The P.O.E. & a Gateway in the Basement

Chapter Eleven

The very next morning there is not any wasted time as all of them enter different vehicles for their trip back to Head Quarters. Brett, Frank & Rebecca all enter Brett's car, with Brett driving and Rebecca in the passenger seat. While Jacob, Britney & Nick enter Jacob's car with Jacob driving, Britney in the passenger seat and Nick is sitting right behind her.

"So where are we going now?" Jacob asks as he starts the car's engine.

"Just follow them." Nick again advises; as Jacob's car slowly pulls out of the driveway and onto the street.

"Okay." Brett follows Jacob's car out of the driveway and then they drive all the way to a gas station about twenty miles away from where they started with Jacob following the car in front of him. Brett pulls up to a gas pump and Jacob still follows him. So he is at a gas pump right behind Brett's car. Everybody then gets out of their respectable seats so they can all get out to stretch their legs for starters.

"I need some gas. Do you want me to pay for yours as well?" Brett asks Jacob. Rebecca all ready begins to walk towards the front entrance of the gas station.

"It doesn't really matter to me. But it would be appreciated if you do."

"It's on me and I will buy some food for the rest of the trip. The one thing the Protectors of Earth do well is take care of their agents." Brett also walks into the store. The first thing he sees is a couple people kneeling in front of a spot on a wall across from him. It's a little weird but he wants to catch up with Rebecca. So he does not think twice about it. He walks down the aisle with all of the chips and snacks and sees her grabbing a bottle of tea. He grabs several different bags of chips for everybody and walks up to Rebecca.

"So Becky... what are we really up against here? I'm not complaining but it's been years since you talked to us." He also grabs a couple for himself.

"That wasn't up to me, Brett. Our only relationship is work related and the headmaster didn't tell me to get in contact with you until now." Both of them keep on with their conversation as they pay their bill.

"Now is it just me or is that a little weird?"

"What are you talking about?" Rebecca begins to pump gasoline into Brett's car's gasoline tank; as Jacob pumps his gas at the same time.

"All of those people kneeling down. It was like they are slaves to something inside that wall."

"My only guess is that Balthazar is getting stronger and that spot in the wall might be another gateway."

"Do you think that we should do something about it?"

"Normally I would say yes and we should close it immediately. But under the circumstances we have more important matters to attend to." Rebecca replaces the gas pump in its original location, closes the gas cap and then closes the small door. "All right... I think that it is time for us to leave." On that note everybody enters their original seats and drive off. The next stop for them is the U.S. eastern headquarters of the P.O.E. They all just hope that it has not gotten any worse since they have been gone.

The first thing that they see when they finally park their cars in the parking lot is total anarchy. There are at least two dozen zombies and a dozen class-B demons trying to get inside the building. There are two field agents and four guards defending the front doors.

"We have to help them! They won't last forever by themselves!" Rebecca shouts out orders. As she quickly exits the passenger seat of Brett's car. As soon as she slams the door closed she takes out her sword and is ready to attack by herself if necessary.