I

Jung sat alone on the dining chair, playing with his eggs, bacon, and toast. Lazily poked the eggs and heard the crunch of the toasted bread when his spoon pressed it. He eventually took a bite and ate the meal. Slowly chewed it, tasting each bite he took. The gentle crunching of the toasted bread, followed by a delectable combination of saltiness and rich meatiness of his bacon melted in his mouth. The warm good meal exploded every taste bud when Jung closed his eyes. He kept crunching it when he heard the door creaking open.

“It seems someone is enjoying their meal,” Jung heard a sweet voice in front of him.

“It’s… delicious, Elizabeth,” Jung said smiling with his eyes closed and mouth full of food.

“You deserved it.”

Jung opened his eyes and saw a beautiful dark-haired woman staring at him in her blouse. She placed a bag full of groceries on the kitchen counter. She organised the groceries and put them into the proper places.

“Here’s your grocery, Jung. I’ve bought the things you need. Especially…” she turned around to Jung. “Milk.”

“Have you eaten your breakfast?” Jung dropped his utensil and wiped his mouth with a cloth.

“I’ll eat later with Dad. You go ahead and eat them, you’ll be working this morning,” she smiles as she returns to organise the groceries. “So, I forgot to ask you about something. How’s the trip to Dellum?”

“It’s been months since I went there with Ira,” Jung leaned back to his wooden chair, head looking at Elizabeth.

“I know… but you travelled. I have been nowhere outside Hueyyad, I’m even struggling with Dad to even live here,” Elizabeth spoke without looking back at Jung.

“Oh! Where’s dad?” Jung said after drinking a glass of water.

“He’s still sleeping,” she turned around once again after finishing with the groceries. “He did a night shift. Just arrived this morning at the brewery,” she leaned back on the counter, sulking.

“Why is he still working?” Jung rose from his seat. “Didn’t I ask him to stop?”

“He didn’t want us to be a hassle for you,” Elizabeth frowned as he looked at Jung’s eyes.

“How come you’re being a hassle for me?” Jung crossed his arms.

“I don’t know,” she raised her hands and shoulder and shrugged. “Just eat your breakfast or it will be cold. I’m going to Dad’s and clean it before he wakes up.”

“Leaving now?” Jung asked as he followed Elizabeth to the door and opened it for her.

“I am. Is there anything else I could do?” Elizabeth slightly raised the corner of her lips.

“Besides being beautiful?” Jung smiles back.

“You’re bad at it, Jung,” she left the room. “Don’t knock. Alright?” she stood before a door right next to Jung’s apartment.

Jung just stared at her as she entered the room and closed it. He stood there for a moment before going back into his room. Jung went back to his breakfast and finished it. He cleaned the plate and glass before heading to the bathroom. He took a bath alone, drowning himself in bubbles and playing with a single toy boat he had by the side of the bath. Jung closed his eyes and relaxed for a few minutes before finishing the long Zen. He dried himself, placed the laundry and dressed himself.

Jung checked the clock, it was time for him to leave. He locked the door as he left, descending the spiralling stairs of his apartment complex. Each step resonates with the walls bouncing in the empty hall. Once he arrived at the ground floor, he made his way to the double-door exit.

“Morning, Mr Jung!” a dim yet lively voice called out. “How are you today?”

Jung turned his head to the side and saw a rusty bipedal robot greet him, struggling to raise its thin rusty claw. There was no face, just a round head with a fading smile after ages of deterioration.

I’m fine, Willy. How are you?” Jung waved to the robot.

“I’m doing great every day. Even though I’m only 12 years without official maintenance (except from you), I’m feeling very active today,” William spoke with excitement, even though its body barely moved.

“That’s great. I’ll be leaving for work. Take care, William,” Jung waved again.

“Have a wonderful trip, Mr Jung!” the robot tried to raise its arm.

Jung exited the building and faced the city of Hueyyad. A bright sunny day with many people travelling on foot and their cars on the wide lane. People went past his apartment and Jung joined the commute. He walked through a variety of stores, advertising their products. One window caught his attention, an advertisement for a machine.

“Tomorrow is at your table! Like the robots, we introduce you to something that will help your daily life. A personal computer!” the television advertises from inside the store. “No need for your typewriter, paper, pen, or even calculator! Your personal computer will do everything for you! Enough to be on your table.”

After watching the short advertisement, Jung continued to walk with the advertisement playing back in his head. After a short walk, he saw rows of parked cars around the corner. Jung approached a yellow car with a taxi sign and saw a man sitting in the car reading a newspaper. He tapped the glass window and entered. He got into the car and the driver took him for a ride.

Jung watched the buildings and huge intersections for cars to cross. On the side road, he saw people walking and cars parked near the trees. By the time he got to the very centre of the city, he watched a skyscraper piercing heaven. Many tall monumental buildings Jung passed as he went to his workplace. The journey was smooth and quiet. Jung paid for the ride and exited the car, continuing his walk to a tall building. Jung saw the giant letters on top of it, HWN, facing those who would pass the building.

He entered the building and the heat of sunny Hueyyad vanished as the air conditioner regulates the temperature of the entire building. Jung walked right to the elevator and rode it until the fourth floor. Once he exited, he made a beeline through cubicles of people working and gossiping at work. He entered his office and placed his briefcase on the table.

“Morning,” a gentleman greeted with his warm voice.

“Frank. You’re here,” Jung looked back.

“Brought you a coffee,” Frank placed one of the cups of steaming hot coffee in his hands on Jung’s table.

“What kind of friendly gesture are you doing here now? Are you trying to bribe me with kindness now?” Jung jested.

“No…” Frank groaned. “We’re about to talk regarding the cartel.”

“I completely forgot about that,” Jung let out a deep breath.

“Me, Ira, and Joey are about to talk about it at the diner across the road,” Frank took a little sip from his hot coffee, his blue eyes kept locked on Jung’s brown eyes.

“I just ate, Elizabeth made me eggs, bacon, and toast,” Jung placed his fedora on the hanger.

“It’s going to be a quick talk. Just come today at…” Frank looked at his pocket watch from his suit. “Eleven,” he returned the watch.

“Done. Is everyone here yet?” Jung hung his suit whilst talking to Frank, his head kept looking at him.

“Joey is here, but not Ira,” Frank took a sip again and groaned, wiping his lips. “That lazy fat fuck needs to work his ass off so he won’t be late.”

“That’s harsh,” Jung took a seat and leaned back, looking at Frank still standing in his room.

“And you need to put up some weight. I can’t believe you didn’t gain a kilo there in Dellum, or even the three months after it,” Frank leaned to the doorframe of Jung’s office door. “Speaking of Dellum,” he took a sip. “What were you doing there with Ira?”

“None of your business, Mr Oberst,” Jung answered while opening the windows of his office.

“I’m going to ask Ira then,” Frank turned around and left around with his hand still holding a cup of coffee.

“Great,” Jung raised his hand in and slumped it to the table. “Just leave the door wide open.”

II

“Where are they?” Jung asked Frank who sat across the table.

“They’ll be here. They’re like nuts, always hanging together,” Frank said while writing something on a blank piece of paper.

Jung looked around and saw the diner almost full of people inside it. Jung saw a single television broadcasting sports news of a recent football team winning a championship, so he turned his head to look outside the diner.

People walked and some stopped to buy food from street vendors, one of the customers was a mother and her daughter buying fries. Jung rested his head watching the outside world, allowing the moments to pass with a daydream.

“Is that going to be all?” a waitress looked at the piece of paper.

“Jung?” Frank’s hand pointed to Jung.

“Do you have any cigars?” Jung looked at the fair-skinned woman.

“We have it.”

“I’ll take one,” Jung put his index finger up.

“I’ll be back shortly,” the waitress excused herself.

Jung and Frank sat together watching the world outside.

“Kinda weird don’t you think?” Frank spoke.

“Excuse me?” Jung looked at Frank who was still facing the window.

“Look at every street here. Everywhere we look, there are people who look like you and me. Fair skinned, blonde and brown, blue eyes,” Frank described the people he saw outside.

“We are living in Hellsum, after all,” Jung faced the window again with his head resting on his hand.

“A nation who is one of the beacons of liberty, same as the giant in the west, The Odner States.”

“So?”

“So what happened?” Frank turned to Jung.

“Pardon?” Jung straightened his back.

“Where’s the liberty?” Frank leaned to the table.

“Look around? Don’t you see the things people can do here?” Jung chuckled.

“All I see is lies,” Frank sat straight. “You can’t see it. But if you looked at it from another angle…”

The diner’s door rang to shut Frank’s mouth, and Ira barges in with a bearded man behind him. Frank looked at them and made room for the two.

“Ladies,” Ira joked when he took a seat next to Frank.

“Alright, alright…” Frank grunts.

“How you doin’?” Joey slapped Jung’s back with a giggle.

“Miss! We’d like to order,” Ira waved to the waitress. “Did you start without us?” Ira stared at Jung and Frank.

“No. We’re just got here,” Frank cleaned his side of the table once he spotted a speck of dust.

“Can we start now?” Joey popped a cigarette.

“Sure,” Frank cleared his throat. “I think we all know about recent findings about the cartel funding a project here in the outskirts.”

“The hotel?” Joey blew a smoke.

“They’ve been doing it for a long time. The government has suspicions, but they can’t connect it,” Frank spoke with a hand gesture and stopped, he waited for Ira to finish talking to the waitress. “Are you done?”

“Thank you,” Ira smiled at the girl. “I am,” he turned his head to Frank, still with a fading smile.

“Right,” Frank groaned. “I’m thinking about breaking into the site. One of my ‘connections’ said there is a single room being used. I’m talking about a giant office from the top of this hotel, full of documents, paper trails,” Frank paused. "Once we get into the office," he blew a kiss. "The lines will be connected."

“You want us to break in?” Joey clasped his hand then he leaned to Frank across the table. “And what exactly are we sneaking through?”

“Securities,” Frank itched his nose.

“Frank?” Joey gave a long stare.

“Alright. These are the cartel's securities,” Frank sighed.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Sneaking through armed men isn’t my thing,” Ira commented.

For a moment, the discussion paused when the waitress approached and served the table. Once she left, they continued.

“I’m not asking you to sneak. I’m asking Jung,” Frank pointed to Jung.

“What? Me!?” Jung pointed to himself, slightly raising his voice in shock. “Why?”

“You are good at this. You are the one who broke into a government office before,” Frank debated.

“And I raised the alarms,” Jung’s forehead wrinkled.

“Once you left,” Frank rebuked.

“I’m not doing this! Why can’t we play a scene to make them allow us in? Look at Joey, he’s balding. The guy looked forty,” Jung turned his whole body to Joey.

“What!?” Joey gasped. “What did I do to you to deserve that, you skinny prick?”

“Sorry. But I’m not going to risk my life for such a thing,” Jung raised both of his hands as if he was surrendering.

"Who is that?” Ira slightly rose from his seat. “Jung?” Ira pointed out the window.

“Isn’t that? The minister?” Jung said, and they slowly turned their heads to face each other.

Jung and Ira stared at the HWN building across the road and saw men in black suits exiting a sedan along with the minister of production, Mr Thomas. Those men entered the building where they worked in a rush.

“The minister? What’s going on here? I thought we were having a conversation,” Frank inquired.

“Not now, Frank,” Jung hastily stepped over Joey and made a beeline to the exit with Ira.

“Where are you going!?” Joey stood up from his seat and watched as Jung and Ira ran out.

Both men crossed the road immediately, ignoring the cars that drove on the road. Jung almost got run over, but he slammed on the hood of the car. Before the driver cursed at him, Ira pulled Jung up to his feet and both ran inside. They entered the lobby of HWN and saw many workers and not Thomas.

“The office,” Jung pulled Ira to the elevator.

When the door opened, Jung and Ira squeezed inside. Many protested, but they ignored them. The elevator took them up to their office floor and released the cramped people within. Jung searched left and right, and then he saw them. The minister talked with an office worker and they pointed to Jung’s office. They chased the minister to his office and the man in black turned around once they heard his steps.

“Mr Thomas?” Jung called, panting after he ran.

“Jung?” Thomas stopped and faced Jung. “You two,” his face turned stern. “Come inside now,” Thomas ordered.

III

The men in black locked Jung’s office from the inside, they stood guard while Thomas kept pacing back and forth with his hands on his hips.

“What is it, sir?” Ira stood in the room's corner, with hands in his pants pockets.

“Bad things…” Thomas stopped his steps. “Ira?”

“Yes, Minister?” Ira took a step forward.

“Do you have the tape of the bomb?” Thomas calmly asked with his hands behind his back.

“It’s ready.”

“And you Jung? The newspaper?”

Jung walked to his table and opened a drawer, grabbing a hidden newspaper behind the clutter. He handed the newspaper to Thomas, which he nodded approvingly after reading for a moment.

“Good. Now Ira. Please, go with these men. They will escort you with the tape to air it,” Thomas nodded to the men in black.

The black-suited men opened the door and walked out with Ira. Jung stared at them with his heart beating faster. He returned his attention to the minister, sitting on Jung’s chair. Massaging his head while Jung stood in unsettling silence.

“Sir?” Jung placed his hand on a chair across from the minister.

“Sit wherever you want. This is your room. I—” the minister stuttered.

Jung just stared at the minister, struggling to even say a word.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Like what, sir?” Jung stopped every inch of his movements.

“Like that,” the minister pointed with his eyes.

“Sir. I don’t know what you are saying.”

“I’m saying what I’m saying!” Minister Thomas roared.

Thomas slammed the table, kicking anything below his feet. Jung looked back at the door and locked it once he felt they made a commotion outside. The minister leaned his forehead against the wall, sweating profusely.

“Jung. Everything is about to fall apart on us,” Minister Thomas slightly glanced at Jung. “All the hard work, all for nothing.”

“What do you mean?” Jung cleared his throat and took a deep breath.

“The bomb, all of our work. It’s for nothing,” Thomas said with a weak voice. “I can’t explain the full details to you. So it’s best to wait for a friend of ours to explain it.”

“Who is this friend?” Jung took a seat.

“A friend in Rowen will visit us here,” Thomas pulled a chair.

“Rowen? The headquarters of Hellsum Subversive Agency. We are talking about a federal agent?” Jung whispered.

“Yes. So keep quiet and wait patiently for him to arrive. He’ll be here shortly,” Thomas placed his hands on his stomach while he leaned back on the chair.

Jung acknowledged and waited for the agent inside his office. From minutes to hours, none came. Jung didn’t even leave his seat, the same with Minister Thomas. The room felt tense even though Jung did not know what was going on. But then three gentle knocks alerted them.

“Excuse me?” a charming voice spoke behind the door.

Thomas raised his eyebrows, he pointed to the door which Jung hastily opened. Then a handsome man in a suit smiled at the lanky journalist.

“Good morning. Mr Ignatius Jung, I presume?” he gently shook Jung’s hand.

“I am. Who am I talking to?” Jung struggled to find a polite question after the tension in the room.

“My name is Henry. I heard you are the best writer here in Hellsum World News,” the man peeked inside. “I heard Mr Thomson is here?”

“I’m here, Henry,” the minister left his seat and walked to the man. “How are things?” they both shook hands.

“Better.”

“That’s good to hear,” Thomas blew out an air of relief. “Should we talk inside?” Thomas presented the room.

“I think we should speak somewhere else,” Henry took a step back. “Come on. I’ll show you.”

When Thomas left the office, Jung walked right beside the minister.

“What about the newspaper?” Jung quietly whispered.

“Leave it for now,” Thomas answered while facing forward.

The three of them left the HWN, and they entered a white sedan parked outside the building. Henry entered the driver’s seat, while Thomas sat beside him, leaving Jung to sit behind. The car’s engine roared then they took off leaving the HWN.

“What’s new, Henry?” Thomas asked.

“We haven’t found the perpetrators. But it might be a Hellsumer, not a Nagarian,” Henry answered whilst holding the steering wheel.

“What’s going on? Why am I here?” Jung looked at Thomson and Henry.

The minister looked at Henry, waiting for an answer.

“Jung. Since you were there and here. You are actually in this mess with us,” Henry stated.

“Me? I didn’t do anything,” Jung rested both of his hands on the back of the front row seats.

“Now let him explain, Jung,” Thomas said.

“It’s about the Nagarians, Jung. The bomb, everything,” Henry paused. “Have you ever visited Nagari, Jung?”

“I haven’t” Jung answered instantly.

“What do you think of them? It’s not a trick question.”

“They don’t seem pleasurable to talk with,” Jung answered hesitantly

“And so everyone thinks. It’s understandable. We both have different histories, different cultures. We came to this continent as a colony, and they are indigenous to this land. I’m sure you would understand how they are feeling this hatred towards us. Imagine someone else living in your house uninvited and treating you poorly. What would you do if that happened to you, Jung?” Henry asked Jung behind him.

“Call the police?”

“Do you think the World Summit would throw them out? Sadly, they can’t, they don’t have the authority to tell another nation what to do. Leaving you alone to deal with the problem,” Henry halted. “Do you understand the situation now?”

“Not really? But I have a feeling it is about the Nagarians.”

“Exactly. They closed their office in the capital. There are no more diplomatic ties between Hellsum and Nagari since yesterday,” Henry gently stopped the car when they met a red light.

“So what are we going to do?” Jung questioned.

“The bomb. It’s going to raise tension, but it will keep the Nagarians at bay. Hopefully,” Thomas jumped to the conversation.

“Hopefully? You two are not sure?” Jung repositioned his seat.

“No. We could face a war next week, or even tomorrow,” Henry stated. “That’s why you might help us in this war.”

“How? I’m a journalist.”

“Exactly. Then write about the war. If we gain support from the world, maybe we could end it on our terms,” Henry explained.

IV

The car stopped in front of Jung’s apartment. The door creaked open as Jung set his foot out of the car. Before he closed it, Henry called.

“Have a nice day, Jung. Rest now, you’ll need it,” Henry waved.

“What about the work I left at the office? The newspaper,” Jung lowered his head to see Henry inside the car.

“I got it covered,” Thomas closed the door from the front seat.

Both men left Jung by the side of the road, he has no choice but to enter his apartment for now. As he entered, he saw William standing, still in his usual position.

“Afternoon, Mr Jung!” it greeted with a false smile painted on its face. “How are you doing?”

“Great. I’m heading upstairs,” Jung answered with little excitement.

Jung walked up the stairs to his room, loud steps from his boots made an eerie sensation on the spiralling stairs. Once he arrived at the door, he reached for the key to his apartment.

“Jung?” a frail voice called him.

“Mr Lloyd,” Jung widened his eyes. “You’re here. How are you?”

“I’m good,” the neighbour said as he left his apartment. “What about you?” his wrinkled smile was pure love.

“Great! What are you up to? You haven’t been going to the brewery, have you?” Jung said with suspicion.

“Did my daughter tell you that?” Lloyd placed his hand on his forehead. “It’s fine. It’s a part-time job. No need for your money, Jung. Instead, spend it on her.”

“But it’s—”

“I’m old, Jung,” Lloyd showed him his wrinkled arms. “I can’t take care of her, or her wasting her time taking care of me. Do you understand? I know this isn’t the proper time or location for me to say it. But you will be great for her,” Lloyd smiled and gave Jung light slaps on the cheek. “It may be best for you to prepare yourself before the time comes,” Lloyd opened his door and smiled before going inside his apartment.

Jung couldn’t believe it, he thought about it. Full of joy, lightening his mood. The journalist finally opened the door to his room and called it a day.

V

During the night Jung rested, snoring in deep slumber. The quiet room filled with the dim noises of the urban city outside, not loud or too quiet, just enough to remove the deafening silence. In the middle of his slumber, Jung woke himself. He listened to the silence and embraced it. He stared at the ceiling, half awake. With eyes barely opened, he waited for something to happen.

Then it happened.

The phone in his house rang. Jung forced himself to stand and walked out of the bedroom to the phone. He swung the door open and picked up the phone. Jung yawned first before placing the phone next to his ear.

“Hello?” Jung said with a deep voice.

“Jung? Are you awake?” the voice asked.

“I am now?” Jung wiped his eyes. “Who’s this?”

“The one from Rowen. I’m about to pick you up.”

“Now?”

“Now!” he loudly answered. “I want you to be ready in thirty minutes, I’ll be there as fast as I can. And whatever you do, do not leave the apartment! Got it?”

“What’s wrong?” Jung asked, but the phone cut off.

Jung wearily placed the phone down. He stood in silence for a second, then turned on the television in his room. Jung searched every channel, but nothing out of the ordinary. He feared something had made the man from Rowen call him in the middle of the night with urgency in his voice.

Jung prepared himself, taking a cold shower and leaving with a shiver. He dressed up and grabbed his hat and coat. He had a drink and grabbed any important things that belonged to him. When he was looking out the window, he saw a familiar car parked outside. A man left the car and ran in a hurry. Jung finished his drink and left the glass on the kitchen table. He wore his gloves and left the apartment.

Calmly he descended the stairs as he heard a footstep approaching. Halfway down, he saw a man walking up the stairs. Jung stopped and called out to the person.

“Frank?” Jung said.

“Jung? Are you ready?” Frank stopped as well.

“Ready for what? Why are you here?” Jung approached step by step.

“Didn’t Ira call? We’re going to the cartel tonight. What else?” he smirked.

“I’m about to leave,” Jung said little by little awkwardly.

“Leave? Come on. We’ll do it together,” Frank waved him to come along.

The two descended the stairs and exited from the front. The night was freezing, even Jung could see his breath every time he breathed. He covered his hands in his overcoat as he walked with Frank to his car.

“What the hell are we doing out here, Frank? Can’t we just cancel it this time?” Jung said with a shiver.

“After months of delays?” Frank stopped his walk to turn around to see Jung catching up behind. “Absolutely not! We’ve been tracking them for years,” Frank showed his fist right to Jung’s face. “And we are not going to stop. Each time we delay, we’re giving them more time.”

While the two of them talked, another car approached from the darkness. It parked right near them, and Henry revealed himself. He approached Jung and Frank, confronting both men below a street light.

“Gentlemen,” Henry greeted as he walked to them.

“Evening, sir,” Frank answered as he realised Henry approached.

“What are you doing here late at night?” Henry made a small chat.

“Talking to my friend. We worked at HWN,” he paused. “May I help you?”

“Yes, you may. I think you should leave this place,” he stared at Frank. “Don’t you think?”

“Yes…” Frank stared back, nodding. “It is. I’ll be leaving,” he turned to Jung. “Sorry to bother you, Jung. We can talk more later,” Frank left the premises in his car.

The two watched him leave and Henry crossed his hands, staring at Jung with questions in his eyes.

“Who was that?” Henry inquired.

“One of my co-workers at HWN. We’ve been chasing the news against the cartel. He said we are supposed to confront them tonight,” Jung answered plainly.

“In the middle of the night?” Henry stated.

“That’s what he said. Even though I didn’t remember it.”

“What do you mean?” Henry tilted his head.

“He said my childhood friend, Ira, called me today. But I’ve heard no calls since you dropped me off at the apartment.”

“So you’re saying he’s full of shit?” Henry kept moving around whilst standing still.

“No. He’s a genuinely good guy, never lied to my face. Perhaps Ira forgot to tell me about it,” then something snapped in Jung’s brain. “Why’d you ask.”

“Just curious. Now come on, let’s get in the car.”

Jung and Henry entered the car and drove away on the quiet empty road of Hueyyad. They stayed silent for the entire drive, only the sounds of the music on the radio and the car’s engine entertained their ears. Jung watched the road they had taken, he knew where they were heading. He squinted his eyes; he saw the flag of Hellsum in the distance. A gigantic building in the heart of Hueyyad, dancing along with the wind, all mighty. When he looked down from the flagpole planted on top of the dome of the building, he witnessed a strange sight he had never seen before in the street of Hueyyad.

“Are those…?” Jung pointed.

“Yes. We’re ready for it,” Henry said with his eyes forward on the road, lowering his voice.

Rows of military vehicles, trucks, and armoured vehicles with cannons mounted on top, surrounded by thousands of soldiers guarding the enormous building. Jung slowly leaned back in his seat and held his breath. Confused and tired, Jung couldn't say anything but watch as Henry approached the armed soldiers.

“We just received a message that the Nagarians just declared war and a large-scale invasion is coming towards us. Those cheeky bastards. They closed and declared war on the same day, but we knew it was coming,” Henry’s shoulder tensed. “This might be a new kind of war. Do you know why?” he looked at Jung. “We have you.”