Extra's Descent

"They're going to die."

Brandon's eyes shot wide open.

His mouth was left agape, and he couldn't find any way to articulate his next words.

"If that's all, I'll be going now."

"Wait."

Reaching out, a thread extended from his fingertip.

However, it was instantly caught by Jin, who clenched the thread tightly in his fist.

Turning back around, his expressions remained indifferent.

He was hard to read.

Whether he was angry or not, Brandon had no idea.

"If you know what's going to happen, then why won't you save them?"

"It's necessary."

"What do you--"

Before Brandon could finish his sentence, Jin instantly disappeared.

He was like a ghost.

Appearing and disappearing whenever he pleased.

"...."

There were a lot of things he had wanted to ask.

He hadn't expected Jin to just leave off like that.

However, that was enough.

He got what he currently wanted.

"So the incursion..."

It was bound to fail.

The incursion was set to start in 26 days.

"Can I even convince them?"

He was a son of a Field Marshal.

But his words had no force in the military.

But maybe...

"Lucian Frost."

Maybe that man would listen to him.

With such thoughts, he retrieved his phone and immediately dialed his father.

Ring... Ring... Ring...

"Come on, pick up."

Ring... Ring...

The call didn't go through.

But he persisted.

Ring... Ring...

"Come on, Omar."

Yet again, his call didn't go through.

Were they asleep then?

It was 2:00 AM.

But still, it was worth a try.

Ring... Ring...

.

.

He had called a total of 27 times.

And yet none of the calls got through.

Either there was no signal from where Omar was, or the army really was asleep.

"Guess I'll try again tomorrow."

And with such thoughts, Brandon wrapped himself under the blanket.

He wasn't sleepy after having rested for quite a while.

And so he began to ponder.

From what he could make out from Jin's words, the syndicate was even more important than he had initially thought.

Much to the point that even Jin wasn't confident Brandon would stay put.

Just what was the syndicate even planning?

And why hasn't Zed told him about it?

Did Zed even know?

Most likely, he didn't.

"Ah, right. I have to call Zed."

But just as he was about to, the door opened slightly.

Creaaaaak....

"...."

Who would even visit him at this hour--

"Ah."

A familiar figure emerged, her pitch-black hair that was tied to a ponytail, immediately registered in Brandon's sight.

Her dark-crimson met his gaze, and as soon as it did, her eyes shot wide open as the paper bag she was holding fell on the ground.

Thump!

Her eyes seemed to moisten and her mouth contorted to an 'o' shape.

Rachel struggled to speak as she stood frozen in her position.

"Hey."

He waved with a smile.

Immediately, Rachel ran towards him and plunged herself in his chest.

Sob. Sob.

Brandon couldn't see her face. But he could more or less tell the expression she was making.

He gently ran his hand through her hair and spoke.

"Did I worry you?"

Sob. Sob.

She didn't respond and continued sobbing in his arms.

"Sorry."

She slowly raised her head and met his gaze. Brandon could see her face moist with tears.

Immediately, she scanned his body for any signs of injuries.

"I'm fine..."

Opening his mouth, he pulled his cheek to show her that his teeth had grown back.

With a hoarse and shaky voice, she spoke up.

"...How is this possible? The Doctors said you wouldn't wake up for the next few weeks."

"Because I'm Brandon Locke."

He flexed his muscles.

"Hehe."

And smiled.

Rachel didn't seem to believe him. But thankfully she let go of the matter and buried herself in his chest, hugging him.

"Please, stop."

Brandon was taken aback.

Stop?

"Stop what?"

"This, all of this. Why are you even helping Zed out? There's nothing to gain."

"...."

He couldn't respond.

In her perspective, there really was nothing to gain for him.

However, he couldn't tell her the reason.

It was better if she was left in the dark.

In fact, he would've liked it if she wasn't involved at all.

"Rachel."

His tone became serious.

"This is something I must do."

"Why? Is it for my sake? Because of my Father? I'll tell him to sell everything so the syndicate won't go after him anymore."

"It's not that simple."

She bit her lip.

"I know that. But... this... this is all so messed up. Never have I ever thought that my Father was involved in some kind of crime."

"From what I could make out from Zed, your Father doesn't even want to do this anymore."

"...."

"Just like you, he wants all of this to stop, and that will only be possible if me and Zed continue."

"...But--"

She halted mid sentence as Brandon brushed a hair strand behind her ear.

"I have to do this, okay...?"

"...Okay."

"Okay."

He nodded.

Rachel seemed to have calmed down.

Next comes the hard part.

However, he had to do it.

At the moment, Rachel's mental state was at its lowest.

The entire operation came with a lot of risks.

If something were to happen to him in front of her, Brandon couldn't even begin to think what Rachel would do.

She,

...She had to stay behind.

"Rachel."

"...What?"

"From here on out, I'll be handling things on my own."

"Why? You said you would let me help out with--"

"The shipments."

That was what she said initially.

However, looking at the way things were going, it seemed highly likely that Rachel was planning on joining the infiltration.

He couldn't allow that.

Too many variables would ruin his plan.

And he didn't want to place her in danger.

"Please, Brandon. Let me--"

Before she could finish, Brandon immediately leaned forward closely.

Very closely.

"....!"

His lips pressed down on hers and Rachel's eyes shot wide open. However, she didn't pull away as she closed her eyes.

It was a fleeting moment. Silence ensued as the two shared a soft kiss.

Pulling away, Brandon scanned her expressions.

She seemed taken aback as she gently placed her finger on her lips.

Looking at her, Brandon stifled a chuckle.

'Cute.'

Her entire reaction was cute as Rachel stayed speechless.

The first one to have broken the silence was Brandon.

"That was my first."

"...."

He stifled another chuckle, seeing Rachel flushing beet red.

But slowly, the corner of her lips pulled up to a smile.

"So was mine."