EPISODE 35: Scour*

I have decided to concur with Xavier's plans, after all, he has a point, but I only wish that he would explain his reason on a much polite accent.

"Wee hee! I have gathered access to all the CCTVs, this handbook sure is dandy!

Oh, and I also noticed that the guard watching the CCTVs is dozing off, such a perfect coincidence." Charlotte deadpans with exuberance and success, as she shows the laptop to the two of us.

I am mesmerized by Charlotte's skills. She truly is meant to be an agent of the Neuro Category. What shocks me the most, is that she was able to gain access in a matter of minutes.

"You don't need to shout, the guards might hear us. Anyways, let's continue my plan.

Luna, is your Ear Bud working properly?" Xavier questions with an intoned voice. He takes over Charlotte's laptop, and gazes upon the laboratory walls.

"Seems fine to me," I respond.

"Ok then. You know the drill, enter from the eastern reaches of the laboratory. Once you have reached the inner parts, listen to my voice, for I will be the one to tell you where to go."

Without a moment to lose, I saunter down the hill we are hiding on. There goes my mind again, feeling worried and anxious over what's to come.

"Ok... I'm counting on the both of you." I utter with heavy breathe as my eyes glance unto my Pokeballs.

Crawling through tall grass, is a perfect opportunity for people to sneak in, according to Arlo. Yes, I have asked for some advice, for a novice like me doesn't want to be the reason behind a mission's flaw.

Anxiety. This is the only emotion I am feeling right now, glitching temperatures, heavy sweating, and abrupt senses. I try to stay cautious by tilting my head to the left and right. Could there be any guards? Could there be anyone peaking at my location? So far, so good.

Continuing my way to the entrance of the laboratory, Xavier orders me to halt. My body reacted quickly, and stops for a moment, as a warden walks pass-through me, funny how he didn't notice me, maybe his drowsy mind was keeping him busy.

Step one is a success, I am able to sneak inside the laboratory. My outfit got filthy with all those mud puddles which I needed to withstand. Let's just say that I'm a sensitive girl, who really likes to stay clean all the time. The mud may bother me from time to time, but I still need to complete the other steps.

From the entrance, comes the first puzzle. An intersection, leading to different corners of this laboratory. I try to stay as far as possible from the intersection, to avoid guards from catching me.

"Let's see... According to my observation, take the left path and go straight." Xavier instructs through his mic attached to his chin. Charlotte and him carefully glances at the monitor, making sure that the path I'm heading to is a safe one.

Dashing through the halls isn't a good option for me. Even my subtle steps could echo around the laboratory's walls, what more if I persist the urge to run?

"Analyze each situation... Stay calm, and think before you act." My voice encourages to myself. My head tilts back and forth to see if anyone was watching me from behind, the further I walked, the more anxious I become.

"Stay calm Luna! You've got this. Remember, this is an enemy base, so the guards here are surely tough. If you see a bulky looking guy, then you're probably going to lose to him. At least that is what I know, according to the action moves I've watched yesterday." Charlotte cheers with a very encouraging voice, giving me a spark of confidence.

"Alright Luna, turn right, then go left, take the next left and just head straight," Xavier instructs.

"Wait what? Can you slow down a bit."

"Uh-huh, fine. Go left, no I mean right."

"Right? But I thought you said left?"

"Three guards are currently walking towards your location, while two more are heading to the left. Turn right, then I will find another route." Xavier informs with eyes belonging to Pidgeots, and senses belonging to Staraptors. I'm impressed, his mind adapts faster to the sudden changes, and thinks of another alternative right away.

Xavier is right, I heard footsteps from behind. It's only a matter of time when wardens will hear mine as well. Fast but steadily, I saunter to the right, hoping that no guards would see me.

"Hide in the closet right now! There are guards heading to your location from both corners." Xavier instructs with a rushed voice.

Responding is no longer needed, the reaction is necessary. I hide inside one of the closets, which has small holes for me to peek on. My body shivers in fear and worry, while my heavy breathing echoes throughout the closet.

"Something smells fishy, right Patrick?" A warden sniffs an unfamiliar odd, giving him a skeptical face.

"Smells like mud with a mixture of sweat doesn't it?" Patrick responds.

The guards kept on chatting about my odor, which is very insulting for me. What's worse is that they were talking just a few inches from the closet I was hiding in. My mouth quickly closes, while trying to stop my heaving breathing from vibrating throughout the closet.

"Eh, don't mind. Probably someone's having their dinner in the cafeteria. Come on, let's go Patrick. I'm starving as well." Patrick and the other warden surpassed my location, which is another good news to my ears.

"Phew..." I sigh in relief.

"Hey Josh, did you hear that?" Patrick questions.

Now things started to escalate quickly. My sigh has just caught the attention of the wardens, delivering back anxiety to my spines. Now comes, another hard part as these wardens started to open the closets one by one.

The sounds of their feet, kicking every closet door one by one, gave shivers to my spine. The sound got louder, indicating that they are heading closer to me. As much as possible, I do not want to pick up an unnecessary fight with them.

"Stay calm Luna, just stay calm." Xavier comforts.

"You want me to stay calm? I'm heading to prison if these men see me!" I whisper softly while keeping my cautious eyes peeled.

"Patrick, something feels suspicious about this last closet, don't ya think?" Josh squints his eyes, peaking through the tiny holes.

I keep my body as far as possible, thank goodness that my outfit matches the dark eerie of the closet. The warden continues to peak, with squinted eyes, his suspicion about the cabinet, gave him a sudden urge to open it.