"The Black Lotus"

Hannah sat back on the bed, her legs tucked beneath her, watching Kai with quiet admiration. She was now dressed in her usual sleepwear: soft pajamas and a loose t-shirt. Despite the tension hanging in the air, the sight of Kai's calm focus as he worked captivated her.

Kai set his phone on the desk, raising it over the scanner built into the computer. The device beeped, and text illuminated the screen:

Photo Captured and Scanned. What Do You Want Me to Do In This Photo?

His fingers moved swiftly over the keyboard. Go to the deep web and search for information on the badge and label, he typed, his blue eyes sharp and unwavering as he studied the monitor.

Hannah leaned forward, her curiosity momentarily overtaking her sleepiness. She scooted to the edge of the bed, closer to Kai, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, resting her chin gently on his neck. "I feel so sleepy after all that earlier lovemaking, lovey…" she murmured, her voice soft, carrying the weight of exhaustion and affection.

Kai's lips quirked into a faint smile as he tilted his head slightly toward her. "Then sleep," he said, his tone warm but focused. "I'll tell you everything when you wake up."

Instead of moving back to the bed, Hannah let out a content sigh and nuzzled into the crook of his neck, her breath warm against his skin. Her soft embrace shifted him slightly, and without hesitation, Kai reached out, lifting her gently from the edge of the bed and onto his lap. She straddled him instinctively, her legs dangling on either side of the chair as she buried her face deeper into his neck.

Her voice was muffled, sleepy. "Promise me you'll tell me everything when I wake up. No keeping me in suspense."

Kai held her securely, his free hand brushing over her back as his gaze flicked to the monitor where three loading dots blinked on the screen. "I promise," he said, his voice low and sincere.

Hannah pressed a lazy kiss against his jaw, her lips soft and lingering. "I love you," she whispered, her words slow and slurred as her exhaustion took over.

"I love you too," Kai murmured, brushing a gentle kiss over her forehead before easing her back slightly to meet her gaze. Her half-lidded eyes sparkled faintly before she smiled and let her head drop against his chest, fully giving in to sleep.

Kai held her close for a moment longer, savoring the quiet intimacy. Then, as her breathing steadied, he carefully leaned her back toward the bed, tucking her against the pillows.

With a final glance at her peaceful form, Kai turned back to the computer. His expression hardened, the warmth replaced with a resolute determination. Whatever answers the screen held, he would uncover them—for both of them.

Kai's fingers flew across the keyboard, eyes locked onto the screen as the deep web search began. The computer beeped, connecting to a hidden layer of encrypted content. A warning flashed across the screen:

Warning: Accessing restricted content. Proceed with caution.

Kai didn't hesitate. His focus remained razor-sharp as he bypassed the warning with practiced ease. The screen flickered briefly, then settled into a dark, ominous design. His gaze swept across the available options:

Text

Images

Videos

Shopping

Locations

His instinct told him the Images tab would be the quickest path to uncovering more about the badge—and the shadowy group behind it. Without a second thought, he clicked.

The page loaded slowly, revealing an unsettling image that made Kai's stomach twist. His chest tightened as he leaned closer, his breath shallow. The woman in the photo was gaunt, frail, her skin ashen and bruised in several places. Her eyes—wide, glassy, filled with terror—locked onto the camera, an unspoken cry for help emanating from them. She was naked, her body limp, under the influence of something—her pupils dilated, unblinking.

The caption beneath the image hit Kai like a punch to the gut:

Price: $1,000,000

His pulse quickened, disbelief washing over him. For a moment, time seemed to slow, the harsh reality of the image sinking deep into his mind. He clenched his jaw, a deep anger stirring within him.

What kind of monsters do this?

His gaze stayed fixed on the woman's face, her terror practically screaming through the screen. This wasn't just a victim. This was someone's prize, reduced to a price tag. The thought churned his stomach, a mix of disgust and fury building inside him. His fingers twitched as if wanting to reach into the screen and pull her out, to make the people responsible pay.

Kai's mind raced, the image burned into his thoughts. How many more are out there like this?

The moment stretched on, the weight of it crushing him. He turned his attention to the rest of the screen, his fingers hovering over the keyboard.

I can't let this stand. I won't let them keep doing this to people.

With a steadying breath, he refocused, but the image—the woman's terrified eyes—remained etched in his mind. The urgency of their mission had just escalated, and Kai knew, deep down, this was just the beginning.

Kai glanced at the woman's eyes one last time, a deep frustration stirring in his chest. I hate that I can't do anything, he thought bitterly. His fingers hovered over the keyboard as he tapped "next."

Another photo appeared—a new woman, her expression vacant, her situation eerily similar to the first. The price tag was the same, one million dollars.

Fuck, again. I hate this feeling.

Anger surged through him as he clenched his jaw. The protective instinct in him flared, but his thoughts drifted briefly to Hannah, still sleeping peacefully beside him. At least she's safe for now, he thought, exhaling slowly as he glanced at her serene face.

Kai shifted his attention back to the screen, his eyes narrowing as he studied the photo in front of him. The woman's body was posed, but it was the symbol on her wrist that caught his eye—the same Lotus insignia.

His fingers froze over the keyboard. It's them. He could feel the weight of it—the growing suspicion that the group marked by the Lotus symbol was behind everything. I'll try to find Mina here.

He quickly scrolled through the remaining images, his mind racing.

Kai's anger simmered as he processed the discovery. There was no time to waste. He needed answers, and soon.

Hannah stirred slightly beside him, unaware of the storm brewing in Kai's mind. He briefly touched her arm, reassuring himself she was still there, still safe. Then, with newfound resolve, he went to work, determined to find the truth behind the Lotus symbol—and to bring justice to those caught in its web.