Recently, the country's economy has grown rapidly, with the per capita income estimated to reach 32,720 annually. This indicates that it is a developed nation and is capable of competing with both Western and Eastern countries. Such rapid economic growth brings both benefits and drawbacks to the country itself.

  The positive effects include the country ranking among the top 20 most developed nations in the world, earning high regard from other countries. It has a strong and efficient national defense system, towering skyscrapers each managed by top-tier organizations, a high and stable currency value, as well as government buildings such as hospitals and educational institutions being built to ease the lives of the people.

  However, the downside is that job opportunities and competition in the workforce have drastically increased due to the rising population each year. Central states have been affected, including this one. Foreign immigrants also frequently roam around the city, especially in island territories, and more concerningly, they form their own groups in order to survive.

  I entered the base and looked around. Inside, only Area and Kai were there. The door closed behind me as I walked toward the sofa. I asked Area, who was at the fridge, a question. “Area, where are Siti and Mika?”

  Area seemed a little caught off guard by my question. He turned and replied, “I think Siti couldn’t come because she has extra classes. Mika is busy with her sports and art clubs. Why do you ask, Adam?”

  “Nothing,” I replied softly, then placed my school bag in the corner of our base.

  It seems both of them have been busy lately with their respective clubs. I dropped myself onto the sofa, lost in thought. Mika and Siti usually rarely come here during school days, and on holidays, our base would be full—either with our gang or other friendly gangs who like to hang out here. Of course, those gangs are close acquaintances of ours. Among the members of Hate, only Kai and Area do not attend school. They usually roam the city when we’re not at the base in the early mornings—especially Area, who loves to wander around.

  Kai sat in front of the monitor, typing lines of Python code swiftly. On the screen, a black terminal displayed outputs only he could understand—numbers and symbols interwoven in complex patterns. The code almost seemed to have a life of its own, waiting to be executed. To the left of the desk was a whiteboard filled with notes about various programming projects he was working on. Kai appeared completely immersed in his digital world, a realm where every problem had a solution through the right algorithm—a world far removed from the chaos of the real one around him.

  Meanwhile, in the corner of the room, Mika’s wall art intimidated anyone bold enough to look at it. The dark images, drawn with unsettling detail, portrayed scenes that felt almost alive. Several faces, with terrifying expressions, seemed to glare sharply at anyone passing by. Mika remained adamant in keeping her artwork, refusing to remove it even though many found it frightening. As a compromise, Siti and Kai decided to cover the painting with thick black curtains. They knew that even though covering it seemed like a way to avoid fear, Mika would still feel proud of her dark art, no matter how disturbing it might be.

  At the far end of the room, Siti discovered some intriguing items—an old book, a few worn papers, and yellowed newspapers. She wasn’t sure who had touched them before or how they ended up there, but her curiosity led her to place everything on the table, hoping to find out more later. Siti examined each item carefully, hoping for a clue that could connect them to something greater. In silence, she felt the lingering trace of the past etched into every object she found.

  I began shifting my body left and right, trying to find the perfect position while thinking. Yesterday, my sister spent fifteen thousand trying to help Area. Today, I have to tell her that the debt has been settled. But it looks like I’ll have to wait for Area to come here. Besides, Kai is at the base with us, and if he finds out that Area borrowed fifteen thousand and what happened yesterday, it could cause tension between us. So, I have to wait for the right moment to tell Area that her debt has been paid off.

  I also found myself wondering about Kai—what stage is he at now?

  My eyes drifted toward Area as she sat on the sofa, looking at her sweet, delicate face. Come to think of it, Area really is cute and gentle-looking. If she smiled, I swear the moon and stars would fall to the earth. Her sea-blue eyes always shimmer whenever she speaks—whether she's happy, teasing, or even crying—it’s all beautiful. Somehow, she has this way of stirring emotions in the people around her.

  Her hair is soft, but unfortunately, I’ve never seen it completely because she always keeps it covered. What I like most about Area is her voice—so soothing, softer than any woman’s I’ve ever heard. She always speaks so gently, and I imagine her voice would sound even more beautiful if she ever sang.

  “You look like something’s bothering you, Adam?” asked Area as she walked over to the sofa, extending her hand. “Here, want some? I just bought these snacks on the way here.”

  I adjusted my position from lying down to sitting upright, then took the snack that Area offered. “You look like you’ve got a lot on your mind, Adam. What are you thinking about?” she asked while looking for a spot on the sofa to sit beside me.

  “It’s nothing, Area. I’m just thinking about school problems, that’s all.”

  Area leaned back on the sofa, trying to explain something. “I see… I thought you were still thinking about what happened yesterday. I’m sorry—it all happened so suddenly. I just happened to run into you, Adam.”

  “Yeah, it’s nothing.”

  Come to think of it, fifteen thousand is no small amount for Area to owe. Why did she borrow so much? And what exactly did she do with the money she borrowed? I wanted to ask, but Area didn’t seem like she wanted to talk about it—especially not in front of Kai. Maybe she’s trying to keep this a secret from us.

  The sound of an explosion from Kai’s computer reminded me that the three of us were still in the room. Though Kai looked completely focused on his monitor, I could tell he was subtly trying to eavesdrop on our conversation. Noticing this, Area quickly changed the subject.

  “Adam, do you want to come with me?”

  “Where to?”

  “We're going to a few locations as part of a street gang task to collect something. Want to come along with me, Adam?”

  “Yeah, I think I can come with you. I’ve got plenty of free time right now anyway.”

  “Great, we need to head to the first location first. Kai, do you want to come with us?” Area asked Kai, who was immersed in his video game. He paused his computer before answering, “I don’t think so. I’ve got some other assignments to do after this game, so I’m kind of busy. You can go with Adam, Area, if you want,” Kai replied briefly.

  “Alright. Adam, don’t forget to finish those snacks before we leave,” said Area before heading to the kitchen, leaving me on the sofa.

  I quickly finished the snacks Area gave me before we set off to the place she had suggested. I truly wanted to tell Kai about what happened yesterday. But it looks like I have to keep it hidden because this is our matter. I don’t want to see the members of Hate burdened by problems I’m facing. Just like yesterday, Kai was still playing the game I bought for him.

  “Alright, Adam. Let’s go,” said Area, ready to leave the hideout.

  Two months ago, we had agreed to use aliases that symbolized freedom, like owl, eagle, dove, canary, and raven. These names were not just choices, but symbols of our way of life. The birds could fly anywhere they wanted, not bound by place or circumstance, and that’s how we felt at the time. We moved without boundaries, doing what needed to be done, with aliases that represented that spirit. But for some reason, since two months ago, those names have not been used anymore, for reasons known only to us involved.

  I explained everything that happened yesterday to Area, about the argument I had with my sister because she spent fifteen thousand of hers. Area felt a bit sympathetic and guilty after hearing it. Because of this, she suggested we go collect debts from the thug neighborhood without the other Hate members knowing. This task is to gather money for the thugs' contract deposit left in the northern territory. Before getting the money, Area needs to go to a closed district on the outskirts of the city. And now, the two of us are heading there.

  “The weather today is quite hot compared to yesterday.”

  The sound of a crow echoed around us.

  “Yeah, I hope we don’t run into any street thugs.”

  “Do you have business with them, Area? About the gang that chased you?”

  “A little, but it’s not really important. Don’t worry about it. Why do you suddenly ask?”

  “It’s nothing, just curious.” I turned my head to the right. At the same time, I was thinking about something regarding Area. She was often involved with gangs around us, and there were frequent confrontations between them. I didn’t know why she kept wandering into dangerous neighborhoods and getting into complicated problems. If she kept doing that, it would harm her. Maybe because she’s an important member dealing with street thugs. Maybe this was the work she always did.

  I shifted my gaze back to her. “Lately, don’t you get bored?”

  “Hmm... Not really, I’ve been quite busy with housework, and tomorrow I’m meeting someone.”

  “Meeting someone? For what?”

  “Business with the group leader.”

  She was also often involved in big organization matters. That’s why Area was always in trouble every time we were separated from her. Maybe I should advise her.

  “Area, I want you to be careful from now on with the thugs around and not get into trouble with them.”

  “I’ll be careful. If I meet them, I’ll just run away. Don’t worry, I won’t cause any more problems with them. We’ve arrived.”

  We stopped in front of an old, abandoned apartment. The building was a faded black, with broken windows scattered around it. We could also see crows flying overhead. The door was made of wood.

  Area pressed the doorbell, causing its sound to echo in our ears. The echo fell silent for a moment before she pressed it again. However, only the wind replaced the sound, and we just stared at the door of the building.

  “No one’s here.”

  “Maybe the owner isn’t home.”

  I moved toward the window to peek inside. From there, I could see clutter scattered across the floor, with books and chairs in disarray. Only a small portion was visible. The lights weren’t on either.

  Then, my gaze shifted back to the door, exactly to Area, who was looking up, reading the writing on the apartment. She didn’t make a sound. A moment later, the door opened by itself, causing her gaze to drop to the ground. The doorbell rang again.

  We exchanged glances before stepping inside the apartment. The door creaked as we pushed it open.

  “Hello...!! Is anyone here?”

  Area’s voice echoed, but there was no reply.

  “Strange,” she whispered.

  “It looks like this place is abandoned.”

  “I don’t think it’s abandoned. There might be someone inside,” Area pointed to the kitchen door.

  The scene in the apartment is chaotic and untidy. The front room is dusty, and sunlight filters in through small holes. Some of the rooms are completely dark, with no light shining in, and everything seems to be in disarray.

  We tried to find the light switch but couldn’t locate it. Then, suddenly, we heard a loud noise from the direction of the kitchen.

  “What’s all this noise?”

  A large, muscular man dressed in a white t-shirt and jeans stepped out from the kitchen door, surveying the surroundings.

  His eyes stopped when he saw us. “Oh, it’s you, Area. Long time no see. What do you want?”

  Area raised her hand in a casual greeting, then dropped it with a response.

  “We’re here to get Lon.”

  The man seemed a bit surprised by her words. His eyes briefly glanced at me before he spoke again.

  “Lon? Is it okay if your friend knows about this?”

  “I think it’s fine, we’re part of the same group,” Area replied calmly.

  He glanced at me once more before speaking to Area.

  “Before that, I need to ask you something.”

  He lowered himself as if to whisper.

  “Have you heard anything about a street kid being appointed as a group leader?”

  Area whispered back softly, “I haven’t heard anything about that. What happened?”

  “Recently, there’s been a rumor going around that a street kid was appointed as the leader in the island territory. This happened about a month ago. No one’s sure if it’s true yet, it’s still a bit up in the air.”

  “I don’t think the rumor is true. It’s very hard to be appointed as a leader. Maybe it’s just some prank from other gangs around here.”

  Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  “True. Maybe it’s just made up. Wait here, Area. I’ll be back shortly.”

  He straightened up and quickly headed towards the kitchen.

  “What were you talking about, Area?” I asked from behind her.

  “It’s nothing. Just some local matters,” Area smiled.

  After some time, the man returned, holding something in his hand. It looked like a rolled-up piece of paper wrapped in plastic.

  “These are ten locations you need to check. All of them are in the northern territory. Show this list to them, and they will provide the results.”

  As Area took the rolled-up paper, the man glanced at me before saying something.

  “Make sure your friend doesn’t cause any trouble.”

  Area stepped back, putting the roll into her pocket. She responded softly.

  “He won’t cause any trouble... I promise,” her voice gentle.

  “Alright, then, take care.”

  So, the two of us left the apartment without saying much. Once outside, and the heat hit us, Area unrolled the paper and checked each written detail under the sunlight. After finishing, she rolled it back up and instructed me to head towards the western district.

  ***

  We headed to the city to collect the contract payment, as mentioned by Area. She said there were ten different locations that needed to be checked, and it was clear this would be a time-consuming task.

  Our first destination was a popular cat café in the city center. This café attracted customers because they could enjoy drinks while being surrounded by cute cats roaming around. Upon arriving, Area immediately walked to the café's second entrance. She rang the small bell located beside the door.

  A few moments later, a man came out to greet us.

  “Oh, Area. I thought the important delivery had arrived earlier,” said the man, who turned out to be the café manager.

  “No, Mr. Rizal. We’re here on other business,” Area replied calmly.

  “Is that so?” Mr. Rizal seemed a bit puzzled. “What brings you here?”

  Area pulled the list of names from her pocket and handed it to Mr. Rizal. He examined the list carefully.

  “Ah, so this is what it’s about. Sorry, give me a moment,” he said with a small smile before heading back inside the café, leaving us to wait.

  While waiting, Area’s eyes wandered to one of the cats in the café. She approached me and said, “Adam, the cat over there is beautiful, right?”

  I looked towards the cat she pointed out. “Yes, it’s really pretty.”

  Area continued to watch the cat in silence, letting the moment linger. “Cats, yeah... each cat has a different personality... That’s why each person has their favorite kind of cat.”

  She glanced back at the cat with a sense of excitement, eager for new information. “Oh, really?” she asked before adding, “I prefer white cats because they look fluffy. What about you, Adam? What color do you like?”

  “I don’t know, I prefer cats that are bold,” I replied.

  Not long after, the door opened again, and Mr. Rizal appeared with a sum of money, which he handed over to Area. After a brief exchange between the two of them, we left the café and headed to our next destination.

  Our next stop was a small barber shop located in the neighborhood. We stepped inside, and Area immediately started talking to the shopkeeper, who was busy arranging the tools.

  “Ah, Area! Long time no see,” greeted the shopkeeper.

  “Yeah, I’ve got business to attend to,” Area replied, handing over the same list as before. The shopkeeper glanced at the list for a moment before smiling. He went into the back room and returned with the promised money.

  We didn’t stop there. One destination after another, we visited—a car workshop, a tattoo parlor, a bar area, and several other places I had never visited before.

  At one point, we had to take the train to reach a more distant area. Although each trip required a small amount of money, the total amount Area collected turned out to be more than I expected.

  Throughout the journey, Area seemed to enjoy every step of the process. We also took a short break at a roadside stall for an afternoon snack, resting from the tiring journey.

  Today felt incredibly long, but we still weren’t finished. With the list still in Area’s hands, we were ready to complete the remaining destinations before nightfall. Now, only five more remained to be done.

  ***

  We approached the western region in the northern territory, where fishermen catch fish. The surrounding area was filled with boats and ships. It could be considered an important area for the northern region in maritime trade activities.

  On the edge of the sea, an old man was seen rolling up his fishing rope on a boat by the shore. He was dressed in simple white clothes, his body thin and frail, probably in his 50s. Area approached the fisherman and raised her hand in greeting.

  “Hello, Uncle.”

  The old man looked up, then stood up from his spot and said, “Oh, it’s you, Area... What brings you here?”

  Area reached into her pocket, pulled out a piece of paper, and showed it with both hands. “Here, look. Your name is on the list.” Area moved the paper slightly.

  “Ohh... this, huh... wait a moment...”

  The fisherman stood up from his boat and began walking towards a shed nearby.

  “Do you know this man, Area?”

  Area glanced twice before answering, "Yeah, and why are you acting like that, Adam?" The soft tone of her voice made me look down in annoyance.

  “It’s nothing. Just...”

  The view shifted to the fish drying on the side of the boat. The smell of fish and squid filled the air around us. It was somewhat unpleasant.

  A moment of thought sparked an excuse. My gaze was forced upwards. “This place is quite isolated, far from any buildings or noise pollution.”

  But unfortunately, the unpleasant smell filled my nostrils. Area replied as she walked towards the ocean.

  “Yeah, this place is a bit peaceful, with the wind and the air blowing from the sea. We can see the island’s territory from this border.”

  She gazed across the sea, her arms crossed. Her voice tried to carry a rhythm but was interrupted by the fisherman’s warning.

  “I’m not trying to scare you, but the board down there is a bit cracked and isn’t fully stable yet.”

  Area carefully looked for a safe step. She moved from the old wooden plank to the grass. The fisherman approached the edge and handed over a sum of money. It was exchanged from his hand to Area’s. The money was then tucked into her sweater pocket.

  Not long after that, the fisherman started staring at me. At first, I was used to his suspicious looks. But the longer he stared, the more annoying it became, and it made me uncomfortable.

  “Why are you staring so long, Uncle?” I asked.

  “Is this kid your partner, Area? He’s quite brave,” he said, inspecting me while touching his long beard—three strands.

  “No! He’s just a friend. Don’t think too much, Uncle,” Area quickly replied.

  “Ooh, so he's your friend. You're really lucky, please take good care of her.”

  I really didn’t understand the full meaning of what he was saying. However, his white beard was somewhat bothering me. Why was it so long, reaching down to his neck? If given the chance, I would shave it off, but it looked like it had been growing for years.

  Area took a deep breath, her voice soft, and her hands touching her thighs, clutching the fabric of her skirt slightly. “Uncle, please don’t tease him… He’s just a friend,” she said with a soft, slightly trembling voice.

  The fisherman took a step back before giving me a thumbs-up, smiling as if I had won a major race.

  I could only respond with a confused expression. What did he really mean? However, before I could ask further, the fisherman continued, “Oh, now I just remembered that I need to pull up the net from the water. It was nice talking to both of you. Looks like we have to part ways here.”

  Without waiting for a reply, he walked away, leaving both of us behind.

  “That old man is strange, Area. He seems to enjoy teasing,” I said, trying to lighten the mood between us.

  “Yeah, that’s just how he is,” Area replied with a small smile, although her eyes still carried a hint of unease. “Sometimes he likes to tease people for no clear reason. Adam, don’t take what he says to heart.”

  “But, I still don’t understand what he meant. Do you know, Area?” I asked again, curious.

  Area flinched slightly, her expression changing to one that was hard to interpret. “It’s nothing, Adam,” she replied quickly before walking ahead. “We need to get to the next location quickly.”

  However, as I began to walk, I heard Area whisper softly behind me, “You always do that too.”

  I stopped for a moment and leaned closer to her, “What did you say, Area?” I asked, pretending not to have heard clearly.

  She immediately froze, her face turning bright red, as if caught in the act. “Ehhh...? Nothing!” she responded hastily.

  Without giving me a chance to ask further, she quickened her pace, leaving me behind. I caught a glimpse of a faint blush on her cheeks, something I rarely saw from her.

  “We need to hurry, or we’ll be late!” she said firmly, though it was clear she was trying to hide her embarrassment.

  I smiled slightly, watching her move faster. In my heart, I knew there was something she was trying to hide, but I chose not to press her. “Alright, Area,” I replied, catching up to her.

  ***

  The seventh location was a gangster neighborhood located in a remote area, far from the city center. The atmosphere here was drastically different from the other places we had visited—narrow, dirty streets, filled with signs of violence. Several old buildings and rundown houses stood weakly along the road, as if reflecting the dark lives led by their residents.

  The tension in the air was heavy. A few muscular men, their arms covered in tattoos, stood with stern faces, watching our every move. They weren’t just guards of the area, but a clear sign that this was not a place easily entered by outsiders. Area walked ahead of me, her eyes showing no signs of fear, but I knew she wasn’t entirely comfortable being here either.

  Even before we arrived, Area had looked a little startled when she saw the name list. Though she tried to hide it from my view, I knew the place we were heading to was dangerous.

  “Area, don’t you find this place a little strange?” I asked while glancing around. The atmosphere in this area was tense, with narrow alleyways and walls covered in graffiti.

  “No,” Area replied casually, slipping her hands into the pockets of her sweater. “Because I come to this place often.” Her voice was calm, as if this gangster neighborhood was nothing new to her.

  I couldn’t help but keep looking left and right. Some gang members sitting at the corner of an alley were watching us with sharp eyes. One of them, a large man in a leather jacket, lifted his chin toward us, as if trying to assess whether we had the guts to keep walking.

  I swallowed hard, trying to hide my nervousness. “Are you sure we’re safe here?” I whispered, my steps a little hesitant.

  Area only gave a small smile without turning around. “Don’t worry. As long as we don’t cause trouble, they won’t do anything. Besides, I know a few people here.”

  But then I noticed one of the gang members standing up, walking toward us slowly. His hand was in his pocket, and his gaze didn’t shift away from us. My heart pounded in my chest, but I kept walking beside Area, pretending to stay calm.

  “Area,” I whispered again, this time with a more serious tone, "if something happens, do you have a plan?"

  Area turned slightly, her face still calm as always. “Trust me, Adam. Everything will be fine.”

  Even though I tried to trust her, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. The stares from the gang members around us made me feel like we were walking on a tightrope that could snap at any moment.

  We walked with increasingly slower steps, and the once noisy gangster neighborhood began to feel quieter, as if all eyes watching our every move had suddenly vanished. After several minutes of navigating the narrow alleys, we stopped in front of a white house standing firmly in the middle of the area.

  The house looked different from the other buildings around it. Its clean walls, free from graffiti, stood in stark contrast to the gloomy and worn-down surroundings. A thick wooden door with simple carvings stood solidly before us, and the small windows on either side were tightly shut.

  I looked at Area, who was gazing at the white house in front of us. “This house... whose is it? It seems out of place in this kind of neighborhood.”

  Area took a deep breath before replying, her voice soft and slow. “This is a sanctuary. A place not many people know about. Only those who truly need it come here.”

  My eyebrows raised, curiosity flooding my mind. “Sanctuary? For whom? And why in the middle of a gangster neighborhood?” I asked.

  Area turned to me, a faint smile on her face. “Sometimes, the most dangerous place is the safest, Adam. But if you want to know more, you’ll have to ask the street gang members here,” she teased.

  I looked around before my eyes returned to the white house. A sense of caution mixed with curiosity crept over me. From the corner of my eye, I noticed a few gang members still watching us from afar, as if waiting to see what our next move would be.

  Area stepped forward, her hand knocking on the wooden door in a specific pattern — three short knocks, followed by two slow ones. I stood behind her, my heart pounding, unsure of what awaited us on the other side of that door.

  The wooden door creaked open slightly, just enough for a man to peek out. His face was stern, with sharp eyes that stared at Area without the slightest hint of a smile.

  “What do you want?” he asked coldly.

  Calmly, Area pulled out a piece of paper from the pocket of his sweater and showed it to the man. He examined the list carefully before turning his head toward the inside of the house and calling out, “Hey, you need to come here. There’s something that requires your attention.”

  Not long after, another man appeared — larger in build, with a friendlier face, though still cautious. He looked at us both before speaking.

  “Looks like it’s been a while since you visited us, Area,” he said, crossing his arms. “That list shows it’s my turn, doesn’t it?”

  Area gave a slight nod. “Yes. I’m only doing what I was told. I’m just carrying out the task assigned by the group leader.”

  The man let out a short laugh, though his eyes still held a certain weight. “Before that, I have a request for you, Area.”

  He pulled out a map from his pocket, unfolded it carefully, and pointed to a marked location in the center. “This is the location of an abandoned house. Inside, there are four rooms. I want you to check each room and find a bag. Bring the bag back here, and I’ll give you the reward along with the contract money.”

  I glanced at Area doubtfully, but she remained calm as always. She took the map from the man, her eyes carefully examining the marked spot. After a few moments, she folded the map and slipped it into the pocket of her sweater.

  “Why do we need to go to this location?”

  The man answered in a soft voice, “Listen, Area. This is just a small job. Complete it, and I’ll make sure everything goes smoothly for the next reward.”

  Area let out a long sigh. “I don’t think it’s my turn to take this. You know I only came here for matters on the list, right?”

  “That’s true, but someone like you is more capable than the others. You know if I gave this to someone else, there’s no guarantee they’d accept the job.”

  Area turned to me as if looking for support. “But…”

  The man interrupted her, “No buts, Area. You know I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t important.” He paused briefly before continuing, “Besides, you’re good at this kind of thing, aren’t you? Surely, you wouldn’t want to be seen as useless to this neighborhood anymore, right?”

  I tried to speak up to object, but Area seemed to accept it without resistance. “Alright,” she replied simply. “We’ll bring it.”

  The man gave a faint smile, patted Area’s shoulder, and stepped back into the house. “Good. I’ll be waiting for good news from you. Make sure you bring it here before nightfall, and don’t tell anyone about this. Just treat it like regular street gang business.”

  The door closed behind us, and we turned to leave. I glanced over at Area, intending to ask her something.

  “Area, are you sure you want to help them? Mafi isn’t just some ordinary street gang. They’re in a much higher rank. This sounds like a crazy job. Besides, the location seems suspicious. Who knows what we’ll face there?”

  Area gave a small smile and walked ahead of me. “Don’t worry, Adam. This isn’t the first time I’ve received a task from them. Just follow me.”

  Even though her response was calm, I still felt uneasy. That strange feeling kept haunting me as we headed toward the location marked on the map. I sensed that something wasn’t right with her. As a precaution, I felt I had to question her decision.

  After all, Mafi isn’t an ordinary gang — they’re a major group, ranked much higher than street or district gangs. They’re known for using firearms to take things from other gangs.

  I quickened my pace to walk beside Area.

  “Area,” I called softly, trying to get her attention. “Are you okay? If you’re not comfortable, we can talk about this.”

  She stopped, holding the map with both hands, her expression uncertain.

  “Area, are you sure about taking the job they gave us?”

  She spoke gently, “I don’t know. I’m not even sure myself. Should we really be taking a task from them? My heart’s racing, and I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” She stared at the map intently. “I honestly don’t want to do this,” she whispered. “The place… it’s quite far from the city. I can already sense danger coming.”

  I looked at her with concern. “If you don’t want to, why did you agree? We could’ve told him we didn’t want to take it.”

  She turned to me, her eyes locking with mine. “Adam, I didn’t have another choice. If I said no, I might never get another task from this neighborhood again. And… they’re strict. I have some connections with them.”

  “Connections? What do you mean?” I asked, a bit more firmly now. But I let it go and kept trying to reason with her. “You should look after yourself. Didn’t you say you didn’t want to get involved with any more gang trouble?”

  “I know. But…” Area paused.

  Her eyes drifted toward the ground, and a burdened smile crept onto her face — one I couldn’t quite understand. “That’s because you’ve never seen what I’ve seen before, Adam. You don’t know what people like them can do to you if you disobey.”

  I couldn’t say anything. There was something in her tone that made me realize—this wasn’t about choice for Area. It was about responsibility, one she felt forced to carry, even if she didn’t want to.

  Area had once signed a contract with Mafi, and she usually took on tasks assigned by various gangs as part of her work. I knew she often got involved with dangerous groups. It was risky for her to keep doing this alone. Still, Area’s instinct about the place we were headed felt deep—and strangely enough, I felt it too.

  Area let out a long sigh and opened the map again, her finger pointing at the marked location. “This place isn’t far, but we need to be careful. The neighborhood around this old house… it’s usually inactive.”

  I nodded slowly, understanding what she meant. “Alright, let’s get this done fast. The quicker we finish, the faster we’re out of this whole Mafi mess.”

  She smiled again, this time more sincerely. “Thank you, Adam. I knew you’d help.”

  Without wasting any more time, we started walking toward the location. But with every step, I couldn’t shake off the unease about what was waiting for us at that abandoned house. Area might have looked calm on the outside, but I knew she was worried too—and that made me even more cautious.