PSEUMINO, VENTO AUREO.

STATION II

═ ☆. YOU MADE IT A POINT to take the stairs two at a time. Nonetheless, Bruno hovered at your elbow, just in case.

On the upper floor, Bruno led you and Number Seven past all of the early transit riders. You stopped at the second set of restrooms near the back, a dingy maintenance sign sitting mopily out front. To your surprise, Bruno sidestepped the sign and went to the water fountain between the male and female restrooms.

"How—"

"One of the students waiting outside told me how they'd been noticing people going back here. I figured it was worth a shot."

You eyed the water fountain. It was your run-of-the-mill fountain, nothing shiny or "bizarre" except for the small puddle forming underneath it.

"I don't see anything special about it."

"Man, this blows," Number Seven groaned. "Why did Mista have to leave me here with you guys? He couldn't have left Number Five?"

By now, you were starting to recognize that each of Mista's six Pistols had a distinct personality. Number Seven happened to be hot-headed and sharp-tongued. If the Pistol kept griping like this, you might actually prefer Number Five.

"That's what I thought," Bruno said, ignoring Number Seven. "But then I noticed this."

He crouched next to the fountain and motioned for you to do the same. When you craned your neck, you noticed a golden key attached to the bottom of the fountain.

"What the hell?" you murmured. "What's that doing there?"

"I'm not sure, but I think it's what we're looking for." Bruno took the key into his hand. The brassy gold reflected the light, your tiny reflection in the red stone inlaid in the key head.

"What is that supposed to open?" Number Seven asked.

You were wondering the same thing. A key like that opened mansion doors and ornate chests. What was it doing underneath a bathroom fountain? You assumed it was there so the caution sign would keep people out, but what were you supposed to do when you found it?

"There has to be something in these washrooms," Bruno said, getting up. "I'll check the male washrooms if you check the female."

"Female?" Number Seven repeated, appalled.

You rolled your eyes. "No one is in there, Number Seven."

The restrooms must have been out of order for a hell of a long time. The lights flickered overhead, making everything appear dim and grimy. You opened each of the stalls before taking a peek at the waste bins. The toilets looked like they hadn't been used in weeks, and none of the waste bins or toilet paper had ever been replaced. It was odd, considering the rest of the station was well-maintained. It made you think it was purposefully left this way.

"Anything?" you asked Number Seven.

"Nope."

You allowed strands of White Satin to snake along the floor. You clustered by the exit where Bruno was and along the walls where the people outside were. There didn't seem to be any signs of life here.

Except...

You followed a strand of White Satin to the third stall. It was faint, but it was there, a spark of heat. You leaned over to peer around the back of the toilet. It was hard to see what it was, but something solid was there, wedged between the wall and the toilet. You brushed your fingers over it, unsure of what it was.

"Did you find anything?"

You jolted at the sound of Bruno's voice.

"Yeah. I think there's something behind this toilet. White Satin was drawing toward its energy."