Multi-Dimensional Merchant System

Oliver watched through the feed from his drone as Eve disappeared into the distance, a scowl of frustration marring his features. While he recognized that this was likely the best outcome, he couldn't help but regret letting her go. He had already been blindsided once by ignoring someone that had already caused him problems, and he was fairly certain that Eve could do far more damage than Hardeman had if she wanted to. Maybe not in the same way, but she was far more likely to go for the kill rather than just try to pressure him.

Admittedly, he liked Eve a lot more than he liked the entire Hardeman family. She, at least, was straightforward in her approach and didn't play any of the annoying games. Though he wouldn't overlook the actual lethal threat she posed.

After recalling the drone, he quickly recovered the AK he had lost during the fight. With a sigh, he stored it in the system warehouse, knowing he would need to check it over later for damage. Considering how numb his fingers were after she hit it, he wouldn't be surprised if it needed some repairs.

Oliver grabbed the balaclava he always kept in the warehouse and tugged it down over his head. While he had worn it over his hair the entire night, he hadn't seen the point of hiding his face from someone who already knew who he was... But, since Tyrone likely didn't know who he was being used to leverage, he thought it best to keep his identity hidden. He had already complicated his friend's life just by associating with him, the last thing he wanted was to make it worse.

And he was still cautious of his secrets getting out, even though he doubted his friend would figure any of them out. Especially when there were plenty of mundane reasons to explain away even this extreme of a situation.

Opening the door to the office, he saw Tyrone sitting in the middle of the room. Just as he was during the video call, he was tied to the chair and blindfolded, though his head turned towards the door as it opened.

“What now?” Tyrone sighed, clearly more annoyed than afraid. “Another proof of life video? Or do you need to hurt me to make a point or something?”

Leaning on all the vocal training he had done, Oliver deepened his voice and spoke in a neutral, but calm, tone. “Nope, the bitch is gone. So lets get you out of here before she comes back.”

Oliver quickly cut the zip ties that were used to restrain his friend, then stepped back as Tyrone yanked off the blindfold and glanced around.

Tyrone took in the small room he had been held in and dismissed the blank, gray walls. When his gaze landed on his rescuer, he eyed him up and down once before their eyes met. For a silent moment, they just stared at each other before he spoke. “You don't look like whoever the hell the police would actually send to rescue a hostage. SWAT, I guess? Yeah, you don't look like a cop at all.”

Oliver shrugged as he waved for Tyrone to follow him. “I'm not. Not that it matters.”

He quickly noticed the lack of footsteps following him, and turned to see Tyrone still standing in the room. “Well? What are you waiting for? We need to go.”

Tyrone remained in place almost defiantly as he crossed his arms. “And how do I know this ain't just some game that crazy bitch is playing to mess with me? You still haven't explained who you are.”

Oliver huffed in annoyance, unsure how to convince his friend to leave, only to curse aloud when he heard the sound of sirens in the distance. “Look, do you want to stay here and explain to the cops that some five foot tall woman managed to kidnap and hold you here for a couple days? Then try to tell them that some weird masked guy busted in and saved you?”

“I'm sure they would just love to hear that. Maybe they would even believe you?” His tone positively dripped with sarcasm as he turned and started walking away.

“Ah, come on, don't be like that Oli! That girl was a hell of a lot stronger than she looked.”

Oliver froze in place for a split second before he spun to glare at the knowing smirk on his friend's face. He sighed in defeat, seeing that Tyrone already knew, and his shoulders slumped. “How?”

Tyrone chuckled. “Come on, man! I've heard you sing enough times to know your range. Plus, I know that look in your eyes when you're trying to hide something. You're my best friend, man. Of course I would figure it out!”

Oliver smiled weakly as he pulled the balaclava off. “Seriously? That's all it took to figure me out?”

Tyrone's booming laugh startled him for a second. “Nah, I'm mostly fucking with you. That bitch wasn't as slick as she thought, and I overheard her talking to you. Since you're the only 'Oli' that I know, it had to be you.”

Oliver groaned and shook his head. “This is really not the time to be messing with me man. And we do need to leave before the cops show up. At least I do, seeing as this warehouse belongs to- FUCK!”

He took off at a run towards the door, cursing under his breath the entire way. Sliding to a stop in front of it, he peeked out, only to recoil in alarm. Police cars were already pulling up, with some of them circling around to the other side of the building as he watched.

“What's the problem bro?”

Oliver turned to find Tyrone had followed him. “This warehouse belongs to Hardeman. I'm pretty certain he sent Eve to grab you just to put pressure on me, so of course he knew this was the meeting spot... And he probably called the cops as a backup plan.”

Tyrone snorted in disbelief. “You seriously think he planned it this way? Maybe someone heard the gun shots and-”

“No.” Oliver quickly cut him off. “It's been like two minutes since the shooting started. Police response time is over ten minutes, especially for the numbers that are showing up. The only way they got here so quick is if they got the call before shit went down.”

Tyrone stared at his friend, bewildered. “How the hell do you know the police response time?”

Oliver shook his head and hurried off without answering. It only took him a few seconds to check the other side of the building and confirm that the police were setting up outside. “Shit.”

“What's the big deal?” Tyrone huffed as he followed along. “We can just talk to the cops-”

“Damn it, Sweet Tea! That's not going to work!”

Oliver could feel his friend glaring at his back even before the man spoke. “Oli, bro, you need to talk to me. Because I really don't like being yelled at by my friend unless there is a damn good reason.”

He sighed and leaned against the wall for a second. “Hardeman owns this warehouse. Last month, this place was robbed and he pointed the finger at me. I was cleared of it, obviously, but the asshole still manage to get the police to fuck with me for a while.”

“How the hell did he manage that?”

Oliver shrugged. “He has friends in high places, including the State Police and shit like that. If they bust in here and find me, that just gives them an excuse to start shit up again. And gives that asshole more ways to fuck with my life. Because, apparently, getting me kicked out of college, my girlfriend suspended from her job, and one of my friends kidnapped and threatened isn't enough for that bastard.”

Tyrone exhaled roughly and clapped Oliver on the shoulder. “Yeah, I get it man. If he did all that, he'll definitely keep fucking with you.”

“So how do we get out of here? I don't really see a way we can sneak past all those cops, man.”

For a moment, Oliver froze with indecision. Of course there was a way out. One that was quick, easy, and, most importantly, safe. But it would also mean revealing a few things to his friend... Which would inevitably lead to questions.

But, aside from Polina, was there anyone else he trusted more to keep his secret?

And did he have a better option?

With a reluctant sigh, Oliver led the way back to the office his friend had been held in. Closing the door behind them, he stared Tyrone in the eye for a long second, his whole bearing turned deadly serious. “Ok, Sweet Tea. You're about to see something I haven't shared with anyone...”

“Not even your girl?”

He could hear the surprise in his friends voice and quickly waved it off. “Not even her, though I've considered it... a bit... But that's not the point. While I trust you not run your mouth, this is a big deal to me, man. And if it gets out... I can't even imagine how much trouble it would cause me. Seriously, this is the kinda shit people would want for themselves. And would probably be willing to kill me to get it.”

Oliver could see the shocked look on his friends face, but quickly shrugged it off. Before Tyrone could speak, he pressed on, knowing any explanation he gave would only result in even more questions. “This is how it's gonna work: When I saw 'go', you run through as quick as you can. We've only got five seconds, so you can't hesitate at all. Understand?”

“What-”

“We don't have time for twenty questions, man. The cops are probably about to bust in the front door. You with me?”

“Yeah, Oli. I got it.”

With a deep breath to clear his mind, Oliver reached into the system warehouse and pulled out the Scarper Charm. With a flex of his will, he activated it. The second the swirling blue portal opened, he slapped his dumbstruck friend on the back and shouted. “Go!”

Tyrone jumped in surprise before he lunged forward and through... whatever it was that had just appeared in front of him. In an instant, he tumbled out of it again... Somewhere else, in a room littered with dusty furniture. After a second, he felt something slam into his back and knock him stumbling forward. When he turned to see that it was just Oliver that had run into him, the glowing blue hole in reality winked out of existence, leaving them standing in a pitch black room.

“What the HELL was that!?”