The Last to Break

Kept in the Dark

Jay asked Tam and Azea to follow him to his room.

Once there, he opened the laptop.

“Tam and Azea, memorise the information available.”

Azea said, “We will assist once you lay out the plan. What are we stealing?”

“We will be informed later of the object to be stolen. Once I know, I will inform you immediately. We will meet daily to share information and strategies.”

As soon as Tam and Azea left, Jay turned to the laptop and started typing codes and algorithms.

The auction would take place in an exclusive underground facility that changed location every year. Nobody received the address until shortly before the auction.

The guests were powerful criminals, syndicate leaders, arms dealers, collectors, and people who simply had enough money to buy things that should never be sold.

Jay searched the news highlights from the last month and various websites for anything unusual.

After two hours, his eyes were strained from reading article after article.

He closed the laptop and put on his training gear.

When he reached outside, he took the side road up the mountain.

He thought through different scenarios and strategies. It would have been easier to plan if he knew what he was supposed to steal.

After an hour, his body glistened with sweat.

He returned to his room and switched on the laptop.

A reply to the encrypted email he had sent earlier was waiting for him.

Jay studied everything.

He stared at the screen in disbelief.

The item he was supposed to steal was not an object.

It was a person. Could this really be what The Warden is planning?

He checked the surveillance systems, alarms, and guard positions.

Then he noticed something interesting.

The system didn't shut down when the electricity failed.

Instead, it switched to a different security mode.

That's where a one-minute delay became useful.

The blackout.

Jay would arrange for the facility to lose external power at precisely the moment he needed it.

The emergency system would begin its transition.

For one minute, the auction hall would be plunged into darkness.

He would let Tam and Azea believe they were stealing an object until the last minute.

He started making arrangements.

Encrypted codes were sent and received.

Large amounts of money were mentioned.

Early the next morning, Jay walked to the Warden's office.

“I've been putting a plan together, but it is of the utmost importance that I know what we will be stealing. My connections are demanding massive amounts of money, and I need to know if it is warranted,” Jay said, dispensing with small talk.

The Warden's eyes narrowed.

“It is not time for you to know yet.”

“Warden, you know me. I have done everything you have ever asked of me, without hiccups. Ever. If you don't trust me, why use me?”

“I will let you know when the time is right. No sooner.”

Jay looked at the Warden until the man became fidgety.

“Okay, Warden, but know this. If this fails because you let me know too late, do not pin it on me!”

Jay turned and walked out of the office with a slight smile on his face that no one saw.

He walked to the training room.

He was the only one there, so he started training. His movements were fast, barely visible to the naked eye—the reward for years and years of practice.

When Azea wasn't aware of him, Jay watched her train. She was supple but strong, and her movements made her look almost featherlight. He had copied some of her movements, and it had paid off. He owed her for that, without her ever knowing.

He smiled.

Just then, Tam walked in.

“What are you smiling about?”

Jay shook his head and sat down.

“I'm smiling thinking about the Warden. He wants us to steal something, but he refuses to tell me what until the time is right. This is the first time he has been so secretive. Do you have any idea what it is?”

“Why would I know? The Warden only discusses these things with you,” Tam said. The envy was clear in his voice.

Jay looked at Tam.

“You can become the Warden's confidant. If you learn to control your anger, you will never lose. The minute you lose your temper, you lose control of yourself.”

It was not the first time Jay had said that to Tam.

“What do you know? You have been treated specially from the day you arrived here.”

Jay laughed. “You keep thinking that.”

Tam would never admit how many times Jay had been beaten nearly to death to save him, time and time again. His ego was too big, and his jealousy of Jay overrode any logic.

“Want to practise?” Jay asked.

“Yes. Let me teach you a lesson for once.”

“The day you teach me a lesson, I will bow to you and retire because...” Jay laughed. “There can be only one.”

He saw the fury in Tam's eyes, which only made him laugh louder.

“Today is the last day I will tell you to control your temper. Your weakness is your anger. You let it control you...”

Before Jay could finish, Tam jumped up and slammed his fist towards Jay's face.

Jay moved to the left.

Tam heard the chuckle behind him and immediately spun around, kicking at Jay.

Once again, Jay was no longer there.

Tam lost control. He charged at Jay.

Jay stood still.

When Tam was one step away, Jay jumped and kicked him in the back.

Tam fell forward, landing flat on his stomach.

Jay stood behind him. Tam couldn't see the sympathy in Jay's eyes.

“You really are one of the best fighters. Stop letting your anger control you. It makes you vulnerable. Everyone can see your next move a mile away.”

As he got up, Tam said, “You think you're so special. One day, someone will teach you a lesson.”

“Yes, we all know there is always someone better. I keep that in mind with everything I do, which is why I haven't lost yet. Maybe you should try it.”

“I hope I'll be there to watch when you meet your match,” Tam said with a sly smile.

Jay walked up to Tam and put an arm around his shoulders.

“I know you hate me, but you also love me. You're my brother. Brothers fight. You will have your own umpire soon.”

Tam looked up at Jay. “What do you mean?”

“You're good, and I'm working on a plan. When I have the full plan, I'll let you in.”

“Why can't you let me in now?”

“Because I said I'm still working on a plan.”

Azea entered the training room.

The men fell silent.

Tam immediately walked up to her and put an arm around her shoulders.

“Morning, sweetness. Did you have a good rest?”

Azea shrugged. Tam's arm fell from her shoulder.

“Stop pretending that I belong to you. I don't.”

Immediately, Tam's anger took control.

“So, do you want Jay then?”

“What is it with you, Tam? I don't want you or Jay. I just want to live my life the best I can without hiccups. Is that too much to ask?”

Jay's voice was like ice.

“Enough. If Azea and I wanted to be together, we would have. And we certainly don't need your permission.”

Tam looked at Jay in shock.

This was the first time Jay had ever spoken up.

“Why are you getting upset, Jay? Do you have feelings for Azea? Is that it?”

Jay walked right up to Tam and looked him in the eyes.

“I said enough because you've been trying very hard to make me jealous for the past few years. The one suffering is Azea, not me. You should have considered her feelings before trying to belittle them.”

“What do you know? You never even had a girlfriend,” Tam said, a knowing light in his eyes.

“Because I don't play with people's feelings. If you haven't learned by now that there is no place for feelings in The Annex, you will never learn.”