Chapter 2

UNWANTED PARTNERS

Sirens screamed through the night.

Flashing red and blue lights painted the streets as Pond’s car skidded to a halt near the crowded marketplace.

People were running.

Some shouting. Some frozen.

Fear spreads faster than fire.

MARKETPLACE – NIGHT:-

Pond stepped out first—gun already in hand, eyes scanning everything.

“Clear the area!” he shouted. “Move back!”

Phuwin followed, clutching his laptop, gaze sharp—not panicked.

Different battlefield.

Same intensity.

Dunk’s voice came through...

“You’re 90 seconds ahead of detonation—maybe less.”

Pond muttered, “Great timing.”

Phuwin was already moving.

“This way.”

Pond frowned. “You don’t even know where—”

“I do,” Phuwin cut in.

No hesitation.

He ran toward a row of small shops.

Pond followed.

INSIDE A SMALL ELECTRONICS SHOP

Lights flickering.

A faint ticking sound.

Phuwin stopped.

“There.”

Behind the counter.

A bag.

Ordinary.

Too ordinary.

Pond crouched, carefully unzipping it.

Inside—

Wires. Timer. Multiple triggers.

“Damn…”

Phuwin knelt beside him, opening his laptop instantly.

“Don’t touch anything yet.”

Pond gave him a look. “I’ve done this before.”

Phuwin didn’t look up.

“And I’ve seen bombs you haven’t.”

Pond exhaled slowly.

“Fine. Talk.”

Phuwin scanned the device through a portable reader.

His fingers moved fast.

Too fast.

“You were right,” Pond said quietly. “Chain system?”

Phuwin nodded.

“If this goes off, it triggers the others.”

Pond’s jaw tightened. “So we stop this one.”

“No.”

Pond turned. “What?”

Phuwin looked up.

“If we cut the wrong wire, it accelerates the signal.”

“We don’t stop it.”

Pond’s voice dropped.

“Then what do we do?”

Phuwin held his gaze.

“We delay it.”

Pond leaned back slightly.

“Tell me how.”

Outside Marketplace:-

Joong arrived with backup.

His eyes scanned the building.

“Status.”

Dunk replied,

“They’re inside. Timer active.”

Joong’s expression hardened.

“Trust them.”

Back Inside Marketplace:-

Sweat rolled down Phuwin’s temple.

“Okay… listen carefully.”

Pond leaned closer.

Closer than necessary.

Phuwin could feel it.

But he didn’t react.

“See this circuit?” Phuwin pointed.

“If you cut here, it won’t stop—but it’ll slow the trigger by 3 minutes.”

Pond studied it.

“And you’re sure?”

Phuwin met his eyes.

“No.”

Pond almost smirked.

“Honest.”

Phuwin added softly—

“But it’s our best chance.”

The ticking grew louder.

Dunk: “You have 40 seconds!”

Pond picked up the cutter.

Paused.

Then—

“Phuwin.”

A rare softness in his voice.

“If this goes wrong—”

Phuwin interrupted.

“It won’t.”

Their eyes locked.

Something shifted.

Not trust.

But the beginning of it.

SNIP.

Silence.

One second.

Two.

Three.

The timer slowed.

Dunk shouted through—

“It worked! Timer reset—3 minutes!”

Pond exhaled.

For the first time since arriving.

Phuwin leaned back slightly.

Relief—but controlled.

“We’re not done.”

Pond stood up.

“Then let’s finish it.”

The bomb squad rushed in.

Joong watched as Pond and Phuwin walked out.

Together.

Alive.

Joong raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Impressive.”

Pond glanced at Phuwin.

“He’s useful.”

Phuwin responded calmly—

“You’re reckless.”

Dunk laughed through the intercoms.

“Oh, this is going to be fun.”

As the chaos settled—

Pond looked at Phuwin again.

Not with doubt.

Not anymore.

“With me,” Pond said.

Not an order.

Not a request.

Something in between.

Phuwin nodded.

“Always.”

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***