The dark is never a place to be alone, mysterious things seem to keep happening here... I need to know more! I wonder if Zad’s noticed too?... Thought the young man.

***

“You’s got a lot going on boy! Always stumping around! Wheres ya headin’?” Said Zad as he glanced at his passenger from the rear view mirror.

“To the 7th cyclone…” Shrugged the passenger.

~SCRRREEEeeCccCHHHHHhhh~

Zad slammed on the breaks, causing havoc in the back seat of the cabin.

“YOU OLD GIT, WHATS THIS ALL ABOUT?!”

“I heard ya the first time! I’m look’n for a serious conversation, you scratch my back I’ll scratch yours! THAT WAS OUR DEAL!”

“YEAH I GET THAT, BUT NOT INFORMATION ON MY FUCKING PERSONAL LIFE! HURRY UP AND DRIVE YOU DRUNKARD!”

Whats his deal, I’ve never seen the old bat this cranky before… Perhaps he’s looking for specific info too? I gotta be careful, last thing I need is him selling my intelligence to bidders and hackers… I’ll see what he’s about first and go from there!

The taxi whirled up as Zad flicked a switch and in a flash they were on the main road.

The passenger leaned in closer, he was now adjacent to the driver on the other side and knocked on the window hatch to speak.

~Knock knock~

~CHHHchakk~

The partition between the hatch was now fully opened so the passenger signalled to Zad an old style telephone with his fingers.

“Yeah I know, all comms are down…”

“I need to see before I say shit” replied the passenger.

Zad elongated his left arm and with a swift flick of the wrist his arm illuminated 5 symbols, he crunched his hand into a ball, releasing it open again. A bright black luminous light fizzled out his palm causing a small interactive octahedron to pop up.

{ COMMS TERMINATED }

“...Ok, I believe you.”

“Good.”

The passenger leaned in closer and asked,

“So... What do you wanna know?”

“Bout time ya asked!” Replied Zad.

“Well you didn’t exactly scream “person in need of help”...” Sighs the passenger.

“There ya go again, with ya smart ass talk! No wonder non’ov ya women’s stick around, kill joy!”

“Shuuuut Uppp you muppet, the only action this cab gets is stomach fluid, in large quantities!”

“Hahaha, sure... Joke about people hurlin’ in ma taxi—“

“—Well whatever, get to the point you old coot before your Alzheimer's kicks in.”

“Oi! Shitty youth!”

“COME ON! I DON’T HAVE ALL DAY! SPEAK ALREADY!”

“Alright, alright.... Well, ya see there’s been alotta grumbles ‘bout this years exam... Ma clients are a little nervous ‘bout this... It doesn’t help that somethings up with tha Swallow... I’m sure you’s noticed it too... Ma clients don’t feel too “com-for-ta-ble” doin’ business these days... You know what I mean?”

“So basically, you need some information to settle your clients nerves?”

“EXACTLY!” Exclaimed Zad. “This is why I like’s you! You get me!”

“This is more troublesome than I expected... I need to know which clients need this specific information! Either way I feel no good will come from it! Hhmm, the problem is Zad will never sell out his clients, unless it benefits him... It’s no surprise the old coot has lasted so long in this business... SHIT! I need to offer him something of grand gesture to get info on the client... I need time to think of something... Plus I’m in debt and didn’t get much sleep last night... It’s too early for this!

The taxi turned a corner and finally came to a halt, it was parked on a side road opposite to an abandoned building. Rubble, glass, needles and ripped clothing were everywhere.

“Here we are! So what ya thinkin’? I see ya mind boggling!”

This is my chance! It’s now or never! Thought the passenger.

The taxi door swinged open, the young man made a run for it.

“OI, OI!! WHATCHA DOIN’! OIIIIIII!” Screamed Zad as he jumped out his cab.

“I’LL HAVE TO TAKE A RAIN CHECK!” Replied the passenger.

“Wha, what, HUH?! YOU OWE ME BIG TIME! I’LL GET YA LATER!!”

“SURE! CATCH ME OUTSIDE, HOW BOUT DAT!” Replied the young adult with a smug grin.

“AAaRGhh!”

Zad jumped back into his cab flicking a switch in the taxi console again, the taxi whirled up resonating ripples of multiple colours veiling the car transparent before he drove off.

That was a close one, I’ll need to be more carful and figure this out! In the mean time... How will I pay my crippling debt?

The young man continued running until he stumbled upon an alleyway door. The door colossal in stature seemed to weigh a tonne or more.

This is it… Better late than never. Thought the young man.