Allice in Mysterious Land (ON HOLD)

15: Desperate

"So, what is it?" A forced smile creases between Jorge's wrinkles. He presses his thumb to his desk, triggering holograms from the glass surface. His fingers step from a section to another, while his eyes scan the room like a hunting hawk. "I'm sorry I don't have much time. Mondays are—"

"Busy." Sandra fidgets with her journal, sitting with excitement dancing in her gaze, as if his gruffness fails to infect her. "I won't bother you for long, Uncle Jorge."

He swipes a tab at the hovering screen's left to the middle, and a calendar pops out. "Thank goodness you realize that."

"My governess, Ms. Orchid, asks me to write an article regarding controversial conspiracy theories. After all, government is our current topic in Social Studies."

Jorge quirks his bushy brow, as if wondering why she bothers to be here just for a homeschooling paperwork.

"Allice Worke." Xin-Yo wriggles in my backpack. "The agenda."

I nearly slap my forehead. Our plan—how can I forget that? "How long do I have?"

"Thirty-five minutes."

I wring my palms together like a sweat-drenched handkerchief.

It jostles in the backpack, and I have to deafen my ears from its nerve-wracking rattles. Hopefully, Jorge is deafened as well... "It's in front of Allice Worke, in the white lab table's drawer."

The said table contrasts the room's gloomy and sophisticated vibes. Several odd devices and notes are scattered on it. Steam wafts out of a cup with a brown stain puddling underneath.

It'll probably take five crawls to reach. But I might pass through the gap between the bookcases, and if Jorge's eyes wander around...

Even the beige walls' seem to have keen eyes. It's like there's something blinking, but always disappears when I search for it.

"What do you think of the previous government, Uncle Jorge? The one under my grandma, Mrs. Kaya Hua?"

"This is Allice Worke's chance," it whispers through the zippers. "Go now."

Steeling my nerves, I take a swig, my arms wobbling like jelly against the floor. Another crawl is easier after my knees find the right advancing rhythm. A sneeze tickles my nose, and before I distance myself from the bookshelf, it blows out, barely silenced by my thin sleeve. Xin-Yo whimpers in my backpack, as if guilty for it.

I daren't peek through the books, but Sandra must still be playing her oblivious act.

"Do you bring someone with you?"

I choke back my breath, freezing my limbs. I can no longer unheed my pumping heart and the trickles of sweat beading my crannies.

Idiot. You shouldn't screw this, Allice! What if... what if we're risking everything for nothing in the end?

"It's Ms. Orchid's substitute, Mr. Euis Urk. He... he feels sick. Insisted to come along though. He wants to meet you in person"—she stammers—"actually."

"Oh." He neither sounds amused, nor flattered. "Where is he now? Is he in this room?"

"Allice Worke must hurry." Xin-Yo jabs its metal finger against my backpack. "Mr. Jorge Zaragoza isn't looking."