The Clash, Book One

Chapter 21: Wake Up Call, Part C

            

A little while later, Alena stealthily made her way to the back of Belfry Towers. The very last thing she needed was for Ivy or Victoria to see her.

The blonde knew that stairs would be far less conspicuous than the elevator – the main reason being that hardly anyone ever took the stairs.

And so, Alena opened the door that led to the stairwell and began making her way down to the electrical room.

Alena made sure to tip-toe all the way down the stairs – the last time she had done so was when she was playing Santa last year.

Soon enough, she arrived at the door. She took a deep breath before she opened it and walked inside.

Hearing the footsteps, the woman called out, "Didn't expect you back so soon. Forget something?"

When Alena appeared in front in her, the woman furrowed her brows for a moment. An unreadable expression formed on her face as she asked, "And who might you be?"

The blonde took another breath before she answered, "Someone who'd like to know who you are."

The woman tilted her head as she perceived, "I'm much more interested in you, my dear. It seems that you already know your way down here, and you aren't at all surprised by my presence."

Alena refrained from rolling her eyes as she thought, "I need answers, not bloody riddles."

Still, the blonde figured she might as well play along if she was going to get anywhere. She took a breath as she covered, "I accidentally got lost yesterday and followed your friend up here. I just thought I'd try to see what was going on."

"You'll have to do better than that if you expect to glean any information," the woman responded, a certain amount of condescension in her tone.

Alena narrowed her eyes at the woman before taking another breath to control her temper. She then crossed her arms and stated, "And if I already have all the information I need? If I'm only in need of confirmation?"

The woman regarded Alena for a few moments before she spoke, "Then I'd venture to say that you're rather clever – which is more than I can say for some people."

She then tilted her head and asked, "And what makes you think I'll confirm this information you claim to have?"

"Because I already know enough to know that it's true," Alena stated with crossed arms, silently congratulating herself on her ability to keep her voice even.

"If you were truly as confident as you seem, you wouldn't be here," the woman threw back, a satisfied smile on her face.

Alena's patience was starting to wear thin, but she pressed on: "Maybe I'm just testing what you actually know," placing her hands on her hips.

The woman rolled her eyes before she pointed out, "Oh, please. We both know that you couldn't possibly be that well-informed."

The blonde balled up both of her fists and angrily huffed, making the dim lights flicker. She noticed and quickly calmed herself.

It wasn't quite quick enough for the woman not to notice the change in the lighting, however brief – and however dark – it might have been.

Nevertheless, the woman acted as though she saw nothing. She then told Alena, "Still, I believe you do know something. I wonder what it might be?"

Alena closed her eyes and let out a breath in response. She then stated, "Enough of these riddles – or whatever it is you're doing. I know about the curse, and I know that Ivy, or rather Drizella, is awake."