Monday. September 6.

The manager had already grown fond of the moments when he sat on the couch in his office, going through the documentation, often glancing blankly at his beloved, who kept watching the video from the security cameras. Sometimes the guy's eyebrows came together at the bridge of his nose and he pouted, then his face relaxed and he might even chuckle when he saw something interesting. Norman loved the man in every way and sometimes he couldn't look away, Soni caught him doing it more than once and looked back, smiling and raising an eyebrow as if to ask: "What is it? Did you miss me?"

It was past midnight when Soni interrupted their quiet sitting with occasional glances back and forth:

"Norfman, can you break away for a while and come over to me? I have a couple questions. Will you watch a few moments?"

"Sure. Show me," the manager left his observation post of his favorite and walked over to the table.

"Right here... your assistant, I think his name is Aran, meets a few customers and simply points his hand in the direction of the place they need, then meets the next one and escorts him to the Bar, where he leads him into a blind spot, you can't see him from the Bar's cameras. Then another customer, on the same day, he leads to the dance area and again gets lost in the blind spot. Each time out of sight for literally minutes. What's in those blind spots? And why are different customers treated differently? Does it depend on status?"

"Okay, first of all, as far as I can see, as far as status goes, the visitors are the same. Secondly, we have cabinets in the blind areas where we keep a stock of things that customers might need, from handkerchiefs to silver cufflinks. People must come to him with a request and he helps them out. But, I hear you... I'll check those nooks and crannies after the Club closes tonight."

"Good. One more thing, there were two incidents last week where Aran and the doctor took a shaking client out of one of the areas and led him to the med room," Soni added, looked at the notebook where he noted the video number and time of each suspicious incident, and opened the next video file.

"We have all sorts of things going on, sometimes they don't alert me to minor incidents if they can handle it themselves without my presence. I chose Aran myself three years ago out of many applicants, he's a responsible kid, humble and hardworking. I don't think he's involved in this case."

"Norman, I understand, but you should put your personal attachments aside right now and check everyone out, just in case," Soni raised his head and looked at his interlocutor intently.

"Yeah I get it, I get it. I'll do that," Norman smiled and ruffled the handsome man's dark hair.

At night Norman arrived at Soni's apartment later than usual, but the landlord was still awake:

"So, how's it going?"

"All clean, nothing out of the ordinary. Checked every corner, nothing like drugs," Norman replied as he wrapped Soni in a hug. - You smell so sweet. You should have stayed awake until I got here."

"Don't you think we do this too often? Aren't you getting tired?" - Soni sagged back slightly in his loins, pulling away, and smiled as he looked at Norman's lips.

"If it's only worrying about me, don't think about it. I'll always be short of you... But if you're tired, I'll accept your surrender and let you go," the man flirted, rocking his body in his hands.

"I'll take that as a confession, Norfman. I won't be the first to pound on the mats to admit defeat. I've only been separated, and it's not in my principles to back down."

"What other confession-" - Norman had no time to finish, for his lips were already under attack.

***

Until Thursday, everything went on as usual. The guys worked, searched for leads, and slept at Soni's apartment. Norman's morning began with a sudden assault on his body. He opened his eyes as his cock was enveloped by the moist warmth of his lover's mouth. Soni had gotten some skills in their nearly three weeks of active sparring, and the man now couldn't help but moan under his thrust. Wanting his aroused body part to be inside that desirable body all the time. The incessant movements of the guy's head, lips, tongue were like diving into a sweet, happiness-giving something.

"Aaaaaaah.... Aaaahhh... Sun... ny," Norman cummed so brightly and copiously that Soni coughed a little, swallowing the result of his efforts.

The guy gently kissed the throbbing head and collapsed into his partner's arms. They were silent until Norman's heart and breathing returned to normal and the bright spots stopped flashing before his eyes.

"What was that, Sunny?" - With a hoarseness in his voice he uttered.

"I wanted to wake you up early and cheer you up right away," Soni said quietly in a half-smile, drawing an infinity sign around Norman's nipples with his finger.

"You did it. May I ask why? You want to do something special?" - The man ran his hand over the smooth skin from shoulder to buttock of the naked boy and slipped a finger between his buns.

"Not what you're thinking, you insatiable bunny! I want to walk around the park with you and eat ice cream, that's all," Soni grabbed the hand resting on his ass and brought it back to his shoulder.

"Good suggestion, I agree. Shall we go take a shower then?"

"Let's go, but no molestation. I know how much you like my body, but keep your hands to yourself this time or I'll punish you with a week without sex," the blackmailer chuckled.

"Uh-oh-oh-oh, how cruel. I give up!" - Norman raised his hands in submission and they laughed.

***

Walking in the park, the couple chatted about various topics unrelated to their investigation: they recalled the fun days at the Farm, Norman told Soni about Troy and his new relationship with his ex-Yellow, which made the boy stand like a stump in the middle of the path and couldn't move, as if he had seen an alien with tentacles. Then they joked and laughed a lot, and talked about the subject from different angles.

The weather that morning was wonderful, the sun was not too hot, often covering its hot body with a blanket of fluffy clouds. The greenery of the park and the view of the water in the canals created a peaceful atmosphere that was conducive to heartfelt conversations.

As they sat down on a bench overlooking the surface of the water backed by fine folds, Norman decided to share his concerns:

"Makoto recently told me that she sees me as her successor and wants to bring me up to speed on her business... I don't want that, but I don't know if I can convince her of that yet. Yes, I'm pretty good at my role as Club Manager, but if anyone knew how hard it is for me to go down to the basement and do what I do down there."

"Do you think you can get away from her?"

"On your own two feet? Ha, not likely. Deadline's by the end of the month. In the search for dirt, I can see the benefit to myself now. Also, the cellar's not doing so well, same profit margin, but only three guys working, a month's waiting list. In fact, we need to make up for it, but I don't want to do that. I wouldn't wish their fate on anyone. I'm waiting for Makoto to bring it up first, and she definitely will soon. Fuck, I want to scoop up all the rainbows and run, but no place is empty. Others will take our place, and fuck knows what will happen after I leave Dragon. That's the only thing holding me back, not any of the Farm's alumni rules."

Soni listened silently, stroked Norman's shoulder and, breathing in his scent behind his ear, said with a warm smile:

"I'll go get the ice cream and you guard the bench, I like it here. What flavor do you prefer?"

"Menthol...with brownies."

"Wow, that's quite a request. Okay, I'll try to find some."

As soon as the lad disappeared around the corner, the man sank into his unhappy thoughts, from which he was abruptly brought out by someone's shriek:

"Norman! Norman! It's you!"

Looking at the shouting man, the object of the call did not at once recognize the fellow who had come running toward him.

"Norman! Gods! I've finally found you! Ahhhh, I've been looking for you for so long! I came back to Dan Sai two weeks after the festival and there was no sign of you. I can't believe I met you today! It's a miracle!" - As the handsome boy spoke with tears in his eyes and shook his find by his shoulders, the man looked at him and recognized him. The teacher from his village that they had been sleeping with for three years had changed a lot: he wasn't wearing glasses, he was more muscular and handsome, he probably had no shortage of suitors.

"Hi... I'm sorry about the other day..." - was all Norman could manage to say.

"No, no, don't apologize, it wasn't your fault. You honestly admitted our relationship in front of your father. And I loved you even more after that act. We finally found each other and now nothing can separate us," the boy's eyes burned like a fanatic who had managed to touch the object of his blind faith and adoration.

"Wait a second. Our relationship is in the past. I have a new life and..." - Norman didn't finish as he saw Soni's boyfriend behind him with two ice cream cones in his hands, he stood there looking incomprehensibly at what was happening.

And at that moment, when the man was distracted, the guy grabbed him by the neck and with the words, "Norman, I love you," attacked his closed lips with his mouth.

The man hadn't expected such a thing and only pushed the man from his sad past away from him when sweet ice horns smeared on the pavement and Soni rolled up his sleeves and drilled the stranger's back with hatred, probably wanting to put a huge Phuket-sized hole in it.

"What are you doing? It's been over between us for a long time! I have a partner," wiping his lips with the back of his palm, Norman said the words louder so his lover could hear him.

"I don't believe it! You must be joking? We loved each other so much!" - exclaimed the lad, trying to grab the man's neck again.

"I'll have to believe you! - Soni pushed the leech away and, enclosing Norman in an embrace, continued. - 'Get out of here! He's with me now, and I'm not going to share!"

The teacher's eyes widened and he was gulping for air with his mouth, unable to utter anything. Soni took Norman's hand and dragged him away from the stranger.

The guided one turned around several times to make sure that the boy who blindly adored him was not following them. It didn't escape the attention of an exasperated Soni:

"Don't look back! Or do you want to go back to that clingy girl?"

"I... feel guilty for him," Norman's memories went back to the days of taking advantage of this weak man and he felt bad.

"So you feel sorry for him? Then go back and keep sucking him off!" - Soni abruptly let go of the man's hand and walked briskly toward the trees.

Norman hesitated for a second, then ran up to his lover and put his arm around his tense body and pressed his chest against his back:

"Sunny, I have no feelings for this man. Why are you so angry?"

"You said you were never loved, but that's at odds with what I just saw!"

"This guy... is the only one who has loved me in my entire life, but my heart didn't reciprocate him. For selfish reasons, I couldn't reject his body and the warmth he gave me... and I regret it. It was a long time ago. Even before the Farm."

Soni was silent, so Norman added:

"Are you only angry because of my possible lying? Or..."

"Or! You let him kiss you, even though I know your reaction is fine," Norman frantically wanted to look into his lover's eyes to get a clear answer to his unspoken question, "Are you jealous of me?" so he turned his head toward him with his right hand while his Lion continued to rest on the lad's chest and note the rapid beating of his heart.

Soni gave in, but lowered his gaze down, lest he reveal the truth.

"I'm sorry. I was too relaxed with our carefree walk and got distracted by you, that's why I missed that punch," Norman whispered in the clearly offended boy's ear. He then saw and felt Soni shiver and his skin blistered. At that moment the man's insides were galloping in a joyous dance, for this situation showed how dear he was to the object of his adoration.

The guy's hand came up and his fingers firmly gripped the brush resting on his chest:

"Can you tell me now?"

"Tell me what?"

"What you feel for me... I want to hear it."

"..."

"I can see it in your eyes and actions, just... damn it, say it out loud, Norman!" - The pressure of Soni's words grew stronger.

"Isn't that enough?" - the man shook with the lack of strength to break down the wall he'd built, the lump in his throat growing again to keep him from voicing something that might hurt again.

"I could break your finger right now. If anything, I'm still reeling from your kiss with that handsome fan!"

"I'm sorry... That's the one thing I'm afraid of," Norman whispered, loosening his grip on the embrace, wanting to escape again.

Soni turned around abruptly, intertwined the fingers of both hands tightly so that the cowardly squirrel couldn't budge, and, making eye contact, said confidently: 

"Then I'll go first--what is it if not love, Norman! I... love you... I don't know when or how it happened, but I'm completely sure of what I just said... What about you? How do you feel?"

It was as if the heavens collapsed at that moment, deafening the unhappy Song, who had never known mutual love before. The world around him melted, warping and refracting, and only his two favorite opals kept him on his feet, on this earth, at this moment a bomb bursting, stuffed with impossible, immeasurable happiness.

"Don't be silent, or I'll hit you!" - Soni suddenly exclaimed, which almost brought Norman back to clarity, and it was as if he were pincers pulling one word out of himself at a time:

"Me...too...a long time ago...and very...much..."

"You're not going to pass out, are you, big guy? You're making me worry," smiled gently at the guy who could claim to be Norman's personal torture master. - I can see it's difficult... Let's forget about it for now."

Soni let go of the man's hands and turned away, taking a step away from him.

"No!!! I don't want to forget! I won't let you go!" - screamed the brain, and Norman hastened to enclose the lad in his arms, and then in a hoarse voice, as if not his own, he said, emphasizing each word:

"I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT YOU. I LOVE YOU, SUNNY!"

The man shook violently after what he said, his ears throbbed, his heart was not just pounding, it was about to burst out of his chest, his legs gave out, but... the expected apocalypse did not happen: the leaves still rustled in the crowns of the trees, the birds chirped merrily, flying from branch to branch, the sun still lit up the earth, and his favorite voice did not reject him like those others before:

"Now that we've dealt with love... can you loosen your grip a little? I can hear my ribs cracking..."

"Oh... sorry," Norman only now noticed how tightly he was squeezing his soulmate. Realizing this, he quickly pulled away and dropped his hands down, which, finding themselves unsupported, began to tremble as well.

Soni calmly turned around and entwined his fingers behind the man's back. There were tears in his eyes, but he was smiling - that look on his face... the face of a man who accepts love and loves in return - was the most beautiful thing Norman had ever seen in his life.

The man reached into his Lion breast pocket and pulled out a weeping heart of dicentra. A hot tear ran down his cheek, whereupon Soni gently encircled the bud with his fingers, and then, pulling Norman tightly against him, took him into a tender, deep kiss.

***

After they had confessed their feelings to each other, Norman constantly needed confirmation that it was not a dream. He practically stayed close to Soni, catching every look, word, and movement of his soul mate.

It was sometimes absurd, Norman realized when he realized that he was standing at the bathroom door with his forehead against the door, because Soni had gone to the bathroom. But it was uncontrollable, the one he loved had to always be at least in his sight, or preferably close, very close, so that the man could feel his smooth skin, his smell... his love.

Sunday morning Soni was brushing his teeth and Norman, as usual for the last three days, was standing behind him, putting his arms around him and kissing the boy on the back of his neck. Squeezed in the embrace, the object of adoration rinsed his mouth and, with a sudden sigh, turned around with difficulty and said:

"Darling, I understand everything, but your love is crossing all boundaries."

"What's wrong?" - Norman made a surprised face, though deep down he realized he had been overly clingy lately.

"I'm sure you know what I mean," the boy smiled, immediately touching his lips petals to Norman's lips, and continued speaking, coming within an inch of his partner's face. - I hope what's happening now will be over soon."

"What, you want to leave me?"

"Absolutely not! What I'm talking about right now is that it's like you're afraid to lose sight of me, I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night from the sight of you, and I think if I didn't lock the door when I want to empty my bowels, you'd definitely be sitting next to me watching my exertions," the treasure laughed, and then added seriously. - I love you, Norfman, I'm not going anywhere, I'm not getting lost, and my love for you is with me forever."

"And I love you... Madly in love..."

"Why don't we keep the L-word and throw 'madly' in the fire?"

"I realize I've become overly...loving, and I'm boring you with my constant presence. I'll try to calm down, I promise. Give me one more day to hang on to you, please, so I can be one hundred percent sure this isn't all a dream and I'll be back to my old self."

"Deal. Just for a day. But if this continues, ha ha... I won't let you go, but I will start using force," Soni made a scary mask on his face, which was supposed to scare, but caused Norman to laugh and very sweetly, even lusciously, uttered the phrase:

"You're so funny!"

Soni rolled his eyes and, slapping himself on the forehead, muttered:

"Just one day... and I can drag you around by your ears after lines like that."

***

As the manager sat at his post and bored Soni, who had put on a blue robe and gone on a rainbow break to maintain his bardel employee story, there was a confident knock on the door.

"Come in!" - said Norman loudly, and in a second he saw the handsome Foldie brothers, dressed as always with needlework.

"Good afternoon, Khun Norman!" - They said hello in unison.

"Good afternoon! Is it with the presents for Green again? He's away all the time at your estate now. Get everything there."

"No, we're on a different occasion this time, but it concerns the same man," replied the older of the brothers.

Norman realized from Riley's serious tone that there was going to be some serious conversation, so he immediately pointed to the chairs for the guests: "Have a seat."

"Thank you. We won't be here long. We'd just like to know the terms of Green's dismissal from this job," Itto mumbled as he sat down in the leather chair.

"Can't say I wasn't looking forward to it. And why didn't Green approach me himself?" - The manager clarified.

"He doesn't know yet. We're preparing the ground for his departure from the Club with all our might. We'd like to know all the nuances," Riley interjected.

"I see. A statement will be required of him; under the terms of the contract, a commensurate compensation will be required if he refuses to serve the two weeks."

"That's not a problem," Itto enthused.

"Khun Norman, Green never told us why he chose this basement as his place of employment, perhaps you are aware and could give us that reason?" - Riley pitched forward, interlocking the fingers of his hands.

"Unfortunately I can't divulge the details. All I will say is that he was treated very badly, the abuser was of the same status as you."

"Hmm, so that's why he doesn't believe that we are one hundred percent honest with him!" - Itto got worried, while Riley silently stared into the void, the muscles in his face tensed, he was clearly immersed in his thoughts

"Green is a beautiful and yet strong person, with a special way of life. But strength often comes as a result of serious trauma. I would advise you to be patient. It will be difficult for him to become dependent on someone again, he needs to be completely sure of your feelings and his choice. But from what I've been able to understand, he can take risks at times."

"Thank you! You have been of great help to us, Khun Norman. Let us not interrupt you. I want to warn you right away that Green will be putting his resignation letter on this desk shortly," Riley said, rising from his chair.

"I'll look forward to it, Khun Riley. I'm happy when rainbows leave this place and change to a more favorable environment," the manager said with a smile, and the lad nodded gratefully back at him.

"Thank you. Have a good day!" - Itto said goodbye and followed his brother.

***

That evening Norman continued to enjoy very intimate intercourse with Soni as long as his allotted time allowed. Such prolonged sex they had never had before. The guys fell asleep in exhaustion at 9:00 a.m., and woke up at 2:00 p.m. to the restless trills of the alarm clock to eat quickly and go to work.

Monday. September 13

This time the arrival of the queen of the hive was not a surprise, for Norman had been notified in advance. He was, as usual, fully prepared, reports for each club area were excellent, profits exceeding expectations. But, to the manager's surprise, Makoto this time decided not to go around the property or look at the statistics, but simply measured him with a cold stare and headed for the room for negotiations with important clients, and the man followed her.

Once they were seated in comfortable chairs across from each other, the woman began to speak, examining her fingernails:

"Norman, you know...? I was raised to be overly strict..., even, I would say, cruel, but I became strong in spite of all the crap that surrounded me. People are inherently weak and pathetic, believing in gods and miracles that fall on them out of nowhere. They don't realize, stupid, that a fairy-tale life without problems and suffering is evil, which kills a person's desire to become a better person. The shittier life is, the stronger your armor becomes.

"Where are you going with this?" - Norman's heart quickened slightly at this foreplay that did not bode well, but he never showed anyone, especially this woman, his fear.

"Tawin Buatong..." - Makoto sighed, and, grinning, paused to see her assistant's reaction. Norman's whole gut cringed at the utterance of Hope's name out loud, but he didn't twitch a single muscle, only raised an eyebrow, signaling that he wanted to hear the sequel.

And it came: "He had to learn the harshness of this life to harden his spirit. That's why I didn't let Troy pay all his debt, I wanted to help that wretched wretch. But within my walls, the good angels came to him again and decided to make his life better. I'm talking about you and your mentor. I know everything, and I've known it for a long time. Watched it and didn't touch it, since on average Red makes as much profit as his peers due to regular customers."

"The guy's had a tough enough life as it is, he lost his parents and has been living on the dole for years," the man tried to stand up for Red, and though his voice was firm, his palms were treacherously sweaty

"Norman, the nastier the life, the better! Don't you understand, I'm bringing good to people like him. Then it will be much easier for him to live this life," Makoto spoke and looked as if she wanted to sizzle her interlocutor with her gaze.

"I'm not sure. Injuries like that take a long time to heal afterward," the manager knew not to let slack and duck his head right now.

"Oh...okay with that...but when I heard about the new kid Indigo and your fake client scheme, I thought it was still worth warning you. Feel sorry for the boys, fuck whoever you want, but if anything more is done behind my back, you'll pay with your life. I have a lot of life experience, and I easily let people go, even people as valuable as you," - these words were said calmly, without a tear, but Norman was numb and could not utter a word, a huge line of questions lined up in his head, to which he tried to immediately find an answer:

"How did she know about Hope and Soni? There's definitely a rat on my team!

Does she know about who Soni is and what purpose she's here for? Probably not, since she's giving me another chance..."

Makoto stood up and started pacing around the room as if she had forgotten about the previous topic of conversation, starting a new one:

"The rainbow ones have become quite scarce. Red and Green have been taken over by regulars, Yellow quit, and now Indigo's out of the picture. If you get laid, put it back where it belongs! We've got plenty of clients, we're booked up a month in advance, it's no good! You've lost your perspective, Norman. It's frustrating. Find some fresh meat in the next week, talk to my guys, they'll find you some debtors or re-buy some guys from the suburbs. If those seven don't work out, introduce new colors: white, black, gray, or my favorite, animal-spotted. Increase staffing by the end of the month. I want two weeks' worth of sign-ups at the most, you got it? Can you do that? Or have you gone completely limp?"

Norman's insides were churning with hatred for this woman, but he knew now was not the time to let that anger out:

"Got it. I'll have it done by the end of September."

"Good boy. Tell me, do you pray to the gods?" - came the manager's unexpected question.

"When I get a chance," answered the man truthfully.

"Ha ha, what a fool! They are cruel, and have never been merciful to me. We make our own fate, Norman. I don't believe in them any more, and I don't advise you to. You'd better kneel before me! You are alive today only because I have decided so," with these words the dragon queen left the room, leaving Norman alone with his gloomy thoughts and clenched fists.

***

Norman didn't tell his mate all the details of the conversation with Makoto, especially about what she knew about their relationship. Soni only found out about the need to finish the rainbow guys and thought that his partner's grumpy mood was due to that, so he increased the amount of care and caresses to brighten his mood a little.

Norman, on the other hand, dampened his lovemaking fervor a bit and spent more time investigating the drug case. There was clearly a bitch in his "club family" who was not only playing a double game, but was also leaking information to Makoto, she needed to be found and punished immediately.

The manager almost never sat still, patrolling the establishment and paying attention to every little thing. He found a waiter who was stealing from customers, interrogated him himself, returned all the things he had stolen from drunken customers, and then fired him without paying his wages.

Added to all this was a sudden call from the Queen of the Hive:

📞 "Norman, we were talking about such serious topics yesterday that I completely forgot about fun. I hope you didn't forget about my birthday in your busyness? I have a party planned for Saturday at 4pm. The Rainbows should be in full force by 5. They'll be showing off their skills on my guests. Give them a brief but thorough briefing and prepare their costumes to minimally cover their bodies. You'll have a new Yellow brought in the day after tomorrow, so you'll have him on Saturday as well."

📞 "Got it."

Just then, a short beeping sound was heard.

"Fucking birthday party!" - Norman blurted out, remembering how the boys had been riddled there last year. He immediately dialed Troy to tell him about Makoto's plans for his son and all the rainbow boys.

To the employees, he decided to tell them closer to the case so as not to upset them prematurely.

Wednesday. September 15

In the middle of the day, Norman received a call from Troy informing him that he had made arrangements with influential people about all the rainbow guys, they were to be rescued from the usual orgies for such events, and the manager breathed a sigh of relief. 

Near midnight, Violet ran into Norman's office in a disheveled state, both physically and mentally:

"There's... A client... Not breathing hardly at all."

Norman ran after him into the purple room, yelling into the radio on the way:

"Medic! Now! To the purple room! And if he doesn't fucking come now, I'll fire him and you too!"

Abhisit came running in almost as soon as Norman started checking the pulse of the naked man lying on the bed - the heart was still beating, but weakly. The doctor immediately pulled a syringe of clear liquid from his bag and injected it into the patient's vein. After a few minutes, the man opened his eyes and started yelling:

"What the fuck is this? You said there were no consequences! I've only had a little bit to drink!"

"What are you talking about?" - Norman didn't understand what the client was saying.

"The man is delirious, I've administered a large dose of Naloxone. You, Khun, need to rest. You will be dressed now and we will go to my office, I will observe you for a while, but I think you will be fine," Abhisit spoke calmly and the client did not say another word.

Norman gave orders to Aran to help the doctor with the client, then checked on Violet, supported him with a kind word and let him go home. His last client he immediately called and rescheduled the visit for tomorrow.

He thought a lot that night, the client's words and the doctor's actions, who didn't even examine the patient before injecting the medicine, seemed very suspicious to him.

Soni wasn't around that night as Norman had talked him into going home early to get some rest. He sat in his office and went through all the videos from the cameras where this visitor had appeared, and again saw the same situation that his lover had pointed out. Aran met the man and took him first to the Bar, where they disappeared into a blind spot, after which the customer went straight down to the basement.

Norman called the assistant to his office, and when he arrived he began at once with a direct question:

"Aran, why are you taking some visitors to the lockers with spare items? Explain yourself."

The guy with the scar on his right cheek got a little worried, but answered without averting his gaze:

"P'Norman, sometimes people ask me for things: a lighter, a handkerchief, personal hygiene products. I don't understand why the sudden question?"

"Today a client you took to the closet blind almost died in the purple room. Do you have any idea what that might have been related to? Don't you think a third incident like this in a month is overkill?" - Norman got up from the table, walked over to the kid and looked into his eyes.

"I don't. I really don't. I'm just trying to do my job as best as I can, P," Norman saw only sincerity in the man's words and face, so he didn't torment him any further:

"Good. Thank you for your work. If you suddenly see anything suspicious, let me know immediately."

"Of course, P!" - Aran tilted his head slightly and withdrew.

***

When Norman walked into Soni's apartment, the boy jumped off the bed in a light leap and ran right into his man's arms.

"I missed you so much," he whispered, kissing his neck.

"I've missed you too, love."

"How are you? Why so glum?"

"Almost lost a client in the rainbow basement again today."

"Fuck! - Soni barked out, and followed up by adding. - Sorry, and? Tell me how it went down? Did you watch the video from the cameras?"

"I suspect Dr. Abhisit and... still Aran, he took a client to the blind spot fifteen minutes before the accident."

"Bitches! We need to get them all out in the open right away!" - boiled Soni, waving his arms.

"Let's just calm down. Pour me some water, please," Norman sat down at the table, and continued talking after taking a sip from the proffered glass. - "I won't be able to shake anything out of the client, first of all, he's a politician and Makoto's crony, and secondly, if the doctor is involved, he's clearly made it clear to him that I'm not aware of the drug situation and it's best to keep quiet in front of me.

"What are you thinking of doing?"

"Starting tomorrow we're going to catch them red-handed. I'll arrange for Calleo to hook up our computer to the Club's cameras, you'll monitor everything that happens in real time and relay the information to me, and I'll show up at the right place at the right time."

"Great. That's how we'll do it. I feel the denouement is near," Soni muttered with excitement and licked his lips.

"Mmmmmm... Don't do that... I'm dead tired and your sexy moves are making my cock quickly come into action," Norman moaned, unbuckling his belt and button on his tight pants to release his squeezed erection a little.

"Darling, you're tired and I'm very well rested, so I suggest you lie an iceberg while your seal frolics on top of you. Like the idea?" - Soni walked over and lifted Norman to his feet, pulling on his tie.

"I'm crazy about her, kid. Give me two minutes, I'll take a quick shower and immediately turn into a cold, motionless lump of ice with a heated standing flagpole," Norman bit down and immediately caressed Soni's bottom lip with his tongue.

"Ha ha ha ha, run quickly! The seal is canceled. I can't wait to conquer that peak and plant my flag on the lonely flagpole."

Thursday. September 16

Upon arriving at the Club, Norman immediately gave an order:

"Aran, today they will bring in a new recruit for employment at the rainbow abode. As soon as he arrives, come straight to my office."

"He's already here," the assistant replied.

"I'll be ready to meet him in ten minutes."

Once in the office, the manager turned on his laptop and called Calleo, with whom they had already arranged everything in the morning. Norman watched the actions of this genius on the screen for a couple minutes, and when he saw the live video cells, he wrote a message thanking him for his help.

There was a knock at the door, and Aran walked in with a skinny, good-looking guy. His clothes were neat but badly worn, the new employee's gaze was downcast, the pale skin of his face emphasizing his plump bright pink lips and large eyes.

"P'Norman, this is Dau Rakponmyang..." - The aide reported.

"Thank you. Leave us."

As the door closed behind Aran, the man showed the boy to a chair and began in a soft voice:

"Hello, Dau. I'm Norman. How old are you?"

"Twenty-one."

"Are you here of your own free will?" - Norman asked that question of all the guys who came to this job, to be aware of the reason they were here and to know how much to keep an eye on each of them.

Tears immediately came to the kid's eyes and he almost whispered:

"No... I had to... duty...".

"Got it, you don't have to go on. You'll tell me next time. Here's some tissues," Norman sighed and handed Dow a wad of paper tissues and walked around the table and sat down next to him. Every hiring in this basement was stressful for him, as most of the rainbows didn't come to this place of their own free will.

When the boy had calmed down a little, Norman continued:

"Here, this is your copy of the contract. Read it today. I'll expect you here tomorrow at 5:00 p.m.," and again Norman gave the next guy time to think and maybe find another way to pay off the debt or run away at his own risk.

"Okay..." - Dau mumbled, taking the papers with a sluggish hand.

The man patted him on the shoulder and helped him up from his chair. With a heavy heart, he walked him to the club's exit.

***

Soni arrived at 4 pm. The whole day they acted according to a clearly constructed plan, but nothing happened. The guys came home and collapsed on the bed from helplessness.

Friday. September 17

Norman woke up with a heaviness in his soul, the weather supported his mood: it was cloudy outside, meteorologists promised heavy rain. As the man lay looking at the gray clouds in the sky and thinking about what exactly had made him homesick, Soni's glowing smile popped out of the bathtub:

"Good morning, my love! You're awake at last. Hurry up and cheer up! We're going for a walk."

"My honey, did you look out the window? It's going to rain today. Can't we stay home after all?" - Norman didn't feel like going out at all.

"Cornie, it's okay to walk...under an umbrella. I think... it's very... romantic," Soni sat down next to him and spoke, covering the man's bare chest with kisses.

"Okay. We'll do as you wish," Norman gave in, but the heaviness didn't go anywhere.

"Something about you isn't cheerful at all. I've got a good feeling, honey - we're gonna catch some rats and get to the bottom of this tonight."

"That would be good," Norman stood up slowly, stretched, and went to get ready.

As he dressed, Soni chirped cheerfully about where to go on the walk, where and what to eat and what to discuss. The man was tossing between satisfying his soulmate's desire and those inner voices that were begging him to stay at home.

When they had already reached the door, Norman nevertheless took his lover's hand and, making a pitying face, spoke:

"Can't we...not go after all?"

Soni made a serious face, walked up to him and, placing his palms on his unshaven cheeks, looked intently into his eyes. After a while, the guy cheerfully said:

"Good! And what shall we do?"

Norman began slowly unbuttoning the buttons on his partner's white shirt, giving a silent answer.

"Ah, is that why you're acting like that and don't want to go for a walk? One day missed and you're not yourself anymore," Soni chuckled.

Norman, per usual, picked the boy up in his arms and carried him to the bed. While he slowly removed his clothes, Soni lay with his hands above his head and watched the process intently.

The man stopped and could not take his eyes off his beloved. If someone had asked Norman: "What is love?", he would have answered unequivocally: "It is Soni", because this man had everything he wanted to protect and worship, one fleeting smile he could shatter all his feelings with a minus sign. This man was the meaning of his life, the giver of boundless happiness.

"What...is...wrong?" - A native voice snapped him out of his daze.

"Can't I just watch...?" - Norman forgot about the desire to enter this body, he did not ponder the reasons for it, just went along with his desire to be near his beloved, admiring him as an intangible deity, the embodiment of all his ideals.

"You can," Soni replied quietly, and they just lay next to each other without breaking eye contact.

"You don't have nightmares anymore?" - Norman asked.

"No, after the first night with you they never came again, though before that they tormented me every time I tried to sleep. At first only Fiat appeared in them, and then ... I began to dream of customers' hands tearing me apart ... for four days I hardly slept at all. Thank you for coming into my life and chasing away those bad dreams," Soni whispered back, and the man gently stroked his hair.

They continued to lie in silence until the silent communication between the two lovers was interrupted by a yawn from the guy and his words, said already in a half-sleep:

"Sorry, honey, I'm up early. My eyes are closing."

"Go back to sleep...I'll wake you up," Norman said, fixing the disheveled strands of hair of his pea.

"We'll definitely... figure it all out tonight, cornie..." - Soni pronounced, already falling asleep.

"Good. Don't think about it now," Norman kissed his lover's relaxed body and hugged him gently. His heart continued to pinch and the man had to calm himself down a little mentally:

"There's just too much coming down. It's probably stress, or I've become weather dependent. The sled is close by, which means everything is fine."

***

They arrived at the Club fifteen minutes apart, so as not to arouse the staff's suspicion, and continued practicing what they had planned.

While the manager waited for information from his soulmate, he called all the rainbows except Hope and informed them that there was going to be an event tomorrow in honor of Makoto's birthday and they had to be there. He understood their feelings, they were obviously worried, as all of the people he called had been to similar events and knew what was going to happen there. He couldn't resist hinting to the guys that it would be "not the usual", but he couldn't give out all the information.

Around four o'clock, Norman's phone received a text message from Soni:

<Sony: "Aran is taking a client to the bar."

Norman was on the right floor and it took him ten seconds to approach the customer from the back, to whom Aran was handing a small paper envelope.

"Good afternoon, Khun. Are you in some kind of trouble?" - The manager put on a professional smile and addressed the man in his fifties. The man immediately tucked the envelope into the inside pocket of his jacket, mumbled that everything was fine, and walked out of the Bar.

Norman looked at the assistant with a sizzling look, but continued to smile:

"Aran, dear, I expect to see you in your office in ten minutes. There's a little conversation to be had."

With that, the manager left the bar area and read a new text message from his lover:

<Soni: "A customer has made his way to the restaurant restroom."

With a quick step he reached the right place, the customer was in one of the stalls, so he turned on the water and pretended to wash his hands.

As the man kept Norman company at the sink, he scrutinized him in the reflection of the mirror. The customer seemed frail and short-tempered, the kind Norman had seen a lot of, so he decided to take a chance and, turning to him, politely but conspiratorially began quietly:

"Khun, I apologize. My assistant mixed up the envelopes. We are prepared to make amends and give you another, much bigger one."

"Oh shit, and I've already swallowed it. What am I supposed to do now?" - The man bulged his eyes and began nervously twirling the signet on his finger.

"You don't worry, it's just a smaller dose than usual. We'll reimburse you for our blunder tomorrow. We hope for your understanding," an ingratiating smile and the right words on the outside, while on the inside, everything was churning with rage and disgust at everything that was happening.

"Oh, okay, I was getting scared. Thanks for the warning, I won't turn down such a cool thing for free," the customer laughed.

"Have a good day, Khun," the manager said goodbye to his guest and hurried to his office, texting Soni:

<Norman: "Wait on minus three. I'll be there soon, I won't be alone."

They met Aran on the stairs leading up to the floor where his office was located. Norman put his arm around his shoulders and led him up the next flight of stairs:

"Follow me. It's in your best interest to obey, or I'll use my special skills, and before you know it, you'll be in line for the next reincarnation."

The boy shook, looking around for the unknown savior, but did as commanded.

On the minus third floor were warehouses with food for the restaurant that had a long shelf life, props for performances, everything needed for the rainbow rooms, and so on.

Soni came out from around the corner and grabbed Aran under his other arm and chirped cheerfully:

"Where are we going, dear?"

"All the way to the end and to the left, into the empty box," Norman nodded in the proper direction.

The deputy only now realized what he was facing, so he began to lash out and beg:

"P, I'm not involved! P! Please! I'm only helping! They made me do it! Please!"

"Don't scream and walk straight, you bastard," Soni twisted Aran's hand outward, and the man, whimpering, gave up and stopped twitching.

Norman opened the lock with the key and they entered the empty room.

"Soni, keep an eye on him. I'll be back soon, I'll bring something."

"Go ahead. We'll poke around the gray walls for now and think about the eternal," the boy smiled.

Ten minutes later the manager returned.

"It's nice to be able to find everything you need on this floor. It's like shopping at the store. Only there's no flirtatious salesgirl at the register," Norman said cheerfully as he set up a chair with a backrest and took out some duct tape, ropes, and a couple of knives from his bag. Only then did he glance at the deputy, whose lip and nose were smashed and streaming blood.

Scratching the back of his head, Norman added:

"I see you've already started."

"Uh-huh, we disagreed a little. He doesn't think corn and peas are ideal companions," Soni smirked, rubbing his knuckles on his fingers.

Norman lifted Aran up and sat him in a chair, tying his hands behind his back, and then, with a sigh, began:

"I used to think pretty well of you, didn't I? Are you going to tell it nicely, or are we going to start interrogating you?"

"P., I'll tell you. I'll tell everything... Just don't tell Ms. Makoto that it was me..."

"Well, that's not interesting," Soni spat out, but meeting his soulmate's serious gaze, he raised his palms in a sign of surrender.

"Tell me. I need information about the drug and the people involved in its distribution in my territory," Norman wanted to get this shit sorted out quickly.

"I...I was forced, threatened with death. I was only supposed to pass the pills to customers who paid for them in advance. Dr. Abhisit oversees the whole process..." - Aran began.

"Damn, I knew it," Norman reprimanded and added, grinning: "Keep going. Autumn is interesting."

"Siavase... that's the name of the drug. Addictive after the third dose.  There are more and more Siavase addicts, and they're increasingly turning to it for a refill. It's almost impossible to detect in the body. There is an antidote that is commonly used for overdosing."

"Why do some customers start dying after taking this pill?" - Questioned Soni.

"They are warned beforehand not to mix this drug with alcohol..."

"What's there about this drug that isn't in other drugs that have been tested for decades?" - Soni wrinkled his forehead, and Norman felt like going over and straightening those revived creases on his lover's face.

"According to the stories - it gives a sense of pleasure and happiness, opens the mind, doesn't cause glitches. I haven't tried it, but my clients love it."

"I see. Have there been any fatalities within the walls of the Club that I don't know about?" - Norman asked.

"Yes... in the last four years... about... twenty," the interrogator's voice was growing quieter.

"Fucking hell! TWENTY? How did that get past me?" - Norman just wasn't throwing lightning bolts at this point, a feeling of hatred for everyone involved.

"The clients were taken to the infirmary, and there's a secret exit. The bodies were just hauled away after the Club closed."

"Fuck! Norman, you realize now what kind of brutality is going on. And that's just here! I don't think the drug is only sold in Dragon," Soni muttered through gritted teeth and walked over to Aran and slapped him across the face with the back of his palm.

"Soni, wait... Let me think," Norman thought for a few seconds and dialed Troy.

📞 "Hia, hello! Our business has moved on. Can I bring a man to the Farm for a few days? We need to meet him and escort him to a private suite."

📞 "You mean a special, royal, meeting, Norman?"

📞 "Yes, about it. He's a doctor by profession, an asshole by life. The bastard will be out of the loop. Don't scare him off."

📞 "Okay. I'll warn the guys."

📞 "Thanks, Hia. It'll be there in an hour."

Putting his cell phone away, Norman turned to his lover:

"I'll give the order to that werewolf in the white coat, he'll go with you to 'patch up our man'. You will take him to the Farm, he will be given a proper welcome there. He'll spend the night in solitary, think. We'll question him tomorrow. I think he'll be able to give us all the information we need."

"Good," Soni smiled cheerfully, the fires of excitement playing in his eyes at the very soon to be accomplished vengeance. He walked over to his man and kissed him passionately, ignoring Aran who was watching them.

"Take care of yourself, please. For my sake," Norman whispered.

"I don't know any other way. Save myself for both of our sakes," Soni replied, and Norman couldn't take his eyes off him again until the object of his admiration nodded and said: "Call the doctor. We need to get this matter resolved as soon as possible."

The man nodded and went out into the hallway, dialing Abhisit:

📞 "Khun, an emergency situation has arisen. The matter is urgent and very delicate. One of our guys was wounded in a firefight, we need your help. I will not be in debt."

📞 "Okay. I'm ready. Where's the patient?"

📞 "He's out of town in very bad shape, but there's no way he can go to the hospital."

📞 "Okay. Text me the address, I'm on my way right now."

📞 "You'll get a ride. You better come prepared for the surgery. I'll be at the main entrance in a couple minutes."

📞 "Okay."

Norman gave the orders for the car and turned to Soni:

"You've got to go, Pea. I'd go with you, but I'd rather stay here. And there's more to talk about with that under-assistant."

"Don't worry, I can handle it. I'll call you back when I'm done with the mission," Soni smiled and left the room.

Norman continued the interrogation:

"Aran, one more question is bugging me. How did Makoto find out about my dealings with Red and Indigo?"

"I...I don't know, perhaps...there are listening devices somewhere?" - The captive spoke and averted his gaze upward and to the left.

With a sharp blow to the solar plexus, Norman knocked all the air in him out of the aide, the guy bent over and whimpered.

"I advise you not to lie. I often check my facilities for bugs. We can have fun like this for a long time, Aran. It's been a while since I warmed up my fists," the man gritted through his teeth, and the boy spoke:

"I... It was... me... I didn't mean to... Mistress asked me... I'm afraid of her..."

Norman grabbed Aran by the hair at the back of his neck and pulled back sharply, hissing:

"Worm! You think I'm going to pity you? I trusted you, and in your feeble mind you thought I was kind and weak?. I'm no match for Makoto, but I can be a little cruel when I need to be. Sit back, think about the shit you've gotten yourself into and what other useful things you can tell me. I'll come back to chat again a little later."

Another blow and the guy was bent in half again. Norman put a gag in his mouth and duct taped it shut. Now it was necessary to return to the workplace and behave as usual, as the hive queen might have more spies among the staff.

Closing the door and sticking a sign on it that read "Danger! Do Not Enter!" that he had picked up in one of the storerooms beforehand, he headed into the study to clean himself up. Standing at the doorway was the newcomer Yellow, who was already looking at his boots, which was understandable.

"Hello, Dau. Signed?" - Norman asked, opening the office with his key.

"Good afternoon, Khun Norman. Yes...signed," the kid mumbled.

"I have a very busy day today. Come on, I'll show you your room and your resting place. The Rainbows will be here soon, you can trust them, they'll help in case of anything. Give me two minutes and let's go downstairs," Norman pointed to the boy's chair and entered the bathroom himself.

Quickly getting himself in perfect order, he escorted Dau to the minus second floor, to show him the place where he would now have to work off his debts, most likely not his own. Blue was the first to arrive, and Norman asked him to take care of the newcomer, as he was already receiving pleas for help with the main floor.

Around six o'clock in the evening, Norman answered the long-awaited call:

📞 "Norfman, it's done. I'm on my way back now. Why don't we eat something tasty? I'm starving."

📞 "Sure, honey. Anything you want. Drive carefully, rain is expected."

📞 "Steak then! And I am the epitome of neatness."

📞 "The steak will be ready by the time you arrive... Love you!"

📞 "Love you too, Cornie. Hanging up."

Norman stared at the cell phone screen for a few more minutes and smiled, surprised at how easy the words came to him now.

After ordering two servings of meat and vegetables from the restaurant, he went down to check on the rainbows, and then went back up for a round of the main areas of the Club.

As the manager checked the order in the Bar, his phone vibrated in his pocket, and he picked it up happily, anticipating a quick meeting with his lover.

📞 "Red found some dirt! He called right after you and I talked. I still don't believe it! I don't know how he did it, but I have the papers in hand! All the proof is here, honey!" - Soni yelled as if the heavens had opened.

📞 "Where are you now?" - Norman began to worry.

📞 "At the south bus station. The papers were in the locker."

📞 "Wait for me there, I'll be there!"

📞 "No! I'll go straight to Khun Nanfe, I've already called him. I'll text you the location, I'll see you there!"

📞 "Okay... Sunny, be careful!" - Saying those words, Norman was already walking out of the Bar.

After receiving the address, the manager crossed the Club's lobby quietly, so as not to disturb the customers, and as soon as he was out the door he ran headlong to his car.

As soon as he pulled onto the freeway, the sky lit up with the bright light of lightning and was immediately followed by a mighty roll of thunder.

"Wait a little while. I'll get there soon, and only then.... Please!" - Norman begged the heavens not to erupt in rain, but they did not hear him; a minute later Bangkok was hit by a downpour as powerful as its inhabitants had seen in a long time.

Visibility was so poor that cars were moving at almost snail's pace, and some simply pulled over to the side of the road.

Norman stubbornly pushed forward, but the navigator kept adding and adding time to the journey to the desired point.

"Shit! Fuck! Come on already! Move!" - yelled Norman, pounding on the steering wheel.

Only fifteen minutes later the rain began to let up and the traffic began to move more briskly, but not as much as the man would have liked. Norman kept calling Soni, but she was unavailable.

It was still raining when he pulled onto the street, the lone streetlights illuminated the road, and his beloved appeared ahead - he was crossing the road twenty meters in front of him. The man wanted to park and run out to him, so he slowed down, but suddenly he saw to his left a guy in black and green camouflage who ran out of the alley onto the sidewalk and, arms outstretched forward, was walking toward Soni. He had a gun in his hands.

Norman had no trouble reacting, and he swung the steering wheel sharply to the left, wanting to hit the scumbag. He did so, knocking him into the brick wall of the building, but as if in slow motion he did not hear, but saw the bullet flying out of the muzzle, which a split second before the collision with the killer broke through the shroud of rain.

Norman ran outside and first kicked the gun lying on the pavement, noting to himself that it was an HK Mark 23 with a silencer. The scumbag was dead, and Norman darted in the direction where his Sunny should have been.

He was indeed there...

On the road, lying on his stomach...

With a hole in his skull....

As he ran to the body of his beloved lying on the wet asphalt, another shot rumbled, but Norman did not even look in the direction from which it came.

Flying up to Soni and immediately falling to his knees, he stared incomprehensibly for the first second as dark red blood dripped from his head and, mingling with rivulets of water, ran down the road.

"Aaaaaaah! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!! No, no, no! Don't leave me, my love, not now!" - Norman hugged the motionless body, plugged the hole with the palm of his hand and screamed exhaustedly, unable to believe what was happening.

"Norman! Norman! Look at me! We're going to get this done! You need to get out of this place as soon as possible!" he was being shaken by his shoulders, and someone else's hands were already reaching for Soni, which Norman tried to shove away with his free hand.

"Shh. I can help you. Take your hand away. Let me do it," a velvet male voice spoke, and Norman's hand was pulled away from Soni's head.

"Who...? Who are you...? What...?" - it was as if he was drowning, gasping and not realizing how he could get to the surface... how to turn back time.

"I am Nanfa Wongsawat. I have the file. Call Troy, best bet is to hide at the Farm. The ambulance is on its way. Take our car and leave now! Do you hear me?" - The man spoke sharply, but at the same time Norman felt the warmth of a hand stroking his head and back.

Suddenly the whole place was again illuminated by bright lightning; Norman saw the dark, immobile pupils of his lover staring at the black wet surface. Then it rumbled so hard that his mind cleared briefly, and he looked around: there were two men beside him: Khun Nanfa and a tall, handsome guy in a blue suit and white shirt, who was applying a white cloth to Soni's bleeding wound. Behind them were four more men with guns who were guarding the perimeter.

A thick veil of tears covered his eyes, just like the torrential downpour that had hit this city half an hour ago, his insides felt like they were tied in a tight knot, and it was hard and painful to breathe. Norman stared and couldn't believe it, realized, but chased away the thought of losing the man he had just found and who had become the meaning of his life:

"Pea, wake up... Please, baby.  Please look at me... I didn't make it... I didn't protect you... I can't live without you... Please open your eyes... I beg you!"

"Max, drive him! He can't drive!" - commanded the guy, keeping one hand on Soni's neck and the other on the already pinking piece of cloth.

"Yes, boss," he was immediately answered, and someone's strong arms lifted Norman to his feet, he took an uncertain step where he was being dragged and stepped on something soft. When he looked down, he saw Soni's wallet, picked it up, and automatically slipped it into his pocket.

After a few seconds of abrupt warmth, Norman snapped out of his shock again and realized he was in the back seat of a car.

"Norman, I'm Max. Are we going to the Farm? Should I call Troy?" - The voice came as if from far away.

"I... myself... a monent," Norman knew the words were spoken by him, but he didn't recognize his voice.

Taking out his cell phone with shaky hands, he dialed the Commander's number.

📞 "Norman, hi honey."

📞 "Hia...Soni...he...is...there...I...need to lay...low. I'll come...to the Farm" - Norman couldn't hold back the sobs as he scraped out the right words.

📞 "Drop me a spot, I'll take you."

📞 "Me..." - Norman couldn't finish as it was like he had been kicked in the butt again, he couldn't not only speak but even breathe.

"Troy! It's Max! I'm with him. We'll be there soon."

📞 "Good. I'll warn Calleo and I'll be there soon too. We'll talk on the spot."

Norman dropped the cell phone to his lap and sank back into the abyss of despair until the door at his side opened and he was pulled outside.

"Troy, I'm leaving it to you. I've got to get back."

"Thanks, Max. I'll take care of him," it was the Commander's voice that brought him out of his trance.

"Let's go, honey," Norman's eyes just flashed in spots, he moved his feet to where he was being led, but saw nothing around him.

The next moment he woke up in the bathroom as Troy was stripping off his wet clothes....

"Sunny... Pea... I love you... I love you so much... Come back to me... I beg you, come back..." - he whispered.

"You need to get warm and sleep, darling. I'm sorry. It's my fault... I should have insisted on my own way."

The next time Norman came out of the darkness, he was already sitting in a chair in the room of one of the older men, most likely Calleo, and a warm, tasteless liquid was being poured into his mouth.

He pushed the glass away and covered his face with his hands, what had happened replayed over and over in his head and his heart clenched each time at the moment the bullet flew out of the assassin's barrel right in front of his eyes:

"One second...I only needed one second...and you would be alive."

In one of the memory slides, Norman saw his lover's wallet being taken, he immediately started fumbling in his pockets, but it wasn't his pants, and he started screaming hoarsely into the void:

"Give it back! My wallet! Soni!"

"Hush, Norman, hush. Here it is," and someone's warm hands placed the wet leather wallet that belonged to his treasure into his palm.

Norman's eyes filled with tears again. Wiping away the salty liquid with his free hand, he carefully opened the painfully familiar item and the first thing he saw was a withered Dicentra bud behind a clear plastic tab. An unbearable, searing pain shot through his body; now he was not drowning, but burning in a hot flame. He looked at the weeping pink heart, and his heart was torn apart, sobbing with him.

"I don't want... I DON'T WANT TO LIVE WITHOUT YOU!" - he screamed.

"Calleo, carry the manpo. He needs to sleep."

"Yes, Hia."

A capsule was shoved down his throat and he was given water to drink.

After a while Norman found himself in the impenetrable darkness. He had never been afraid of it, so he walked boldly forward, each step echoing with many layers of sound, and the farther he went, the louder it became. The man tried to shout, his lips opened but no sound came, he tried to take off his shoes to get rid of the sound of his footsteps pressing on his eardrums, but it turned out that he was barefoot.

Norman didn't realize how long he had been wandering around looking for a way out, or at least a wall, but he hadn't found anything. He had to stop occasionally, as chaotic layers of echoes crawled over each other, and the cacophony became intolerable after a while.

Suddenly a door opened nearby. The other room was very bright. In the opening stood a man. Norman moved toward him, but his step and even his running did not bring him closer to his goal, only the echo disappeared.

"Help me!" - shouted the man to the man who stood motionless in a rectangle of bright light.

"Cornie, is that you?" - suddenly came a voice that was painfully familiar.

"Sunny? Sunny!" - Norman tried again to run, and again was defeated in his battle with this strange world, which with all its might kept him away from the man he loved more than life.

"Yes, it is me! Beloved, wait a little while, we shall surely be together again!" - shouted the boy, and the door closed, plunging Norman again into pitch blackness.