E.C.H.O.

Stage 27 "Captured"

As much as a voice was telling him that he should consult with ECHO first, the risk taker within Lucas was wanting to take a chance on Amber's plan. He always had liked a challenge and the thought of rushing into this was making a shiver of excitement rush through him. Yes, maybe it was crazy and dangerous, but he had been playing on the safe side for too long. He missed the action.

A smiled spread across the boy's face.

Amber cocked her head to the side. "I take that as a yes?"

"When do we begin?"

"Now." The girl didn't even hesitate as she turned to the vent.

"Ah..." Lucas' voice made her pause. He watched her turn, eyes rolling.

"What now?"

"Um..." The ECHO agent nodded to the door. "Nathan's still waiting in the hallway..."

"You...!" Amber aimed a high-kick but Lucas blocked it.

While firmly holding the girl's leg he smiled across at her. "Should I let him wait or send him home?"

"What do you think?" Amber glared.

Lucas responded by letting go of her leg. "I'll be a minute." With that he turned and cracked the door. A quick peep out confirmed there was a camera.

"It's disabled," Amber's voice informed him.

Lucas didn't ask as he exited the room. He found himself in the hallway near the locker rooms. There were voices coming from the rink. Someone skating?

It didn't even take him a second to figure out what way to go. Without hesitation he was off. The way was short and with Nathan being near the other camera to distort its signal, Lucas was sure nothing could see him. Then again, if he was really going ahead with this plan then if he was seen it didn't matter.

He found Nathan right where he had left him. The boy was pressed up against the wall, stomach first while humming something that suspiciously sounded like the Mission Impossible theme song. He was sliding along, arms stretched to either side.

Lucas stayed where he was, watching the scene. The other boy turned his head, as though searching for an enemy. When his eyes landed on Lucas he jumped back from the wall as though it had shocked him.

"Dude!" Nathan hurried over, head turning left and right. "Where did you come from?"

"Having fun?" Lucas couldn't hide the amusement in his voice.

Nathan lifted a hand and sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. "I was getting a bit bored..." The rubbing stopped as an excited glint entered his eyes. "Find anything? Stab anyone?"

"Hmm..." The close call with Amber flashed through Lucas' mind. "Nah...it was pretty uneventful..." He paused. How to get him to go back to the dorm alone... The idea came to him. "Listen..." He shot a glance behind him before getting closer to Nathan. "I think I'm being suspected," he whispered.

Nathan's eyes widened.

"I hear someone mention they would go by our room and check on us."

"Shoot! Dude, we have to get back!"

Lucas nodded. This was way too easy. "There's one more thing I need to see though...could you go ahead and cover?"

Nathan cocked his head in a way that creepily similar to that of his sister. Lucas reacted by clearing his throat.

"I could set things up so they look like you're already sleeping...I'll make something up if they try wake you," Nathan decided.

"Sounds like a plan," Lucas agreed.