"So you're trying to tell me that you saw a young boy pass by us?" Reese asked for the umpteenth time since we found a hideout beneath the staircase leading to the other half of the dock closest to the water.
"Yes Reese, haven't you been listening to me?" I groaned not taking my eyes off the entrance of the supposed building we saw in the picture given to us as a tip.
"I mean, it sounds creepy. Seeing someone no one sees, you know?" He replied sighing.
To be honest, I wasn't typically scared of ghosts anymore. Hell, I've kissed one and almost asked him to take me in the parlour. So far, I've only seen two ghosts, Amelia and Ethan. Three actually, if I added the boy I just saw.
"I mean, of course my heart will skip a beat but he didn't look violent at all. Amelia didn't look or act violent. I feel they just need my help" I said glancing at Reese.
"I wasn't able to see Amelia anymore after we found her killer. I feel this boy is going to be connected to this case" I concluded as I brought my phone out of my pocket.
"What's the time?" Reese asked still paying attention to the building entrance.
"It's 9:45, I didn't know we've been out here for a while" I replied stuffing my phone back into my pocket.
"We were too focused to even realize, I-" Reese began as he was interrupted by a silhouette walking out of the building.
"Do you see that?" Reese whispered moving closer to me.
"Yeah" I answered simply trying to peer inside the dark building the stranger entered into.
Reese and I were silent. Any slight noise would implicate us or worse have us killed before we can say Jack. We watched as the stranger began to turn on the lights inside the building making everything bright and easy to see from our spot.
"I think he's getting ready for the shipments to arrive" Reese said glancing at me.
"We should get ready to move over there then. Once we see the shipment being moved, we need to rush over there in 10 seconds and try and knock down any security men sent to assist those who are delivering it." I suggested waiting for the sign for us to start moving.
"I see them" Reese signalled at the two security men coming out of the building and closer to the water.
"Knock them out and hide them behind the building, got it" Reese chanted to himself as we waited for the two men to walk further.
"Now" I whispered as Reese and I ran round the building to the back.
"We can see them better now" I said warming up to smoothly get behind them without their notice.
The two men were talking to themselves as they focused on the ship moving towards them. This was the best time to knock them out so before the ship stops we'd be assumed as the security waiting for them.
"Go" I commanded as Reese and I walked swiftly behind them. Before they could notice any body around them, I held the guy directly in front of me and squeezed. 'One hand on his throat, another on his head, then squeeze ' I said repeating Ethan's words my head. After few seconds of struggling, I felt his body go limp on mine. Looking at Reese, he already had the man unconscious on his chest.
Nodding to each other, we struggled with moving the bodies till we dropped the men behind the building.
"Let's check for any keys or something that can help us hmm?" Reese suggested as he began to search the bodies.
"What about their guns?" I asked looking at the gun hanging on their waists.
"We take them, we have to play the part right?" He replied taking the gun from one as he turned on the safety and hung it on his waist too. Copying what he did, we were both ready to 'act the part'.
"How did you learn how to knock someone out. We've not had any training regarding that in a while. and that was before you even started working here" Reese inquired with unbridled curiosity in his gaze as he stared at me.
"Someone taught me how to do so recently" I replied reminiscing about the nice moment Ethan and I had this morning.
"Interesting. So it's the same person that you started eating breakfast for right?" he asked trying his hardest to mask the smirk forming on his face.
"Yeah, why? " I countered as I took a deep breath to avoid any emotional leakage on my face. I stared at him with a deadpan expression.
"Oh nothing, just asking " he answered looking ahead as the ship got closer. After his answer, we both stayed quiet till the Stevedores began offloading boxes with 'fragile' written in bold red ink across them.
"Good morning" two of the workers greeted as they approached us.
"Morning" Reese replied with a stiff nod.
"We'll just help you drop the package inside the building and we'll be out of your hair" One of them said, signalling the other to help him move the trolley.
Leading them inside the building, we finally got a good view of the place. It was an open space with few tables arranged in rows and columns.
"Looks like a class in here" I whispered to Reese as we walked deeper into the building.
"I was thinking the same thing too. The only difference is that there are no chairs to sit on" he replied quietly.
"Is it okay here?" One of the men asked stopping the trolley behind all the tables.
"Yes it is, thank you" Reese replied as we waited for them to leave us.
"You both seem new" he said looking at both of us with caution in his eyes.
"We just started working here today, did we make any mistakes?" I lied with a worried expression. Noticing that I was very nervous, the other man answered.
"No no, it's just that the usual workers always check the package as soon as it leaves the ship" he said shrugging.
"Oh, our bad. We'll be sure to keep that in mind" Reese answered as they both walked off.
" That was close" I said releasing the breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"I know right, this is a deadly game we're playing " Reese commented trying to shield the fear that was seeping in.
"Let's take pictures. We still need hard evidence if we are to report it to the authorities." I suggested as I took my phone out and took snapshots of the environment and the packages. Immediately I put my phone back into my pocket, I heard footsteps from behind us.
"What are you both doing here?" A man asked waiting for us to turn towards him.
"We just assisted the dock men in offloading the package Sir" I asked turning to face him. Reese noticing that we had to lie our way out, faced the man confidently.
" Do I know you two?" he asked again tilting his head to the side.
"No sir, we just started today. Carlos assigned us here to assist before he passed away" Reese replied looking at the floor.
"You fellas don't have to feel bad about the old bastard dying, it was overdue" he answered bringing out a cigarette and lighter from his pocket.
"Since you both are new, I'll introduce myself." He started walking closer as Reese and I put our hands behind our backs in 'respect'.
"I'm Otto, but sir to you. I'm in charge of this pitiful place. I'm also in charge of the boys who should arrive any moment from now" he continued checking his watch.
"You both are to observe for today to avoid any unnecessary accidents and mistakes then from tomorrow, you'd be assigned to a place. Clear?" He asked putting the cigarette in between his lips lighting it and taking a few long puffs.
"Very clear Sir" Reese and I replied in unison.
"Good. In the meantime, you both are expected to guard the environment to avoid any unwanted personnel." He concluded tapping both of us on our shoulders.
Leaving the building, Reese and I decided to go separate ways to cover more ground.
After walking for a while, I realized that the place I found myself was more secluded than the others. Stopping to take a deep breath, I heard him.
"You're looking for me right?" The voice asked as I turned to it.
"I knew you could see me. You're the first yunno" he continued as I studied his features. He really didn't look a day older than 17.
" What are you doing here?, You don't seem like one of them" he asked moving closer.
" I'm trying to tear down the business from the inside" I answered truthfully.
" I'll help but in exchange, you need to get my brother out of here safely" he negotiated.
Accepting his terms, I asked just one question.
"What's your name?" I asked gently
"Sam" he answered simply