Dante: All done? It’s 6:30 pm.
Mikhail: Don’t worry, man. We’re almost done gearing up.
Dante: Hm.
Dmitri: Look, we’re gonna find your girlfriend, alright?
Dante: Huh? (blushes) No, she’s not my girlfriend! We’re just...acquaintances.
Dmitri: (shrugs) Whatever you decide to deceive yourself with, bro. (Dante tries retaliating but just shakes his head, Dmitri smiles at this. Teasing him is so fun.) By the way, are you sure you’re following us with just that?
Dante: Just what?
Mikhail: My twin here is wondering why we’re armed to the teeth and you’re just wearing a pink shirt, white trousers and a belt. No weaponry whatsoever.
Dante: It’s fuchsia. And, I have two pistols here. (raises them for the twins to see) And anyway, I don’t want her to freak out when she sees me. Or the security guards at Lotte World either.
Mikhail: You’re sure she’s not your girlfriend?
Dmitri: That’s what I’ve been saying, man.
Dante: Are you guys the actual ‘Volkov Twins’? (scoffs)Because I didn’t think two people that shaped part of the entire history of the mafia industry in their youth 30 years ago, would be acting like this. I thought y’all would be all like, you know, steeze and composure?
Dmitri: Oh, we’re real, alright? You just haven’t seen us fight. And if this is about how youthfully I speak, remember that at that time, I was just 16. We both were. So stop treating us like we’re some lethargic old men who wants to relive their glory days else we’ll leave. We’ve got bigger fishes to fry.
Mikhail: Oh, give the boy a break. How was he supposed to know we were still in our forties? (Dmitri stares at his clothing) Oh well, boy, that’ll teach you to zip it, we’re your elders anyway. I’m done. Let’s move.
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Dante swallowed hard, soaked in embarrassment. Mikhail got in the van first, then Dante followed. Dmitri stared at the rest of the men and gave the final command: “Leave for Lotte World in 15 minutes. That’ll at least ensure we get there before you. And when you do get there, wait in the forests behind Lotte World and wait for my signal. Got it?”
The men gave a loud response and Dmitri entered the van. The van sped off, the dark night seeming to swallow them as they drove out of sight.
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... ...
Lea stared at the driver as he passed her the phone.
Lea: What are you doing?
Driver: Giving you a phone to use, of course. I know most of y’all Gen ‘Z’s can’t survive half a day without using a phone.
Lea: First of all, that’s a toxic trait. Second of all, I don’t have that toxic trait and third of all, you’re nuts because I could easily text them, they could easily track this phone once I flash them. Do you realize that?
Driver: I do. I do realize that. It’s just that I don’t care. (chuckles) I know you have the memory to have their numbers in your head, the audacity to text them and the backing so that they are probably on their way as we speak. (laughs) Please do well to text your father to come. (snarls) He and I have some unfinished business.
Lea: Wait. Are you planning something?
Driver: (chuckles then breaks into laughter) Wait and see.
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As soon as the driver sat back down in front of the TV, clearly distracted, Lea’s eyes filled with panic. She had begun to realize the driver’s plan. He was using her to lure her rescuers into a trap. She held the phone tightly as she frantically opened the message app. She texted her father of her location and told him to be careful on his way here as she suspected a trap was waiting for them. Thankfully, her father read both messages and was on his way. She sighed in relief and tried to refresh her memory to see if there were any another people or person who would realize she’s missing and dare to rescue her. No matter how much she counted, only one person kept coming to mind: Dante. She noticed an earpiece on the table, reached for it and sneaked into one of the rooms. She connected it to the phone and dialled Dante’s number.
[Phone Call]
Lea: Dante? It’s Lea.
Dante: Baby! Baby, where are you? (exhales) It’s a relief to hear your voice, I was so worried.
Lea: I think I’m near an amusement park. Why, are...you coming?
Dante: Yes, baby. Hold on, we’re almost there. Did he harm you? Has he done anything bad to you? Tell me. I’ll so decimate him when we get there.
Lea: We? Are you coming with people?
Dante: Just two other men, why? Baby, please tell me you’re ok.
Lea: I’m ok, he hasn’t harmed me. But how far are you from here?
Dante: 30 minutes more till we’re at Lotte, why?
Lea: Please be careful on your way here, it’s a trap. It may not be for you but you might still get caught up in it so...
Dante: Thanks for the lookout, baby. It must have been so dangerous to even sneak a phone to call me.
Lea: Yeah. (The driver bangs at the door.)
Dante: Baby, have you been caught?!
Lea: Gotta go, bye. (cuts the call)
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The driver banged at the door without realizing it was open.
Lea: It’s open, fool!
Driver: (opens the door) Oh, I thought you locked it. Well, I’ve given you time to contact loved ones, right?
Lea: Yeah? So what?
Driver: So, it’s time to go to sleep. Good night. (punches Lea and she falls to the ground, unconscious. He chuckles.) Now my plan’s truly in motion.
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He dragged Lea across the petite hall, threw her onto a chair and tied her up, tightly this time. Making a call of his own and arming himself with three daggers and two pistols, he sat at the doorway of the cabin, his face in a contorted smirk like a lion waiting for its prey.
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