I turned away from Kol and found Har standing at the door, looking in at us with the world's largest scowl. I cleared my throat awkwardly then took a step forward. "Here he is.." I mumbled.

"What's he doing in here?" Har asked. Har began to step into the room. He looked around, probably for something out of place. Har's presence in the room was overwhelming. He appeared tall, muscular, and imposing, draped in an all-black ensemble - black top, black jeans, and a black jacket with only a grey beanie offering a dash of color. His steps were giant and it felt like he could cross the room in just a split second.

"I uh we uh-" Before I could finish my unpolished lie, there was the ringing eruption of a gunshot. I instantly ducked, not really knowing where it came from. But just as quickly as it came, another came right after it. The only thought in my mind was Kol. 

I heard him yell out in pain. I regained composure quickly after the two shots were fired and I saw as Kol dropped to the ground, his weapon falling out of his hand. Before I could reach him to inspect his wounds, Har was already there, proving my theory that he could actually reach across the room in a split second. It was clear Har hadn't been injured. And this was the reason why I was so frustrated with Kol having a gun. He missed! He ended up getting shot. What the hell?

He went to Kol and grabbed him up from the front of his top and lifted him off the ground. "I should kill you," Har seethed and a smile tempted my lips; ironic, that's what Kol said to me when he chased me out of my house, him and his friend. I gazed at Kol; his face contorted with pain, as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. His skin, once flush with color, turned an ashen gray. Tremors wracked his body as he clutched his upper arm, his clothes stained with the vivid red of his own blood. The pain etched in his features was unmistakable, and his breaths came in ragged, shallow gasps. Frankly, he was being a bit dramatic. But I wouldn't actually know, I was never stupid enough to actually get shot. 

I wanted to say something but I didn't know what. I couldn't speak to Kol (I don't think he would've had much to say anyway) because Har actually thinks I'm on their side. So, I walked to Har and patted his back once. "Are you going to kill him now?"

"Shut the fuck up and leave, Daniel. Your work here is done." He blinked back at me. I looked to Kol then back to Har. He looked scared. His features screamed he was in pain, but his eyes held fear. Which is something I've never seen on Kol. He stared between Har and me, and then finally his gaze remained on him. I didn't know what the hell I was supposed to do. Should I leave him? I think I should. I didn't ask for this entire expedition. I didn't want to come here and search this house. The only thing I was supposed to do was deliver him, and I barely even had to do that because he came willingly. I am innocent in this entire situation. I will be innocent if I just turn around and leave, and go home and forget all about Kol and Lukas and Har and Boris.

"Danny.." Kol got out and I furrowed my eyebrows at him. I cleared my throat awkwardly, then turned away from them. I left the room and closed the door behind me. A sigh left my lips. I need to leave now. I have to leave now before I change my mind. I quickly paced down the narrow hall and then down the steps. After almost slipping down on their carpet, and tripping on a random object on the staircases, I made it down the stairs and came face to face with their living room, and the door adjacent to me. I looked between the room and the door.

The door.

I opened the door and then slammed it shut. This is stupid. I don't know why I'm doing this. I should just leave. Why didn't I leave? In lieu of leaving, I walked into their living room. I have no idea what I'm looking for, but I begin to search anyway. I cursed myself for even coming back here and doing this. I looked at the room again. Nothing in this room seems out of place; there are such few items here. I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that there was something hidden here, something that might get me out of the mess I'd willingly walked into. But what could it be, and where should I look next?

I decided to go to the kitchen but then stopped mid-way. I looked around again. Such little items in this room, not even a television. The couches all sort of surrounded this table--well trunk.

I crouched down to look at it. A rectangular black trunk sat perfectly in the center of their living room. It seemed to be the perfect centerpiece because all of the other furniture was in dark colors. I ran my finger along it. It's dusted with remnants of cigarettes and probably coke, but that's really it. I moved around the trunk to get to the front to open it, but obviously, it was locked. There was a place for a key, but nowhere around had anything that even had the vague shape of a key. I stood up and went to the couches, to look behind and beneath every cushion, but it was all to no avail. There was no sign of a key in this living room. I decided to check the walls for any type of crack but that too was unsuccessful.

I entered the kitchen and hesitated at the entrance. It barely resembled a functioning kitchen, equipped with only a fridge, a sink, a few cupboards, and a solitary kitchen table. The tabletop, much like every other surface in this place, was littered with beer cans and cigarette butts. I cringed at it. I drink and smoke, but these guys push it to the absolute limit. I walked to the fridge and opened it. The fridge light which usually comes on when the fridge door is opened, didn't come on. Do they even live here? Or just party? There were about six cans of beer thrown in different places in the fridge and a box of milk. I shook the tin cans just to make sure they didn't shove the key to the trunk in there. Just as I was picking up the carton of milk, I heard the front door open. My instant thought was to hide beneath the table, but the table is the first thing you see in the kitchen from the door. Instead, I opted to sidle behind a nearby wall--hopefully, he doesn't come into the kitchen. But then again there really isn't much here for him to come for.

"Where are you, man?" That was Boris, obviously. His voice is rough and callous, and his face is the exact same thing. "Upstairs. We got him." Har shouted back. I heard Boris laugh then his heavy feet walked up the stairs. I listened as he walked to the last room then he went in and his loud laughter echoed throughout the house. I cringed again. Gosh, I can only imagine Kol's position right now--probably tied up...beaten up in the face...bleeding from his arm, and who knows what else.

I moved from where I hid behind the wall and silently made my way to the stairs and I went up. Just as I reached their bathroom door, I heard speaking from the last room; the door was open. "... Snooping? Fuck you think he found it?" I ducked into the bathroom just as Boris rushed out of the room. My heart thumped in my chest in fear of being caught. In the room next to the bathroom they kept Kol in, I heard shuffling around, and that was all. The door slammed shut and his heavy feet were out of the room. I breathed slowly before finally deciding to poke my head out into the hall. No one was there. Everything was clear.

My heart was in my stomach. I could barely move out of the bathroom because now I felt more afraid than ever. I should call Bird. I should get help. Why am I doing this alone?  Oh right, the idiot I came here with got himself shot.

I walked quickly and quietly to the second room, where Boris just left, and then slipped in. My heart was pounding but I smiled. I'm shocked I even made it this far.

I looked around the room. What's changed? Something has to change. He came into this room, he moved some stuff around, what was it? I looked at the bed and the couch, everything was how it was supposed to be. The hamper, the bed, the table, it's all as it should be. I looked around.

"Where's our money, Kolton..." I heard from next door, in a sing-song voice but tried to ignore it. Are they teasing him? 

Kol has no money. He's probably going to die. Not probably, he is going to die. Har has already shot him without hesitation, so I doubt it would be a problem for them to kill him as easily. They don't want to hear that he has no money, or that his family is broke. I cursed softly but focused on finding anything that stood out. I can't focus on Kol right now.

I scanned the ground for anything. Nothing was out of place besides a book on the floor, which most likely fell from the bookshelf. I walked to the book bent to pick it up and placed it back on the single shelf. I stopped mid-way and stared at the shelf. This shelf is in perfect order, from thickest to the thinnest. The thickest was the Qur'an, which was empty when I opened it. I ran my finger along the spine of the books with my brows furrowed. I stopped at the last book, the thinnest and shortest book. A small, black book titled 'Infant Reader'. Why do they have a child's reading book? Actually, it would make sense why they do, neither of them seems like they even know how to read. I opened the book, which consisted of about ten pages. The first few pages were the alphabet, then short sentences. I looked through the book until the end, where I found a key taped to the back of it. With wide eyes, I plucked the key off the back cover and folded my fingers around it. Gotcha.

Just as I was about to place the book back, and leave the room, my phone in my pocket began to ring. My ringtone was loud and obnoxious. They were speaking next door, but then they stopped. I cursed softly. I fished the phone from my pocket quickly and denied the call. I stuck the key in my pocket, then my phone. I thought I could make a run for it, but as I went to do that again, my phone started to ring. I cursed. "Jesus Christ, Lukas!" I whispered and tapped the phone screen, trying to end the call. Before I could slip it back into my pocket quickly, the doors burst open and there stood Har, looking as evil and angry as ever. Shit.

"You've got some nerve, Daniel.." Har said, "Sticking around and snooping after I told you to leave."

"Did you?" I chuckled, "I thought I would stick around and we could share a beer, you know, because we're friends..." I smiled at him nervously.

"We aren't friends. And I am allowing you to leave here without being hurt or dead, so you best accept my kindness." Har said through gritted teeth. God, if only you made me larger, I could have punched him in the face and done the same to Boris as well. But instead, I was made puny and skinny and unable to do any of the things I wished to do.

"What's going on with Kol?" I took a chance and asked him. He chuckled. "Get the fuck out."

"C'mon man, you can tell me," I said. Har took a step to me and he smiled, but it wasn't a warm or inviting smile. His smile was menacing. It was threatening. It told me everything I needed to know. "Daniel, go." I sighed softly and looked down. "Fine. I need to pass first." I said and much to my surprise, he stepped aside and allowed me to leave. I turned in the direction of the stairs and walked to the bathroom door, where I slipped in. I scanned the small room for any type of weapon.

I don't intend to kill anyone, but I should at least free Kol. He's an asshole, but Boris and Har are even bigger assholes. The bathroom was small, consisting of a toilet, bath, and sink. Above the sink was a cupboard, but I highly doubt there would be anything there that would be useful to me. However, I spotted a baseball bat beneath the sink, leaning against the wall. My eyes widened and I smiled. Who wouldn't enjoy hitting people with a baseball bat?