After travelling a few miles away from the Academy hospital, Sang decided to pluck up the courage to ask the stranger where they intended on taking her. The stranger turned their head slightly, inclining towards her as if to hear better.
"Where do you need to go?" they'd inquired.
"Well firstly I need to get back to my apartment. Have you seen what I'm wearing?" Sang's nose wrinkled in distaste as she looked down at her hospital gown.
"That's fine, it makes things easier too, seeing as I know where you live."
"Wait what?!" she exclaimed, "actually, leave it. I don't even know why I should bother asking you how you know."
The masked stranger chuckled, "I'm not your enemy, Sang."
Well, that was a comforting thought. Sang knew she couldn't exactly trust this person but she did know that she could rely on them to get her out of this situation.
"Have they been following us?" she questioned, turning and peering out the back window.
"No. I managed to speed off and take an obscure route. They wouldn't have been able to follow us."
"Okay but do you think they'll find me? You know, eventually?"
"It's possible. They are highly trained after all. You shouldn't worry so much though."
"Why on earth not? A bunch of fugitives are literally after me and you're saying I shouldn't worry?"
"Well for one, you have the protection of TIBI..." Sang groaned. TIBI. How was she going to explain this to them? To Matt? "Remember though, they are dangerous - they're ruthless and they'll do anything to protect their people and institution so be cautious."
"Gee, that makes me feel a whole load better, thanks" she mumbled, "enough about me though, who are you? Why are you so interested in me?"
"I'm interested in keeping you away from The Academy"
"Why?"
They didn't reply immediately. There were a few beats of silence before they murmured, "don't worry about that just now."
"Fine," she grumbled. "If you won't tell me anything then I guess I'll just have to call you Volto."
"Volto?"
"Your mask?"
"Right."
They lapsed into a silence as they drove steadily towards Sang's apartment. Sang felt a physical weight being lifted of her shoulders as her apartment building came into view.
"Hey Volto?" She was met with silence."What did you mean earlier? About someone who's not who they say they are?" She was met with more silence. "Oh come on! You can't just say something like that and expect me to understand who you're talking about!"
"I can't disclose that information just yet." Sang rolled her eyes as Volto parked up outside her apartment building. She was sick of all this vague business. She reached out to open her door when a black gloved hand touched her lightly on the forearm.
"Be careful, Sang. Honestly, I can't explain everything now but promise me you'll be careful."
"S-sure." She stuttered, stunned by the sudden solemnness. Although Sang couldn't make out emotions through Volto's distorter, she felt she detected a warning in Volto's words. With that, she opened up the door and stepped out into more familiar territory. Sending a final glance towards Volto's car, she gave a small smile and whispered 'thank you' before closing the door and walking up to her apartment building. It wasn't until Sang was actually inside the building that Volto sped off. It was as if they were making sure she made it in safely. Was this a kind gesture or a possessive one? thought Sang. Sang's smile widened as she entered her apartment, the familiar room greeting her after being abandoned for so long. There was so much she'd have to do; write up analysis', contact TIBI, contact Matt, tell her seniors what went down for the past few days, et cetera. It wasn't until she walked further into her apartment and made it to her bedroom that she realised something was majorly wrong. She had been so lost in thought that she hadn't even realised she didn't have her key and that her apartment door had been wide open.
