Nevermore: The Secret Order

Chapter 7 - In The Ranks

It was 2:30 in the morning. A young boy with a tan complexion in blue pajamas was checking a view from a small gap behind his bedroom door. He felt his pulse racing as he decided whether or not to go for it. He checked left and right to see if there is another person on-sight. He slowly opened his door a little wider and stayed light on his feet. He was no more than seven years old and yet he had acute awareness of his surroundings. He tried to pay attention to any possible sound he made as he advanced past another room. He then got on all fours, careful not to make so much of a screech. He made a conscious effort to control his breathing. He managed to get across the living room as a caucasian man in his mid to late thirties appeared to be thoroughly invested on a film showing a man holding an axe through a snowstorm. The man's arm was rested on one side of the chair, while the other held his cellphone. He was getting ready to make a call presumably to a woman named Bridgette that he frequently talks to. He took that as a good sign. It's just the distraction he needs.

So he pressed on, keeping the same amount of caution as he made his way to the dining area where he slowly advanced to the refrigerator. The boy looked back to see if he woke the man up. It was quiet, with the only noise being the late night news. He finally spotted his target, an open bag of Snickers. And just as he relished the moment, he snapped back in time to swipe two bars. He made his way back through the living room where as the man. Was about to hang up. He dashed on his toes to the hall and kept his feet light. Afterward, he slowly opened his bedroom door and slipped into it. He cautiously closed it upon entry. He immediately got into his bed and tucked himself in. He opened a bar and sank his teeth, savoring the chocolate covering, the nougat and the nuts. He took his time finishing the first bar and before he can unwrap the first one, his door opened. The footsteps then got closer. He stayed quiet in hopes of not getting caught.

"I know you're awake, child." said the blonde man. "Raven."

The child hurriedly turned around with his beady eyes and a slight chocolate smear at the side of his lip, a clear evidence of guilt.

"Am I trouble?" asked Raven.

"No you're not." Alistair said with a giggle while wiping the smear off the child's face. "How many bars did you take?"

"Just one." said Raven.

"Are you sure?" asked Alistair.

Raven then put up two fingers.

"When did you do it? And how?" Alistair asked out of curiosity.

"You were watching The Shining, and you picked up your phone. So I waited till you called Bridgette." Raven replied.

"You snuck around me the entire time?" Alistair remarked in amusement. "I barely even heard you."

"Yeah." said Raven. "I can be a really good spy."

"Indeed you will." said Alistair.

His expression however shifted into shock and puzzlement as he asked one crucial question.

"Wait a minute. How do you know what The Shining is?" Alistair asked.

- 15 YEARS LATER -

Raven scanned his surroundings from the white glass covered wall to the glossy tiled floor. There were no visible defenses. And yet, he could tell that no self-respecting party would simply leave a chrome briefcase on a pedestal with little to no security. None that's visible. That's at least how it appeared to the naked eye. Raven timed his movement with immense caution as there was no word on what security measures are in place. Pulled a cluster of specialized smoke pellets from the pocket of his tactical vest. He carefully tossed them to the floor all the way to the pedestal. Along the way, it temporarily revealed all of the once invisible beams that constantly moved around to perform a round the clock security sweep.