Maelstrom

A Cursed Love

The next day, Maria and her friends went back to work to make it seem like nothing happened and prayed that no one knew what they did. "Okay, everyone. Just act natural. God help us if we're caught." Miranda said. Once they entered the aquarium, there were more guards everywhere and were asking a few people if they knew anything about last night. Canaveral was in a room across from the punch-ins talking to Globavich and Professor Clyde. "It was your creature, Globavich. Know anything or anyone who would steal it?" Asked Clyde, "N-No, I didn't even think that something like this would happen." Said Globavich. Clyde turned to Canaveral, "Sir, I believe we're looking at a highly trained group. Special forces, spies, and so on." "Red Army Special Forces?" Canaveral asked, "Possibly." Said Clyde. "The infiltration took less than five minutes, sir." Canaveral shook his head then turned and looked out the small office window and saw Maria and her friends clock in for work.

Alberto woke up to a bright, sunny day. He was currently laying on his chest then looked up and looked around remembering where he was. He sat up from his spot and rubbed his tired eyes. He looked down in front of him on the ottoman and saw some pancakes with eggs and sausages along with a glass of orange juice and a note. Alberto picked the note up and it read:

"Dear, Alberto

    I made you some breakfast for when you wake up! Sorry that I'm not home, I had to go back to work. Don't worry, I'll be fine. I hope just hope they don't suspect us. Giulia will keep you company while I'm gone, you can play with her cats!"

    "P.S. There's a pool downstairs in the basement if you need it or if you want to swim around. Also, I'm bringing back some snacks!"

Alberto smiled and placed the note to the side as he started eating the breakfast Maria made for him. Giulia came downstairs with her three cats and saw Alberto eating,

"How are you feeling, big guy?" She asked,

"I'm still a little sore, but I think I'll be okay." Alberto said as he takes another bite from his pancakes.

Giulia sat down on the couch across from him as her cats jumped up and started sniffing and snuggling Alberto.

"Machiavelli might not be happy with his replacements." Alberto joked,

"They weren't for me, they're meant for Maria. I thought she might like them." Said Giulia as she picks up and pets the tabby cat, "Also, they're not suspicious of you like Machiavelli was when you first met."

"I can see that." Alberto said as a black cat with green eyes that rubbed against his arm then climbed onto his lap and started rubbing itself on his face.

"Aww, Alice likes you!" Giulia said in awe,

"Seems so." Said Alberto as he pets the black feline.

Clyde went to get Maria and her friends, interrupting their job duties as they entered Canaveral's office. Canaveral was overlooking some punch-in tickets as the trio entered and stepped forward. "Ah, Maria, Miranda, Pete, all right." He said and picked up three punch cards and overlooked them. "Hmm, looks like the three of you punched out before the incident." He said, "Still if you know anything of what happened here, you must report any details. No matter how small or trivial it may seem." "I didn't see anything out of the ordinary." Said Maria, "Neither have we, we were just doing our usual jobs and left when it was our time." Miranda said. "What about you? Nightguard." Said Canaveral pointing to Pete, "No, sir." Pete said shaking his head then looking down. Canaveral walked from his desk to his front window where he could see the other workers at their desks and sees Dr. James.

"Did either of you see Dr. James come in or out of the room?" He asked,

"Doesn't he work there?" Miranda asked,