Masquerade - The Complete First Novel

- 10 -

(Dakota)

I peek down the hallway, seeing more glass ways and darkness. That's where I need to be. I quickly put on my Christmas gloves so I couldn't leave fingerprints. I examine the cops, seeing things I don't want to. Dead people. Dead. Children. Their blood was stained on either the weathering skin or the yellow body bones that lay in a pile. Could one of those body's be Clementine's?

I don't notice myself leaning closer as I could see the slight movement of someone look behind their shoulder. I whip my body back to the wall, praying she didn't see me. "Hold on," I could hear her harsh voice. It's Detective Westbay. My heart starts to race, pumping blood out of my chest. I start to pace down the hallway, hearing Westbay's feet stomp closer. My pace turns into a sprint, trying to find a place to hide.

I'm losing time as I run through the hallways. I finally come back to the bathroom, I try to close the door as quietly as I can. I duck into one of the stalls, sitting on the lid. I wait for a few minutes, standing to open the stall door. "Anyone in here?" It was her. There nothing left for me to do, except the answer.

"Yes," the door closes silently, letting Westbay walk in.

"Have you been in here the whole time?"

"Of course," I try to add a different pitch to my voice, making me sound catty.

"As you were," the door seems to close and I wonder if I should get out. She could still be there, she could be on the other side, ready for me to get out so she could lock me in jail. I peer through the crack of the stall to see if I could see her pale skin and white hair. Nothing, clear. I step out, taking in a breath. My pocket buzzed, alerting me to check my phone.

Ana: Hurry up! I'm about to lose my cover!

Dakota: Okay! Okay! I was about to get caught, sorry!

I put away my phone, sneaking out of the bathroom and back to the hallways with the officers. I hope they are still having their presentation. I peek around the corner, and to my surprise, they are. I'm really going to do this. I can't believe it. I start to crawl to the grey portion of the wall, peeking through the glass to see the pictures of highlighted states.

I take a deep breath, and quickly crawl across the opening to the office. My heart starts to pound as I feel my feet get stiff from anxiety. I duck behind the opposite wall, silently exhaling. I continue to crawl to the dark portion of the office, making it there quickly.

I turn into the dark area and pick a desk in the left corner. I hold down the power button, letting the computer come to life. The light almost blinds me as I quickly turn it down and mute the computer.

I glance through the several panels of glass, my heart pounding. They have returned to their computers, a cops computer facing mine, making my heart pound harder. I have to be quick.

I start to check the files, trying to find databases of some sort. I open a file, popping up sickening photos of murder. Blood splattered all over the walls and furniture. The body sitting on the floor, leaning against the red-stained couch. I hold my stomach as it curls, exiting out of the photos, not wishing to see more.

I finally find the database, typing in her information.

FIRST: CLEMENTINE

LAST: FOSTER

LOCATION: SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

LICENSE PLATE:

The loading screen turns, as my time starts to tick away. I hear footsteps, making me jump under the desk. Crap, the screen is still on. I pull myself off of the floor, turning the brightness all the way off so a black screen can only be seen.

"Hold on, I forgot my coat at my desk!" I look up, seeing a jacket lay on the back of the chair. They walk over, putting a hand on the chair. He wasn't picking up his jacket. Instead, he bent over on the desk as I hope my cover doesn't blow. He puts his hand on his gun holster, making my heart pound harder.

"Lundi! There's a girl going crazy in the lobby!"

"What?" The man responds to his friend, grabs his coat, and leaves. Thank god for Anastasia. I hop back into the chair, turning up the brightness and reading the print.

4 CLEMENTINE FOSTERS FOUND

I click on my Clem and select print. Before I shut off the computer, I see a blue link. Files connected to CLEMENTINE FOSTER. I click on it, selecting print before I read the multiple files. I then turn off the computer and follow the sound of the printer.

I go back to the lobby, seeing cops gathered around Ana as she screams. I walk out with the papers folded into the pocket of my grey sweater. I walk out of the station. Running to the car that Ana parked at. I jump into the passenger side, my heart racing. I can't believe I just did that. I can't believe I just broke into a police station and stole classified files on a child I don't even know. I look out the window seeing Ana being shoved out of the station, as she walks to the car.

The car door closes behind her, "Did you get it?" I grab the folded slips from my sweater, showing her. She smirks, "Finally," And then starts to drive home.