Along the western wall of the Manor a handful of tall arched windows punctuated the darkness with cold florescent light. From the darkness Eliza kept a close eye on window seventeen. This was where the girl was located according to Trapper’s reconnaissance. The girl in the room had been in the manor for six days and Eliza was worried it might already be too late for a rescue. She had seen some of the effects of long exposure to Jack Lambeo’s cruel rehabilitation program. It was not a pretty sight. The last attempt to extract a subject from Rhybook Manor had been fatal, not only for the subject, but for two of their fellowship as well. Jani, the fellowship leader, was wary to accept this new mission to the Manor, but the dividends would be astronomical if everything worked out. Eliza knew she was the best pick for the job, but her racing heart betrayed her increasing fear.
Eliza’s best friend, Trapper McKinnery, had been her recruiter into the fellowship. They met in her first year of college and were practically inseparable. Trapper was a devoted friend and confidant, but there was always something he had kept hidden from her, something that would make his eyes burn like fire. When this happened she would grow anxious and excited all in the same moment. She never questioned him about it even though she yearned so desperately to know his secret. He appreciated her respectfulness, and his trust in her grew rapidly. Now here she was, three years later heading up her most dangerous mission to date for the fellowship and her heartbeat was betraying her.
“Eliza, calm down. Have you seen any change in the room so far?” Trappers voice flowed smoothly through the implant in her ear.
She took a deep breath and focused on her heartbeat. “I will be calm.” She thought.
“Trapper,” she whispered softly, knowing he would hear her clearly, “ I saw two figures enter the room two minutes ago. I am sure Jack is in there, but there is another…” here she paused to find the words to describe the other figure, “…another being in there too. It is shaped like a human, and I don’t think Jack knows what it is yet either.”
“Hold steady for now Eliza. We just received some intel that is a little disturbing.” Trapper’s words were very precise but Eliza could feel the undercurrent of concern flowing through them. “It seems there has been some activity in this area by more than one elemental. Jani is having second thoughts about sending you in there.”
Eliza’s heart sank. She didn’t want to be pulled off this mission on account of a pair of meddling Elementals. All her life she sensed there was more around her than what she could see with her naked eyes. When she joined the fellowship, her eyes had been opened, and her feelings were confirmed. She lived amongst a myriad of creatures and beings existing only a slight shift of focus away. Elementals were less dangerous than some of the creatures she had been learning about, but they still required a healthy dose of caution. Two Elementals couldn’t be so dangerous. She glanced up at the window again and noticed the light had finally been switched off. It was now or never. She sucked in a deep breath of air and hailed Trapper on her secure line.
“Trapper.” She whispered.
“Yes.”
“Tell Jani I am going in.”
“WHAT?” His voice was loud and clanged sharply inside her head. He sounded alarmed and she could hear him rummaging around for something.
“I have to go in now. I can’t wait around for clearance. I know we will be too late if I don’t go now.” She felt certain this was true. Something had lined up inside her head when the lights went out and she knew exactly what to do.
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