In an apartment somewhere...

I don’t know who this man is, but he saved a boy’s life. What he said! Yeah, it sounds like he’s not telling the whole story. I can’t explain why, but I’m questioning whether it was a mistake to help him. He seems arrogant, but clearly, he’s not a bad person. How can you tell? Ahh, someone with two guns? You always see bad in people… perhaps because you’re— Kids, I need some peace in my mind!

All this time, a boy was kept captive beneath me. Yes, that’s cruel. Why feel sympathy for a boy you don’t even know? Dodd will do anything for his own pleasure. He seems like someone... Enough! My concern is the Book of Knowledge. Don’t tell me that’s why you helped him. Ah ha, I said it! No, I just felt compelled to do something, that’s all… but I still wonder: is it still down there? Everyone wants that book. Of course not! Isn’t it a bit unwise to assume Dodd would leave a book of secrets in his prison? Yes, you might be correct. The boy needs care; you should assist… he seems to know nothing about childcare. Ha, ah ha! You, can you be serious a while...Sunny talk to him!

The dawn broke, the sun rose at the horizon. The sound of horses and cartwheels echoed along the rocky street. Zak was seated in a chair by a single bed. The boy, asleep, his brown tone pale with, a damp cloth on his forehead, was covered by a sheet. By the door, the bartender sat at a chair by the room’s only table, watching Zak and the boy.

“Hey, my friend,” the bartender began.

“How’s he doing?”

“He’s dreaming,” replied Zak flatly.

“How do you know?” asked the bartender with a frown.

“Anyway, we need to talk,” the bartender said, shifting in his chair.

“Sure, big man, I’m all ears,” Zak replied, his gaze fixed on the boy.

“Stop calling me ‘big man’ before I cut out your tongue. My name’s Sunny,” he snapped back.

“Good for you. I think you already know everything,” Zak remarked.

“What?” Sunny asked, his eyebrows knit together.

“I’m a guest at your hotel. My curiosity led me to a hidden black-market room in your basement, where I found an imprisoned boy, so I did what any moral person would do—” Zak started before being cut off.

“I’m putting my job at risk to help you. You should be honest with me as a thank-you,” Sunny said, clearly frustrated.

“True, but I really dislike people who get upset easily,” Zak replied, standing up and moving toward the bay window.

“Tell me what I’m asking for, and there won’t be anything to get upset about,” Sunny insisted, still on edge.

Zak’s gaze became distant for a moment.

“I’m a bounty hunter,” Zak revealed, looking through the glass.

“A few weeks ago, I got a new bounty for a hundred shifts, which is quite an unusual price. The target was a pirate involved in trafficking abolished weapons. As typical, I was to either capture or kill. So, I traveled from Beligram to here...” Zak stopped, still gazing through the window.

“So your target was at The Papel?” Sunny asked, curious.

“What? What’s...The Papel?” Zak asked, puzzled.

He doesn’t even know where he was operating? I told you he’s arrogant... and now reckless? Can you shut it?

“That’s the name of the hotel,” Sunny explained calmly.

“Oh, right,” Zak acknowledged, turning toward Sunny.

“The precise location of the target was known—a rarity for bounties—because the gendarmerie had been pursuing this case for four years now. However, there was no known face or name,” Zak continued as he went over to the table near Sunny and turned off the lantern.

“No face? No name? But they ensured he’d be at the gala?” Sunny queried as Zak leaned against the wall by the table, his eyes on the boy.

“Yes. According to Gado, the target highly valued his anonymity,” Zak replied.

“Who is Gado?” Sunny inquired, “And how did you even get into the gala?”

“Gado is my contact at the gendarmerie. As for the gala, my name was somehow already on the guest list—“ Zak said, a bit perplexed.

“Someone put your name there? You don’t know who?”

“I was given a name to use at the hotel entrance—I assumed it was the gendarmerie,” Zak said uncertainly.

“So, were you the only bounty hunter involved?” Sunny’s eyes flicked to Zak’s guns.

“Yes. Each bounty is assigned to one hunter at a time, as required by the gendarmerie’s rules. Another hunter would only be assigned if the previous one failed,” Zak explained.

“Did you manage to identify your target then?”

“Kind of...” Zak replied with uncertainty.

The boy’s coughing interrupted their conversation, and Zak quickly went to his side, gently touching his forehead.

“He still has a fever! How can you help him?” Zak asked worriedly.

“The only option is to take him to the hospital, but there’s an issue,” Sunny responded urgently.

“What kind of issue?” Zak inquired.

“The kind no one in Verghertown wants to have,” Sunny answered seriously.

“What do you mean?” Zak asked while checking the boy’s temperature, his hands brushing over his clothes.

“The hotel you broke into, belongs to Dodd—The Duke. He’s a corsair...he was employed by a former overseer of the town to resist the World Navy. Now, he runs Verghertown. He’s dangerous and has ties with the local law enforcement. That’s all you need to know for now.”

“So, we’re really on our own?” Zak muttered in frustration.

“This morning, as I was returning, his men were deployed all over the streets. They are still on the lookout for you...” Sunny said, moving towards the window.

“Come on, my friend,” Sunny invited Zak to join him at the window. Outside, a man shouted.

“A dark-skinned stranger in a long brown coat and a black hat, armed with two guns, has kidnapped The Duke’s cousin for a ransom! Right now, every law officer in the town is searching for him! I warn you again, he’s dangerous and armed! Anyone harboring him or withholding his whereabouts will face consequences! I repeat, the punishment for hiding this criminal will be severe!” the man announced to the townspeople.

Zak turned to Sunny, eyebrows narrowed, and asked,

“Who is this—The Duke again?”

Sunny frowned.

Is he joking with me? Ah ha, I’m telling you...

“The man who owns Verghertown,” Sunny finally answered after a short pause.

“I assumed bringing us here meant it was safe, didn’t it?” Zak commented.

“Don’t be too confident. The police might start knocking on every door in the town, or even worse...” Sunny was cut off.

“Worse—how?” Zak pressed.

“They spot us, and he sends his henchmen after us. That’s...my friend, something you’re not ready for!” Sunny said, fear visible in his eyes as he returning to seat back.

Zak couldn’t help notice Sunny limping slightly.

“What happened to your leg?” he asked.

“An accident,” Sunny replied, keeping the details to himself.

“What do we do now?” Zak questioned.

Didn’t he just say ‘we’? Sunny he doesn’t have what you want. I don’t see why you’re still here! My main concern isn’t him right now—but the kid.

“You know the town better than I do…isn’t there someone you know who can help him?” Zak interrupted,

Then what?

“Then what?” Sunny asked.

Zak dived into his thoughts.

“The simple thing, my friend. Leave the town before it’s too late,” Sunny advised.

“Too late? Too late for what? And what about the boy? He needs help, and his relatives must be somewhere in the town, right? Plus, I still have my bounty here,” Zak replied.

Sunny face hardened and concerned.

“Listen to me, hunter. If you care about yourself or the boy, I suggest you both leave town today and return for your bounty later. Nothing is more dangerous than having Dodd after you!” He warned.

“Hell, that man must be terrifying, look at your face! Given the boy’s condition...he’s weak...if you could find a nurse...if he could walk...!” Zak was interrupted by noises at the door.

Someone knocked. Zak drew his gun while Sunny approached the door, listened carefully, and signaled Zak to stay calm before cautiously opening it.

“Hello, sir, do you need any services?” a young man at the door asked.

“No, I’m set, I’ll be leaving soon. Thanks,” Sunny replied quickly, shutting the door before the young man could hear the last word.

As he turned to Zak, realization hit him, and he immediately reopened the door, quickly got into the alley,

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

“Hey, please, has Mr. Baku arrived? Earlier he wasn’t...” he was cut off.

“He’s arrived, he’s in his office,” the young man informed.

“Please give him some words, tell him I need to see him.” Sunny requested.

Sunny returned inside, locked the door, and exchanged a glance with Zak, who for the first time since yesterday removed his hat and sat on the bed, his attention turning to the boy still trapped in feverish sleep.

Shortly after, there was another knock. Sunny hesitated,

“Sunny! Sunny, it’s me,” a voice came from behind the door. Sunny quickly opened it, revealing a slightly older man with glasses on a string and a heavy gray mustache as he got into the alley.

“Morning, the boy said you needed to see me. What’s happening?” the man asked urgently.

“The kid needs medical assistance...I don’t know whatever is behind his locked up—they didn’t care about his wellness.” Sunny explained, the man trying to glance inside.

“And the man? Who is he?” he asked.

“A hunter,” Sunny replied simply.

The man’s eyes widened.

“What kind of hunter?” he enquired.

“A bounty hunter,” Sunny stated.

The man flinched, his voice turned into a whisper.

“Does he know...” he pointed at Sunny.

Sunny shook his head for a ‘no’.

“So why are you still helping him?” the man pressed as Sunny glanced at the door and raised his voice,

“Get me the nurse, we’ll discuss more later.”

The man gave him a look that said, ‘I hope you know what you’re doing’, before he walked away.

“So can he help find someone for the cares?” Zak asked as soon as Sunny get back in the room.

“I hope so—and then what happened?” Sunny answer followed by concerns.

Approaching Zak who was silent, Sunny asked with sense of unsee upcoming danger,

“What are you going to do of the boy?” Right in front of Zak, who plunged into a deep silence.

What is he thinking about? His best chance to escape the island alive is without the boy. The boy isn’t even conscious to answer questions. He mentioned his bounty. Dodd? I thought so too. Ah, remember to tell him how many have failed to even scratch Dodd. He’s untouchable; you’re searching for him, he’ll find you first. Can you shut it? Do you think if he discovers you’re a pirate, he’ll come for you? You should kill him now. No, nobody should die. I think he knows something about the book—or those who sent him do. Now I understand why we’re pretending to help him...and then kill him later! You fool!

“Wait! What did the announcer say?” Zak asked, finally articulating his thoughts but still deep in reflection.

“What?” Sunny responded, not quite grasping the question’s significance.

Zak’s face was clouded with confusion.

“Didn’t he say the boy was The Duke’s cousin?” Zak asked, his voice full of surprise as he looked at Sunny.

Sunny frowned,

“Did he? Knowing Dodd, I can’t believe that,” he replied, shaking his head.

“Yes, exactly! Why would anyone imprison their own cousin? This story isn’t adding up,” Zak agreed, sitting on the bed as his expression shifted sharply.

“Wait, why do you always call him Dodd, and not The Duke?” Zak asked, still deep in thoughts.

Sunny raised an eyebrow,

“I work at his hotel. Isn’t that reason enough?” Yet Zak’s suspicions remained.

“Well, yes, but I feel like there’s more to it, as if you respect your boss less than you should—or maybe you’re quite close!”

Sunny’s expression hardened as Zak’s words lingered.

“I took a chance in accepting your help. That’s not something I usually do. And you don’t even look like a bartender.”

What?! He wants you to trust him? A man...a bounty hunter with two guns? Sunny, he’s suspicious of you… act now or he’ll eliminate you. I knew this would happen, Sunny. The devilish guy is right, we can’t stay here any longer. You’ve done enough, and I’m uncertain if he has the book or knows anything about it.

Sunny’s face darkened, but he kept his voice steady.

“So, we met in a bar as strangers, and you expect me to serve you my life story on a silver platter? Your mission doesn’t concern me, hunter,” Sunny finally replied.

“What on earth! Talking about a mission, you said The Duke...Dodd is a pirate...a corsair...there’s no difference—I think he’s my target.” Zak exclaimed, excitement lighting up his face.

Obviously, but he sees him as an easy prey. He doesn’t seem to know what a corsair is. The man has an entire army, or rather, the town under his control.

“Pirate. Abolished weapons. Discreet…sounds like him to me. But I’d advise you to tone down your enthusiasm. Dodd isn’t someone you simply approach and shoot. In two years at that hotel, I only saw him twice, undoubtedly for important businesses that required his touch. He’s a ghost!” Sunny said.

Zak’s face brightened.

“You mean important businesses like introducing a weapon of mass destruction?”

Sunny frowned, about to respond, but Zak interjected.

“In the basement, the person leading the event claimed to be the creator of the weapon he was unveiling…” Zak remembered, as Sunny’s eyes widened.

“Dodd!” he quickly said, adjusting in his chair.

“It’s him? The Duke?” Zak’s voice rose with excitement.

“It can’t be!” Sunny exclaimed in disbelief.

“It’s been almost a year since he stepped into the hotel… or should I say—that was the last time I saw him!” Sunny added sinking back into the chair.

“He has a round, pale face...and his hand...the right hand was—a prosthetic!” Zak elaborated.

A sudden realization hit Sunny,

“Mr. Lari!” he exclaimed,

“Dodd’s accountant, he handles all of his business.”

“I was unsure, but also convinced it’s him! If I catch him, he’ll lead me to The Duke.” Zak’s excitement slightly faded.

“Taking the boy instead of making your move has triggered an alert. Dodd’s likely ready to strike or be stroke! You need a plan to leave the town with the boy as quickly as possible. Dodd’s men will turn the whole town upside down to find you...” Sunny’s words were abruptly cut off by a loud cry.

Zak’s attention turned to the boy lying rigid in bed, sweat glistening on his forehead. His chest rose and fell in quick, irregular breaths, his fists gripping the blanket tightly. His distress was evident, fear pouring out from within, as if trapped in a nightmare. His heavy tangled, curly hair shook violently with each tremor.

“Let me go...Let me go...You’re lying! Let me go...” the boy shouted, his chest heaving as he struggled against Zak’s hold. Tears streamed down his face, his breathing rapid and irregular.

Zak knelt beside the bed, holding the boy’s chest firmly, trying to soothe him. Sunny moved closer, concern showing on his face.

“Calm down, boy! Listen to my voice...!” Zak urged, but his voice was lost in the boy’s frantic cries.

“He’s having...nightmares...a crisis...whatever it is, it’s tearing him apart,” Zak muttered, frustration in his voice.

The boy’s mumbling grew louder, repeating strange phrases, jumbled words that Zak and Sunny couldn’t comprehend.

“let me...the shape...of the edge...it smells...gets faster...flies further...difficult...surgery...it will kill him...you can’t...to implant in your flesh...let me go! You promised...let me goooo...” the boy’s words dissolved into chaos, his eyes remained tightly shut, trapped in whatever he was experimenting.

What is he talking about? It’s probably all nonsense; he’s clearly having nightmares.

Sunny hurried to the window to close it securely as the boy’s crisis continued.

“Don’t you think your friend should have found someone by now?” Zak asked loudly over the boy’s screams.

“I don’t know...hold him still, I’m heading downstairs...” Sunny said, already at the door, and when he opened it,

A woman swiftly passed by Sunny at the entrance without greeting him and headed straight for the bed. She was dressed in a pristine white gown and carried a leather bag. Her arrival seemed to bring Zak some peace. Baku followed her closely, while Sunny shut the door.

The boy continued his incoherent chatter.

“Two...one...if it works...loud...it harms...I will let you go...home...let me go home....two...one...it’s smelling...he’s coming...hide...Miko hide...he’s coming!”

“Let me examine him,” the woman said urgently, placing her bag next to where the boy rambled on.

“What’s he babbling about?” Mr. Baku asked Sunny, who simply shrugged in response—I don’t know.

With skilled hands, the woman checked the boy—first lifting his eyelids to see his rapid eye movement beneath the reddish skin.

“His pulse is quick,” she observed, pressing two fingers to his wrist.

“And he’s breathing too shallowly.”

“When did this begin?” she asked, glancing at Zak, who briefly met Sunny’s eyes.

Sunny hesitated to respond.

“He and his father came to stay for a night, and this started this morning,” Mr. Baku answered promptly, while Sunny felt relieved inside.

“Do his words mean anything to you?” she inquired, turning to Zak. When Zak did not reply, she looked at Sunny and Mr. Baku, who both avoided eye contact. She pressed no further.

“He likely is experiencing an acute nervous episode,” she concluded, swiftly pulling back the sheet from the boy.

“He needs grounding—familiar voices or touch might help.”

She looked at Zak.

“You should hold his hands and speak to him.”

Zak hesitated, uncertain. Before he could respond, Sunny stepped forward.

“I’ll do it,” Sunny offered quickly.

The woman glanced between them, slightly confused. Zak stepped back, leaving Sunny to take his place at the bed. She tightened her lips for a moment, puzzled, but then turned her attention back to the boy.

“Tell me what you need me to do,” Sunny asked in a calm tone.

“Let’s try to wake him. What’s his name?” she asked.

Sunny hesitated, his mouth opening and closing. Zak looked away, fists clenched. The nurse sensed something was wrong and looked between them. Without an answer, she turned her attention back to the boy.

“Hello, sweetheart. I’m Agatha,” she said gently, leaning closer.

“Can you hear me? Listen to my voice. I’m here to help—you are safe. Open your eyes.”

She gently touched the boy’s fist, which was clenched tightly around the blanket.

“Feel my hand. Can you hold it instead? I’m here... You’re safe,” she reassured softly.

She glanced at Sunny, who appeared distracted and encouraged, “Go ahead, talk to him. Comfort him.”

Sunny cleared his throat and awkwardly said, “Hey, kid, you’re safe. I’m holding your hand now. Nobody’s going to hurt you. Open your eyes, okay?”

The boy’s trembling hand clutched Sunny’s with unexpected strength. He continued to shake and mumble quietly while his clothes remained damp with sweat. Sunny held on firmly, finding more assurance in his voice.

“Kid, you can do it. Open your eyes... I’ve got you. You’re safe now.”

The boy began to relax slightly. Agatha signaled Sunny to help regulate the boy’s breathing with her guidance.

“Kid, listen to me. You’re doing great. Now take slow breaths. Breathe in through your nose... and out through your mouth,” Sunny said, following her hand gestures.

Sunny felt a moment of connection—a fatherly energy he felt for long years now. He held the boy’s hand reassuring him. Sunny gaze was focus, suddenly heavy with compassion and thoughtful.

...he’s calming down...

Gradually, the boy’s breathing evened out. His trembling lessened, and his body began to relax. A faint gasp escaped his lips as his head jerked slightly. He continued to hold Sunny's large, calloused hand tightly, fear still apparent on his face, his eyelids fluttering shut.

“There we go,” The woman said softly.

“Come on, kid. Open your eyes.”

The boy’s gaze was unfocused, his body trembling as he mumbled incoherently. Then, the nurse pressed the back of her hand to his forehead,

“Nervous crisis is a result of overexcitement or fright. It’s common with children. But there’s something else...” She said, swiftly reached into her bag and withdrew a glass thermometer, shaking it briskly before placing it under the boy’s arm. While waiting,

“Whatever condition he was living in before this, I doubt it was saint. The crisis alone doesn’t cause fever...” The nurse said running condemning eyes on Zak who she thought is the boy’s father due to slight face resemblance. Zak remained silent.

“He’s burning up,” she said after removed the thermometer,

“I need cool compresses. Bring me a bucket of clean water and a clean cloth.”

Mr Baku hurried to comply as the nurse rummaged through her bag and pulled out a small bottle of tablets. She crushed one into powder and mixed it with a small amount of water in a tin cup.

“Let’s wake him up enough to get this down.” She said.

Sunny gently lifted the boy’s head as Agatha held the cup to his lips, coaxing him to take small sips. The boy grimaced at the bitter taste but swallowed most of it before slumping back into the bed, exhausted.

When Baku returned with water and a cloth, Agatha soaked the cloth, wrung it out, and started after she removed entirely the sheet, wiping the boy’s face, neck, and arms. Her hands froze when she noticed something.

“What’s that?” Asked Mr Baku as the nurse exploring the boy’s fingers. They were tinted in black.

Sunny frowned as he started exploring the boy’s hand.

Zak tightened his jaw avoiding the woman questioning gaze and was confused as Sunny. They didn’t noticed those stains before, and while the woman waiting for an answer, she finally figured out the origin of the stains.

“This is ink–he was in used maybe more than four days ago.” The nurse figured, her need of answers from Zak one time again, faced a heavy silent, as she became more suspicious. Without another word, she resumed her work.

Zak and Sunny shared uneasy glance.

The nurse placed the cloth across the young boy’s forehead, regularly replacing it to help bring down the fever.

“He’s weak from whatever he endured...” she said, glancing at Zak and then to Mr Baku,

“Exposure, malnourishment, possibly an infection. He needs rest, warmth, and good food when he can stomach it.”

“Will he be all right?” Zak asked finally opened up, his voice rough with concern.

“He’ll pull through,” The nurse assured him.

“The fever should break soon. Just keep him hydrated and let him sleep.”

She began packing her things and called out Mr Baku for a side talk. They whispers came from the alley to the inside of the room. Meanwhile, the boy had grown still, his breathing steady, his features relaxed in deep sleep. Zak’s shoulders eased slightly, and Sunny let out a soft sigh of relief.

Baku returned alone, closing the door behind him. The sound of the nurse’s fading footsteps echoed from the alley. Uneasy, Baku’s face was taut with caution as he glanced at Sunny who’s still seating in the bed near the boy.

Zak was seating in the chair near the table, his gaze thoughtful, his hat on his lap, his eyes on the boy.

“So, you’re from the Hunters Brotherhood? It’s rare to see one of you far from the east seas.” Mr Baku voice’s, wary but curious broke the silence, trying to engage unwillingly into a conversation with Zak who first remained silent before shifted his attention to the man.

“We go anywhere the task called—your accent seems like you’re from Easterland...”

“That’s exact! Bota Port, Beligram.” Mr Baku informed displaying a forced amicable and awkward smile.

“Ah, I can see. This why you know about the Hunters Brotherhood...its rare in this seas.”

“Hum,” Mr Baku chuckled nervously, sharing a discreet and awkward glance with Sunny.

“The Hunters Brotherhood...the murderous hands of the Delegation or shall I say—of the Chancellor!” Mr Baku added his tone accusing but careful and fearful as Zak expression shifted, he looked deeper into his eyes and forced a tight, unreadable smile.