Outside

Chapter 20

The cramped space and hot temperature make me feel lightheaded, and I'm not even the type to get claustrophobic. Kyan, who is, follows behind me, breathing shakily. I occasionally glance back to check on him- and to make sure he hasn't hyperventilated himself into passing out.

"Maybe we should have found another way. I know how uncomfortable this must be for you." I tell him.

"Yeah, not exactly how I pictured my ideal summer going. You breathing ok, Nox? It's so hot in here..." He mutters. "Can we turn back? Go through a door or something?"

"There is no other way. Sorry, Kyan." Viola's voice comes into our coms.

"Stick the claustrophobic boy in a hot AC vent. Such a fabulous idea." He scoffs.

"You need to stop a moment?" I ask him.

"No, I'll be fine. Let's move forward." He tells me, so we do.

"Dramatic, much?" Viola pipes in.

"Huh?" Kyan replies, his tone telling me the exact irritated expression strewn across his face without me even having to turn around.

"Why complain if you're actually fine with it? Complaining just to complain?" She asks, her words bitter.

"Ah, you're new to the way I am." Kyan laughs a bit under his breath. "I'm not fine with it, complaining just helps me not freak out."

"Well that's sure an irritating coping mechanism to force others to be—"

"Yeah, I know."

"Oh..."

"I'm... working on that." He tells her. The tension in the air grows thicker, and the already unbreathable air feels even harder to pull into my lungs.

"Complain all you need, Key, we're almost there." I tell him.

"Yay..." he mumbles.

"There should be an opening coming up below you that should put you in the head of security's office. Check to see if it's empty, and if it is, jump down, if not, wait until it is." Viola explains.

"No, no. I want to fall down into a room full of armed soldiers." Kyan says, and I look back to see him roll his eyes.

"You know, you're getting real frustrating to deal with..."

"You know, I get that a lot." Kyan states, mimicking her tone.

"Guys, quit it. They might be able to hear us, and even if they can't, we still need to be quiet, sheesh." I cut in. They both stop talking and I sigh in relief. "Thank you."

We come up to the opening below us and I peek through the vent to check for people. No one's there. I pull the caging out and squeeze myself through, falling to the ground. I land somewhat on my feet, and I stumble for balance.

"Ok, Kyan. Your turn." I tell him.

"Nah, I think I'm fine up here."

"You think I'm smart enough to do all this techy stuff? Hell no! Get down here with that massive brain of yours. The quicker we get this done the quicker we can leave!" I try to keep my voice hushed while speaking up to him.

"I'll just direct you from here..."

"Listen you scared little baby! You will get your wimpy self down there or I will make sure you never get out of that tiny cramped vent ever again!" Viola yells. "You're wasting our entire plan on your stupid fears! Shut your mouth and jump!" She shouts through our coms and I cover my ears, although this only acts counterproductively.