Caged House Vampires

Episode Five

Renee's breath caught in her throat. She couldn't get the answer wrong because Calista's life hung in the balance relying on her tired mind to save her. Luckily, the riddle was one she'd known for a while, her grandmother used to recite it to her whenever the young girl started acting out of place. It was a warning to straighten up or get caught in the web (code word for punishment) was coming in the form of a switch. "It's a spider," she answered through tight lips and waited. Donovan made no sound, no comment or his usual sickening laughter. The line went dead.

She waited, listening to the continued creaking sounds that called out from the elevator shaft as wires worked to hold its passengers in place. She heard the panicked voices of the agents assigned with transporting Calista as they slammed their fingers into the buttons hopelessly trying to convince the reinforced metal box to continue rising. The relief was palpable when the gears shifted back into motion and the lift continued to rise. She sighed looking down at the black screen of the phone in her hand before she returned it to her pocket.

"What the hell was that?" Moon who'd been sobbing stood as recognition of danger set in. Her eyes shifted from the elevator doors to Renee and back. "Calista?"

"It was another riddle, I got it right." She dropped her head back to stare at the ceiling. "We need to talk, what did Calista tell you? Did she say anything that could be useful? Anything to help figure out how all of this happened?"

"She just said it wasn't her. Something about a sound and then-" Moon was interrupted by the familiar sound of heavy footfalls. She quickly hushed, it seemed Renee wasn't the only one who didn't completely trust the woman who claimed to be there to offer her help.

"What are you doing here Renee?" Brigytah stood with two others Renee had never met. The dark-haired woman with thick frames looked frightened, the blonde with sunglasses looked pleased.

"I came to speak to Calista, but I see you've already had her taken away," Renee refused to back down. The two of them would be at odds, that much was clear. She didn't trust Brigytah and she wouldn't be hiding the fact.

"Yes, for her own good," Brigytah showed her frustration for once again having to justify for her actions. "Being here was bad for Calista. I've sent her to the safest place possible."

"Seems a little hasty on your part," Renee sighed, "doesn't exactly help with my investigation either."

"Are you questioning my judgement, again? The girl was compromised, clearly." Brigytah sucked her teeth as she tried not to lose her cool in front of her minions.

"Of course she was, great." Renee paused, "Only, I've never seen someone shipped to the Arc that fast. Compromised or not, it just doesn't happen that way. Not without proper observation and assessment."

"Moon," Brigytah turned her attention to the puffy eyed woman at Renee's side, no longer caring to address her oppositions concerns. "You look upset. Perhaps you should go to the restoration center. Get you some rest and feed. I know how troubling this all must be for you considering your relationship with Calista."

"Yes, I think I will," Moon nodded slowly then shot Renee a troubling look before dropping her feet to the floor and heading out the door.

"Moon, I'll come see you later." Renee called behind her and Brigytah rolled her eyes. Renee was stating a fact, that she would be looking out for Moon and if anything happened to her, she would raise hell.

"You're looking a little beat up yourself there, perhaps you should go join her." Brigytah took the jab before turning and leaving Renee alone. The two agents who remained silent, followed closely behind her.