Sighted

Chapter 19: The More the Merrier, My Ass

Gin

      Its beautiful weather today. The chill of early Spring is now completely gone, leaving mild, enjoyable days. It was warm enough to be comfortable in my joggers and tee shirt, paired again with my combat boots. I'm currently leaning against a bus stop sign across from DemGen. Not directly across from the building, because I'm hopefully far enough down to not be noticed.

      I've been in this spot for about thirty minutes and I know I'll have to get on a bus soon. I'll just get off at the next stop that is of sight of the evil corporation, before jogging around and finding a new place to observe from.

      My phone is in my hands, with my earbuds in. I'm going for the "bored on my phone look" but I'm actually scanning through the security cameras Owen linked to my phone. Almost a week ago, my genius little brother cracked through the security device that blocks all communication within and out of the building.

      Since that break-through, Owen has been sketching out floor plans while collecting as much detailed information on the employees as possible. He's been staggering the feeds, connecting sporadically and for short periods of time to avoid detection, so our progress has been slow but progress none the less. Owen says it appears there are basement levels that he can see people exiting out of the elevator at, but there are no cameras there.

      It took a couple of days, but we're able to track Peter's movements inside DemGen as well. There is one floor that is just set up as dormitories, and it looks like there are select employees that stay there. There are cameras in all of the rooms, so we're assuming they're more like cells than dorms. Peter is one of them, and he is escorted to his work space and back to his room, never left alone.

      Owen and Bowden have been trying to form an extraction plan, but it's been difficult. Mainly, their arguing has made things difficult. This week, there has also been progress in Owen relaxing his over-protectiveness on Bowden. The demon is still not allowed to go home, or anywhere he used to frequent, but can go out and run errands as needed.

      Plus, Dylan has been crazy cooped up lately, and after extinguishing the third fire in two days, Owen finally relented and allowed the halfling to accompany Bowden. Its served a double-purpose in starting to dedicate time to looking for Dylan's parents.

      It has been starting to worry me how long it's been since first rescuing the kid, without any word from either of the parents. We entrusted a list of our safe and most frequently used contacts to Bowden, and he's been spreading the word that I'm looking for the fire demon and human woman. We're still waiting to hear news.

      However, the fighting while planning the compute engineer's extraction is caused by Bowden insisting to be a part of it. Owen is refusing, insisting that he'll go. So far, I've convinced them to ask Mom to come with for more firepower, but we really need at least a third person for most of the plans we've come up with. Soon, I'll have to step in and settle it, but I've been busy too.

      I still refuse to allow Alex to be unguarded, so when I have to patrol at night, Owen works out of the van at the hospital. Whenever Alex isn't working or sleeping, I invite him to the apartment. It's not really an invitation he can turn down, but he hasn't tried to refuse as of yet.

      He's been reading as many books that Owen has on demons, powers, spirits and other magical creatures. My dad even sent Alex a couple of books he had on magical medicines that I've seen the doctor pouring over at the kitchen table, taking notes on.

      The bad part is, that even though Alex is around me a lot of the time, I'm not actually spending time with him. If I'm not guarding him from afar, then I'm helping Owen or crashing for a few hours' sleep that I desperately need.