The Black Swan Behind (Beauty of Fire)

63 Behind the Black Helmet

Once there, Roger parked the dark blue sedan. Again and again, he tried to regulate his breathing so that his heart could beat more calmly. As he should be, Roger was very scared. He knew what he was facing would be more difficult than he imagined. But his love for Poppy gave him strength for the umpteenth time.

Roger took a backpack and a metal baseball bat from the back seat. In the pocket of his jacket, he kept the floor plan of the Hell Gate headquarters building that was given by the informant he had paid dearly at that time. Then, the guy with blue eyes got out of the car and crept toward the back of the building.

Even though it was very cold, Roger waited near the ships’ spare parts warehouse until 1:00 in the morning. At that time, there should be no more activity in the building. All the members must have gone to bed because tomorrow was Sunday, where they actually have more work on the weekend.

Roger’s feet felt almost frozen. He continued to stare at the front gate of the building, waiting for Poppy to come out. But until 1:30 in the morning, there was no sign of anyone leaving the building.

Roger felt a dilemma. If he made a fuss when Poppy was around, it might end up getting the girl in trouble. Roger didn’t want people to know that the reason he attacked the server was to help Poppy.

‘Looks like Poppy’s staying there.’ Roger thought with a frustrated face. If he postponed his action today, he might not get the same opportunity for a second time. As the informant had said, this was a golden opportunity, where only half of the group’s members remained in the office.

Finally, Roger made up his mind. He would continue. Luckily, Roger had a ski mask in his backpack just in case. He would hide his identity so that Donny, who was most likely with Poppy inside, wouldn’t recognize him whose whole head was covered in a mask like a thief, with only holes on his eyes, nose and mouth.

Actually, the later the better. Roger peeked from the dump near the back door. It seemed the guards were already looking sleepy. They covered themselves tightly under their jackets for the cold air that felt to pierce their bones.

Roger crept closer to three men much taller than him, who were sitting leisurely with their backs to him. Then..

.....

BUGH!

A swinging baseball bat hit one of the guards in the back of his head making him instantly collapse. Immediately, the other two men jumped up and swiftly attacked Roger who looked like a thief.

Roger got into his original stance, then swung his bat again. But basically, he wasn’t good at fighting and his knees were shaking now. So, after several times he managed to hit the two men, now his bat bounced into a pile of snow after his hand was hit by a kick from one of the guards.

Roger groaned in pain at his wrist. He immediately ran towards his metal baseball bat which had been thrown a few meters away. But before he could reach the object, a kick landed on his back, causing him to fall forward.

A laugh rang out from the two men who were already standing very close behind him.

“Do we need to report to the chief that there’s an intruder?” The man who had kicked Roger in the back asked his partner. He had a thin beard on his face.

His partner chuckled, “Are you kidding me? They’re going to laugh at us for making a fuss over a sewer rat like him.”

“Damn it! How could a thief as stupid as you dare target the Hell Gate base? Are you new around here?” The man with the beard laughed.

“Never mind. I’m too lazy to deal with a rat like him. I want to drink hot coffee. Let’s just finish him now,” Said his partner.

“Sure.. You just finish him. I’ll help Robby,” He pointed his thumb backwards at another man who had fallen from Roger’s hit.

As the two men chatted, Roger managed to reach for his bat, then quickly got back on his feet. He immediately swung his bat again at the man in front of him. But unfortunately, he lost the speed of the man. With ease, Roger’s leg was grabbed by the man until he fell again.

“Idiot.. Looks like you don’t have a brain, huh?” The man muttered as he grabbed Roger’s bat. Then, he swung it towards the masked guy’s head, which didn’t even interest him to see his true identity.

Roger couldn’t dodge because his waist and right arm were being restrained with the man’s foot.

‘Shit! He’s so strong! Why am I so weak?!’ He screamed in his heart as he closed his eyes, preparing to receive a hit. Not even finished completing one step yet, it turned out that Roger had failed to save Poppy. Yes.. he was that weak.

Roger was still waiting for the blow to land on his head, but strangely, he still didn’t feel the pain he was waiting for. Could it be that he had actually been hit, but was now in dreamland for having fainted immediately after receiving the blow?

BUGH! BUGH! CRASH!

Roger was surprised to hear the sound of the hitting of blunt object. He also felt the foot that had been stepping on his body had been moved. Surprised, he opened his eyes and found the man who was about to hit him, was already lying unconscious right next to his feet.

Roger’s eyes immediately looked a few meters ahead and found there was a brief fight between the remaining man and another man wearing a full-face helmet and all-black clothes. Roger couldn’t believe his eyes. It was the same mysterious man who had helped him and the other losers in the campus warehouse.

Roger immediately got to his feet before picking up his bat again. He limped hesitantly towards the helmeted man who had just easily knocked the last guard man down.

The helmeted man stood still, staring at Roger who was slowly approaching him. Roger couldn’t see anything behind the pitch-black helmet. Even the man was a little shorter than him. Roger wondered how such a small man could be so powerful.

“W-who are you?” asked Roger with a bat ready to strike. But he did not receive an answer.

“We have to hide. I won’t hurt you,” Said the man in the helmet. His voice sounded like a robot. Roger knew right away that the man was wearing a very good sound masking device. Was he a government spy?

There were several large drums near the door that fishermen usually used to store sardines. But it seemed like they were just accessories to make Hell Gate’s headquarters building really look like a frozen seafood company’s office.

The man in the helmet pulled Roger to hide behind the drums. Fortunately, the guards were defeated before they could report the intruder to the security centre team. Now, no one knew that the back door, which was used for throwing the trash only, had now been hijacked.

Although feeling very confused, Roger did not refuse to follow the mysterious man who pulled him to squat there. The man’s eyes widened as he took off his black helmet.

It turned out he wasn’t a man as Roger had thought. Behind the helmet was a girl with beautiful light brown eyes. Her a little bit messy ponytail from being stroked by a helmet moved to the rhythm of the strong wind.

“E-Emma?” The guy with two blue irises stuttered.

Emma nodded, “We have to hurry, Roger. We don’t have much time to hear my explanation.”

“H-how is that possible..? Y-You’re Emma Hilland?” The man muttered still in disbelief.

Emma let out a long sigh. Of course, Roger would be surprised at the fact that the person behind the helmet was Emma Hilland who had made his life uneasy on campus.

“Roger. I know this is unbelievable. As you have witnessed by yourself, well.. here I am. I’m not just a ballet girl. But I have martial arts skills too. And, what you have in mind is true. The person who helped you and your friends in the warehouse that time was me.” Emma explained.

“They’re not my friends,” Roger said in a mumble. Then, he removed the cloth mask that covered his entire head, “So you’re stalking me? Why are you doing this, Emma? I told you not to meddle in my business. You won’t get anything but harm. Actually, why are you doing this?” He growled.

Emma was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly, “You’re wrong, Roger.”

“What?” The guy furrowed his brow.

Emma looked into Roger’s eyes sharply, “I don’t want to help you. But I want to help my best friend, Poppy.”

Roger was stunned. Then, he looked back at Emma with a face full of questioning and surprise.

“Just like you, I really care about Poppy.” Sadness was clear on Emma’s face, “I know what’s happening to Poppy right now and I can’t accept it. You and Poppy are my friends. Well.. even though I don’t know what you both think of me either. But, you two made me feel things I’ve never felt before. My life in the past made me like a mannequin that has no feelings. But you two bring those feelings into this body.”

“Emma..”

“I know it’s weird, right?” Cut Emma while chuckling to herself, “Even though I know it’s weird, I don’t hate it. Even if you feel annoyed, I will still do it, Roger. I will help my friends, even if you hate me if I interfere.”

Roger shook his head, “I’m sorry Emma. Sorry for making you feel bad. I just don’t want you to get hurt because of someone like me. I’m sure Poppy thinks so too. We know you’re a very good girl with big dreams, and we don’t want to drag you in our troubles.” he explained.

“I understand. But.. it’s because you guys thought I’m weak. But now you know who I am, right?” Emma smiled widely.