with you. I want a weapon. Hidara: Rin… don't come with us. This place is more dangerous than you think. Rin (with clear stubbornness): No. I'm coming with you. There's no way I'll let you go in alone. Hidara: I won't allow it. Rin, understand… this place is extremely dangerous. Rin: I know it's dangerous, but I think it's even worse to stay alone outside. Hidara: I understand… but I will go in. I won't leave you behind. Hidara sighed deeply, then pulled out an extra dagger and handed it to her. Hidara: Alright… take this. Don't hesitate to protect yourself. Stay close… never wander away. Rin nodded confidently. The tension in the place intensified as Hidara took their steps inside. Suddenly, the sound of rats echoed in the darkness, followed by the rustle of crawling insects along the walls. A heavy silence fell… as if the warehouse itself was holding its breath before the storm. Hidara: It's very dark… I can't see clearly. What are these sounds? Rin: Hidara, I'm scared of these sounds. Hidara: Don't be afraid. Stay close to me. Rin: Look… there seems to be a light in that direction. Neil: Hidara, I'll check the other side. Hidara: Alright. Let's go, Rin. Rin: Oh my God… what is this? A terrifying sound. Hidara: It's the sound of rats and crawling insects, don't be afraid. It seems there's a light coming from that hall. Stay put; I'll check it out. Rin: Hidara, don't go… I'm scared. Hidara: Wait, I won't be long. Rin (in a fearful voice): Please… don't be late. Rin waited, terrified by the sounds of rats and snakes. Hidara (to himself): Oh God… the sounds of rats and snakes are getting louder… they're so disturbing. The door was open, light spilling out of it. Hidara extended his hand to the doorknob very carefully, sweat pouring down, then pushed the door with force. As the light illuminated the interior, he was shocked by a pool of congealed blood, mixed together, exuding the stench of saliva, blood, and tobacco that choked the lungs, as if it were the scream of death itself. On an iron chair in the middle of the pool, the fingers and hand of a person had been severed and arranged in a horrifying manner, as a silent warning or threat. Hidara: Aaaahhhh! Hidara froze, his emotions paralyzed, his eyes stone-like, as if the blood had frozen his heart. Rin's voice startled him from behind: Rin: Hidara! What is it? No response. Rin: Can you hear me? Why aren't you answering? Hidara… what… did you see? Rin (fearfully): Oh my God… what happened to him? She raised her dagger, then took step by step toward the light, seeing Hidara standing. Hidara: What did you see? What is it? Tell me. Rin: Aaaahhhh! Ddddd… Hidara! I… I can't breathe… I'm suffocating! She put her hand over her mouth, trying to block the horrible stench of blood and tobacco, then collapsed to the ground, fainting from fear and disgust. Neil: There's no one here… just a warehouse. It seems there's a secret hideout. The tracker points to this warehouse… what's going on? Screeeeeech! Neil: What is that? That's Rin's voice! He ran quickly toward the light. As soon as he looked inside, his eyes widened in shock… A pool of congealed blood, exuding a suffocating stench of tobacco and weeds. Neil: … He muttered in a low voice: Oh God… He put his hand in his pocket and looked at the screen. Neil: The "Ready" signal points inside… oh God, what happened? Where is Shadi? Neil entered, examining the place with cold nerves. Neil: What…?! There are fingers and a hand… this can't be real. Sweat poured from fear and tension. What's this white paper? He opened it and read its contents. Then he slowly turned toward Hidara. Neil: Look, Hidara. I think… I found a message. I believe it's addressed to us. Hidara (sharply): Where is it? Show me. Neil: Alright… He held it and said: Hidara (reading in a low, broken voice): "Good luck… next time." Hidara: No… no… no… this can't be happening. Where is Shadi? The paper fell from his hand. His breaths were erratic… No… no… no… impossible! Neil (concerned): Hidara? Hidara, can you hear me?! No reply. Neil suddenly approached and delivered a strong punch to Hidara's face. Neil (angrily): What are you doing to yourself?! Are you stupid?! Hidara lifted his head with difficulty, looking at Neil, tears in his eyes. Hidara: Are you joking? Shadi… Shadi will die… Crying and choking, a look of resignation. Neil: Wake up, Hidara! Shadi isn't dead, he hasn't lost his colors yet. Don't give up so easily! Hidara (angrily): Giving up is easy? Don't joke with me! Do you know what I've endured? Do you know how scared I felt? I'm human… I'm not a superhuman. I have feelings!
First Kamil... and now Shadi."
I'm exhausted, I can't continue! Tears fell. Please… forgive me… I'm done… I'm tired. Neil (in a broken yet angry voice at once): Do you mean you'll abandon the people who trusted you? Do you think we're in a situation that allows us to break down? Hold yourself together, Hidara. We chose to enter this path… And we know well its consequences. Hidara: Life isn't rosy… No matter what happens, no matter how devastating the pain… we must go on. Neil leaned down, placing his hands on Hidara's cheeks with a sincere, heartfelt, and moving smile. Neil: I'm with you, Hidara. And we'll get through this together. You're the one who saved me… You're my savior, so don't give up now. I swear… we'll take him down next time.