ORGÁNOSI I: Broken Mask

ANTECEDENT: CHAPTER 49

TRIGGER WARNING: This scene contains graphic violence and disturbing content. Reader discretion is advised.

ANTECEDENT: CHAPTER 49

EVEN FROM the cell in the basement, Claud could hear the loud gunshots above the ground. Without a shadow of a doubt, he knew it was his boss coming to rescue him.

And as much as he wanted to move and meet his boss, Claud couldn't move his bruised body, that was screaming at him because of mind-numbing pain.

All he could do was sit on the metal chair and remained immobile. Even groaning in pain and breathing was difficult.

The closer the gunshots came, the shallower his breaths became, each gasp a struggle against the intense agony on his back and side.

And that was the sorry state Claud was in when Midnight found him.

Claud was battered and bruised. His hands and feet were covered with his own blood—his fingers and toenails had been forcedly ripped off. Midnight's breathing become stagnant, and his chest tightened as a cold, unrelenting rage settled within him.

Earlier, he decided to only hurt and kill anyone who dared to do the same to him. But seeing Claud's state, it wasn't just anger that he was feeling. It was the kind of fury that burned slow and lethal.

Midnight calmly pressed his earpiece and spoke. "Parisi, whoever is still alive, keep them alive for me."

"Alright."

Midnight opened the cell's door that was not even locked and walked over to Claud. Slowly and with care, he freed him from the chains and carefully steady his body that went slump on the chair after the chains dropped to the dirty floor.

Midnight heard Claud groan, as if to acknowledge his presence.

Midnight carefully carried Claud's almost lifeless body. "I'm here. I will make them pay for what they did to you." His voice carried a promise of vengeance for every drop of blood Claud had spilled. "I'm sorry."

Walking out of the basement while carrying Claud, one of Monti's subordinates came to protect him while he takes Claud's body to their designated extraction point.

After depositing Claud's body in the van, he went in and recalled his first aid and rescue training before meticulously following them with the use of a kit inside the van.

Afterwards, Midnight, who was covered in the blood of his opponents, stared at Claud and patted his head.

His big brother always does that, and he felt comfort in it. He wanted Claud to feel the same. "It's okay now. I'm here. You'll be okay."

Claud couldn't move, but he could hear Midnight. He could also hear his fury combined with worry. And amidst the unbearable pain, he remembered the first time they met.

They were also in the same situation, although at that time, Midnight was rescuing Chaos Aronov and he was an enemy. But now, he was the one being rescued.

I have come a long way, Claud thought. Despite the excruciating agony he was experiencing; he was delighted that his boss did not abandon him.

And Claud slowly let the darkness consumed him with a relieved heart.

When Claud came awake, he was in a room hooked up to different medical equipments. He was intubated, the plastic tube cold against his lips, and the oxygen mask felt heavy on his face. He couldn't move and his body was screaming in pain, but only his eyes could roam around the room, looking for something—someone.