Team Chaotix - The Case of The Missing Dogs

Chapter 8

Wednesday, 8:50 PM: 13 hours left to pay electric bill;

For three hours they followed the van at a great distance that won't blow their cover. Wherever Team Chaotix was heading, it had to been far enough for no one taking notice of any shady doings. At some point, Charmy looked behind to see Station Square and the busiest, massive city was a speck of light. Every time the van would slow, Vector would expect that they got caught and there could be a brawl, but instead the driver was avoiding bumps that could send the van off the road. 

"I know I said before I'm familiar where this road goes." Said Vector as the first stars started to take their nighty appearance. "But I never traveled this far ahead. We'll have to take extra caution where they'll go, it can be dangerous."

"Will the shelter dogs be where they're heading?" Asked Charmy quizzically.

"That's a 50/50." Replied Espio.

They all felt silent afterwards, all unsure of what the next few hours is going to be for them.

They drove up a hill and upon descending, they witness the van make a right turn into a gravel driveway, in the direction of an abandoned one story eight car garage. 

"Vector, they'll be stopping. We can't follow them any further." Stated Espio.

"Hold on." Within feet of them to their right did Vector gazed upon a big bush growing at the edge of the road. He didn't know it was large enough to conceal their vehicle but drove in it anyway. The branches clashed around the vehicle, and a stump large enough forced it to a halt. Vector applied the brakes just in time before the stump would destroy their front bumper. They were hidden, Vector was glad of it, but he didn't realize until now the windshield would be covered, preventing any good view ahead, so it left the trio only one way that they can still investigate but not get caught in the process.

"Up the roof team!" Commanded Vector.

Thankfully, by Tails' advice a year prior of installing a trap door on their roof came in handy for this very moment. One by one, they climbed to the top and the vegetation of the branches were thick enough to hide behind, but good enough to still see the horizon.

And just in the nick of time too, because they witness the van drive into the fifth room of the garage, with the door closing behind a second later. 

Nothing else occurred from then on to the next two minutes.

"So that's their hideout." said Espio. "Very clever for how little suspicion it hardly draws."

"Hm," Vector pressed a hand to his chin. "Anyone see another way in? Going in how the van did would be reckless on our part."

Charmy, who was the quickest of the team to take notice of the littlest obvious things, pointed to a rusty moss covered door on the far right side, surrounded by a rusty fence.

"We can sneak in there. I see the fence doesn't even have a door to go with it!" Charmy concluded.

"Good eyes kid!" Said Vector. "Team, it's time to see if they're the very Mobians we're looking for. If they are, then it's most likely the shelter dogs are in that garage too, we'll stay together unless otherwise, but the main goal is to be on the lookout for any traps and to stay safe. Everyone ready?"

After a quick approval and another team hand stack, it was once again time to get the case solve.

"TEAM CHAOTIX!" 

The trio walked slowly and cautiously to the garage, being thankful it was dark outside enough to conceal themselves. What even made it more easy for them to sneak was the fact that there was no outside working lights, the Mobians probably wanted to make sure no one would think anyone was owning the garage. Espio slowly opened the door, and each snook in, quiet enough that you can hear a pin drop on the dirt and leaf covered cement.