THE KEY (book one)

|twenty-six|

A million thoughts, a million questions but zero answers.
Parked in a discreet area, at least a mile away from the Pexagon I begin to think of a plan. A plan that can elucidate all of this.
"Anything yet?" Phoebe questions sitting up in her seat.
"Does she even know that we found all of The Keys?" Luke pitch's in. Once again questions that can't be answered, because I simply just don't know.
"How long has it been since I first came?" I ask picking at my nails.
"Five days maybe six, I could be wrong." Levi mumbles.
We don't have long before the cities come down. A spark shoots through out my body along with the sudden urge to just walk to the Pexagon.
"Woah, woah, woah!" Levi grabs my arm and stares at me intensely.
"There's no time the cities can fall anytime now." I blurt releasing my arm.
"Don't be stupid Erra w-" Phoebe starts but I cut her off.
"Do you understand I was sent on this stupid mission for a reason, my father died for a reason, all of this was for a reason! This was planed from the moment I entered the Pexagon!" I yell without hesitation.
"Well Erra do you understand that we did this as a team. I understand that this all ties to you somehow, but we all risked our lives for this, shit Drew died for this!" Luke blurts.
"Let her go." Levi mumbles and my eyes dart to him.
"Go get what you need done and we'll meet you there. It's not like your doing anything wrong your just turning in The Keys." Silence surrounds us and I nod.
"Alone?" I ask to clarify.
"Yea now get in so we can just drive there."
XXX

Arriving in the front of the Pexagon Levi stops the mobile and waits.
My heart ties into a thousand knots and for a moment I'm not sure I can do this. This is all moving very fast, I don't even know what I'm going to say. "You alright?" Levi questions.
"Fine thanks. I'm going in keep watch in the lobby so they don't suspect anything." Without waiting for a response I quickly exit the car and make my way inside, to see that there no one here. Completely vacant not one guard, receptionist, or worker in sight. Stepping into the elevator I click on the button to Edith's office. This is it, it feels like it went by so fast but this is what I want. The elevator dings and I walk out before the doors can fully open. It's so quiet I can hear the sound of my heart thumping. My sweating hands tighten around The Keys as I enter her office. The only thing providing light are the sinful dark lights of the city, that creates this uneasy solicitude in me.
"This was unexpected." A cold mono tone voice fills the air breaking the eerie silence. I nearly jump out of my skin hearing her voice but try to look as calm as possible.
"I have a hard time believing that." I speak turning to face her. She looks paler than usual, eyes lifeless, lips pressed in a straight line, pretty intimidating. She chuckles and walks towards me, heels clicking with every step.
"I see you have what I need." She says looking at The Keys then at me.
"I do yes."
"Where's the rest of the team?" She questions sitting at her desk, eyes glued to The Keys.
"Told then I'd come alone."
You know considering the fact that I had the last key. The words don't slip out, I bite my tongue and think of how to test her.
"So what now?" I ask toying around with The Keys. For something that holds the fate of the cities she pretty calm.
"You can just hand it over and I'll take care of the rest." Nodding I walk towards her table but hesitate at a second step.
"You know I couldn't help but think, when you showed me the ignitions Edith they were separated but..." I stop and hold the cube of keys.
"This isn't separate." My voice grows shaky as I watch her odd reaction. The faintest smirk grows then leaves her lips as she just stares at me.
"Just hand it over and we'll take a look at it." She says still no emotion.
"We as in everyone?" I stall and she chuckles.
"Just hand  over The Key."
So it is just one, but to what?
The silence grows strong again. The only thing keeping me on edge is her cold eyes.
"What is this Key for?"
"The cities you know this. So now if you're done wasting my time please hand me The Key." She stands and walks over to the window to over look the city.
"The night I got busted... I saw Robots." I state but the women doesn't even flinch.
"Just put it on my desk please."
"Why doesn't anyone know about The Key huh? Shouldn't people know what's holding the cities together?"
Nothing.
"Ramon's dead." I blurt. Her head shoots up but she doesn't turn.
"He killed himself before I can kill him myself. He saw them too, so did my father. Your half brother."
She doesn't turn but it is clear that she's affected.
"They refused so you took advantage. Now what? Who's gonna pay the price?" My voice raises with anger. Her head drops and she sighs.
No running now.
Her hands ball into a fist and she begins doing the unexpected, laughing. Something that's supposed to lighten a mood but right now makes me sick.
"You did it! Are you happy huh? Do you feel proud of yourself Errana Paxton?" She yells in between laughs.
She's deranged.
"I want to here it from you." My voice stays calm.
"Then you can get your precious Key."
She doesn't say a word.
"Say it or I'll break them!" I yell holding it high.
"Y-yes... yes okay!" She yells but then frowns and chuckles.
"You're much more than I thought you would be."
"Gee thanks."
"It was all part of the plan. To have you find The Keys and figure out the truth. It was still a win, win." She leans on her desk and folds her hands.
"Okay but what was it actually for huh? The Keys."
"You see that is just where you go wrong Errana. You have all the answers but can't seem to piece anything together. It's right in front of you." I try to think of everything. The Robots aren't going to be used for anything beneficial so...
"Who are you planning on taking out and why?" I ask still holding The Key high.
"The impoverish, not needed low lives. They take up space... space that we need. So my father before he pasted organized a plan to take them all out-"
"And instead of using your minions you'll use the Robots."
She smirks and starts clapping.
"You're sick." I chuckle shaking my head.
"Do you understand that they're innocent civilians! Children,mothers, fathers, families! Do you understand that!" I can't contain the pure rage that's boiling within me.
"And I have the ignition, right in my hands! The Vipers were never trying to hurt anyone were they huh? They were trying to save their people!" Tears begin to brew in my tired eyes.
"Yes I've heard it all before, but my decision stands and there's nothing you can do to change it."
"There's always something." Ready to break every last key, I raise it higher only to be stop by a strong hand. Spinning around I come face to face with a large bodyguard. Before I can defend myself the butt of his gun slams against my temple, and darkness drains my vision.