Evolved: Aether Rising

Chapter 3: A Rumble in Amsterdam

Stowls makes strong attempts at conversation, but my mind is elsewhere. We arrive at my apartment in record time. As I step out of the SUV, I notice the air is warmer now. A stark indicator that sunlight is coming soon. I would assume Gerald will want us gone by sunrise. He doesn't have to worry as I do not plan on dallying any longer than I have to.

Stowls asks if I want him to accompany me to the apartment and I decline. I assure him I will not be long as I leave him standing beside the car.

I enter the apartment building with some apprehension. I focus on the cream-colored walls and worn brown carpet. The apartment building is cleaner than most, but not the best apartment I have ever lived in. I can say with all honesty that the decor needs an update.

The sound of a newborn crying suggests to me that baby Ambrose has not gotten his sleep schedule down yet. The Janssens must be ripping their hair out. The last time I saw Mrs. Janssen was when the couple brough the baby home. The crying started shortly after they returned and I have seen hide nor hair of her since. If Mr. Janssen is any indication of what I should expect, she has bags under her eyes and a tired gait.

I don't regret my decision to hold off on kids.

I enter the apartment with the turn of a key. I should feel some sense of nostalgia to know this is the last time I will enter the apartment. The emotion I do feel is relief.

I toss my keys into the gray ceramic bowl on the oak table beside the door. The same yellow pastel walls that welcomed me in the beginning are now far too yellow, even for me. It used to make the apartment feel clean and bright, but it feels like just another yellow wall. It's sad because yellow, or rather gold, is my favorite color.

I pass by the living room on the way to my bedroom. I've always hated the tacky blue contemporary sofa that came with the apartment. The saving grace of the living room is the antique glass table and the grand fireplace, as well as the terrace. The view of the city at night from the terrace is beautiful.

I head down a small hall and into the bedroom. Ignoring the California King bed, I head to a space beside the small white wood dresser opposite the bed. A small gesture causes the dresser to slide across the wooden floor. A small wooden plank unseats itself where the dress's leg once was.

I pull the plank away to reveal a small opening. A small device the size of an old-school beeper is nestled beside a stack of passports. I grab everything in my hands and replace the plank. I use my powers once again to move the dresser back and open the closet doors. A black backpack slides over to me. I toss the device and the passports in the bag.

I retrieve my suitcase and begin packing up my things. Most of my belongings after I joined the team were kept at the school. The apartment came pre-furnished, so most of the furniture was here long before I was.

After packing my stuff and changing into civilian clothes, I head back into the living room. The moment I enter the living room, my eyes adjust to the darkness. The lights have been turned off while I was otherwise engaged. The doors to the balcony are open and the night air is blowing into the apartment. I sling my backpack over my back and drop the suitcase on the floor.

"I'm in no mood." I speak into the darkness.

The light flicks back on to reveal a figure in black army fatigues with a black Kevlar vest. The figure is male, judging on the shape of his body. A pair of shiny black combat boots lead up into a pair of kneepads His face is obscured by a rounded helmet that almost contours to his face. Two special blue pistols are strapped to his shoulders in a holster, with riot sticks holstered on his side. The most curious thing about him is a pair of bulky gauntlets on his wrists.