Spy School : Simulation

Chapter 4: Glitch in the Matrix

Ben's POV

I went back to the freezers and tried to figure out where the sound came from. It wasn't inside but it came from the back... behind the freezers.

Upon closer inspection, there was a latch holding the freezer against the wall. I unlatched it and the entire freezer swung open. Behind it was a shocking sight.

Erica Hale was on the floor, unconscious.

She looked like she hadn't eaten for days and her body was shivering. She must have lost at least ten pounds since I was able to carry her with ease. We rushed to Cyrus Hale, who was just reading a book and enjoying a cup of lemonade next to a fireplace, in one of the many secret rooms in spy school. This one was a massive underground bunker for end-of-the-world situations, but Cyrus has turned into his second home.

When we barged through the doorway, Cyrus immediately jumped up with his hand placed on his holster, ready to pull out the gun. He realized it was only us after 0.3 seconds and his face returned to his usual calm and collected expression.

"Where did you find her?" Cyrus asked while motioning me to put her down on a bed.

"There was a small compartment behind one of the freezers in the cafeteria kitchen." Mike answered for me since I was completely out of breath from running all the way here while carrying Erica.

Cyrus displayed a small hint of concern through his slightly furrowed brows.

"It seems like she has fainted due to dehydration and lack of food." He said, while getting up to look for something.

He opened a cupboard in the corner of the room and grabbed a bag of translucent liquid, then feeded it into Erica's IV drip.

We stayed silent while waiting for Erica to wake up, which was about an hour later. She sat up slowly and was taking in her surroundings. Then her eyes widened as she remembered everything.

Cyrus wasted no time in interrogating his granddaughter, bombarding her with a million questions. They exchanged information at a shocking speed, and Cyrus wrote everything down as they were talking with key words. They occasionally shared glances and somehow understood each other with only moving an eyebrow.

From what I could interpret, Erica was kidnapped by the principal. Yes, the principal. But what's even weirder, she was washing her hands in the bathroom when someone attacked her from behind, and just before she blacked out, she was sure she didn't see anyone in the mirror. She only knew it was the principal who did it because she recognized his voice and horrible smell.

I thought of everything weird I'd seen during these days. Whatever it is, it's extremely suspicious that all of it is happening now. I mean, it's not just me who's seen weird things, like glitches in a computer game, Zoe has seen it too, and now Erica too? All of this is giving me the creeps. I have a feeling SPYDER's behind all this. They always cook up the most evil plans.

If it actually turns out to be SPYDER, it would also make sense that SPYDER has made the principal join them, since he is literally the easiest victim to threaten. Plus, he also cares about money like all of SPYDER's members. So he would join them in a heartbeat.

I found myself laying down on a couch near Erica's bed, somehow my eyelids were getting heavier and I was almost asleep...

But I heard people talking... and they weren't Erica or Cyrus's voices. I recognized one of them. This voice was once very dear to me.

Catherine Hale.

I'm very very sorry for not updating as I promised last chapter. I've been EXTREMELY busy with school work because school has been suspended since January. They're teaching us stuff online and their system is super crappy.
I really don't know when the next chapter will be but I'll try my best to update if I have any bit of time!