Part four of NA, peeps. It's pretty fast paced, so it might be confusing. Maybe. I don't think so, but anyway.

Do enjoy it!

Nighttime Activities

Enter the Time Factor . . .

By CM

Malon and Sheik were sitting in the office, pale as sheets. Sheik had taken Malon's hand comfortingly, rubbing the back of it with his thumb absently. Kafei, in front of them, was pacing worriedly. He'd occasionally stop his frantic march to glance at the cruelly silent phone. And then he's resume his walk.

Sheik was angrier than he was scared, though he was scared too. He'd mutter bitterly under his breath, promising pain to the one who'd taken his friend away.

Malon, on her part, was too frightened to speak. She just stared at her knees silently, hardly moving. The only warmth she felt was Sheik's hand holding hers. And even then, he'd clench and unclench his hold, as though he was anticipating hitting someone with that very hand.

"Link," Kafei breathed almost inaudibly, "you better just show up or call or give a sign of life or just let me call your cell phone or something or― hell, just do something!"

"I'm so going to kill that guy Dragmire, and then I'm gonna tear Zellie's bodyguard apart, limb by limb . . ." Sheik mumbled furiously. "And the blood will ooze. Oh boy, will the blood squirt."

Malon's shoulder started shaking and, for the first time since they'd come over to the office, she started sobbing.

"Zellie―"

Sheik immediately lightened up and he pulled Malon into a tight embrace, letting her cry in his shirt. He knew that she had to let it out.

Kafei helplessly watched the two huddled together, feeling useless. He felt awful, and he wished he could do so much more but wait. He hated letting Link on the field while he just stayed behind to wait for damned phone calls.

But, judging by Link's attitude in the past few hours, he doubted it would be a healthy decision, staying in his way.

Link had not only hung up to his face, but had called him back a few minutes afterwards, telling him to keep the line clear of any other cases. This was not just a regular contract. This was much, much worse. A life was in danger, and they couldn't afford to have things in the path of her rescue.

In the first hours, Kafei had busied himself by searching out all possible locations for Ganondorf Dragmire to escape to in the country, and aside from a few mansions outside of town, which had been extensively searched, there was no other place registered.

He'd then gone to find out with whom Dragmire had held transactions for the past ten months. Aside from a few minor businessmen, he hadn't really contacted anyone suspicious.

And then he'd tried finding any odd money spending sprees. The largest amount had gone to women, and then to pay for his mansions. Then came in all the other useless information.

All that had struck Kafei was Ganondorf's interest in a woman whose name was Mariah Majora Maskley. Not so much that the name was strange, it was really that it reminded him of something, though he could not put the finger on it.

So he hadn't bothered sending Ganon's lover's name to Link. It was just a name amongst a dozen.

Though Kafei had to wonder where all that charm had come from. Ganondorf, though he was handsome by standards, wasn't that great. Was he?

Apparently. He had tons of women.

Though, for some reason, it was Mariah that struck Kafei as strange. He really didn't know why. All right, so her middle name was also that of a demon of lore, but aside from that?

Nothing. She was as clear as spring air. She had no criminal record. She didn't own a car. She was the spokesperson for the Zora Fountain perfume company. A highly regarded, respected company. She had a few residences in many countries; she was the proud owner of a poodle. She was a gentle person by reputation, and had her own money. She seemed like a respectable woman.

And she was beautiful, it turned out.

While nervously browsing, waiting for Link to call (it was eleven PM), Kafei stumbled upon a thread. It apparently treated of a subject he'd only fleetingly heard of, and frankly didn't care too much about.

But having entered 'Majora' in a search engine and finding this, he couldn't help but feel curious. So he opened it and read the first few posts.

It spoke about beer.

About to close the page in annoyance, he stopped and read one of the posts.

" 'Dude'," he read under his breath, catching Sheik and Malon's attention, " 'I know who is gonna buy that Latte Bar chain.' "

And, when a guy called Mar questioned about the identity of the owner to be, the first poster replied:

Mar, I am a j.o.ram. Ask Lee.

Only, as Kafei discovered after reading the following few posts, there was no Lee on the board, and the poster was a 'joker on rampage', or, in other words, just kidding, as he'd so briefly explained. So, really, Kafei had to wonder where 'Majora' fit in.

And as he wondered, it just seemed too obvious.

Mar, I am a j.o.ram. Ask Lee.

Mariah Majora Masklee.

Alright. Kafei felt excitement bubbling inside. Mariah was about to buy the Latte Bar chain. It didn't have anything to do with Ganondorf, since its head of company was in Termina―

Oh. Crap.

Sheik and Malon, waiting for him to keep speaking, were surprised when Kafei sprung from his seat and jumped at the phone. He dialled Link's number, finding, for the fiftieth time that it was turned off.

Not to be put off, Kafei dialled Link's beeper's number, and briefly pressed in that he'd found a possible lead and to call him back.

After sending the text message, he hoped Link would get it before it was too late. Then, he turned to Malon and Sheik, and motioned them to come forward.

"You," he breathlessly indicated Sheik, "you will go to the Termina-Hyrule border and wait there for a car with―" He motioned to a picture of Ganondorf on his screen, "―this guy in it. And you will give the operators this message on my behalf. They should help you."

Then, turning to Malon as he printed a rare document from his files and ratified it, both with his signature and the agency's stamp, he spoke, "You will find Harkinian and tell him that he should keep an eye on Mariah Majora Masklee. And then you'll wait with him. I don't want you out there tonight."

"And you?" Sheik asked suspiciously, folding the sheet Kafei had absently handed him as he'd spoken to Malon. "You're just gonna stand by and do nothing?"

Kafei shot him an irritated glance, explaining, "I'm keeping in touch with Link. I don't know where he is, and I want to guide him from here. I'm not doing this out of laziness."

Sheik snorted, heading out and down to the parking lot. Malon followed him. Kafei assumed he'd drop her off. It was a wise decision. But while he was on the road, Sheik was not at the border. No minute could be wasted. He dialled the office of international business, and was re-directed, after a good ten minutes, to the man in charge of borders. To Kafei's annoyance, the man was currently at home and not in office, though it was logical: it was a quarter to midnight.

In any case, the man's sleepy voice filled his ear, and Kafei wasted no time rattling his grade and business. He got down to the point.

"You have to keep Ganondorf Dragmire inside the country, sir. It's a matter of life or death."

The half-asleep man stayed silent for a long moment, before speaking, "What?"

Kafei sighed. This was no time to fool around. "Ganondorf Dragmire, sir. You have to keep him within our bord―"

He couldn't finish his sentence, because the man had replied, "He's got diplomatic immunity," and had hung up, annoyed. Kafei was left, dumbstruck, standing with the phone limply held up. He stared at it, a knot in his throat.

"Shit."

Link was on the road. He'd tried everything. He'd called Kaepora for tips on Ganon's mansions' locations, but had been sorely disappointed. Of course he wouldn't hide in a place everyone would suspect. But that left a whole lot of locations to scour, and at midnight, Link knew he wouldn't make sufficient progress in a span of three days.

Oh, wait. Two days and five hours left.

He was furious. He was desperate. And he would not let her die. He knew what the consequences would be, and he would not let them come.

But boy, did he itch to shoot someone.

He'd borrowed Kaepora's black Sedan, and was currently racing down the highway, passing rich neighbourhoods, and making swift turns through streets and speeding through yellow lights. Darkness and noisy silence surrounded him, interrupted by honks and streetlights.

Another mansion found empty. He was reaching the last one on the list. He knew it would be empty as well. Frustration ate at him.

Zelda. He repeated her name in his mind, like a mantra. Zelda.

And guilt overdid frustration. A million what ifs filled his head. Zelda.

What if he hadn't let her down? What if he'd kept her from going to him? What if Ganondorf was lying? What if he'd killed her? What if she lay now on the side of the road, in a black ditch, her blood mixing with mud? What if she was hurt?

Link was happy he didn't own a gun, or he'd have shot that driver who'd cut him. He was that angry.

Zelda.

Her name was both putting him down and feeding his determination. He would not rest until he found her. He wouldn't rest until she was by his side again. He wouldn't sleep until he was assured that she wouldn't disappear.

His mind went back to that night in the club. He remembered the way her laughter, her confident smiles and her curves had made him dizzy. With her, he didn't need alcohol. She was intoxicating on her own. And she'd shown him so much. . . And she'd kissed him.

Din, her lips.

There was no doubt about it. He wouldn't rest until he felt those lips one last time. And then one last time. And another.

And another.

Zelda.

And Farore, her hips.

Link shook his head, swivelling out of a truck's way, ignoring the honk. He found the mansion. It sat across a long stretch of a dark grey lawn, under the stars. There were no lights, though he didn't trust it. He pressed on the radio button, asking to speak to his good old friend Ganon, faking enthusiasm. It had worked once. The maid had let him in, only to tell him that Ganondorf hadn't shown up in the past few weeks.

This time, the butler apologized.

Mister Dragmire was out of town.

Oh. Well, that was new. Link sighed, walking back to his car, rearing and driving off.

It was then that he checked his messages. He'd shut it to everyone but Ganondorf, in case the man chose to contact him again, but his beeper had two messages.

The first one was from Kafei. It was a series of cusses directed at him, sent only four hours before. It was quarter passed midnight now. The second one was also from Kafei. It was brief, but Link slammed on the breaks as he read and re-read the few words.

'Found possible location. Call me.'

Link wasted no time. Ganondorf wouldn't call tonight, it seemed, and Kafei's lead was a step closer to Zelda.

Her name echoed in his mind as he speed-dialled Kafei's office number.

"Finally!" Was Kafei's first word in the receiver. Link's urge to have him speak made him cuss loudly at the cell phone on its little stand, where it was wired to the car speakers, and Kafei went straight to the point, his voice resounding in the Sedan. "Go to Clock. Now."

"Clock Town?" Link asked incredulously. "That's in Termina, you know!"

"I swear, go to Clock. Ganondorf is hiding with Mariah Majora Masklee. And she's in Termina, it seems."

"Hyrule to Kafei!" Link screamed, letting the steam out, "How do you know that? And Clock is a huge city, ass!"

"Milk Bar Latte. It's the closest to Mariah's residence. She's the owner to-be of the Latte chain. And she's Dragmire's lover. Trust me on this one."

Link was silent. Kafei sighed loudly in the receiver.

"Link, I'm not often wrong, okay?" His voice was understanding, gentle. "You've got to trust me this time around."

Link said nothing still, already on the way to the closest Termina border. He knew what he had to do. Nevertheless, he had to ask.

"Why didn't you keep him in Hyrule?"

Kafei sounded annoyed. "I tried, but the guy protected him. I called him at home, Link. At home. He didn't have his registry, and he just snapped at me that Dragmire had diplomatic immunity. You know what that means."

"He bought his way out," Link mumbled.

"Exactly. He's not anywhere close to a diplomat, and he doesn't even deal outside of Hyrule. He can't have it. It takes years upon years to get, and Ganondorf hardly ever goes out of the country. This is not a spur of the moment thing, Link. He's been planning this for a long time now."

"I could have guessed."

"In any case, with his fake diplomatic immunity thing protecting him, Ganondorf can go around the world without so much as a second thought." Kafei hesitated, and Link heard it.

"What else is there?"

Kafei coughed. "I sent Zelda Harkinian's friend to the border only an hour or so ago."

Link felt his eyes close slowly, realization and anguish setting in. "Oh, no."

Kafei uncomfortably spoke again. "I sent his other friend's dad to get him. His name is Talon. I don't think Sheik should get in trouble―"

"Who's Sheik?"

"Zelda's friend. The one at the border. And Talon is Malon's father."

"Okay. Keep going."

"If Talon gets to Sheik before he stops any cars, then he should be fine. I just feel guilty sending him over before making any research. I never thought that Ganondorf might be protected and that Sheik could get in trouble by following orders."

"He'll be fine. At worse he'll spend one night in a police cell, and he'll be released. Is there anything else?"

"Um, not really. I'd appreciate it if you let me through from time to time, though."

"Sorry, the line is usually given only to calls from Dragmire."

Kafei's snort was loud in the car. Link was about to close the connection before he remembered something. "Where do I stay in Clock?"

Kafei sounded proud again. "I have a few connections. You'll check in at Stock Pot Inn. It's across the street of Latte. I couldn't get any list of the people who stay at Latte. Confidential and all. It's a private club."

"That's okay. Is there anything else I might want to know?"

"Nope. I'll call you if anything new happens."

Link smiled for the first time in the past six hours. "Right. Thanks."

And the Sedan sped down the highway. It was half past midnight.

Zelda was hauled out of the car, where she took a second or two to stretch her legs. Her kidnapper's smiling goon was smirking in the darkness, his clammy hands running up her bare arms, and she shrugged away from him.

Ganondorf, on his part, was taking a look around, surprisingly relaxed. Zelda glared at him and kicked a small pebble at him. He didn't seem to feel it. His eyes were on the large tower at the centre of a plaza. She took a glance at it as well, and stood in awe.

Despite the circumstances, she had to admire the beautiful structure. The stone itself was roughcast, but atop it, high up, visible and well lit, was a colourful clock, the hands of which measured more than she was in height. It was impressive, and quite spectacular.

It indicated a quarter to one. In the morning. The fact alone was enough to make her yawn in exhaustion. She was well awake, but the day's events had worn on her. It didn't go unnoticed.

"Ah, tired I see. Well then, come this way, Sakon. We cannot afford to have the little princess with circles under her eyes, can we?"

"I can stay awake as well as you can," Zelda challenged, though she knew it was lame. She was tired, and could only hope that Ganondorf's idea of a restful night was the same as hers: a bed and oblivion.

She had no way of knowing if Ganondorf planned on giving her a break.

In any case, she was pushed through the small empty streets, following him. Something struck her.

"Where are we?" She asked. And Ganondorf smirked, keeping quiet. It unnerved her. "I asked where we are!"

"I heard you, princess."

"Don't call me that," she spat. "Where are we? Are we still in Hyrule?"

At that, Ganondorf outright laughed, and Zelda felt dread in her gut. Termina. They'd moved into Termina and she hadn't even noticed because― because he'd placed a call at that exact moment and she'd been busy concentrating on it.

Jerk.

She voiced that exact thought, and was answered by a cruel smile that made shivers run down her spine. She didn't know what to do. She'd noticed the hard way earlier that Sakon was armed, and, no matter how fit she was, she could never outrun a bullet.

And she was in another country, without any money, completely helpless.

Tears came to her eyes, against her will.

Link wouldn't cry. Link wouldn't despair. Link would keep fighting until the very end. He wouldn't agree to any of this.

Link was stronger, though. Link could probably fight back an armed man. Link could probably escape them both.

Link . . .

Link had let her down. Link would not come. Link had no way to know she was here. Link was of no help here.

Which was why, in spite of her attempts to convince herself otherwise, the tears spilled over and wet her cheeks. And that was why she stumbled and hardly noticed where she was until after the door slammed closed, locking up on her, leaving her isolated from the world in a tiny room.

She crawled up to the bed, and could not find the strength to fight sleep. She fell into it, restless and cold. She braced herself against the freezing air of the room. It came at her despite the thin blanket that she'd draped over herself.

And her last thought was not even an image. It was a distant call for help.

And that's all you're getting until I get my schoolwork done. XP

But what's happening here? Zellie, Ganny and Sakon are in Termina, Link is on the road, and Kafei, Malon and Sheik are back in Hyrule, stuck and worried.

This situation is getting pretty ugly, don't you think?

I'll be updating eventually.

Love,

CM