Before he could even ask, both Nia and Potion pushed on the wall to help him. It wouldn't budge.
Nia growled quietly while she pushed. “Are you still pressing the button? That might help.”
Biting his lip, Chihuahua Man put his finger back into the hole. The wall gave way under all of their weight, swinging open wide. The three of them tumbled to the floor. Nia landed on the ground, Chihuahua Man next to her, and Potion on top of him. While the other two hadn't exactly fallen onto Nia, she was being elbowed and shoved around a lot. Hands seemed to be everywhere, and she couldn't figure out who they belonged to. All she knew was they needed to get off of her abdomen before she not only got a bruise, but puked from the pressure.
“Someone get up!” she snarled. Potion squeaked, Chihuahua groaned, someone rolled away from Nia, and she could breathe easier at least. Once she had space to move, she crawled away and slowly sat up onto her knees. Hopefully no one was around to hear that.
“S-sorry,” Potion whimpered. She stood first and adjusted the skirt of her dress.
Nia was next to get on her feet, and she took another look around to try and figure out where they were exactly. In the compound, she hoped. Florescent lights were turned on above her head and thick concrete walls made up the majority of the hallway. On occasion she'd spot another metal panel, or a door. They were at the end of the hallway, so they only had one option to travel in. She gave Chihuahua Man a light shove forward. If he insisted on protecting her, he could lead the way. She needed to focus.
“We're inside, I think. Are you inside of here too? Are we close?” Nia asked, once more trying to talk with the spirits she could feel, but not hear.
A faint voice could be heard inside of her mind. “Yes.”
She breathed out a sigh of relief. “We're on the right track. Can you give me some kind of a sign if we're close?”
The lights above flickered slightly. “Yes.”
Chihuahua Man sucked in a breath. “Okay, that was creepy. You found some ghosties?”
“No, I found Santa Claus,” she grumbled. Who else would I find? Why does he have to ask so many stupid questions? She glanced at him and saw him rolling his eyes and mumbling to himself. It caused her to feel a little guilty, but only a little. “Let's go. I don't think it's a good idea to stay in one place.”
“Probably not,” he agreed.
“Potion, I need you to give me a boost.” Nia glanced behind her to see the other girl nodding.
The perks to Potion's ability were wonderful. Having the extra enhancement always allowed for some potentially awesome things. It was a pity the effects weren't permanent. If she had the extra power when she saw Dallas, she might have been able to fully resurrect him without anyone having to sacrifice their life to do so. Nia knew if she asked, Potion would still give her the enhancement just for that purpose alone, but it didn't seem right. The request would be fulfilled grudgingly. Potion did not like Nia messing around with the dead, she'd said as much a few months back when they'd first met.
Everyone was quiet as they walked, even Chihuahua Man, and the soft echo of their footsteps were a nice comfort to Nia's ears. Ambient noise always relaxed her, and it was quiet enough she could focus on listening for the spirits. They came to a fork in the hallway. Which way do we go? she wondered. It hadn't been meant as a question for the dead, but they must have heard her anyway because the lights to the left flickered. Chihuahua's gaze met her own, and she could see his body shaking slightly.
She couldn't help but snicker as she pressed onward, turning left. “Don't tell me you're afraid of ghosts.”
Whatever fear was inside of him didn't seem to possess him for long, because soon Chihuahua was next to her once more, as confident as ever. “More like I didn't realize they were real. The whole idea of life after death kind of trips me out.”
“Why?”
“Just does.”
She was about to ask why again, when she heard another voice in her head. Only this time it was louder.
“We're here. You're close.”
Nia held up a hand. “Stop.” She'd have been a bit more skeptical about it, but the group had stopped right in front of a door. Coincidence was fast becoming something Nia no longer believed in. She placed a hand on the handle, turning it slowly, unsure of what to expect on the other side. The three teens walked into a small room. Along one wall was a full book shelf, there was an empty table as well, and Nia wondered if maybe it used to be an office of some kind.
“Dead end?” Chihuahua Man asked. He opened his mouth, and Nia thought he was going to say more, but a new voice spoke.
“Chi-chi, be careful. The bad guys are using you too.” It belonged to a girl, the sound crackling through the communicator on Nia's head. The message must have sent to everyone.
“What does she mean the bad guy is using us...” Chihuahua frowned. “We haven't been followed or anything, right?”
Potion shook her head. “We'll have to be quicker.”
“But we're stuck in a dead end. Are you sure your spirit guide is right Ophelia?” he asked and faced Nia.
She rolled her eyes. “I know what I heard. It might be another hidden wall. Let's check the bookcase.”
He walked over and pulled on the different books lined up on the shelves. The guy must live in some kind of fantasy, if he honestly thinks there's a switch that's activated when a book is pulled. Does that even work? Nia shook her head and joined him in the search, moving her hands along the edges of the shelf in search of something that could be useful.
“I think I hear people coming,” Potion said, her voice barely audible.
“The way is behind the book of words.”
Nia closed her eyes and tried to not let it all frustrate her. Why couldn't they be more direct? Why did everything have to feel like a puzzle? The fact that there was someone coming after them didn't help matters. Focus, stay focused. Book of words. Her gaze wandered over the titles of the different books on the shelves, and one in particular stood out. “Dictionary.” She pulled it off the shelf, letting it fall to the floor with a loud thud, and felt inside the space that was left behind. Her hand found a small lever pressed down, creating the sense of a perfectly flat wall on the shelf. She noticed a crack underneath her fingertips. There was just enough room for her to place two finger tips into the crack and lift up the lever. A loud pop broke the silence, causing Potion to shriek. Chihuahua stepped away from the bookcase, and she noticed a thin door appear in the wall.
“Trippy,” Chihuahua said and slid the door in the wall open a little further. There was enough room for them to enter through it sideways. He stepped in, turning on the flashlight that was on his wrist to see. Nia peered in behind him and saw the hallway was just as thin as the doorway, but thankfully not long. The light splayed across a larger space some five feet ahead of him.
She gave him a sharp nudge in the back. “I don't want to get caught in a tight space.”
“Me either,” he agreed and made his way through the path.
Nia grabbed Potion by the arm and made her go through it next. The last thing I need is for her to freak out and freeze. They might not be bad guys, but we don't know they're good guys either. The message from the communicator had her even more on edge than usual.
Once Potion was in, Nia followed, and as soon as she stepped through the door, it closed again. This time she shrieked and immediately clapped a hand over her mouth as she listened to the sound echo around her.
“Chill, I did that. There's a button over here,” Chihuahua said.
She took a moment to steady her breath, and then stepped into the larger room. There wasn't much to see by the light of Chihuahua's flashlight. She turned hers on as well, hoping it would help, but the room was much larger than she anticipated. The light didn't travel far and the darkness absorbed it further back.
“Is there a light switch?” she asked.
Potion felt along a wall and after a small click, the lights turned on with a soft hum. All three te
enagers gasped.
“Hot pot of coffee...” Chihuahua whispered.
“Huh?” Nia blinked.
He shook his head. “Mom's been getting on me about swearing. I'm improvising here. Point is this is awesome!”
Nia looked around the room, taking in the sight before her. The room had a slightly higher ceiling than normal, and was over all bland. Off towards the back was a worn out couch with some blankets. Sure signs that the space had been lived in by people once upon a time. There was a dish on the floor next to a couple of books. Spider webs and dust bunnies littered the room. However, in the center was something that could only be described as a space craft. It looked like a mix between an airplane and a flying saucer, round in shape but with wings and turbines. The craft was predominantly black in color with a thick yellow stripe painted along the sides.
“I'm guessing the artifact is inside of that thing?” Chihuahua pointed to the ship.
Shrugging, Nia took a step toward it. She touched the space craft, wanting to convince herself it was in fact real. While she knew there were aliens in existence, she'd never seen one of their space ships. Sometimes if she looked at the sky, she thought she saw something, a shining yellow dot in the sky that was too small to be the sun or the moon, but too large to be a star. Nehihe had told her it was his ship. That wasn't the same as actually seeing a ship up close and personal.
For a space ship, it was small in size which she concluded was because it was meant for light travel for only a handful of passengers. It seemed to be in good shape as well. No dents or burn marks on it, the craft clearly had not crash landed. Towards what she thought was the back was a hatch with a circular door handle. She grabbed it, gave it a good twist, and was surprised to find the hatch open. Nia pulled it down, creating a ramp that led to the inside of the ship.
She didn't wait to let Chihuahua go first. Without any hesitation, Nia climbed into the ship. There was plenty of room for her to stand. The closer she walked to the front, the stronger the presence of the spirits became. Like they were sitting on her, or embracing her. Warm, like a thick blanket, and that was new for her. Usually she was cold and queasy, but she was the one who was seeking the spirits out and not the other way around. Perhaps it's only those who want to be found who feel good inside.
Then out of nowhere, it was like she walked into a wall of cold air. The sensation took the breath from her lungs, and she stumbled backward into the wall behind her. Chihuahua was there to help support her.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I...there's something...” She searched around her and noticed a door to her right that was slightly rusted. Nia pointed. “In there.”
He glanced between her and the door, then went to open it. A lot of pushing was involved, but eventually he got it to move and stepped inside. “Oh man,” he gasped.
“What?” she asked, slowly standing so she could see too. Potion walked into the door first and squeaked out a soft cry. Grunting, she pressed her way forward and entered the room as well and stopped in the doorway.
It was a bedroom, and quite possibly the most depressing display was before her. In the full-sized bed lay two skeletons curled towards one another like lovers in one last embrace. Her stomach churned when she saw there was a third, smaller, skeleton between the two – a child. I don't want to bring them back.
Chihuahua walked back to the door to leave the room, gently putting a hand on Potion's shoulder on his way out. “We need to find this artifact. Any idea what it looks like? Or what it is even?”
“It rests inside of a golden box,” Nia said. “Try the cockpit. It's a technology. I would think they'd keep it with the rest of the computer stuff. There's something else I’ve got to do, so you go ahead and find it. We'll catch up.”
“O...kay...” His eyes narrowed for a moment before he left, disappearing from her sight.
Once he was gone, Nia faced Potion. “Do you have the enhancement ready for me?”
The girl nodded and produced a small golden pill. Nia wasn't sure how she did it, but Potion was able to produce pills and liquids that when ingested caused the taker to do things beyond their normal capabilities. The pills never created new powers, but they could help someone see better in the dark, have more stamina, or in Nia's case, have a higher level of spiritual energy to work with.
Nia looked down at the pill before popping it into her mouth. She gagged on it slightly as she tried to get it down her throat. The effects took place shortly after. She could tell because her body began to tingle like her limbs had fallen asleep, and the wall of cold air returned, enveloping her. Barely able to control her shivering, Nia somehow managed to reach her hand out to the skeletons. Touching them was not something she wanted to do, but her powers worked better through physical contact than simply using her will power. It took up a lot less energy. If I could hold Dallas's hand when he was a decaying mess, I can touch a bone. Hopefully it doesn't crumble apart on me. She had no idea what kind of condition these bodies were in.
Before her hands made contact with the bone of one of the skeletons, it moved. Potion whimpered behind her. She herself wanted to leave and freak out, but she was also determined to keep a level head. She had to. If not, then she'd lose all control over her powers, and she didn't even want to think about what might happen then.
The skeleton wrapped its boney fingers around her hand. Nia felt her body involuntarily cringe at the contact, but she dutifully maintained her composure.
“Thank you,” the spirit voice said. She managed a nod.
“Okay so I found the box. It's−” Chihuahua reentered the room and stopped behind Nia. “It's moving.”
“Yeah,” she said flatly. “Remember, I raise dead things?”
“Right, but why−”
“I don't know why I was given the orders, but we got what we came for, so let's go.”
Potion, who had mainly been silent, spoke in a firm voice. “How?”
Chihuahua reached up to his communicator and turned it on. “Alan, dude, we need your help. We're not sure if the way we entered the compound is still safe. Help?” He let go of the device, and then added, “My superior is supposed to be monitoring our every move. He'll know the best way out.”
It didn't take long for a reply to come. “Your position has indeed been compromised. Surveillance cameras of the facility show members of the enemy tribe searching close to where you are. I believe they are in the next room over.”
“Compromised? What do you mean compromised? Is everything okay? Did the others get hurt?” Chihuahua asked.
“I will collect you in a moment and fill you in on what has happened once we are safe at our base. Do not move, I need as exact of a location as possible for my abilities to work, do you understand?”
“Got it, not moving!”
Nia wasn't quite sure what information to react to first. The fact that somehow, something had gone wrong with the mission, or that she had to put her trust in a guy who was named after a yapping dog. She still had no clue what his powers were. With a scowl, she folded her arms in front of her as anger set in. This is ridiculous.
“The Gelandrosimbol has found a way in. They will be upon us shortly.”
“Your superior better have a plan because the bad guys are going to bust in.” Nia passed along the message.
Then a new voice spoke, this one audible and not in her head. “I am here. Hold on to one another, the less trips I have to make the better.”
Nia spun her head around, and saw a tall blond man. He must have been an Alturan because he didn't wear a mask. How did he get here? It's like he popped in from nowhere! Before she could ask a question, Chihuahua grabbed hold of her arm. Her hand was still gripping the skeleton's. The next thing she knew, they were all back inside of the warehouse base.
“What just happened?” she demanded.
“Teleportation. It weirds me out too,” Chihuahua said. “The important thing is we're back and safe. So you can relax.”
; “Not quite,” she muttered. All three of the skeletons had teleported with them, and Nia had a feeling that she'd be using more of her powers soon to reconstruct their bodies. After all, a corpse couldn't talk if it didn't have a tongue.
Chapter Twenty-One
While the others were on their mission to help Alan, Cadence stayed at The Apartment. She'd just gotten off of the phone with her mother to let her know she wouldn't be coming home again for the night. The lies were getting easier to tell. Cadence had stopped home in the afternoon and said something about a night out with the girls. She didn't have any female friends, not really. Angela sort of counted, but she was the sister of her now ex-boyfriend, and possibly ex-best friend, but what Cadence's mother didn't know wouldn't hurt her.
Even though Jaes was there most of the time, it was a lot like working on her own. Her first project was to figure out Orlando's cell phone. She'd assumed it wouldn't take much time and the case would be solved by the end of the first night. Not only did she have to figure out Orlando's password to get into the phone, but she also had to find a way into his cellphone provider’s database so she could get access to his history. She'd glanced over his previous calls and text messages and found very little. The last phone call he had made was to Angela, and the last text he had sent was to someone named Nia. He'd apparently been on his way over to hang out, but that didn't give Cadence much to work with.
Genius or not, computers were still new to Cadence. She learned things at a rapid rate, and she was picking up on a lot of hacking skills. However, she was still new to it, and the cellphone provider had much more sophisticated programming than anything she'd broken into before. Every time she tried to get into the system, she messed something up and got locked out – sometimes for hours at a time. She'd even tried calling Orlando's cellphone provider to see if they'd tell her what she needed themselves, they refused. Without all of his account information, or a court order, they couldn't help her.
“Maybe I should give it to the police after all. I thought I could do this, you know?” she whispered.
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