The Institutum

Chapter Ten- Catalina: New Knife

Catalina

"Where are we going exactly?" Catalina questioned, glancing over at Rhett, and stopping the admirable stares she'd been giving her knife. Her eyes flickered up the dashboard and settled on the small convertible driving in front of them- Chris' car.

"Smithsonian," Rhett answered, copying a left turn behind Chris. "There's been some activity mostly originating from museums. Even more than usual."

"What was that other Fure talking about? The one at my house... It was talking about an apocalypse that was going to happen."

Rhett slowed to a stop, waiting behind a line of cars for an entrance into the parking lot for the Smithsonian.

"That I don't know anything about." Rhett grimly said after a moment's pause. "Now hide that knife, will you?"

*****

"Rhett?" Catalina called, irritation lacing her voice as she held the large knife in her hand and dubiously eyed the jacket she had just put on.

"Yes?" His head poked out from his searching in the trunk. He chuckled as he caught sight of her pouting expression.

"How do I even hide this?" Catalina asked, eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "It keeps jutting out or creating a lump or hurting my hip," She said, trying to keep the whine out her voice.

"Okay, wait."

There was a small grunt and then the trunk of the car slammed shut. Rhett made his way over to Catalina, glancing over at Chris who watched them silently, making no move to help.

"Let me see your knife?" Rhett asked, gesturing his hand out. Catalina handed it over a bit begrudgingly, the already familiar handle slipping out of her grasp.

"Now you have to-" Rhett started, opening her jacket up a little, showing her the pockets lining the inside of it. "Put it in one of these pockets-" He slid the knife in, the top handle of it still poking out. "And tenuo."

Catalina gasped as the knife in her pocket practically melted away in her pocket, her eye widening in shock. How does he do that?

"Since I have a smaller weapon, I don't usually need to use that. And since you're human... well, these jackets are made so people like you can't find them." His gaze lowered and annoyance laced his tone, "Which is exactly how the police found the map but not my weapon."

"Oh." Catalina's mouth dropped open slightly and she felt herself blush as she realized just how close the two of them were. His head was bent down, a couple of inches from her own forehead.

He slowly let go of her jacket, stepping back and clearing his throat.

"Everyone ready?" Chris asked, and Catalina glanced through her eyelashes to see him smirking at Rhett, whose face seemed to redden.

Catalina nodded, pink tinting her cheeks. She patted her jacket, smiling slightly at Chris who returned it after a moment's hesitation.

"You sure about this Rhett?" He asked, and Catalina knew they were talking about her. Rhett glanced over at Catalina, who flashed him a thumbs up with a toothy grin.

"Yeah."

***

Catalina bounded up the grand steps, following behind Rhett and Chris who were looking at the brochure. She felt strangely childish about this trip, even though she knew it was dangerous. She had just gotten into this mess. Everyone else had done it for years, and she had no idea what she was doing. She was the newbie. They're attacking the human race now, she thought solemnly, tracing a marble statue at the entrance. She had to help them, even if she didn't know how.