Elevate

Laying Details

VIXEN MORENZ'S POV

The red clock was ticking fast on the white cleared wall, which we just painted a month ago. Those picture frames were now hung freely beside it. The light had been flickering since the moment we have arrived inside. I needed to change it as soon as possible. My eyes wavered to him as I sat across his spot. He’s currently occupied in drying himself up using the clean, white towel I gave him. He brushed his head with the comb as the other hand was rubbing the right side of it.

Cody and Miguel were currently in the kitchen with the kids, preparing for their food. I could clearly hear their sneers and tease. They are making the children do the noodles that he had requested a while ago. Loshiana is still inside her room, changing her clothes from the rain they passed through when getting home.

I heard something stumbled on the floor inside her space, then came rushing steps towards it. Suddenly, the sound became silent then came a screeching one, slowly opening the door, exposing her in switched clothes. She hurled in our location and sat beside Guilbert. She was wearing her flexible black shirt paired with her white sagged shorts. She crossed her legs and slumped her back on the sluggish, sooty couch. She took some of the nuts that was served on the plate.

“Oh, how’s your get together with Carmilla? I heard she’s still on her mission. I wonder what it is though.” She chuckled and munched her food.

“It was great. It’s something usual. She took her first leave than the rest of us. Luckily, Miguel was able to catch up.” I replied to her and took the book that was lying on my lap, placing it on the table. I just finished reading it a week ago and I should say that it was worth my time.

“Oh, did you finish reading that?” Guilbert astonishingly asked me, looking over the book.

I nodded at him. “Yes. I recommend you read it too.”

He took it and watched the cover. “Sure. I’ll read it sometime.”

We heard steps coming from the kitchen. Cody and Miguel, together with the kids walked in our direction, bringing with them a tray of hot noodles with fried eggs and rice and several plates and utensils. Cody placed them all on the table and they settled around us.

Macky and Hannah were sitting beside me. We didn’t waste time anymore and Guilbert prayed for the food and we ate afterward. I filled the children’s plate with the food. They requested to make it less, since we already took our dinner a while ago.

We let the two enjoy their meal. Miguel hovered to the side and turned on the lamp that was in the kitchen. He opened the door to the basement and glanced over it, making sure that the water is not tapping from the ceiling. He had been occupied in placing those lamps and torches in the sewers. Cody also often roamed around the place, where Quinten used to go before. Somehow, the fetid smell had immune him together with those nomadic rats, hissing over the sides to seek something to eat. They didn’t bother him at all.

Cody still got Quinten’s pad and he barely let it lost from his sight. He enjoyed flapping those pages and reading every detail that our old member had written for several months. It was a compilation of our ventures, misfortunes and most of all his insights. It’s his life and somehow, that single pad that he’s taking care of right now is a way for us to be reminded about Quinten.

“Can you hand me over the glass of water?” Guilbert requested.

Miguel took the jar and filled his glass with water. He reached out for his hand and let Guilbert hold it. He instantly drank and took a burp, rubbing his plumped stomach. He just finished his food and came as well as Loshiana. They thanked them for it. A soft yawn was suddenly perceived from her. She rubbed her eyes and leaned her head on my shoulder. She’s sleepy. Her brother watched her slowly drowsing to sleep.

“Let’s go inside the room, Hannah. I know you’re tired.” I whispered to her, brushing her fingers on her hair. The girl deliberately nodded in agreement.

I carried her in her arms and progressed to my room. Macky excused himself and followed us, leaving the others in the living room. The kids went inside and I slowly laid Hannah in her bed, tugging her with the sheets. I placed her head properly on the pillow and kissed her forehead. The boy stood still beside the door.

I glanced in his direction and called him. He stirred to me and sat on the lenient, noble bed. I looked at him with such care, rubbing his head. He chuckled a bit. The wind drifted inside, swaying the thin curtains. I saw the flower shined with its water on the vase. It’s blooming perfectly fine. I should visit the woman to ask for some kinds like it. It’s just wonderful to look at.

Macky lied beside his sister and moved the sheets to cover him. He gave me a smile. “Goodnight, Aunt. Thank you for today. We really have fun.” He uttered.

I touched his hand and smiled back at him. “Of course. I’m glad to know that you’ve enjoyed today’s event.”

“Are you really not going to take us to our house tomorrow, Aunt?” He asked.

I took a sigh. I hoped I could, and I know that his mother would be delighted to see me in her abode, but the man would be anxious if I did. It’s better to avoid than to have a ruckus if ever.

“Aunt.” He called me once again. “Mom would like to see you this time. I know it’s always like this, but really…she wanted to talk to you. I heard her having a fight with Dad, telling him that she should approach you about something. I guessed they don’t have the same decision about it.” He added and took a yawn.

A knock was visible and came Loshiana slowly opening the door and peeked at us. “We need to talk about something.” She said almost in a whisper.

I agreed with what she was saying and spoke, “Okay. Just wait for me in a bit. I’ll go outside.”

The woman understood and smiled at Macky. “Goodnight, dear.”

“Goodnight, Aunt Losh.” He answered, rubbing his eyes.

Loshiana pulled the door but she didn’t close it. I saw her moved back into the living room. I focused on Macky who’s now getting sleepy too. My fingers trailed on his cheek as he slowly closed his eyes to sleep. I let him take his time to sleep and when he does, I deliberately raised myself and paced to the window.

I watched the grey clouds moved deliberately. The post light suddenly flickered twice. I was hoping that I would see their souls wandering around the base, maybe try to talk with them at least. But, I knew all along that they’re already in paradise, where they could meet and have fun with the ocean and cold breeze – a thing most of us were hoping to see. The wind slapped me with turmoil, so I decided to close the window promptly and pulled the curtains to cover.

Slumping my back on it, my eyes wandered to the opaque corners of my room. The thick, grey cobwebs were freely hanging on it. The floor was even tainted with dirt, leaving our footprints to be visible at least. I took a gulp and pulled my face to rise. Tugging my hair into a messy bun, I progressed outside the room and closed it. The kids are surely asleep. Now, we could discuss those certain matters.

I saw the others patiently waiting for my arrival. Cody and Miguel were discussing about Quinten’s notes while Loshiana as well as Guilbert were just staring over something that only they could understand and see. I cleared my throat and caught their attention. They instantly moved and placed themselves properly on their respective seats. I decided to settle across Loshiana.

I was able to perceive her hair, now grown into a long, silky one up to her shoulders. She had gained weight and her cheeks were in a bump. I smiled as I witnessed how she progressed for herself. She had changed a lot. She slowly turned her face and watched me, a smile was curved on her lips.

“Is there something you want to tell me?” I addressed to them.

I saw Guilbert holding his hand together. “First, we want you to know that…we really didn’t go to our uncle’s domicile…We went to settle down things at the Informant’s place.” He said.

The two of us were shocked, except for Miguel, which was clearly told us that he knew all along about their plan. So, why keep it away from us?

I heard a sigh from Loshiana and she stared at me. “I’m sorry if we didn’t let you know and we asked Miguel to take an eye for both of you. We’re determined that if you know about it, you wouldn’t let us go by ourselves. Even if you did, it will just leave a wonder to anyone who’re left behind, especially those who seek for the same thing like us.”

I bit my lip. Cody chose to be silent. “So, what is that thing that you needed to seek inside the man’s lair that you needed to give us a lie?” I spoke.

“Well…It’s also about the secret passage that Penelope is talking about and the one that Mr. Everdeen had tasked us to search for.”

“Did you find it?” Miguel asked them.

They slowly shook their heads together. “Not yet,” Loshiana answered.

“So, why do you think that there’s a lead in the Informant’s place?” Cody attentively laid it.

Guilbert put his hands on the back of his head. He’s obviously trying to keep himself calm despite of the distress that’s whirling around. Now that his sister was gone, the responsibility of handling the team and other stuff was passed to him, which he didn’t expect to be vigorous and intricate.

“It is what he was born for – the Informant. Information is what he sought and had let him lived for years. Mr. Elikai Bryson wouldn’t let any clue or crucial things get lost or vanish without making a trace to find it again. It’s what we needed to search for…to bring answers. And maybe…we could also get some answers about his sudden death. That man still needed the justice for himself. We should pay him at least for all the aid he bestowed us.” His face was despondent and his voice was low.

“I see…so Mr. Elikai had something to do with the passage.” I commented.

“Yes. That’s what we’re thinking of. When Kinzel used to visit the old man before, there was one time when they have talked about something. We’re not sure what really about it, since she didn’t explain it more. But one thing for sure, she had mentioned about a music box that is inside Mr. Elikai’s house. We think it’s a lead.” Loshiana answered.

I rubbed my temple as I tried to fill myself with the information we’re talking about at the moment. I took a deep breath. I should at least get some fresh air when this discussion is done. Cody was just taking his time in collecting data. More to it, Miguel was just calm as the others lay everything in detail. I didn’t want to think that we’re a threat or a barrier to their plans that’s why they didn’t let us know, but rather they just don’t want us to be in harm just like the old times. It’s what I wanted to think about it.

“We tried to look for it, but we didn’t see the music box. Instead, we discovered something…that we really didn’t expect.” Guilbert said and took something from his pocket. It was a tiny piece of crumpled paper. He laid it on the table.

“What is that?” Cody now was able to ask.

“We think it’s a code. It’s something to deal with a location. And…only one person, we think, does know about it.” He added.

“And who is it?”

“It was addressed to…the Butcher himself.” He looked at us with such concern in his eyes. “That’s why we needed to proceed at his place tomorrow to ask him about this. I’m sure the man has something to do with it.”

“Okay. It’s a go for me.” I told them.

“Me too.” Cody uttered.

To my surprise, Miguel just nodded in silence as a response. Most of the time, we would hear him having a debate with either one of us especially when he has another side to tell. He’s the mind of the team, so by then, we needed also to consider his thoughts.

Cody poked his side, making him glanced at him. “Do you have anything to tell?”

“Oh…Hmm…” He thought for a while, rubbing his chin. “Nah. I’m on it too. It’s better if we go to Mr. Butch by tomorrow. Something is quite fishy about it. For me, as I knew the Informant, it’s unusual for him to relay a message to a specific person, unless it’s really needed. Perhaps, they have already known each other for too long and…Mr. Butch needs to tell us…the truth.”

The wind suddenly knocked over the door and the chimes dangled with it, making sounds. My gaze turned and watched the window to my left. It was hell dark from the outside. I bit my lip as I felt anxious the longer I stare at it. I reverted my sight to them. All their eyes were now slowly drowsing off, letting me hear those moans and yawns from them.

I jolted from my chair and tapped their back each. “Come on. Let’s take some rest. We still have something to do by tomorrow. We need to get our bodies in form. You don’t want those eyes to sag right?” I let out a soft chuckle, then came as theirs.

Guilbert and Loshiana slowly rose from sitting. Cody scratched his head. “You’re right. We’ve been hooked on today’s event. We need to sleep. I think we need it all.” He commended.

Guilbert tapped his hands on his faded blue jeans. “Right. Let’s see each other tomorrow. Goodnight.”

He headed first to his room and the others followed. I was left in the living room, letting the clock tick by and it felt like every second is burrowed and vile. We don’t know what’s going to happen each day, yet we try to move forward. I sunk myself on the couch. Tugging one of the pillows, I shifted my body and stared over the ceiling.

I bet you wish that everything will be alright soon…right, Kinzel?