Among them

Chapter five

Arian

"Where the fuck is she?", I yell at no one in particular. How could she even escape with all those cameras? That's impossible.

Frustrated, I grab a glass and smash it to the ground, creating a lake of water on the floor, but I couldn't give a shit less.

"Would you just calm down. This is leading nowhere.", Tristan has the audacity to say. This idiot always behaves like he is a coach for anything and I am just absolutely done with that. He read too many mediation books or stuff.

"You're the one that should shut up, or your other option is to fucking tell me where she is.", I hiss, slowly letting my breath escape my mouth. This all is making me as aggressive as seldom. Having her here, something we planned so long but still everything works out just like shit. I mean I am not even the perfectionist and idealist guy out of us here, that part is occupied by Tristan, but still I hate something not going as planned. And her running away from us successfully was not planned.

"We obviously don't know right now. If we did, we wouldn't be looking for her on all the screens like some idiots for sure. So, either you support us, or you fucking leave.", Tristan points at the door, maybe to emphasize his words, but in my opinion, it rather leaves him looking as a clown. Clearly, a red nose is missing, but the left appearance actually suits a clown.

"I found her.", Milan states. Those three words grab my attention immediately.

I wheel around to his position, asking passionately: "Where is she?"

"In the lower swimming hall. The cameras are broken since yesterday and were scheduled to be fixed tomorrow.", he observes casually as if he is talking about the weather.

"How did you find her without the cameras?", Tristan questions curiously.

"I scanned the whole house for the warmth of a human body.", Milan explains simply. Clever guy. He's kinda the brains in our group, maybe because he is not bloody related to us. "I'm honestly sorry to interrupt your technical exchange, okay I'm not, but it doesn't matter how we found her but that we found her. I'll go on from here to find her if you all don't mind.", I volunteer, or rather demand. I mean, I would not let anyone else do that part, and they all know that. Plus they know it is ridiculous to fight against me.

"I don't know whether that's a good idea. We need her back in a whole piece.", Tristan doubts. He and his doubts. He is the overthinker-perfectionist-I know everything-best parent-role in here. As if I am dismembering her. Actually, maybe it would get her some respect, but I don't want to use violence. Not yet at least.

"I've got this now.", I ensure, having them leave and the room being in a calm silence again.

With that, I make my way to the swimming pool. It's located in the lowest level.

I hurry through the halls, not seeing a single soul, until I reach the elevator.

Inside, I press 0, while waiting for the doors to close.

How did she even know about the swimming pool? Was it just luck? And why are especially the cameras in this room not working? Everything looks like Nora had help, but who could it have been? As far as I know, Nora only had contact to Ms. Hemsford, who I clearly wouldn't expect to help her, and Rose. Mmmh, Rose. I never liked her too much. She is too clever behind that silent mouth of hers. A very dangerous mix.

But would she be dumb enough to disobey us? Until now, she did her tasks perfectly, almost too perfectly if you ask me.

The doors open again, interrupting my train of thoughts.