18 Watchfulness

"This might work"

Red silently celebrated at his discovery. The first time they entered Block-16, Red was the first to figure out the whole layout of the place. He knew that on the other side of the testing room lies another door, completely camouflaged against the spotlessly clean white walls that surrounded the area. It was barely noticeable since the only thing you could see was a keyhole no taller than half an inch. For a normal person, they wouldn't catch on the small speck on the wall, but ss for Red, nothing goes unnoticed.

Not on his watch.

The key smoothly slid into the keyhole, just like the card key being swiped into the gate lock of the place. Red twisted it and a clicking sound echoed throughout the empty space of the block.

Slide.

To his astonishment, a circular gap on the wall appeared, just above the keyhole. Red took a step back in surprise but he mustered the courage to look through the gap. A shrill noise resounded from it and a handle propped out of it.

"Now, that's interesting," Red muttered as he observed the sleek metallic door handle that so suddenly appeared.

"Red, what are you doing?" Blond came up behind him, followed by Cat.

"I'm surprised you were the only ones who got curious. What's everyone doing?" Red asked, looking at Cat who bashfully hid behind Blond.

"They're admiring the contents of the other box. There's an assortment of junk foods, and juice in it. That's why they decided to wait for your further instructions before touching anything." Blond explained. All this time, his gaze was fixated on the door handle on the wall.

"Wait, I'm the leader now?! There's no nee~ "

"Always has been," Blond smirked after interrupting Red's denial. "Come on Red, it should be obvious by now. You're the only one capable of handling all of us."

"Wah~! I have to babysit teenagers now?" Red joked.

"Well, it is what it is. Anyways, what's behind the secret door?" Blond asked.

"Not too sure, either.... but," Red's expression shifted into a crafty one as he looked at Cat, making her flinch and tug at Blond's shirt. "You can ask Cat over there. I think she knows what's inside."

Blond turned around and saw Cat, shaking in her boots. Based on her reaction, Blond safely concluded that Cat knew something. Blond faced Red once again and confirmed. "You sure?"

"Yeah, I saw her enter this room twenty hours and sixteen minutes ago, while all of you were sleeping," Red informed him without batting an eye.

"Hic~!" Cat gulped. "I'm s-sorry," She stuttered.

"You don't have to apologize. It's not like you did anything wrong." Red assured her. He felt bad putting Cat on the spot like that.

"In any case, what's behind the door, Cat?" Blond repeated his question since he was already dying to find out. "And how did you find out about it?"

"I n-noticed it the moment w-we entered the block. I have especially g-good eyes, you know... " She responded in almost a whisper. "As for how I e-entered the room... "

"Well... "

"... I picked it using a piece of wire I found in my hidden pocket."

"We know." Blond suddenly said, taking Cat in surprise. "We know what happened."

"Eh?! What?"

"Relax, Cat. We were just testing if you'll tell us the truth." Red smiled.

But his smile made Cat even more nervous than before. I'm sure no one saw me enter this room, how did they find out? Were they watching me? Are they suspicious of me? Cat panicked in her mind.

"W-What if... I didn't tell the... "

"We know you won't." Blond and Red simultaneously interrupted her and they decided to look away. They knew there was no use putting Cat in the spot anymore. Blond and Red simultaneously reached for the door handle, a small smirk formed on their lips.

"I bet my cup noodles it's a restroom" Blond challenged.

Red smiled. Even though he didn't follow Cat at that time, he was confident that Blond got it wrong. "I bet my cup noodles and bottled water that it's a bathroom."

"That's cheating what's the difference?" Blond chuckled, fully knowing that a draw was inevitable.

That's when Red opened the door.

"Take a look, you lost the bet."

If there was a table near Blond, he would've smashed his head onto it. It was clear to him why he lost the bet. "That was a dirty trick, Red."

The room had an area of three by three meters. For a restroom, the size was quite average. A mirror and sink pairing were placed at the nearest end of the room. Just beside it stood the toilet. A shower could also be found on the farthest end of the room. This is what made Blond lose the bet— there was a shower in the room, making it a bathroom.

"No wonder you smell good compared to the rest of us." Blond complimented, making Cat fidget.

.....

Jarxen nervously sat down after finding himself inside Head Cipher's meeting room once again. This time, he was called there with Julia Ventio. This time, Jarxen had complete knowledge of why he was summoned. "Wait, don't tell me! Those were direct orders from Head Cipher himself?!" Jarxen asked himself but he knew it was too late thinking about it.

The holographic form of Head Cipher silently glided across the room, like a looming thunderstorm about to descend upon the land. Jarxen's throat tightened as Head Cipher approached him, only stopping a few inches away from him.

"Are you aware of the reason for your summon?" Cipher icily spoke. His expressionless face remained permanent.

"Is it because of the scene I caused at the cafeteria? Or is it about the scene your guards caused in the cafeteria." Jarxen pointed out, emphasizing the latter part of what he said.

"Frankly, it's because of both." This time, Cipher turned around and faced Ventio, who was quivering in her seat. "Although I'm quite displeased with your actions, Jarxen, I couldn't overlook the fact that you made me aware of an act of betrayal."

So my actions were really an act of betrayal... I guess I'll die then. Jarxen thought to himself before Head Cipher continued speaking.

"How did you realize that the guards weren't mobilized on my direct orders?"

Wait? So it was really a betrayal from the other party?!

Jarxen cleared his throat. He had been thinking of the best possible answer these past few minutes so he was rather confident. "I've been overseeing Testing Block-16 and working under you for years now, Head Cipher. I know that it's not in your character to disrupt everyone's dinner on a mere warrant... hehe."

For a split second, Jarxen could swear he saw Cipher smile a little bit. "Indeed. If I needed to arrest someone, I would have executed them in secret. Causing a scene is not in my DNA and you got that right... "

"... it makes me want to spare you."

Goosebumps covered Jarxen's whole body as the feeling of dread overcame him. "What did he mean by that?!" Jarxen asked himself as cold sweat trickled from his forehead. The intense killing intent that Head Cipher released was no joke even though it came via hologram. "I would've probably pissed myself if he was personally here." Jarxen spontaneously held his breath.

"I'm kidding. There will only be losses if I exterminated you." Cipher teased, but his intonations never fluctuated.

Jarxen felt as if a humanoid was speaking to him and it made him shiver. How would I know that you're joking?! He thought but he didn't risk speaking up about it.

Meanwhile, Cipher turned towards Julia Ventio. "Keep in mind that you're not entirely free from my suspicions either. Director Monteur may have falsely accused you but as far as I'm concerned, it might not be entirely wrong. I have given Director Monteur his well-deserved punishment. I advise that you forget of the matter and hold no ill-will against him."

"As you wish, Head Cipher." Julia Ventio respectfully bowed her head.

"Well, then. I have matters to attend to. Please, excuse me."

After the hologram machine went back to its usual position, Cipher's manifestation dissipated into thin air as the whirring sound of the machine marked the cessation of its operation.

Jarxen let himself fall back on his seat as he sighed multiple times. No matter how many times he's been in the meeting room, he would never get used to it. Although he never received any punishment from Head Cipher before, he already heard rumors about it. To say the least, those rumors weren't your regular rumors.

"Hey, are you alright, Jarxen?" Ventio asked, her face filled with worry. "I'm sorry, because of me... "

"No harm done. Besides, it was my own decision to intervene back then."

"T... thanks, Jarxen," Ventio repeated.

"Stop thanking me already, Ventio, I know you would've done the same if it were me." Jarxen casually spoke as he stood up and headed to the door.

"No, I won't even think about it!" Ventio giggled in a slightly coquettish and attractive manner.

"Seriously?!" Jarxen exclaimed. For a split second, he began doubting whether what he did was pointless or not.

Ventio laughed at his troubled expression. "Wanna grab a beer with me?" She invited out of the blue.

"I've been thinking of getting some. Wanna grab some chicken wings together with it?"

"Deal!"

Jarxen And Ventio headed out of the meeting room feeling slightly better.

"And Jarxen,"

Jarxen looked over his shoulders. "Yeah?"

"I won't mind if you just call me Julia." She smiled.