X: Valet

(1) refused

"I repeat once again – no"

And yet her answer hasn't changed.

I lowered my head. But I didn't blame her – in fact, it was a perfectly sound decision. I don't know how things would have turned out if she had agreed to this adventure.

I had to let go of her hand – frankly, it was sad to do so, not only because she cut off my plan in the bud. Although, of course, touching with gloves is not the same as without them.

Letha threw stones so accurately and, I would say, methodically that I even opened my mouth at the sight. No doubt. No stiffness. No fear. Complete clarity in every action. But then it seemed to me that it was simply impossible to admire her even more.

After a few moments, Hunter shone a flashlight at us – he understood everything. I continued to get nervous – the guard was getting closer, but the window still wouldn't open.

Letha also tensed – I definitely didn't imagine so – her jaw was clenched. We stared at the damn building, but after a while, Letha still rushed forward.

"Hey!"

I shouted in a whisper, following her.

"Stay where you are!"

She threatened me with her finger.

I couldn't disobey. But I was hurt by the fact that Letha rejected my idea and then did exactly as I suggested.

All I had to do was watch her climb up the ledges to the right window. Confidently, deftly. At that time it seemed to me as if the laws of gravity did not apply to her.

Once there, Letha tapped on the glass – Hunter opened the way for her for a couple of moments, but she did not climb inside – he handed her the documents. He himself, I suppose, went to put the rest in their places.

Letha shushed me, bringing me out of my stupor. I jumped closer and caught the papers thrown to her – it was impossible to make too much noise. She came down in just a moment – she jumped down, intercepting various ledges. She pulled my arm again, urging me to hide at our starting point.

The guard was already too close, but when he came to the window, Hunter, unexpectedly for us, closed it. I almost panicked – I was tempted to ask Letha what was going on, but I could see that she was on edge herself. I decided not to make her even more nervous.

We saw the light of someone else's flashlight. Time passed, but no sounds came from the office. And soon the flashlight disappeared, reappearing in the corridor a few moments later. Letha and I exchanged glances.

It was some time before the window opened and Hunter came out. He was no more nimble than Letha – far from nimble – but he descended quite carefully and noiselessly. I looked at her out of the corner of my eye. I think she really wanted to come over – maybe hug him – but she restrained herself. The three of us disappeared into the night.

"Good job"

I pursed my lips. My involvement in this case could hardly be called a good job. First I've screwed up, and then caught a couple of papers.

"Hey, kid"

Hunter clapped me on the shoulder – I think he noticed my depressed state.

Oh, yeah. We still haven't been to the manor. We took refuge somewhere in the basements to wait out a bit.

I turned to Hunter.

"Following orders and keeping a low profile is also a good job. Because the opposite can lead to very sad consequences"