Obsidian Hearts (The Academy)

Chapter 14: The Pursuit

Thank you Leigh for editing as always you are amazing. Hello I've gotten a few requests to update this story and I'd like to thank everyone who has. I'm sorry it took me so long to post this chapter. I got stuck and then eventually decided to rewrite it so the actions that occurred at the auction make more sense. Thanks for waiting and I hope you enjoy.

           

I watch soundlessly from the grove and foliage; Brio and Finlay are sneaking up on the security guards. Cameron and Barrett are on either side of me wearing causal clothes as we wait for the perfect opportunity to create a distraction. Erin is watching our backs. I watch Cameron shove Barrett out of the grove and into the clearing, catching the attention of the security guards. Barrett tackles Cameron and the two roll around on the ground throwing punches at each other.  One of the guards turns to the other then heads over to detain the two boys, while the other guard inches closer to the door they are securing and talks into the radio; too bad, it isn't working.

Brio quickly knocks out the guard by the door with an open handed strike to the side of his neck, effectively stunning him. He could be unconscious, but I cannot tell from this distance. The event is rather lackluster; with no time to struggle, the guard is easily taken out. Erin grabs my hand and squeezes it, warning me that it is time to get moving. I squeeze his hand back and stand up. I touch my head to make sure the wig is on properly and head out of the grove just as Finlay takes out the other security guard.

"Remember your job is to verify that there are endangered animals up for auction and to then distract your mother by catching her attention. I'll be helping sneak the animals out of the auction with Barrett, while Finlay and Brio distract any of the other guards. Stay within Cameron's sight and communicate with him when necessary, but most importantly, stay safe," Erin whispers into my ear.

"I'll do the best my best!" I reassure him with a smile. "Stay safe, Erin."

I pull off my coat revealing a high low, light pink, spaghetti strapped dress; it goes rather well with the red wig.  Barrett finds the keys to the door on one of the security guards and unlocks the door, while Finlay and Brio hide the security guards in the grove.

"Give Cameron a note if anything changes and we need to switch things around to make this plan work." Barrett reminds me.

"You just make sure Axel is ready in case I need him. This is Charleston; after all, there is plenty of marine life to capture and auction."

I walk inside the building and find myself in a long hallway. Corey found the floorplans of the building for us, but I can't relax. What if the floorplan is a fake? What if it's a trap? My instinct is telling me not to let my guard down.  Cameron enters behind me after changing into a dress shirt, dress pants, and an open blazer.  I grab his hand and slowly lead us down the hallway.

"We don't have time to waste; the security guards will rotate in fifteen minutes." I whisper.

"What are you thinking?" Cameron whispers back.

"I'm thinking it's a trap. I'm going to set it off but not get caught. I am supposed to grab my mother's attention."

"You're supposed to do that after you've checked up on the animals."

I reach under the skirt of my dress and pull out a bag slightly larger than a wallet and hand it to Cameron. He opens it up and stares at the tranquillizers.

"My main job is to be the distraction. I've taught you all the basics on which size to use and where to aim it." I smile and give him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

Cameron sighs. "I'll give this to the others real quick so don't start without me. It's my job to make sure you stay safe."

"Just as it is my job to make sure all of you are safe. Go, I'll wait for you to come back."