Chapter 7 The Negotiation

I was sat right in front of the door, hugging my knees. I was really there, trapped in a strange and mysterious place that I had never known about before.I had been trying to solve the mystery of David's disappearance, but I had never realised that he had a place as secretive as this. All the bad articles about him didn't mention this place.

I looked around. There was a brown table that I didn't know what it was for, a broken clock on the wall, a small window vent that I couldn't reach, and a quiet room. I couldn't hear anything from outside other than my own breathing.To me, this room was more like a place where people were kept before being kidnapped.

In the corner, I spotted a tiny red dot: the CCTV camera. Its light was on, showing that it was switched on. Damn! He was watching me. I felt like a victim of kidnapping.

Would my fate be the same as the children whose names were written on those files? My thoughts were full of worry and confusion.I thought of how those children cried in fear and pain as their organs were taken from their bodies.How could this case not be solved by the police since 2019? How come the rumours of illegal business spread by the media have not been proved true? How come we as journalists missed so many things? This has truly been the most difficult case of my journalistic career.

For me, David is an enigma and a threat. Nothing he has said can be taken as an indication of his innocence or guilt. But his threat to kill me and make me disappear gave me goosebumps. Especially when I looked into his eyes, which seemed to say the truth.

".... and if you tell the world what you saw, you will be in danger." David's words echoed in my head. I got goose bumps. This wasn't some big screen drama I'd seen, this was more than that. This was real.

I glanced at the CCTV again. The little red light was still on. Slowly I raised my hand and waved at the camera. I was signalling that I wanted to pee. I stared meaningfully into the camera lens, hoping someone would pick up on the signal.

I waited a few seconds. My heart was beating fast, as if counting the time that was passing too slowly. My eyes remained glued to the CCTV camera in the corner of the room, hoping for some reaction that would give me a clue that there was someone behind the screen.

But there was nothing. No sound, no sign that anyone was watching me.

A moment later the door opened, the sound of 'click' echoing through the room. I turned to see a bodyguard enter and gesture to let me out.

"Where's David?" I asked as I approached. He was big, muscular and taller than me, so I had to look up to speak to him.

"Somewhere, Ma'am."

"Where?" I asked again, curious. But the bodyguard didn't answer. "Is he watching me on the CCTV?" I guessed confidently.

I stared at the bodyguard in front of me, hoping to get something out of him. But he was still standing stiffly, like an expressionless statue.

"All right! You don't want to answer." I exhaled harshly. "Where's the toilet?"

The man pointed to the main door of the room. We both walked out of the room and I followed him. The bathroom was down the hall to the left.

As I reached the bathroom door and grabbed the handle, I could feel the man's gaze still watching me. I turned my head slightly, trying to read his expression, but he was just standing there, watching me.

I took a deep breath and walked into the bathroom. As soon as the door closed, I looked around. There was a small mirror above the sink, and a small window above it, but it seemed to be closed tightly. Water dripped slowly from the tap, making a faint sound that seemed louder in the silence.

I glanced at the side of the toilet to make sure no CCTV was watching me. Then I took out the map I had in my pocket.

The main path seemed to lead to the big exit at the front, but that was too risky. David might be there and the guards would be watching him closely. I flicked my eyes to the other side of the map, looking for something more plausible. But there wasn't. The only way out was through the front door.

Shit! What was this place made for!

I put the map back in my bag. Before I could get out, I heard footsteps. Slow, steady. Not the voice of the man who had brought me here, it was lighter but had a definite rhythm.

"She's inside, sir!" His voice came clearly from behind the door. I opened the door to find David standing there. His hands were tucked into his trousers, as if he was waiting for me to come out of the toilet.

I didn't hear the taps running. He questioned me. His voice was calm, but the look on his face was like he knews something.

I turned to the sink and turned the tap on. "I forgot to switch it on," I said, trying to sound calm. I scooped up the water with both hands and washed my face, hoping to hide the nervousness.

David didn't answer immediately. He just stood there, watching me. I could feel him looking at me, trying to work out if I was being honest.I took a deep breath, then looked back at him.

"Why? do you think I did something suspicious?"

"Yeah, didn't you?"

"I... didn't. What do you mean?"

He immediately held out his hand, "Give it to me."

"What?"

"The map."

Oh, damn! How did he know?

"What do you mean?" I asked, trying to sound as calm as possible.

He sighed. He looked annoyed, but he didn't seem angry enough to scold me. "Give me the map." He said each word clearly.

His eyes narrowed. He knew I was trying to be evasive.In an instant, he stepped closer, almost touching me. I could feel the tension in the air. "Don't make it difficult," he said in a warning tone."Give me the map, or I'll take it myself, by force."

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the map. He took it without a word, then read every line and symbol scratched into it. His face remained flat, but I could see his jaw clenching.

"Listen, Hanna. I'm giving you time to think about our negotiations. Not to find a way out of here." He said flatly as he folded the map into the smallest crease. "You're not going anywhere until you agree to my demands."

"David," I grabbed his arm just before he took a step.

He turned to me.

"I will remain silent." I replied a little hesitantly, trying to reassure David. "I will forget this place and these files." I swallowed, trying to make a careful statement. "I won't tell anyone about those files. I promise."

He scanned my face intently, his eyes sharp as if they could penetrate my mind. "Are you sure?"

"I'm serious," I repeated, this time in a more confident voice. "I don't care about the files. I just want to leave."

He was clearly still looking at me in a way I couldn't understand.

"I can change the article, David. I can pretend I don't know anything about you and the rumours. I promise."

He paused, as if thinking. While I held my breath, I tried to read his reaction.I didn't know if my words were enough to reassure her or if they would make him even more suspicious.

"So, do you accept my negotiation?"

I nodded firmly. "Yes."

He sighed. Then, in slow motion, he stepped closer. "Listen," his voice was deep, almost a whisper. "I told you, if you don't keep your promise... we're both doomed." I looked at him, trying to read his expression, and he looked serious. "Our lives depend on you."

I could see he was dead serious, and it started to scare me.