Chapter 63 Don't Make Any Sound

"Harriet?"
"Mmmmm..."
"Harriet?"
I slowly opened my eyes and rubbed them, the cold made my fingers numb.
I stretched my body and yawned, thinking it must be already morning and bright outside but when I look out the window, the moon is still peeking from it into the cloudless sky, the stars thinking like nothing else is wrong in this world. I shifted to feel both my legs which are now growing numb by sleeping in a curled position, sitting against Jayson who is now caressing the cold skin of my cheek.
"W-what happened? Is there something wrong?" I whispered to him, remembering the thing that threatens our safety in this place. And then I remembered the gangster guys and my eyes widened, trying to bring back my composure and become more aware of my surroundings.
Jayson didn't answer at first, seems like he was hesitating about the idea that came to his mind. My throat feels so dry from the cold and I have to muffle my coughing with my jacket just to not make too much noise that might be heard from the people on the first floor. The snoring was still loud and they all appeared like sleeping soundly, not minding the danger that might come.
"Jayson?"
He lowered his head, looking a little troubled by the idea in his mind and I am starting to worry. The worst thing in my head is, he might be thinking of attacking these men who are sleeping so well and killing all of them before they'll find out we're all here and kill us all.
He looked at me and I felt his hand hold mine. I was startled to feel the coldness on it but it faded as seconds passed, and his warmth comforted the emerging fear in my chest as I looked back at him, his face looking so pale and his eyes looking glassy under the pale light of the moon.
"It's just that I am thinking that we must leave this place before these men wake up. We can't guarantee they won't look in this spot when they wake up, Harriet. We have to move while they are sleeping like logs on the first floor. It's the chance I know. I can't guarantee they'll be open for negotiation if they find us here." Jayson whispered to me, his voice having the edge of fear and panic, his eyes moving rapidly looking at my face like the presence of these people terrify him a lot. He must know them very well to be so wary like this.
"We can go and threaten them first. We can just tie them up so they won't get to us while we drive towards the borderline of this Zone." I answered him, squeezing my hands on his to calm him down. But his trembling didn't stop.
"These men, Harriet, are not humans. They were all raised to kill. To obey what their masters tell them to do. They're like killing machines, ready to strike down their target without second thoughts, Harriet. There was a time when my former boss gave me a mission together with these men. They even kill babies..."
Horrified, I covered my mouth with my hand that is not holding Jayson's hand. He doesn't look at me though. His eyes are full of shame from the life he had as he reminisces all of it, the pain etched on his face. He propped his forehead on his knees, closing his eyes. I could see all the regret on it, the faces that he must be seen from all those people he killed because of his former job.
I don't know what kind of exact words to tell Jayson, or if any words would even be enough to pacify the terror of the memories in his mind. All I could do was squeeze his hand, knowing I am just here for him and he doesn't have to face it all alone. He turned his head to look at me and I gave him a small smile, telling him that everything will be alright and we will survive all of it.
"I love you, Harriet..."
His words surprised me.
It feels like the world stopped turning as I stare at his green eyes. His face looks so solemn and I can't hide my face from blushing. My face suddenly felt hot despite the cold temperature of the room, as I watched his face leaning down on me, his lips looking tender and pinkish.
Our lips were just inches away when Li suddenly spoke while sleeping. "I heard that!"
Me and Jayson's eyes widened as we heard Li's voice, a loud snort from the first floor where the gangsters were sleeping sounded like gunfire in my ears. But then Li went back to sleep, still looking drunk and the loud snorting from down the first floor went into snoring again, making me and Jayson sigh in relief. He nodded at me, giving me a signal that we have to move now while we still have the chance to escape.
I quickly moved to shake Roanie and Mona's shoulders, waking them up and putting my finger on my lips, telling them not to make any noise. They squinted at me and remembered the situation we are in, both their eyes widened in terror despite them still feeling sleepy.
"Go get the things you can carry and go straight to the car. Never make any noise, you understand?" I whispered to them and they both nodded at me, quickly but silently took their things and the equipment they could carry in their arms. I did the same so I could lead them both down the first floor safely, and to make sure they won't make any kind of noise that will wake the dangerous people or we will all be dead while trying to escape.
I led the way down the first floor, thankfully, the second was made with concrete and what worries me is the lobby, which makes squeaking and popping sounds. The only way I thought to avoid it is to take off our shoes and walk in socks as we carefully get out of the building. It sucks that this facility has no exit or back door.
The girls are excellent at sneaking down the first floor. Their moves are graceful as well as careful not to make any sound. I, Mona, and Roanie made a victorious exit from the building and the three of us ran as fast as we could towards the car, putting the things in there with extra care to still not make any noise.
I look back at the building and think if I should get back to help Jayson and the others. Li and Timothy still have no idea what is going on plus Li looks like he's not yet sobered up from the brandy he had drunk and I'm scared these boys might do something that will make us all in great trouble.
I took a pistol with a suppressor from the car and cocked it. I was about to step away from the car and go inside the building when Roanie stopped me by grabbing me on my shoulder, her face panic-stricken, scared that only she and Mona will be left here in the car.
"Please don't leave us here, Harriet. I'm too scared. One of their men might see us here and I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to protect Mona all by myself." She hissed at me, her brows angled upward and I understood how she felt.
I don't know how I'll make them feel that they're safe here when even I could still feel the tension as we all hope that those men won't wake up while Jayson moves with the two.
My heart was beating fast and I could feel the pulsing of my temple, heightened by the adrenaline rushing in my veins. It's like the pulse on my head is like the ticking of the clock in seconds, my eyes staring sharply at the edge of the wall where I am expecting them to appear. I don't want to be so pessimist but my ears are sensitively listening to any sound, which will give me no choice but to run towards Jayson and the others, in case the plan won't work.
I can't remember how many times I sighed and exhaled, trying to calm my nerves down. Mona and Roanie are anxiously waiting inside the car and I sit outside, leaning against it with the pistol in my hand. The night is so silent that I feel like even a pin drop may sound like an explosion in my ear.
I heard a crackling and rustling sound coming from the other side of the wall, and perplexed, I moved to point the gun at whoever was coming. I could hear the ringing in my ear, the dryness of my throat, and the fast beating of my heart, my hand trembling in suspense as I waited on whoever would appear from the other side of the wall.