Arlo's Birthday!

Part 31: Now We Know

Remi sipped her boba at Woaba Boba, the popular cafe around here. She was nervous. June was thinking she was just a reporter. She couldn't give herself away. She would press some questions on her. 

Remi nearly coughed up the boba she had just eaten when she saw a girl with white hair and light blue eyes step into the shop. She wiped her mouth frantically, and stood to greet her.

Remi: Hello, I'm Remi. I hope I don't take too much of your time.

June waved it away, smiling.

June: Nah, I have plenty of free time today. Take your time!

They sat down, as June sipped the other boba Remi had bought ahead of time. 

Remi: So! I heard you have good grades and an elite tier ability?

June: Yeah I do. A lot of people were shocked  when I just went to the local college and not Frinceton. 

Remi nodded. 

Remi: Why did you not go though? Just curious.

June: Frinceton was far away from the place I got offered a job from. This college was the closest. 

Remi: What kind of job is it?

June seemed to think a bit, as if choosing her words.

She can't give away that she's EMBER, huh?

June: Its a place for troubled children! Like rehabilitation centers.

Remi nodded as if understanding. Inside, her mind was thinking.

If Blyke is somehow still alive, where would he be trapped?

Would he be in a rehabilitation center?

Suddenly, a dark fog seemed to swirl around Remi. Shocked, she tried to ward it off, only earning a skeptical glance from June.

June: Are you okay?

Remi tried to stay calm as she nodded.

Remi: Just a fly... I'll be right back from the restroom!

Remi stumbled off to the restroom, the dark swirls following her. What was this?

Remi? Is this Remi?

Remi blinked. It was the voice of a girl she had never heard before.

Remi, I'm just repeating Blyke's words. He wants to tell you something.

Blyke? Blyke's words?

Blyke wants to tell you that he's safe. I don't know why I thought of contacting you earlier. But anyway, I'm Claire. Remember me? Anyway, the place we're at is 19842 Riftwood Lane. It looks like a regular office building - but it's not. The basement is where we're trapped. And everyone in the basement is acually a superhero that went rampan-

Remi's head was buzzing. She wasn't used to a voice ringing in her ears. But she had to write this down. 19842... Riftwood... Lane.

We're still alive for the time being, but we can't leave with the guards and Volcan blocking our way. Her ability level is around 6, give or take 0.5, and she can probably raise it close to a 7 using the vials. We need someone strong to help get us out. She's going to kill Blyke soon.

Blyke. Blyke was alive, but he was soon going to die. 

She was not going to let him die. 

Rushing back outside, she hurriedly asked June a few more questions then ended their meet. She didn't have time for this, now that she knew where Blyke was and who was behind it.