Chapter 22 The Enemy’s Heir
Beep... Beep... Beep…
My head felt like it was cracked open. I couldn’t move. I almost let panic set in as I felt trapped. Think Fox, think. What was the last thing I remember? I can figure this out.
Beep... Beep... Beep…
What was that awful beeping sound? Damn it, stay focused. What do I remember? I'm killing mutants? Right? Why was I killing mutants? Didn’t I fake my death? That would blow my cover? Was it blown?
Beep... Beep... Beep...
I needed to open my eyes and see what that annoying sound was. Between my head feeling busted open and that sound. I was never going to figure out what happened.
Beep... Beep... Beep…
Ugh... I tried so hard to open my eyes, but they felt like they were glued shut. All I could feel was that my head was encased in darkness. I almost let out a frustrated sigh, but I heard voices. Before I could make sense of the words, my new favorite sound sounded off.
Beep... Beep... Beep…
“What are we going to do?” One male asked.
“What do you mean?” Another said.
“We can’t keep her here.” The first male said.
“That’s not your call. It is my house. My call.” The second male said
Beep... Beep... Beep…
My favorite sound distorted whatever the first male said in response. The first male’s voice was unfamiliar. The second one, though, I think I know who it was. Was I safe? I couldn’t figure out who it was. I needed to listen. Information might be what I need to figure out what is going on.
Beep... Beep... Beep…
“Get out of my sight. I will deal with you later.” The angry tone of the second male had my ears perking up.
“What is his problem?” A third male voice asked the other male. His voice was also familiar.
“He thinks bringing someone who isn’t part of the group is dangerous.” The second male said.
“So, he doesn’t know what we suspect?” The third asked.
“No. If he did, he would have tried killing her.” The second voice said.
Beep... Beep... Beep…
NOT SAFE. NOT SAFE. I needed to get out of here. I needed a plan, I needed to be able to see. I needed to remember. I almost gave myself away. They clearly thought I was still out cold. I needed to keep it that way.
Beep... Beep... Beep…
“Did you submit her blood for testing?” The second male asked. My blood ran cold at that. Why did they test my blood? And for what?
“Yeah, I sent it. It will be a few days until our suspicions are confirmed or denied.” The third male said.
“Your suspicions. I know.” The second male voice in such a way that it oozed hawty male confidence. It was hot, and annoying. How was it so familiar?
Beep... Beep... Beep…
I had to start thinking clearly, but the beeping was making it hard. I know the second male dismissed the third one. Was he still here? I couldn’t be sure while my eyes were closed. Dare I open them? Or should I wait a little longer and see what I could hear?
Beep... Beep... Beep…
I held in a frustrated grown. I wanted to give them the idea that I was still out a little while longer. It did give me some information. It might be useful later, but I knew I couldn’t stay here forever. If I were left alone right now, it might be my best chance to escape from wherever this was. I will give it another five minutes to be sure I am alone. Just in case there is more intel I can gather.
Beep... Beep... Beep…
“UGHGGH FUCK IT ALL” I yell in frustration and sit up, tugging at the wires and cords attached to me. A deep laugh sounded not too far from me.
“I was wondering when you were going to stop pretending, mouse.”
Mouse... Why did he call me mouse... I tried to open my eyes, but one was blurry, and the other felt glued shut.
“Where… am… I..?” I tried asking, but it felt like I swallowed hot coals. My throat was beyond sore and sounded so gravely I almost didn’t recognize my own voice. I tried sitting up. But a firm, hard hand stopped me.
Don’t try to get up. Just rest.” The familiar voice said. I was in no condition to escape. For now, I had to trust that I was somewhat safe. I just had to figure out what they knew that might get me killed, so I had to make sure that it didn’t happen. I had to figure out if it was a secret from my past as the fox, or one of the lies I told to go underground as Elizabeth.
“But…” I rasped out, sounding weaker and worse than before. Maybe I’ll get information out of pity. Information was information, no matter how I got it, especially when it could mean life or death for me.
“Rest, Elizabeth… please.” The voice almost begged. Okay, they called me Elizabeth and Mouse…. So they know me from after I faked my death… Wait! Now I remembered who was speaking to me. It was Ezra, why was he here? Where was I?
“Ezzz….” Was all I could get out before I had a coughing fit.
“Shhh… you need to rest. You’re safe here.” He gently told me. He sounded like he meant it, but I didn’t believe it. I knew I shouldn’t, but I shook my head no.
“Ahhh… you were awake for that comment. Don’t worry, little mouse, as long as no one here besides Mr. Griffin finds out we think you are more than a little mouse, we’ll keep our thoughts to ourselves… You will be safe.”
I still couldn’t see, but I could feel Ezra’s body shift over me, then he whispered. His hot breath was close to my ear. So there was no chance of anyone overhearing what he was about to say to me. “I think you have a dangerous secret that will get you killed if you're not careful. So until I tell you to, you best listen closely… rest so you can get better and keep your eyes closed, little mouse…. Or should I say… Fox?”
My heart stopped at the word fox. How the hell did he know? When did he figure it out?
“Ahhh. So I was right, I had a feeling there was a reason why you knew what to do with that thing you killed.” I could hear the smugness radiate from him. Bastard. I opened my mouth to speak. I had questions, and I wanted to chew him out for tricking me into revealing my greatest secret. If he turned me in to my parents, I was as good as dead. I started to cry. I didn’t want him or anyone to see me like that. It burned like hell.
“Now now… don’t get all upset,” he told me gently as he wiped away the tears from my face. All smugness gone. “I don’t plan on selling you out. I just needed to know. So I know how we are going to move forward.” He told me, whispering in my ear so I knew I was the only one who could hear him, but who was this we? Not us, right? I didn’t say anything, I just let him speak. I’ll sort my own thoughts and feelings later. “But I mean this, don’t trust anyone here with that secret. It will get you killed.” I couldn’t help myself but tensed at that. “You’re in my house, but there are a lot of people who work here, who, if they knew what I just figured out, mouse. They will use you in whatever way possible to get back at your parents because of who they are and what they have done.”
“Master Ezra? Your uncle wishes to see you.” A male voice broke out stopping Ezra from continuing what he was saying.
“Yeah…. I’ll be there in a minute. I was just checking in on my friend Elizabeth… but she’s still sleeping,” Ezra said that last part almost too pointedly at me, I took the hint and stayed relaxed enough I could pass at a glance that I was sleeping.
“Of course master Ezra,” was the only reply from the door. The guy said it so neutrally I couldn’t tell what he thought of Ezra's response.
“You can leave now, James, I know where to find my uncle,” Ezra said after a few moments passed from James' response to him. There was a soft click from the door shutting, and then Ezra was right next to me, whispering in my ear.
“I will be back, but I figured before I go, I’d even the playing field. Since I figured out your secret…. You remembered how I told you I was no hero back in the diner?” I nodded in agreement. I could barely talk, I doubt I could whisper.
“Good, because I wasn’t joking, my uncle is the leader of the Dead Air group, and I am learning to take it over. The very group you and your parents have been trying to stop… I am the Villain Mouse.”