Infectious Love

Chapter 21: A Hazy Dream

(A Halloween couple for this Halloween, Artwork by me)

"So 8 attacked her because he thought she was me?" 3 said, her voice above a whisper and laced with shock.

3 was sitting at the kitchen island with Cat while Leo was grabbing everyone some drinks. It was late, and the three of them were at the Lab Team's home. By some miracle, 3 decided to hang out at the Lab when Cat came running in, out of breath and sweaty.

"He didn't hurt her, but I'm pretty sure 8 would have taken her if Pacer hadn't spotted in her time." Catherine sighed, leaning back against her chair. "I don't want to think what would have happened if he took her and then realized she wasn't you."

All 3 could do was nod. How did 8 know about her disguise? 3 had only been wearing it for less than a day, so how did he find out so fast? Three was relieved that the girl, Headphones, was okay, but she couldn't help but feel a slight ping of guilt. 

"One thing I don't get is how 8 slipped by without setting off the cameras." Leo chimed in, handing 3 and Cat each a water bottle, which Cat gratefully accepted. "That's the only tunnel that leads to the Metro."

Leo had a point. 3 knew that Leo and Cassey had helped set up the video feed in the abandoned tunnels. The feed was motion-censored, so it would catch anything that moved in that tunnel. So, how did it come to this?

"Well, he found a way around it," Cat said before taking a big gulp of water and letting out a satisfied breath. "And I became a hostage negotiator. Thankfully, Headphones, her boyfriend, Pacer, and Prinz promised not to tell anyone about what happened. Even about me."

"What I want to know is how long you've known these two." Leo raised a brow. "Can we trust them?"

3 glanced over to Cat, who had turned pale and fidgeted with her fingers. Leo had a point. Cat had promptly told them that no one knew that she was human beside them. Only four people knew, and they swore not to tell. 3 could only imagine how tense that standoff was; with 8 seeing a familiar face, it helped let that poor Inkling girl go. The names Prinz and Pacer rang a bell that 3 couldn't place her finger on. 

"Prinz and Pacer wouldn't do that," Cat furrowed her brows, a bit of irritation on her face. "I've been hanging with them for months. They're good people, Leo, trust me."

"That's what you said about-"

"Leo, please! I don't want to bring her up."

Cat slumped back in her seat, adverting her gaze. Leo said a quick sorry as he ran a hand through his hair. 3 awkwardly looked between them. It was always a sore subject to metition her, especially to Cat. Then, the names finally clicked.

"Now I remember. Those two are on Team Emperor." 3 spoke up, now remembering the aforementioned names.

"Team Emperor? Is that one of those top Turfwar teams that 4 mentioned?" Leo said, tilting his head.

"Yeah, I think Prinz's older brother is the leader. And Pacer is the sniper of the team."

"This Turfwar stuff sounds-"

Leo was cut off as Cassie burst into the kitchen from the hallway. She was glowing, her eyes looking slightly tense, her eyes stopping at the small gang. Cat stood up from her seat.

"Cass, are you-"

"She's awake, she remembers." Cassie grinned with delight. She grabbed Leo's arm, tugging him toward the hallway. "It works! She still has some teal patches, but they should disappear with time."

"Slow down, Cassie," 3 said, getting out of her seat.

Cat and 3 followed suit down the hallway while Cassie pulled Leo with her. Leo's cheeks were dusted with a bright red due to how Cassie held his arm. Cass finally let go of his arm as she turned around, blocking the closed door to the nurse's room.