Chapter 5: The Mission

As Leo carried Mark and leaped up back into the third floor of the five-story building, Mark's heart started racing with anticipation and fear. He had no idea what Alex had planned for him. When they arrived at Alex's room, Mark was met with a sea of faces - more than ten boys, all with menacing grins, waiting for them.

Alex now sat on a plush couch, his eyes fixed on Mark with a mixture of amusement and contempt. "Welcome to my humble crip, Mark. I see you're quite the defiant one. I like that."

The room fell silent, with all eyes on Mark. He tried to struggle free from Leo's grip, but it was no use. Leo's hold was like a vice.

"So, Mark," Alex continued, "I hear you've been thinking of reporting us to the authorities. That's quite brave of you. But let me tell you something - we are the authorities here. And you're just a mere pawn in our game."

Mark's anger flared, but he knew better than to speak out. He was outnumbered and outmatched. For now, he had to bide his time and wait .

Alex snapped his fingers, and the boys closed in on Mark, their eyes were gleaming with excitement. Mark's heart sank, knowing he was in for a long and painful ordeal.

Alex sneered at Mark, his eyes glinting with cruelty. "You know, Mark, I can order these boys to beat you to a pulp right now. We can leave you here until nightfall, and then throw you out like the trash you are. But... I might spare you, if you can convince me you've learned your lesson."

Mark's eyes widened in terror as he begged for mercy. "Please, Alex, I won't tell anyone, I swear! I'll never say a word, just please don't hurt me!"

He tried to appeal to their humanity, hoping to find a glimmer of compassion. "I'm disabled, Alex. I'm not like you guys. I'm vulnerable. Have mercy on me, please!"

But Alex and his goons only burst out laughing, their jeers and snickers filling the room. "Mercy? You want mercy? You're the one who's been threatening to expose us, and now you want mercy?" Alex taunted, his voice dripping with disdain.

One of the boys chimed in, "Yeah, and what's with the disability card? You think that's going to save you?"

The room erupted in mocking laughter, and Mark's pleas fell on deaf ears. He realized he was at the mercy of these ruthless boys, and his fear turned to despair.

Alex's expression turned serious, his eyes glinting with a sinister intensity. "Mark, listen carefully. You should remember the kids who vanished from the central gate a while back. The ones who were never seen again."

Mark's mind racing, he nodded hesitantly, unsure where Alex was going with this.

Alex leaned in, his voice taking on a menacing tone. "Those kids might have offended someone... or some gang... in this Estate. And you know what happens when you cross any gang. They retaliate. And sometimes, people disappear forever."

He paused, letting the implication sink in. "You see, Mark, there are places in this country where people are taken, never to be seen again. The Neitherworld Pit, for instance. A place where the country's trash is dumped, including those who become... inconvenient."

Mark's blood ran cold as he grasped the hint. Those kids might have been killed, their bodies discarded in the Neitherworld Pit. He felt a chill run down his spine as he realized the danger he was in.

Alex's eyes seemed to bore into Mark's soul. "So, Mark, think carefully before you decide to cross us. Remember, we are always watching, and we will not hesitate to take action if you betray us."

The room fell silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of the boys, all eyes fixed on Mark, waiting for his response.

Alex's expression suddenly changed, a sly grin spreading across his face. "But, Mark, I'm a fair man. I can not only spare you, but I can also reward you. I'm offering you a chance to join us, to become one of us. And not just as a foot soldier, but as my second-in-command."

Mark's eyes widened in shock, unsure of what to make of the sudden offer.

Alex continued, his voice dripping with persuasion. "All you need to do is carry out a little mission for me. A small task, really. And if you succeed, you'll be set for life. You'll have power, protection, and wealth beyond your wildest dreams."

Mark hesitated, unsure if he should trust Alex. But the promise of power and protection was tempting. He had always felt vulnerable, and this could be his chance to change that.

"What's the mission?" Mark asked, his voice low as if resigning to Fate .

Alex leaned in, a conspiratorial look on his face. "I'll tell you all about it, Mark. But first, you need to prove your loyalty. Are you in?"

Mark took a deep breath, weighing his options. He could try to escape, but he might not make it out alive. Or he could join Alex's gang, and risk becoming embroiled in a world of crime and violence. But the promise of power and protection was seductive...

Alex, sensing Mark's hesitation, dropped a bombshell. "And, Mark, if you agree to carry out this mission, I can offer you something even more valuable than power or protection. I can offer you a cure for your legs."

Mark's eyes widened in shock, his mind racing with the implications. A cure? Was it possible? He had always been told that his disability was permanent, that he would never walk properly again but that was till eleven years ago.

Alex's words sparked a conflict within Mark. On one hand, he wanted justice, he wanted to bring down the gang that had tormented him for so long. But on the other hand, the promise of a cure was tantalizing. He could walk again, run again, live a normal life again.

Mark's thoughts swirled with confusion and desire. He looked at Alex, trying to read his expression. Was this a trick? Or was it genuine?

Alex smiled, seeming to sense Mark's inner turmoil. "Of course, all of this is contingent on you carrying out the mission. If you succeed, I'll make sure you get the cure. But if you fail... let's just say you are better off than Dead ."

Mark felt a chill run down his spine. He was trapped, caught between his desire for justice and his desire for a cure. What was he going to do?

Alex leaned in, a sly grin spreading across his face. "You see, Mark, Officer Chris has a soft spot for you. Out of all the kids and adults in the Central Gate, you're the only one he trusts. That's why I need you to carry out this mission. If I went myself, he wouldn't even let me into his office."

Mark's eyes narrowed, unsure of where this was going.

Alex stood up, tablet in hand, and switched it on. He opened a file, revealing an image of a middle-aged man sitting at his desk, doing paperwork. On the left side of the desk, a beautifully decorated small box caught Mark's attention.

"This is your mission, Mark," Alex said, his voice became low and serious. "You're going to wear the ring I'll gave you and touch that box. It will copy the password written inside, and then you'll return the ring to me."

Mark's eyes widened as he realized the scope of the mission. "What's in the box?" he asked.

Alex chuckled. "That's need-to-know, Mark. And you don't need to know. Just focus on getting the password and bringing it back to me."

Mark hesitated, unsure if he should trust Alex. But the promise of a cure for his legs kept echoing in his mind. He looked at the ring on Alex index finger, feeling a surge of complicated emotions.