COLD CREEK

Four: Watched

As the four of them walked up the stairs towards the baggage claim, Raiden looked around his surroundings, searching for security or a police officer that were close enough for him to nudge or even speak to. Herds of people cladded past them in a rainbow blur, obliviously that a kidnapping was taking place.

Raiden glared over at his captors, wondering why he hadn't escaped from them earlier. Perhaps it was because they killed his dog and knew his full name. It was evident they had been stalking him for a while. And perhaps, they had already known he was going to be let go. The thought dawned on him more. He was the perfect victim because who would miss him anyway? Maybe Lana, but she wouldn't be considered enough to investigate.

"Stay here," the man commanded as he stopped in front of the bathrooms. "Anyone else need to go?"

Raiden's face flushed and the ability to speak vanished. His mouth went dry and all he could do was stare wide-eyed at the tiled floor.

"What is he trying to say?"

Seo-jun nudged Raiden and cleared his throat. "You need to go?"

An awkward silence fell on them, as they all knew very well Raiden couldn't go alone.

"Come on, I'll just stand outside the door," Seo-jun said casually, pushing Raiden forward and filing in behind the man. The three of them walked into the bathroom, where they were stalled by a long, winding line. Seo-jun groaned and crossed his arms. "It's always when you badly need to go, there's a line. Isn't that right, Boss?"

"Whatever, we have time," the man said, scrolling through his phone.

Raiden looked around at the other people, searching for someone who could help him. He spotted an officer three people ahead of him. Hope lit up inside and he held his breath. Maybe, maybe, if he timed everything, he could end up washing hands beside the officer. All he knew at the moment was that he could not get on that plane.

The line moved ever so slowly, but Raiden's eyes never left the officer in black. He kept checking beside him, wondering if his junior noticed the officer as well. It didn't seem like Seo-jun did because his grip around his arm had softened, as if it was just there to guide him. Raiden swallowed a dry lump as he watched the Bossman zip forward and claim a stall.

"The one beside him is open," Seo-jun said, nodding to a swinging stall door.

Raiden calculated quickly, his eyes darting to and from the officer and Seo-jun. The officer didn't go to the bathroom, instead, he turned directly towards the sinks and began washing his hands and styling his hair. Raiden pulled from Seo-jun and cut in front of a trio of teens who were just there hogging space. Not wasting a moment, Raiden grabbed the officer's arm.

The officer jumped and snatched Raiden's wrist out of surprise and trained reflex.

Raiden saw the officer reach for his utility belt and his eyes widened. Shaking his head frantically, Raiden spoke fast. His accent was heavier than usual, making it harder for him to explain his situation. "I'm with some strange people that I've never met, and I need to go home. Please, take me out."

"What? I can't understand what you're saying? And you need to put your mask back on." The officer tapped his own mask and then gestured to Raiden's.

Raiden shook his head. He felt his face heating up in frustration. Knowing very well that the mask would muffle his words even more, Raiden tried once again. He cleared his throat and spoke louder, hoping he could be heard over the air conditioner and overlapping voices around him. "I've been kidnapped, and I need help."

The officer raised an eyebrow and looked Raiden up and down. "How old are you?"

Before Raiden had time to respond, a heavy hand grabbed his shoulder. The strong odour of stale cologne clouded his senses, almost hypnotising him to remain silent.

"I'm sorry, officer," Bossman said through an embarrassed laugh as he held up an ID. "He gets extremely anxious at airports."

Raiden turned around and read the ID. His face went white and his body froze. The plastic ID hanging from a blue lanyard looked believable if someone was to only skim it.

Special Needs Assistant. My patient has limited communication and social skills. Please treat him with respect. If he's found alone, call this number.

The officer released Raiden's arm and smiled. "I'm sorry, sir. I wasn't going to hurt him. Sorry, buddy." The officer patted Raiden and hurried out of the bathroom, giving Raiden no time to respond to the situation.

Bossman's grip tightened, almost digging his nails through the fabric of Raiden's shirt. "Come with me." He jerked Raiden into a fast walk and headed out of the bathrooms. On his way out, he saw Seo-jun crowded against the wall. "You, follow me."

Seo-jun squeezed out beneath the stampede of noisy teenagers and ran up behind the two. "I'm sorry, I was shoved aside-,"

"I don't give a s**t. You two stand in line, we board in ten minutes. And if you try anything." Bossman spun Raiden around so that they were practically bumping noses. "You try anything smart and your family will die. Don't think we didn't track them as well. If you don't believe me, ask Roe." He shoved Raiden into Seo-jun, causing them both to almost trip over one another. "Don't give me a hard time today." Bossman flipped out his phone again, dialled a number and began walking over to Jennifer, who was doing something on her phone as well.

Raiden's anger welled up and he raised his fist, ready to bust Seo-jun in the face. But the younger man was prepared and held up his phone immediately, showing a video camera of Raiden's parents sitting down for lunch.

"Don't. They're not bluffing. They've been planning this. Now, we're both going to be punished when we get back."

"Tell me everything." Raiden grabbed Seo-jun's ear and yanked him closer. "Who do you work for? And where are you taking me and why?"

"The Cutter is always watching. He's not afraid to kill you. Or me. Please, I don't want to be here either. But if you come back, you can help us all get out. I've read your profile. They know you're going to be more than they can handle. But you have to play it smart."

Raiden studied the fear screaming from the boy's eyes. It was the type of fear that had been instilled into him day after day. The cracking in the voice and the sweating of the skin told him that wherever they were going, it was Hell. The boy wasn't speaking from myths, but from experience.

Raiden shifted Seo-jun's face to one side and stared at the jagged scar running down from behind the left ear down to the shoulder bone. "Why did you get that?"

Seo-jun whispered, "I-I tried to get out. I tried to save this girl or they were going to...going to kill her."

As if gasoline was lit, the image of "the woman" from his dreams flashed in his mind, making him gasp and stagger backwards. He could see her again, clearer than before. Her panicked, bloodshot eyes. Her outstretched hand and battered body.

Seo-jun steadied Raiden and brought him over to sit down in the waiting area. Still speaking in Korean, he said quickly, "I'll explain everything to you on the plane if I can. But you must understand, I've been a handler to two other men before you. They didn't make it. Please, I pray, don't be the third."

"Wh-why are they taking me?"

Seo-jun bowed his head and a shuddering sigh escaped his lips. Looking back at Raiden, he said slowly, "It's almost time for the Harvest."