Habib waited in Mr White's office, patiently for the man to come out of the rest home. When the man wasn't out yet, Habib took the chance to observe and glance around each corner of the room. His eyes landed on the frame photo on the desk, it was Mr White smiling with his daughter on her graduation day.Habib scoffed as the restroom door opened and Mr White stepping out.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting."
"No problem, sir."
"So I called you here because I know you are the only one very close to Steven," he commenced. Habib reposition himself on the chair knowing where the conversation was heading. "I'm aware he has missed office for 2 to 3 days now with no permission or notice," he let out a sigh and he unconsciously started to play with the desk pen. "This isn't professional, right?"
Is that question supposed to be rhetorical? Habib thought.
"And I'd take the necessary action on this bad act. I don't want you to think I am doing this because Steven and I don't have a smooth business relationship. No. If he has a good reason for missing work, I'd love to hear it or else he will leave me no choice than to do the necessary." He finished speaking his mind.
"I totally get it. I've tried to reach him but he won't just pick up his calls. I'd check on him today if he's around."
"Good, and report back to me afterwards. You can leave now." Mr White dismissed Habib who nodded and left the office.
Habib made an annoying growl when he was outside the room, he held his fist tight and frowned his face.
"He better have a tangible explanation..."
HOURS AFTER WORK...
Habib took in a deep breath before knocking on the door. He knocked for once, no answer. Again for the second and third time, nothing.
"That's it. I've had enough of the silent treatment!" He said before trying to open the door with force, but he realized it was not locked either. He stepped right in, calling his friend's name.
"Steven? Are you in there?" When he finally reached the room and opened it, he gasped at the sight of what he saw.
"What the fu..."
MEANWHILE…
As I crossed the bridge into Greenland, I was hit with the warm sunshine and the sweet scent of blooming flowers enveloping me. Immediately easing the tension in my heart. I looked around in awe, taking in the breathtaking beauty of the lush garden before me.
"Wow! This place is amazing," Reecer exclaimed, her eyes wide in wonder.
"I know right." Reece responded, his gaze scanning the surroundings.
"I've never seen anything like this." Gabriel added .I couldn't agree more, feeling the sense of peace wash over me, but I can't let that distract me. I have-no, we all have a reason we are here.
"Guys, guys. Sorry but not sorry for ruining this wonderful moment, but we have to get going. As much as this place seems to be a safe tower, it isn't. This is nothing but the game's trick. We can't be distracted or brainwashed by this beauty." I tried to convince them. I hope they understand my perspective.
"Come Steve, don't be paranoid. At least enjoy the moment," Pashina said, grinning like an idiot.
"Paranoid, huh?" I chuckled dryly, "Of course I'm paranoid! This place has opened my eyes to the gruesome shit I've ever seen in my entire life. And the last thing I want is to die. No! I am not going to die here and if you wish to die, my friend I won't allow you." I shouted, making them know I'm dead serious. These people are losing their mind already.
"You are right. We have to complete the mission. The earlier, the better." Reecer asserted.
"Alright. So umm what do we do now?" Reece asked.
"I think I might know just what needs to be done," I responded.
We approached the area where there were many trees, so many of them. They were green and fresh looking, full of life from appearance, but at the center of them all lay one single unhealthy tree. It was a total opposite of the one surrounding it.
"So what now?" Reece asked me. I ignored him totally but proceeded to walk to the dry tree direction and they were all following.
"Remind me of the riddle again, the one in the swamp at the beginning." I said, looking up closely at the tree.
"It says IN THE FIRST GARDEN ARE MANY TREES, BUT AT THE CENTER LURKING THE..."
"DOOM," I completed it.
"What's supposed to mean?" Pashina asked out of curiosity.
"The riddle was to guide us, it was the key to finishing the mission." I responded.
"I still don't get it," I heard him murmuring.
"Me either," said Gabriel.
"I'm lost as well. Nothing seems to make sense out of the riddle," Reecer said.
"That's why they are riddled, they aren't supposed to make any sense. You just have to think and find sense out of the nonsense." I responded, plugging out of the dry fruit. This made others wonder what I was up to.
"Please don't tell me you are eating that shit," Reece moaned in disgust. I nodded and they almost threw up.
"Oh boy, he's insane."
"You're nuts. I'm not eating that ugly shit. Never!" Reece spat. I just shrugged.
"You might think I don't know what I'm saying, but trust me I know what I am saying," I tried to convince them. "THE WISE THOUGHT THE LIFE CAN SAVE, FOOL SEEK FOR THEIR DOOM." I re quote the riddle in order to expansate my point hoping they understand it.
"Does that answer anything, Steven?" I heard Gabriel ask. He was as lost as others.
"Whoever that's behind all of these is always one step ahead of us. He or she knows the string to pull," I paused and noticed they were all with me and listening attentively. "The one and only way to beat them in their own game is to be as cunning as they are. To do the unexpected. The riddle was given a hint. If we act wise, we are doomed. Only the wise man pretending to be a bozo knows what he's seeking." I concluded, waiting for their response when Reece suddenly burst into a round of jeer laughter.
"What a load of crap and nonsense. #scoff# Then you are really a gullible bean brain," Reece spat.
I don't know what I have done to this guy, but he is always against me. I think I've had enough of his malarkey.
"What really is your issue, boy? Huh?" I asked. "Tell me what the f**k your problem is with me." I angrily yelled at him.
"Oh, please give me a break. You act like you're some sort of leader here, like you're the smart one. News flash, you are not," he barked back at me and we almost tried fist with each other not until Pashina interfered coming in-between us and Reecer drew her brother back.
"Uhh, I don't remember acting as a boss or giving you orders. Hell no, I won't do that. I can't do that. I am trying to do my own part as a survival. It's not like I'm shoving anything down your throat," I said in a hot rage tone. I then turned to others that have been watching, "I am not making any decision for anyone. Whatever decision you make, whatever you plan on doing is your goddamn problem," and I bit the bad fruit I've been holding with me without a second thought. I felt my skin burning intensively into nothing but ash.
Maybe Reece was right after all... I guess it all ended for me here.