Amanita: Poison Shot

Chapter 52: Get Rid of Her

Siegfried had told me that Agape had planned the mosquito-scattering operation for next Wednesday night. I dreamt of it later that night – and a blood-chilling, dark smile from Agape as she supervised the operation from her office.

I woke up with a cold sweat that Tuesday morning. At six o'clock, as always, my red alarm clock rang with its annoying, metallic bell.

That morning was more unbearable than ever, especially since I hadn't been able to sleep much, about three hours only. I had a massive headache. Although I had had a little sleep, I disguised it better than ever because I didn't want my dad to suspect anything.

The additional check-ups had begun.

That week it was the turn of a lot of people I knew, both in my neighbourhood and elsewhere in Thalis. That very morning during breakfast, the postman came by. My father and I were being notified by certified mail that our turn would be the following week, on Wednesday.

It would be a stressful couple of weeks for everyone, but especially for Agape, because not only would she have to create the mosquitoes I had suggested, but also she would need to supervise the whole check-up process, and that meant restoring first the normal activity of quite a few nanochips and re-hacking them once the check-up was over asap.

I had all day to myself since I had convinced Dr Bentnose that I was ill. I used that time to mend the kitchen appliances that Daniel had meant to repair for our neighbours, testing them, and bringing them to their owners. I cried over a stupid toaster just because I remembered that Daniel had burned the tip of his right thumb with one of those a couple of years ago.

In the afternoon, I took advantage of the fact that my father was still working at the chocolate factory to go see Siegfried. I wondered whether I'd find him right after hockey practice and meditate with him before nightfall. I needed some good-earned sleep.

Amanita was closed and no one answered. I tried knocking on the front door of the rebels' home. No one came to open it for me, I tried the lock but it turned out the door was open. I entered with some reluctance, looking everywhere.

"Hello? Anybody there? It's me, Daphne," I said loudly.

"Oh, hello!" Gabi greeted me while going down the stairs in a hurry.

He had just taken a shower. I could tell by the fresh-looking energy in him and his moist, dark hair.

"I was about to open the door. Nice of you to come by!" he went on joyfully and with a welcoming smile. "Are you looking for Sigi?" he asked with naughty eyes all of a sudden. That made me blush slightly.

"Well, yes, but it's not what you think."

He chuckled. "Oh, please. Let me indulge in my highly realistic imagination for once," he replied nonchalantly, and all of a sudden his eyes widened at the realisation of something key, apparently. "Daphne, would you mind waiting here for a sec? Got something for you. Well, it's not really for you... directly. Just gimme a sec. Back asap."

Talking fast like that when he was thrilled like a child seemed to be natural in him. He didn't even wait for me to reply. He was already climbing the stairs in a hurry.

Barely a few seconds later, he was down on the ground floor in front of me with a closed envelope in his hands. He was handing it to me with a warm smile on his face.

"This is my way of returning the favour I owe you. For repairing my alarm clock. I thought of something you might need, and here it is!"

"Ow, you don't need to give me anything. I hope it's not money. I consider you a friend. I hate taking money from friends, you know."