The 4th Subject

Chapter 34: How the Tables have Turned

"How do you feel about today?" Sam asked, getting the rig set up.

I couldn't help but let out an exasperated sigh. It felt like every little thing we did started with one of the three asking me about it. Like I was some tool for them to use.

"Not great," I said, "but not for the reasons you want."

"What do you mean, "want"?"

Before I could respond, Matt ascended the stairs and joined us in Headquarters. Sam started filming, eyeing me sideways as she lifted the camera.

"This is the Phantom, this is the guy who's been one step ahead." Matt said, pacing. "Let's use the fact that he doesn't know that we know to set him up."

"For what though?" Sam asked. "What would this accomplish?"

"This would allow us to turn the tables. I'm tired of him terrorizing us. Am I alone on this?" He turned to Woods.

"No, I think we have the upper hand, we should use it." Woods replied.

"Enough is enough." Matt stated. His eyes fell upon me. I knew what he was looking for. Some sort of reaction, some way of knowing if this plan was smart or not.

"Don't look at me," I mumbled, half sarcastically and half honest.

"Well, let's go then. I've got this tracking device," Matt said as he held up a small black piece of metal. "Let's find a way to get this on his car."

Matt drafted an email to the Phantom, feigning relief. We prepped a box full of supplies and weapons, loaded it into Matt's car, and headed out.

The team discussed the plan as we searched for a possible location for our fake serum. An old office building covered in foliage stood out to us. We parked and walked the empty lot and sidewalks. I couldn't help but notice Matt glancing at me from time to time, still trying to read my face. This was getting ridiculous, but now was not the time to call that out.

"This is a good spot," Matt finally said, motioning to the base of a tree. "I can hide behind those bushes, you guys can be over there with the camera. I'll need you guys on walkie though."

"I'm not gonna drop the walkie," Woods said as we all glanced in his direction.

"Do you have duct tape?" Matt asked.

"Matt," I mumbled with a grin.

"What if I need my hand?" Woods cried.

We laughed a bit, somewhat breaking the tension. Then we split off to do our separate tasks. Woods grabbed the concrete slab he made and began burying it. I pulled the walkie from the car and tested it as Matt parked in a separate lot. Sam scouted out our hiding spot, making sure we'd be hidden, yet still capable of filming. After about 5 minutes, we were set up in our hiding places, waiting for the Phantom.

"You know what I just realized," I said, speaking into the walkie. "We forgot snacks."

"Snacks? No!" Woods and Matt cried. Sam was equally distressed.

"Why did you bring that up?"

"I was just thinking about what we packed in our go-bucket, you know, mentally double checking we brought everything. And I realized the one thing we didn't stop to grab: snacks."

"I didn't realize how hungry I was," Matt's voice crackled through the walkie. "Now I'm thinking these leaves look pretty good."

"Don't eat the leaves." Woods said, leaning over my shoulder to speak to him.

We spoke about snacks, Woods and Sam joking to Matt that they brought some. Suddenly Matt's voice was clear as day.

"There's movement."