Chapter 3: The Secret Room

When Adrian woke up, his head felt like it was splitting in two. The faint hum of fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a sterile glow over the damp, concrete walls surrounding him. His wrists were bound tightly behind his back with coarse rope, cutting into his skin every time he shifted. A metallic chair pressed uncomfortably against his spine, its legs bolted to the floor.

He blinked rapidly, trying to clear the haze from his vision. The room smelled of mildew and rust, a stark contrast to the sterile lighting above. It was eerily quiet, save for the occasional drip of water echoing somewhere in the distance. Wherever he was, it wasn't a place meant for visitors.

A figure emerged from the shadows—a tall, lean man in a gray suit. His hair was slicked back, and his piercing blue eyes seemed to pierce right through Adrian. He carried an air of authority, the kind that demanded respect—or fear.

"Mr. Carter," the man said, his voice smooth yet icy. "I'm disappointed. You've caused quite a bit of trouble for us."

Adrian swallowed hard, his throat dry. "Who… who are you?" he managed to croak.

The man smiled faintly, though there was no warmth in it. "My name is Victor Langley. I represent an organization that prefers to remain unnamed. Let's just say we specialize in… cleaning up messes. Messes like you."

Adrian's stomach churned. He'd heard rumors about groups like this—shadowy organizations operating beyond the reach of law and morality. If this really was one of them, he was in deeper trouble than he'd imagined.

"What do you want from me?" Adrian asked, his voice steadier now.

Victor leaned forward, resting his hands on the table between them. "The Black Files contain information that could destabilize entire nations. Information that was never meant to see the light of day. By accessing it, you've made yourself a liability."

Adrian's mind raced. He needed to buy time, to find a way out of this nightmare. "So what happens now? You kill me?"

Victor chuckled softly. "Not necessarily. We prefer solutions that benefit everyone involved. You have skills, Mr. Carter. Skills we can use. Work with us, and we'll ensure your safety. Refuse…" He let the sentence hang, the implication clear.

Adrian stared at him, weighing his options. He knew better than to trust someone like Victor, but playing along might be his only chance to survive—for now.

"I'll think about it," Adrian said finally, his tone neutral.

Victor smirked. "Good. You're smarter than you look." He straightened up and gestured to the guard standing by the door. "Take him to holding. We'll discuss terms later."

As Adrian was dragged out of the room, his mind began formulating a plan. He wasn't going to play their game—not if he could help it.