Chapter 8

On the stairs above her, a magpie perched, solemn and judgemental.

“Explain,” Ayesha said again.

The young girl relinquished her grasp on the spear and gently dropped to the surface of the table, refusing to look at Ayesha.

“We weren’t told there were three of you,” she remarked in a surly voice.

“Who didn’t tell you?” Ayesha demanded. “Why did you attack us?”

Unseen by Ayesha, Mister Mo shook his head gently from side to side, a subtle warning to his youthful opponent.

“D-Department of Homeland Security,” the child stammered.

Ayesha raised an eyebrow, her stance softening slightly.

“The Americans?” she asked. “Why did the Americans send you?”

The girl stole a swift glance towards Aimi, watching as she sighed with boredom and sat down upon the immaculate white stairs.

“What happened to my colleagues?” the child questioned.

Aimi gestured with a wave of her hand.

“They’re fine,” she remarked, “back where they came from, I imagine.”