Hidden and Silent (SpyxFamily)

Chapter Five

It had been too long, Yuri thought as he climbed up the steps and entered the apartment complex. He pretty much skipped down the hall as he imagined his sister's face greeting and inviting him inside. He carried the delicate box carefully at his side, held slightly away from his body, and he knocked on the door.

"Hello, Yuri. Welcome." Loid said when it opened and Yuri's smile fell. He could have punched this man for showing his face first.

The despicable man with the punchable face stepped aside and Yuri entered, immediately searching for Yor when she emerged from the kitchen adorned with snacks and tea.

"Yuri, you're here!" She said, placing the tray on the coffee table, and Yuri held out the box after taking off his shoes.

"This is for you."

"Oh, thank you. Is it cake?" She set it down on the table and opened it, rendering an answer, moot.

They occupied the living room and, as Yor sliced the cake with precise, quick movements, Loid got right to the point. "What did you find at the lab?"

Yuri narrowed his eyes at him. He still didn't trust him. Yor deserved to know the truth, but if Loid was a spy, he could report back to Westalis. Why should Yuri tell him anything?

"Yuri?" Yor's melodious voice took his attention as she handed him a plate of sugary confection.

"There was nothing there about chihuahua." He said, taking it. "I tried to be the first to read most everything we found, but her name wasn't mentioned anywhere."

The Forger's gave a sigh of relief. Yor looked lighter and Yuri felt he'd done well.

"Thank you, Yuri." Yor placed a hand over his.

"Anything for you, sis."

"What about the other telepaths? Any names?" Loid picked up his teacup and Yuri fwipped a glare at him.

"Is that a no?" Said Yor.

"No other names, no." He obliged and that seemed to relax her, too, though he didn't know why.

"I thought that might be the case. You said you'd call if we should be worried." Yor said and he nodded. "Did you find anything else we should know?" She asked and he shook his head.

"Not really. Nothing that would affect you." Yuri put down his cake and picked up his tea, stirring it. 'Nothing that Loid should know.'

"No indication of what their agenda is?" Yor asked and Yuri looked up from his cup.

"Their agenda? You think they have one besides making money?"

"Maybe. . ." She said and didn't elaborate.

Yuri would have to look into this. If there was more to the director's intentions, which were already deplorable, he wondered how bad it could be.

———————-

Damian's feet barely touched the ground, nearly flying, he was running so fast. His heart pounded as he was urged on by an inexplicable fear and he couldn't remember his destination. Or who he was running to. He knew it was important.

The place looked familiar, he couldn't recall why. The gravel paths all looked the same and the trees looked thicker and bigger than they should have been. They blew in the strong winds while dark clouds hid the light. Damian felt chills riding his arms as the pines seemed to darken in colour and bend towards him. They didn't feel like trees anymore, but sentient beings with malicious intent.

It was too dark. Why was it so dark? Where were his classmates and the animals? Weren't they supposed to be here? No. He left them. He had to stop her. He had to catch up. Someone was in danger. How did he know that? Who was he supposed to catch up to?

It started to rain.

Instinctively, Damian turned left at the intersection.This was the right way he felt. The path was long, stretching further than he thought it should, and he slowed against his will. His legs wouldn't go faster, and his feet seemed to sink into the ground as his sprint turned into a trudge.

He panicked. No. No, no, no, no. He was going to be too late! The danger was happening! What about himself?! Someone would catch up to him and he'd be in danger! He should run away. It wasn't safe. What was he doing here anyway? Something told him he shouldn't go. No. He had to, he had to. Something told him he shouldn't.

No, this was important! He had to go! He couldn't leave her there by herself!

Damian heaved his leg forward and took a step. He took another. He couldn't leave her there by herself.

Leave her where? Who?

Like a crack of thunder rending the sky, a bullet echoed over the zoo and stopped Damian in his tracks.

A gun. This is why he shouldn't go.

And suddenly it was in his face.

A woman held it there and her finger reached for the trigger as if time had slowed. As if giving Damian time to have a panic attack before he died. His heart could have been outside his chest, it was so loud, and the image of the woman grew blurry as his eyes poured out tears like a waterfall.

He remembered he was looking for someone then, and she wasn't here. She'd already been taken away and he heard her splitting scream ripping through him, as if to remind him where'd she'd gone. She was gone, and her scream was an echo of what had already taken place.

She was gone and Damian was too late. He was going to die.

The woman's image morphed and his father stood in her place.

Time sped up again and he pulled the trigger.