Chapter Three

“You’ve got nice shots here…” Elliot commented as he looked at the pictures hanging on the walls of Dylan’s studio, “Looks like your place is thriving.”

Dylan smiled as he sat in front of his computer while editing a photo, “A lot of people are getting my services, so it’s thriving in a way.”

Despite finishing engineering, Dylan pursued his dream of becoming a photographer and turning a hobby into a paying job. Photography has always been his first love, and it is undeniable that he really does possess skills on it.

The first years were hard for him, but after one of his photos won an international competition, the win skyrocketed him to fame. Now, he is a sought-after photographer and gets many projects, improving his reputation.

“Why are you here, anyways?” Dylan asked his friend, “Do you need something?”

Elliot sighed in frustration. “Why do you guys always say that? Do I look like someone who only visits friends when he needs something?”

Dylan smirked and shrugged, feigning innocence. “I don’t know… So tell me, why are you here?”

“Lee’s inviting us on a week-long getaway at his guest house. That one at the island. You should go,” Elliot coaxed him, “It’s going to be fun.”

“So everyone’s going to be there?” Dylan then chuckled while his eyes are still focused on the computer screen, “Damn, it’s going to be a complete mess.”

Elliot nodded, “Well, that’s going to be Lee’s problem anyways. He’s the one who invited us.”

“It’s like hitting his own head with a rock he himself picked up,” Elliot responded, “So, are you going? Come on, dude. Everyone’s going to be there. You should come.”

“Of course I’m coming,” Dylan retaliated with a smile, “Why would I not? I don’t want to miss the fun, dude.”

 “I heard Simon is going to be there too,” Dylan said, still focused on his work, “Karlisle told me he’s flying back here. This would be interesting. We haven’t been complete for so long so him being there next week is going to be a real good thing. And obviously, I don’t want to miss that.”

 “That’s good,” Elliot then replied, “Oh, and by the way, can I ask you a favor?”

Dylan’s left brow lifted a little as he gave Elliot a suspicious look. “What is it?”

********

When Hans woke up, the bright rays of the sun are already seeping in through the drapes on his windows. He frowned as he sat up on the bed, and yawned as he fixed his shoulder-length hair into a bun. While still wearing his pyjamas, he then proceeded to the bathroom to take a bath.

Even though it seemed like he is not the type to care for his hygiene, Hans can be a total neat-freak, and immediately goes to the bathroom to clean up once he rises in the morning. After that, he prepares his meal, works out a little, and then starts with his job as a professional gamer.

Ever since they were younger, Hans has always been into games. He tried almost every game that is being released, and gained a reputation in the gaming world as an excellent player. His skills led him to become a player that streams his games, wherein he gets his income.

After doing his daily routine that morning, he was about to go in front of his personal computer when he heard a knock on the door. Hans was slightly puzzled, since he is not really expecting anyone that early in the morning. But still, he went out to open the door.

The moment he opened it, two men who are looking down are right before the door. Hans could not see their faces, so he started to panic and was about to close the door on the two men. But before he could do it, he suddenly smelled some weird chemical right before his nose. Before he could even retaliate or do something, he already passed out and fell on the floor.

A few moments later, Hans woke up to the feeling of being in a confined space which is also moving. When he completely recollected his consciousness, he can hear two familiar voices.

“Dylan, Elliot… Is that you?” Hans said, trying to make up in his mind what is happening to him. In just a few moments, he realized that he is inside his friends’ car, his destination still unaware to him.

“Oh, you’re finally awake…” Hans heard Dylan say, with some pop music playing in the background.

“What the fuck?” Hans gritted his teeth angrily as he tried bobbing his head to remove the blindfold covering his eyes, “What are you doing, you bastards?”

“We’re kidnapping you.” It was Elliot’s voice this time.

“What? But why? And at least get this blindfold off my eyes, you fuckers,” Hans complained as he struggled with the handcuffs that Dylan and Elliot used on him.

Dylan just laughed, and decided to remove the blindfold from Hans’ head.

“I’m sorry we had to do this, pal…” Dylan reasoned out, “If we didn’t, you would never want to come.”

“Where are we going anyways?” Hans asked, panting after exhausting himself from trying to free his appendages from the cuffs.

“To Lee’s guest house,” Dylan responded to him.

Hans is a little confused. “Wait… He’s got several. Which one?”

Elliot was the one to respond to him. “The one in the island.”

“The one in the island?” Hans sounded shocked, “Are you serious?”

“Yep. That one,” Elliot said, “It’s going to be for a week, so you’ll –”

“What the fuck? Why are you taking me there?” Hans started struggling from his position in the back seat again, moving even more vigorously, “I need to leave, you morons. I need to do my streaming, and a week is very long for a ‘hang out’.”

“But we might become complete this time… I heard Simon is going back,” Dylan replied, “You guys are the closest to each other, so I’m sure you’re going to like it now that he’s back.”

Hans just rolled his eyes. “Then you should have told me earlier about this. I would have done something to fit this shit in my schedule.”

“If we told you, you wouldn’t have come. You’re just going to make excuses, or lie that you’ll just follow afterwards… But you never do. And we’re not going to be fooled anymore,” Dylan said, almost sounding like a kid sulking.

Hans heaved a sigh of frustration. “I don’t even have clothes. How will I go on in this trip?”

“I packed your clothes while you were asleep – something we want to apologize about, by the way. But we had to do it to get you,” Elliot responded chuckling uneasily, “We’re prepared, so don’t think of anything anymore.”

“You are seriously nuts, you two. I needed to stream my games. That’s like, my job, you fuckers.”

“Just do that next week. Tell your followers you’re going to take a break. They’ll understand for sure. Their lives will go on without watching your games for a week. And besides, you have no choice. We have no plans of letting you out of those handcuffs, dude.”

“Fuck you, Elliot.”

“Just chill back there and enjoy the ride, Hans,” Elliot said, smirking as he focused on driving, “It’s going to be a long one…”