"What do you want from me, Argus?" I said with a sigh, after minutes of silence. I turned to Argus who was sitting on the sofa beside me, playing with a knife.

He continued prolonging the silence.

"Everything you said to me was a lie, right?" I asked again, as peacefully as I could while eyeing the knife wearily.

He again remained silent.

"Look, I can help you if you have been threatened into-"

"Yes."

"Huh, yes what?" I asked, startled.

"Yes, I lied about everything. I was not threatened into doing this. And I feel sorry for you but then, you got yourself into this mess by playing detective. I'd advise you to stop now."

I rolled my eyes. He was right. But considering my situation, it was already late now.

"Was Argan being your brother a lie too?" I asked, ignoring what he said.

He stared at me. He must have been thinking whether he should reveal everything or not.

"You are already holding me hostage right now," I added, gesturing to my hands which I could barely move.

"He was my brother," Argus finally said and turned away.

"And? How is that linked to you doing all this?" I asked encouragingly.

"I made a deal for some people to get rid of him."

"Oh ok- Wait, what?" I asked perplexed.

"Remember what he was in prison for?"

"It was an assault case. He was charged by his girlfriend. How is that related?" I asked again, even more confused.

"He had been abusing his girlfriend both emotionally and physically for more than two years and blackmailed her into remaining silent. But she was not the only one suffering from such abuse. My brother always had violent tendencies. After my parents' death, he became more violent and used to take out all his rage on me," he said as he clenched his jaw. He must have been reliving some past memories.

Then he continued. "As I approached my eighteenth birthday, I wanted to escape from my home. But my brother warned me not to do so or else he'll find me...and kill me. So I secretly informed the police about him. One day, when he was beating up his girlfriend, the police arrived and took him away. This was freedom for me. I took all that I could and left for Italy."

"Oh, so this part was true," I mumbled to myself.

He continued, "Some months prior to his 'disappearance', he had passed a message to me through some gang member with whom he had contacts for drugs. He said that I better be at home when he would be released or else he will hunt me down. I can't have my past repeating so I made sure this time, he'll be gone forever."

"I sympathise with you a lot but you should not have taken the illegal way to get rid of your problem. I'm sure the police would have helped you. But what deal did you make? With whom? Like, did you just appoint someone to kill him? After all this, why did you file a case for his disappearance?"

"I can't tell you anything beyond what I just said. They won't spare you if you get to know more than needed."

Just then, I heard a knock on the door. I shifted my eyes to the door with hope. But seeing that Argus lazily walked over to the door, it seemed that he was expecting someone.

I held my breath as I stared at the door. Argus unlocked the door and four men entered. Argus swiftly closed the door and locked it. The reason I couldn't see their faces was because they all had caps on, with their heads down to not bring attention to them as they enter. But I could guess who they were.

The first man removed his cap and smiled at me. The same smile he gave me when we first met, a few days ago. A deceptive one.

"We meet again, Haelyn Carter," he said with a warmth that made me freeze. I could not show him that I was scared. I masked my feelings behind a blank expression.

He only chuckled and grabbed a nearby chair, pulling it and placing it in front of me. He sat down and stared at me.

His henchmen, including Argus, stood behind him silently. I recognised one of the men who I supposed was Julian.

Then I looked at Dr Sullivan, who was still looking at me with a smile but his eyes were cold and calculating.  

"Hi, Dr Gulliver- Oops, I mean Sullivan. What brings you here?" I asked, returning his fake smile.

"Your plays won't work here, Haelyn," he smirked.

"And it seems yours work everywhere," I retorted with a scoff.

"Look at your state. You are in no position to speak like that," he said dryly. He's got a point.

"It seems to me that what you need is for me to talk. And that's not something in your power," I said sharply.

Dr Sullivan chuckled and turned to Argus, reaching for the knife. And Argus, dutifully, gave him the knife while looking down.

"Are you happy, Argus? I mean, while trying to get rid of a monster of your past, you now have to serve another one," I sneered while looking at Dr Sullivan, straight in the eyes. Argus, however, did not look at me or say one word.

"He agreed to the deal, sweetie. He has to suck it up," Dr Sullivan laughed.

"And is this what I am here for? Another deal you're trying to make?" I smirked.

"I hope for your own good that it's a deal you'll agree to, or the other choice is a contract of death," he commented in turn.

"Wow, I thought you were a doctor. Aren't you supposed to save lives instead of killing?" I mused. I tried to sound as mocking as I could with only my head, while the rest of my body started feeling stiff.

"We are not here to talk about me. I saw that you like investigating and doing interviews a lot. Now, it is my turn to interview you and you better talk," Dr Sullivan said while twisting the knife in his hand.

"What did you see that night? I know you followed me," I heard the man who I recognised as Julian ask. So, he was the one pretending to be a hospital employee.

I stared at him. Should I refuse to answer? If I refuse, then this knife will meet me soon. Lying is a better solution.

"I didn't get to the building. I only entered the woods and got lost."

"Don't kid with me. How did you know there was a building then?" Julian retaliated.

I lowered my head trying to sound as truthful and serious as I could.

"I fell somewhere in the woods. A stranger was passing by in a hurry. I thought he was the one I followed but he helped me up and told me to run as well. He said he discovered a place he shouldn't had. So I kept on running until I came out of the woods," I ended my act with a heavy sigh.

"If you knew it had nothing to do with you, why did you not return to your apartment?" he asked again, scrutinising my reaction.

"I was injured so I spent a night at the hospital. The next day, my apartment was in a total disorder. I didn't feel safe so I left and stayed with a friend. It's logical. From what I heard, my apartment was broken in again a few days after. It encouraged me even more not to come back."

"I don't care about that. If it really was not you, then prove it. Who was the stranger?" Dr Sullivan snapped.

"How would I know his identity? It was at night and he was wearing a hoodie. Half of his face was already hidden," I exclaimed in an incredulous tone.

"And I didn't find anything, to begin with. I know nothing about where, how or when Argan Gregore died. You all stole all files I had about him so you must know what I found out didn't even scratch the surface of the truth. And I lost the case a day after. It's been weeks and I did nothing related to that case. So why are you suspecting me?" I ranted at them, sounding offended. Mentally, I grinned and patted myself on the shoulder. Good acting, keep it up!

They were all analysing me, trying to see if I was lying or not. Half of what I said was true though.

I maintained a poker face and waited for them to say something.

Dr Sullivan leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. Was he showing off his privilege of having the freedom of movement compared to my situation? I couldn't even lean back comfortably in this chair.

"Let's pretend what you said is true, it is still obvious you are hiding something," Dr Sullivan concluded.

"There is no need to pretend when I am telling the truth! You abducted the wrong person, I'm telling you. I didn't know shit about you guys until you all had to go ahead wrecking my place and now abducting me. Meanwhile, there are other people who are actually investigating and searching for you right now. I was miles away from the actual truth, but who knows, the actual investigators  may be only a footstep away."

Right in time, I heard the doorbell ring and a knock followed. Everyone glanced at each other, stunned. They were not expecting anyone else.

"Who is it?" Dr Sullivan yelled, frustrated at the unexpected guest interrupting.

"Pizza delivery!" I heard a cheerful voice answer. Aww, the two words that always brought a smile to my face. Even the voice seemed familiar.

We all looked at Argus. He shook his head, signalling that he didn't order.

"Go away! We didn't order!" Julian yelled back in turn.

There was silence. Then a louder knock followed. I would have jumped with surprise if it wasn't for the ropes holding me in place.

"I didn't come all this way for the pizza to be returned. I demand you take it and pay for it. I have had enough of pranks!"

I was going to yell "I'll take it!" when I was stopped by a hand that clamped firmly over my mouth.

Some silent planning went on as the ropes wrapped around me were cut. I was going to release a big breath and yell freedom, but the men gathered around me, taking me by my hands and legs to farthest room. They made me sit on the bed, tying my hands only. Dr Sullivan held a knife near my throat, a warning for me to not utter a word.

"Claris, go deal with that annoying boy and return when he leaves," Dr Sullivan ordered one of the guys who nodded and left to open the door.

We remained in an awkward silence waiting for them to talk and for Claris to return. But he didn't. And we couldn't hear anything. The room must have been too far away.

"I think someone else should go and see what our friend Claris is up to. I think he is eating the whole pizza himself," I chimed in lowly and stopped when the knife came closer.

"Argus, go take a look. I wonder what is taking so long," Julian said.

Argus went out. We waited. He didn't come back.  

"I'm telling you, you three will regret it. They are probably finishing the pizza right now," I said, shaking my head with disappointment. I tried my best not to laugh, considering the situation.

The other man stepped forward and headed to the door, seemingly frustrated. Right as he opened it, he was met with a gun pointed to his head. He became a frozen statue.

Castiel took advantage of his surprise, instantly twisting his hands around, handcuffing him. He pushed him behind, passing him to other agents who led him out. I heard some distant shouts.

Castiel slowly stepped inside, raising his hand, pointing the gun at me or at Dr Sullivan who swiftly positioned himself right behind me, with the knife pressing against my neck. I held my breath.

"I told you not to follow him anywhere. Now, look what your stupidity got yourself into," Castiel remarked. He can really nag in the middle of any situation. I wanted to say anything to retaliate but the knife prevented me from even breathing. But he was partly right. I thought back to our earlier conversation.

*flashback*

I was sitting in a board meeting with five special agents. I felt like one as well.

"Are you sure you can do this?" Cooky confirmed for the hundredth time. I nodded again and avoided the gaze of Castiel who had been glaring at me for the past ten minutes.

He was completely opposed to using me as bait, saying that I was the type that will lead myself into an even more dangerous situation. That was the reason I approached the others about this idea instead of suggesting it to him.

"Here," Cooky said, handing me a black watch.

"Is this a gift because of my awesome plan?" I asked as I put it around my wrist, admiring it.

Raphael tried to stifle a laugh. I glared at him. "What's funny?"

"This watch is a voice recorder. It has an embedded mic on both sides. For it to start recording, push the small switch on the left," he said. "Oh, and you have to return it after. It's not a gift," he laughed. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Back to the plan. You have to be cautious and do not overdo it," Cooky warned.

"Do not be nervous. Do not look around for us. You should show that you are unaware he has returned from Italy. Do not ask questions out of the list we have given you. And for God's sake, do not go anywhere alone with him, places where there is no one that is, if you are too stupid to understand," Castiel explained. I ignored him, concentrating instead on the watch they gave me. I couldn't wait until I could test it.

"I'll wait at the cafe opposite the building where you said he is currently living. He may spot me more easily that way and it would look more natural," I said and everyone agreed.

"And do not leave the cafe with him. If he goes in, talk there itself. If they were trying to abduct you, once they get the opportunity again, they'll seize it," Castiel said again. I huffed and nodded.

*end of flashback*

Now, as I stared at him, I knew I was not going to get away with it. Anyway, he has to save me, before Dr Sullivan's knife get to me first. I was willing to listen to him all my life if I would be alive after this.