L'affaire Bob

17. Missing The Misses

As soon as Mathias uttered these words, Emma paled.

-"What..." I started. "Who are these people?"

Mathias, a grim expression on his face, exchanged a look with Emma.

-"Did these guys tell you who they are?" asked Emma, hoping to know more.

-"I'm afraid not," Mathias said, shaking his head. "They just cornered me in that alley and started beating me up. While doing so, they told me how they were going to eradicate us. Thankfully, I was able to escape and inform you about them."

-"You were in the 1700s, right?" Emma questioned.

Mathias nodded. His breathing was still labored, but it was slowly getting better.

-"I don't think random lads from the 18th century would walk around threatening people. And especially not you, out of all the individuals who could have been on the streets. So the people you met were, most probably, time-travelers just like us. Chances are, they even let you escape on purpose. How many were they?"

Mathias furrowed his eyebrows, trying to remember.

-"Five or six, I think..."

-"Then, if they wanted you dead, you would've been. You didn't stand any chances against them, despite how tall and well-built you are. And I'm guessing they were as tall as you, if not more. I think it's pretty clear as to who would've won if they continued fighting."

-"Yeah, yeah, hold on," he said, raising one finger in her face.

The moment stretched and stretched and stretched some more.

After what felt like forever, he moved, putting a hand on his heart and pursing his lips.

"Let me just think of a proper way to react to this. I mean, girl, you just destroyed me," he ended, fake hurt in his voice. His hand, I noticed, was still on his chest. 

Emma, in response, just shrugged.

-"I was simply stating the truth, sweetheart. Anyway, I think they let you escape so that you could relate everything that happened, as well as their sweet little message."

-"So they sent us a warning," I cut in, trying to sound smart and acting as if I had an idea of what was happening.

-"They did, yeah. And if they are who I think they are, then we have to go and talk to Amy immediately."

-"So it's that bad, huh?" I asked.

-"Yes, Paul. It is. Now come with me, let's go search for her."

-"Oh, umm, guys? There's..."

-"We don't have time for that, Mathias. We have to get to Amanda as soon as possible."

And, taking me by the arm, she led me through the endless hallways and made me climb various stairs.

-"I can walk on my own, you know," I told her.

-"Oh, right. Sorry," she said, and abruptly let go of me.

Finally, we ended up in front of a large door. It had the words "Meeting Room" plastered on it.

We stood there staring at the plain wood board in front of us, and waited for Amanda to open the door and greet us.

Or at least, I did.

Emma, in the meantime, did not wait, and instead pushed the door wide open.

About ten time-travelers were sitting around a table that filled the majority of the room. Cupboards were taking up the rest of the space, making everyone who dared enter hardly able to walk around in here.