"No longer. Ted was on edge today, and from what I can tell, that amicable guy Karis was not in the best of moods either. From what I could gather, though, that roach Moben and some other crews seem to be too active—almost to the point where they seem to be making every move with a sense of confidence. Some seem to be subtle about it, but it's hard for them to hide it entirely. Trouble is brewing, and it ain't gonna be like it was a while ago," Jake adds with a worried face. "I thought little of what may be in the background, but those papers are troubling enough, not to mention what we are unaware about."
"I heard that some kids may be leaving for a better academy. I ain't sure which, nor would I even know much about where it is since much of the new world ain't mapped, but I can say for sure it ain't as easy as a better school for better education. I did get something, though—the rift might have more than unstable energy and new wild lifeforms. I heard that dean say, when I was listening to the whispers, that there is a new communication method attuned to the energy, and with it, most of the research carried out in different places has been used to develop ways to suppress those who are gifted. My guess is that the gifted he referred to are those who have developed a unique aspect in their gift. I also heard a whisper from that bearded commander who came today from outside that the sea seems to be intruding into land. Not sure what that means, but my guess is that it means their schedule is rushed by something, and now they are after anything that is even the least bit above ordinary. My assumption is that you two will be falling in the list soon—after all, you have worked hard to make me the most ordinary." Amereiln explains in a grave tone.
"I don't think it'll be that easy, sister." Aedar looks at Amereiln and says gravely, "That bastard Ndung'u was after you from the very beginning, and I have the feeling he wasn't shooting blindly, nor was a random 15-year-old guy going out of his way to woo a 12-year-old kid."
"I'm no kid!" she shot back.
"Got something against Ndung'u, Aedar? You seem to go out on a limb here to tarnish his name. What—don't tell me you think he was after Rain?"
"Tch! Stop being a kid, Jake. We stopped being that six years ago. What makes you think I'll take sister's safety as a joke? Who do you think killed Ones' mate?"
"What?!" The two exclaim in horror.
"Don't tell me you didn't think it weird that a guy could give you a necklace, and just when I've taken it, he turns up with a corsage the next day—especially considering your soft nature." He then lifts his hand to stop them from speaking. "Say nothing about being a gentleman. I ain't believe in that crap, especially for those with wild ambition—not to mention most did avoid interacting with you after all that shit with those crazy foster parents of ours and our overprotective nature. I ain't saying that a guy 15 years old will risk tangling with two crazy brothers who might kill him just to swing his dick, and neither am I saying that he'd been sent by an organisation to get into our lives to investigate how we could get rid of a few adults intending to sell us silently. But do tell me again what conflict would there be between him that would get him to procure a blade, and how he was able to slice off a guy's head in a single swing if he were an 'ordinary' unworking organisation employee. And considering he had you in the box, brother, and half-swayed sister, I'd say he was just about to get a promotion."
Jake looked distraught. He seemed to barely be able to breathe, and Amereiln looked confused.
"What—think that simply being able to hear whispers from people's thoughts is assurance enough for security? Can't deny that he gave you the creeps at first, and that's why you let me handle the gifts after receiving them without complaint. Look at this." He takes out a corsage that seems to have been dismantled and hands it to Jake.
Jake inspects it slowly, then frowns. The same look appears on Amereiln's face, and she looks at Jake angrily. "Isn't this the same portable detector used to distinguish energy by those thugs?"
"Yeah, the energy signature is the same—no doubt about it—but it is less effective judging by the weak signature. It would need to stay on a body far longer to determine the nature of someone's energy." Looking conflicted, Jake looks at Aedar. "He gave her this more than 20 months ago. What's the meaning of this, especially considering this was given at the end of 2096—that was before these shits were made. Their distribution started a year later, and that is to the organisation agents, not to mention this year is when we got access to them despite knowing of their existence. Does this mean..."
"They have been after me for that long?" Fear grips Amereiln's cute face, and she turns pale. "Then we must run! Wait—how comes they didn't come sooner then? Are they intending to take us together then? Does this mean their attack began a long time ago? But that doesn't explain this." This time, Amereiln could barely breathe, and she was devoid of any colour.
"Calm down, little dove. You seem to forget—when I let you wear it, it was not complete at the time, and you kinda said it was uncomfortable and removed it the next day. Unlike you all, I sensed something strange—not to mention I was overly protective. My instincts sensed something wrong at the time, so I tampered with it to a small extent, and when you wore it and left the house, that idiot followed you and confirmed you wore it. And since it showed no result, it bought us time and proved you ordinary—though not forever, it was long enough. Brother and I kinda became the main focus, but since I was rarely seen and mostly moving with Ones, and being elusive became my tact, and whatever agents they sent ended up dead, they became cautious. With Brother being in league with Ted and his gang and his value as an information broker, they became a little more cautious. That has been great, but it can only go so far." Aedar explained.
"Wait—why did you not tell us this? What happened to no secrets between family?" Amereiln seemed aggrieved.
"Could you control your whispers then? Didn't I have to play protective shadow to keep you safe and eventually take the suspicion as the source of the whispers?" Aedar looked at her inquisitively, and she lowered her head a bit.
"We don't have time for this! If it's as you say, that means you brazenly showing up here and letting people see you—not to mention staying longer than usual—is the perfect moment to strike." Jake said worriedly, and Rain lifted her head.
"Exactly! And they will attack nowhere else, thus our escape assured. Since all of you are up to speed, we best start moving before it's too dark. Remember that little tunnel to the left in the basement we don't use?" The two nodded. "Ameri, best take that one and meet up with Ones. Me and Jake will take another and give Ted this piece of paper—after all, he deserves the warning for being of help."
"Wait! You go with Rain. I'll warn Ted as I..."
"I'll hear none of that! Stick to the plan. We move now—night is setting in, and they might move faster than I estimated!"
"But..."
"No time for arguments, Ameri. Move now. This is no laughing matter—even you can tell death is beckoning. I'd rather have you go with Jake if it wasn't for the fact that I can't easily get into Ted's place in time, and some of his men are more inclined to kill me than talk. Now go!" Aedar told her gloomily as he stood and picked up the papers.
Seeing her brother use her name—which he only did when the situation was critical—got her jogging away too. As they got to the corridor, they entered the small store room and lifted a flat sheet on the floor, and the narrow tunnel was revealed.
"Don't come back to this place. It's rigged," Aedar gave the last warning before they jumped and disappeared