The Song of the Keepers

Chapter 25 Escapes and Farewells

"The inspectors are here, they're starting in the building across the street. We haven't got much time to get out."
I hurriedly explained.

Kyla who had followed me in watched her mother expectantly. Kyle tipped his head, a pleading look on his face. Tanya closed her eyes for a moment, rubbing her temples.

"I have one condition."
She said finally.

We all waited anxiously for what she had to say.

"We'll go, only if we have the freedom to leave you at any point and go our separate ways. I'm not certain yet if you are still the person I want to spend the rest of my life with."

"That is fair, I accept your condition."
Kyle replied immediately.

"Whoopee!"
Kyla yelped, pumping her fist in the air.

"Fantastic! Can we go now?"
I exclaimed, not fancying the idea of getting discovered by the inspectors.

Kyle stepped to the window and peaked out, groaning a split second later.

"They've just entered the building."

The building next store must have been a single-family home and not filled with apartments, I realized.

"Alternate exit options?"
I questioned, glancing about the small room.

"There are none."
Tanya responded.

"Not even a fire escape??"
Kyle raised his eyebrows.

"No, I'm afraid not."
She replied.

"Well, that's not exactly up to code."
He grumbled.

"Get the window open!"
I ordered.

"And you two, collect any items you simply have to take with you. It can't be much, only what you can carry."

Tanya nodded sharply and motioned for Kyla to follow her into the back bedroom.

"Do you think they have wielding sensors?"
I queried.

Kyle shook his head emphatically.

"Mercifully no, inside Itova only Keepers have access to that tech."

I breathed a sigh of relief. That was one mark in our favor at least.

"Boy, we could use Kairos and Vienna's invisibility trick right now."
I mumbled.

"I suppose fire and wind will have to do instead."
Kyle stated with a wry smile.

His wife and daughter reappeared, each with a small drawstring pack in hand. Tanya went to the kitchen cabinet and shoved several canned food items, a few bananas, a loaf of bread, and a can opener into hers.

"Alright, let's get out of here while we still can."
She said to the rest of us.

"Okay, I'm going to need each of you, one by one, to climb out the window. I'll then lower you safely to the ground. Kyle, you first to scout out the street for threats."

I saw the brief hesitation in his eyes at leaving his family unprotected but he didn't argue with me. He wrestled with the crooked windowpane for a moment, finally pushing it up enough for him to swing a leg over the edge. A soft breeze escorted him to the grimy street below, setting him down carefully. Kyla was next and I can honestly say I'd never seen someone quite so excited to jump out a window before. Tanya went third, taking one last look at her apartment before a steely resolve came into her eyes and she hopped out the window without another word. Finally, I lowered myself to the pavement, relieved when my feet touched the solid ground.