Chapter 31 The Truth Bomb
I weaved in and out of passing cars, staying close to the car. I didn’t want to be too close. There were a few times I was worried I almost lost him. Thankfully, I didn’t have to follow them too long as they pulled into the driveway of a house 3 blocks from where I am staying. That was not to my liking. Pulling over, I stopped where the car ahead of me obscured my immediate sightline. I quickly hopped off the bike, trying not to draw attention to myself as I tried to position myself out of sight but still able to watch them. I saw Ezra get out of the car. He didn't look like he was in trouble. He looked at ease as he chatted with the people he was in the car with.
What in the world was going on? Was he in trouble or not? Maybe he was putting on a show, so if anyone was watching or looking, nothing looked strange? To try and figure it out, I needed to get closer.
I watched and waited while people chatted and slowly made their way inside. I waited a few moments longer for them to go inside before making my way inside. To figure out the best way, I crept around the building a few times. I needed to be smart and careful because I had no idea what they were doing or where they were.
Typically, people didn't have many guards or meetings on the top floors, and those floors seemed to be the least guarded. I decided I would make my way and hope the windows were not locked. I got really lucky when I made my way to the back again and noticed the top-floor window in the back was cracked open. It made sense with how nice it was out, but that's where my luck ended. There was a window open, but no way up. I moved back so I would not be seen while I came up with a plan. Then the little light bulb above my head clicked on. I had a make-shift grapple hook. It wasn’t the most ideal time to test it, but I didn't see any other option.
I do one final check to make sure no one can see me, and I prepare to climb up. It was now or never. So I took my chance. I quickly made my way up when I noticed the make-shift grapple start to slip. Shit. I muttered to myself and made my way up as fast as I could before I would fall. Gripping the ledge of the window, I caught my grapple before it fell. I wrapped it around my arm so I could use my free arm, the one not holding me to the window, to open it further.
Once I opened it further and slipped inside as quietly as I could, I took a look around. It was a bedroom, maybe a guest room, with how bare it was. It was nice, just lacked any personal touches. I gathered my items back into my bag. Upon hearing footsteps walking down the hall. I quickly slid under the bed, hiding from whoever was here.
Someone entered the room.
“Hey, shut and lock that window. I want to finish this sweep so I can eat something while they have the meeting in the basement.” A male voice called out to the person in the room.
“Got it!” a female voice replied. “Should I check everything else while I am here?” she asked.
“Nah, I checked 10 minutes ago. I will check on the next rotation in 15 minutes.” The male voice said.
“Oh? Why is that?” the girl asked. I hear her move throughout the room, shutting the window I just came in through.
“It gives me an extra few minutes if I check every other time for food and bathroom breaks.” The guy said, I made a mental note. I had 15 minutes to find Ezra and get out. I guess the first place to check was the meeting they are having in the basement. She was already walking out of the room. Not really pausing long enough to check anything.
I waited until I heard the footsteps disappear before coming out of my hiding spot. I listened at the door before I opened it, making sure I didn’t hear anyone. It didn’t seem like anyone was up here. I found the stairs, moving from the 2nd floor to the ground floor. Going as fast and as quietly as I could. I could hear voices to my right and nothing to my left, so I went left. I slipped into what someone would call a man cave. Thankfully, it was empty at the moment. I made my way to the other side of the room, where there was another door. It seemed to be a servant-type door. No handle, just push. I would assume this led to the kitchen. I slowly pushed the door so it would crack just enough so I could peek out. Hopefully, no one would notice.
“So, what’s the plan?” The girl guard asked.
“With the information you gave them. They are going to stop the caped fakes’ shipments and destroy them. How? That’s what they are fighting to figure out now.
Why did that girl guard sound familiar? It was on the tip of my tongue, but I wasn’t sure. Then I cracked the door a bit more. I saw a door guarded by two armed guards that must lead to the basement where they are meeting. Damn it. How was I going to get there? I slowly closed the door so it wouldn’t swing, grabbing someone’s attention. I slumped on the nearby couch.
Damn, I was an idiot. What was I thinking? I snuck into the enemy's home base, and for what? A boy? A boy who was probably at home here and not in danger. Stupid, stupid girl. I mentally smacked myself. What was I thinking? Ezra would laugh at me if he knew. I felt like I could hear him laughing now. He would laugh and tell me what he’s always told me. He was the villain. I mentally smacked myself again. Then I heard it. For a moment, I thought it was my imagination, then I realized it was real. I could hear Ezra’s laugh.
It was muffled, but my heart knew it was his. I moved the couch I was sitting on. And I saw it. A vent! A vent to the basement. I could hear what was going on and figure out for sure if he was safe or in danger. Thank god for old buildings. I slowly pulled on the vent hopefully no dust would fall on someone who’d notice. I pulled and removed the vent without anyone noticing. Thank god for that. I laid on the ground pressing myself as closely to the floor as I could manage.
I could hear them talking. It took me a minute to figure out what was being said. Dust flew up my nose and I struggled not to sneeze. Ezra was talking about the recent mutant attack. And told them about the toxic screamer. He never mentioned me. That made my heart sink a little. A voice chimed in about making weapons that would kill those kinds of mutants. I guess mutants are a problem for both the good guys and the bad guys. A few people began chatting over each other. It was hard to make out what was being said.
“Enough!” A loud deep. Voice called out, hushing the crowd. I even held my breath at the authority that man held.
“Erza has a plan to stop the next shipment of crystals and X-Plasm so Lady Rose and General Storm can’t make more mutants for their army.”