The Reality Of It All | BSD | (Reader Insert)

The Revolution

"How can you call him an old friend if you can't even remember his name?"

The man stopped laughing. "Like I already said. Old friend." Emphasizing the last statement. "I'm not talking about his age, although he is in his elderly age.

"Please sir, on with it." Mr. Santoka was growing hasty. It was having an impact on me because I was also growing impatient myself.

"Alright fine. I'll tell you why I came. I know one of you know where that book is hiding. Come out clean then maybe I'll spare you all."

No one said a word. Suddenly everyone in the background grew mute or was erased. I gripped the back frame of the sofa Francis was sitting on.

"No? So if that's how we're going to play," the facetiousness left his voice.

"Then fine. I have no problem dropping the Moby Dick on Yokohama-"

"How about we offer something else? Something just as valuable as that book."

"Oh? What's that I hear? Something more valuable than the book?"

"Yes, we'll offer you the finest material we have. Silk textiles!"

The sniffled laugh rose from the man's throat.

"Silk, silk! Oh yes! You're not lying about that part! It sure is rich in both its history and its fabric, but I'm going to have to kindly decline that offer."

"B-but sir! You can convert it up to one thousand U.S. currency!"

"That's true, but I'm the richest man in the world. Besides, why would we need silk if we had been trading with China longer than Yokohama, hmm?"

He has a point there. Santoka looked like he ran out of ideas as the real fear settled on his slightly visible sagging face.

"Do you really want to do this? What would Zelda or your child think of you? Destroying another country just to selfishly take something, only for it to fall in the wrong hands."

The air was constricted until it felt like we were in space—no oxygen and not the same gravity to pull us down from the heaviness of the tension.

"No, I think they'll approve of this. I'm only doing what's best for the family. I have to do this."

There was passion in the man's voice. The overly put up jovial demeanor succumbed to an unknown side of this man.

"Is it really necessary to put everyone in danger because of the passing of your family? I'm sorry what you've gone through, I mean it, but you can't just put yourself before-"

"I always put others before myself! Why do you think I'm here?!"

The flying spit landed on my face. Out of disgust, I wiped it down using my thumb and swiped it on my pant leg.

"Sorry, but we can't let you do that. It's against moral code."

"Then I'll take whatever means by force."

Francis pulled out a remote from his pant pocket and pushed the red button. In an instant, a turbine of an aircraft's blades spun in full rotation above the building. Bits of rumble from the ceiling of the building rained down until the a circular cut fell on top of the floor. People close by dodged away quickly in time. Leaning above were four people who emerged from the top standing on a descending ladder made out of rope.

"Glad to see you safe Francis!" A man in blue overalls with its left side hanging loose, wore brown urban boots, and a brown newsboy hat called.

The man shot us all a look of deceit and a cunning smile before shooting two fingers that represent 'adios'.

"I'll be back soon, but don't worry. I always get what I want."

The man booster jumped into the air just within reach to grab onto the latter before the Moby Dick took off. I heard Mr. Santoka cursed under his breath.

"Dammit! I can't believe we let them get away!"

"No, we'll catch up to them. This is only the beginning."

"Don't forget we have cameras all over Yokohama sir. We should have no trouble tracking them down."

"I'll keep a close eye on them and let you in on everything."

Ango turned to me. "There's someone I think would help you."

A look of hope overcame my stoic look. "Really? Who?"

Ango's eyes told me more than he wanted to say. Why was he holding back?

"Nevermind. You'll see him yourself."

"Hey, why are you hesitating? It sounded very important."

I could tell Ango didn't want to share anymore from the passive body language he radiated as he went to the control room.

"Ango," I pressurized. "Tell me, please."

"You see, I don't know if he can be truly trusted. He has a tendency to be duplicitous in his words and actions and you wouldn't know who I was talking about."

I gritted against my teeth.

"Stubborn ass."

But the door closed behind me.