Chapter 31

Time check, 7:15 o'clock in the morning.

Chess found it amazing how time runs so fast. Earlier, the sun has yet to shine when Jill brought Peterson over. Now, the sun was already shining so bright as they drove through the busy highway.

Of course, it is Sunday. A busy day.

It might be a time-off of work and schools, but Sunday doesn't feel like rest day at all. Why? Because people considers going out or shopping as rest. They consider going out to spend money as rest. They consider running around, without lots of thoughts in mind, as rest.

Therefore, the busiest day of the week is Sunday.

Especially when families see this day as a family day.

Chess thought it would be nice to bring the orphan kids out, once in a while. The allowance he receives from the university is more than enough for himself, so he kind of saved up some money.

Maybe it's a part of the privilege of being a Pawn, but he really didn't have much to worry regarding expenses or accommodation.

While he was thinking of this, Peterson was already preparing for his runaway.

From here, there would be several numbers of crossroads. And when there are crossroads, there are traffic lights as well. He wanted to take opportunity of the traffic lights to run off.

He's making an aim for the red light.

Once they reach a crossroad, he planned on slowing down once the two other cars had already crossed the road. Of course, for it to happen, he needed high luck.

And it seems that luck is on his side today.

Peterson's grin widened when he saw the approaching traffic light. The countdown was already on twenty seconds. In his computation, with how fast they are currently driving and the distance of the cars, it would take ten seconds for them to reach the crossing lane. Then another five seconds for a car to completely cross to the other side.

Since there are two cars ahead, it would take ten seconds. The moment the car he's driving reach the lane, the light would already turn red. He would've no choice but to stop.

At least that's what he wanted the others to think.

If he runs away so rashly, it's possible that one of the motorcycles would come after him. That's why he'd make it look like he was held back by the traffic light and couldn't follow closely behind.

With that, the others wouldn't think that he ran away.

'Hehe, this is perfect.' Peterson thought.

Right at this moment, the first car who had Reis and Aoi on it had already started to cross the lane. The countdown had 8 seconds on it.

At 5 seconds, they already crossed to the other side and the second car, where the VIP is riding, is at the lane. At 2 seconds, they passed through the lane.

Peterson already started slowing down at that time. At the drop of 1, The VIP car was already in the middle of the crossroad while he was still on the lane.

At the count of zero, he was ready to step on the break.

However…

"W-what…"

He wasn't able to.

The lights didn't turn red. It remained orange even though the timer was already on zero.

Due to shock, he wasn't able to step on the break and had followed behind the car, completely crossing the road.

Peterson was speechless.

But after a few seconds, he heard a gasp beside him. He glanced at Chess who looked amazed, before getting back on driving. His hands were already dripping with sweat.

"Ah… never thought Cale could really pull it off." He murmured but was heard by Peterson.

Peterson's forehead crumpled as he continued driving, thinking of another way to escape. Maybe he'll just wait for another stop sign.

But that idea was completely crushed when he heard Chess's next words.

"He said he'd manipulate the traffic lights so no trouble could arise. Basically, he's making it so the cars can drive smoothly and keep the distance as it is."

Using the traffic lights to his advantage was no longer possible.

Peterson shuddered at the thought that a person could do that. Not to mention, Cale was one of the students he needed to spy on that university.

He's a student.

How can a student be this capable?

Peterson started to feel nervous more than ever.

His fingers started tapping the steering wheel in an anxious manner. Chess noticed this too.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Peterson glanced at his direction. And then, Chess smiled at him.

Once again, Peterson was deeply moved.

His courage increased when he saw that smile. He can never leave this pure and innocent person behind. He needed to do it now.

He would drive the car away now.

If the motorcycle did pursue him, he would just drive faster.

Yes. He'd do that.

Peterson's resolve was stronger than ever. His longing for his family and the willingness to save Chess built his courage to a whole new level.

He's ready.

The only thing he's left to do is to steer the car in a different direction. It was just a very simple task.

But then again…

He totally ignored the man behind because he thought he was sleeping.

It was his biggest mistake.

"Drive straight." The cold voice reached his ear.

Peterson stilled. He wasn't able to steer the wheel. He was left staring straight ahead as he felt something cold on his temple.

He slowly glanced at the rearview mirror.

And what he saw made him pale.

"If you're thinking of anything funny… then I advise you to stop."

A gun.

There's a gun on his forehead.

Goosebumps started rising all over Peterson's body. His hands turned cold and all the blood left his face.

Chess, on the other hand, peeked at Syn, who was now in an Indian sit. He wondered how Syn can sit and lie around like that. Even though the place looked too small for him, he showed no signs of discomfort.

"Your only job is to be a replacement and drive. After this, you can run away all you want. We wouldn't care." Syn sounded so casual while saying those words, but Peterson found hope in that.

"Y-you'll let me go?" he asked to make sure.

Syn looked back on him on the mirror. Peterson flinched and immediately returned his gaze on the road.

"What use do you have for us?" it was a rude answer, but Peterson felt happy.

He started smiling while still sweating.

He can leave. After this, he can still go back to his family. He wanted to escape because these people doesn't look like they would let someone like him go, but it seems that there was no need.

They'll let him go.

There was no need to escape. But then…

"Oh, I'm glad. You should go back to your family and find a decent job. Don't take anonymous jobs like spying anymore."

He heard that gentle person's voice.

He turned his head towards Chess's direction. He saw his smile once again.

It was so kind.

He wanted to bring him away too… if he can, he would.

With that thought, he looked once again at Syn from the rearview mirror. His eyes met Syn's empty gaze. Peterson flinched. He debated whether he should ask him if he could take chess with him or not. He glanced once more at Chess, who was back on staring outside the window.

Peterson really found Chess innocent and pure.

But an innocent person wouldn't act so calm if they saw a gun being pointed at someone right beside them. He looked like he didn't even mind seeing a gun.

How can a person like this be pure and innocent?

However, Peterson never thought of this. So in the end, he started to part his lips to try and ask if he can bring Chess along with him.

"I… I want to---"

"You have no say in this."

"…pardon?"

Peterson was cut off right away.

He glanced at Syn who was still pointing the barrel of the gun on his temple. Syn looked cruel when he stared back.

"Whether you like it or not, we would let you go. On the other note, whether you like it or not, I can pull the trigger if I wanted to."

Peterson shuddered at his words. His hands started trembling.

The window is heavily tinted. No one can see what was going inside.

The place felt so small for Peterson. He was suffocating. He can't breathe well. He wanted to faint.

Even when Syn finally put down his gun, Peterson still felt like choking.

"I'm telling you that you have no say in this. You can't request anything of us. You can't ask anything of us. All you can do is stay quiet, do your job, and leave. That is, if you still want to live." Syn's words were piercing right through Peterson.

His courage dropped in an instant. His resolve was broken so easily.

He can do nothing but glance at Chess who just gave a smile in return.

He wanted to curse. His conscience was killing him.

How could he leave this person behind? How could he be so heartless, only thinking about his life?

These people are dangerous.

If he left this innocent person behind, he would become tainted just like them. He would be crazy just like them.

He hated that idea.

However…

"…Yes. I'll… I'll just do my job and leave."

His family is waiting for him.

His family is more important than any other stranger, innocent or not.

He can't save this person and then put his life at risk. Who would take care of his family if he died? Who would look after his children?

No one.

That's why, all he could do is purse his lips as he continued driving, following behind the VIP car.

'I'm sorry… I'm really sorry.'