Section 52: Caleb and Elizabeth, The Parents

Elizabeth and Caleb lead me inside the warehouse, their sleeping hall it seems. I see the sickly Cindy in the corner, discussing something interesting with other children. Caleb leaned on the cabinet that I just rummaged earlier, while Elizabeth stiffly stood next to him.

"So are you Vladimir's lackey?" Caleb growled at me in hostility.

"I wouldn't lie about this, I am one of his lackeys" I sighed. "But truth to be told, I don't trust him".

"You don't?" Elizabeth turns calm when I mentioned my distrust of Vladimir.

"Don't let her words fool you Elizabeth, she might be lying" Caleb shrugged. "All I want to know right now is, why are you sneaking in?".

I cleared my throat and fixed my messy clothes before I made my speech.

"Well, Vladimir told me to investigate this place since you guys are injuring our men" I crossed my arm. "Although, I feel like it's all a set up so that he can find the reason to abolish your camp".

My words caught Caleb's attention, he clenched his fist and gritted his teeth in irritation when he heard my statement.

"He's going to what!?" he slammed his fist on the cabinet behind him.

"Caleb! Stop! You're going to scare the kids!" Elizabeth pouted.

She was right about that though, as soon as he slammed his fist on the cabinet there's an air of heaviness inside the room. The children's faces filled with fear and anxiety, their curious eyes eyeing on the angry Caleb carefully.

"This is just my speculation, don't take that as the truth" I coughed awkwardly. "Since we both have the same level of distrust toward Vladimir, I suggest a truce".

"A truce you say?" Caleb asked me curiously.

"That or you can choose to imprison me with Kallen and Joel" I shrugged nonchalantly. "Let me just say this though, I have valuable information about Vladimir's base".

That offer enticed both Caleb and Elizabeth, they're exchanging looks of uncertainty. From the looks of it, this Caleb man must be the one who's taking care of the whole group. He's the one who's responsible for other crews' well-being.

"Alright, that sounds promising" he nodded. "But your friend stays in that room, got it?".

He threatened me, using the lives of my comrades as hostages. This unexpected turn of events is no longer surprising, everyone tries to find a way to ensure their survivability in this chaotic city. Even if it means to take someone's life, whether they're innocent or not.

"You have my words" I replied with a satisfied smirk.

We made a pact, a truce to be more exact. If Vladimir were to know about this turn of events, he will consider me as a traitor and end my life. The fact that Ender is also heavily injured at Vladimir's base somewhat made me worried as well. What if they end Ender's life while I'm not there to protect him? The biggest nightmare that I would like to avoid to happen in the future.

"I'll cut to the chase though, did something happens between you guys and Vladimir's group?" I braced myself to ask the two young adults in front of me.

They lowered their head and avoided my gaze as if to avoid my question. However, not long after Elizabeth looks at Caleb with puppy eyes.

"Caleb, can we tell her about that project?" Elizabeth gulped.

"No, we're not telling her anything!" Caleb is against that idea.

"But she also dislikes him! We can avoid more bloodshed, Caleb!" Elizabeth argued with the auburn-haired man.

"So what! We can deal with him ourselves" Caleb crossed his arm, annoyed.

These two seem to have a heating debate, I don't know whether I should intervene between them. They remind me of Ender and me, who constantly debates to no end. I wonder if the old woman took care of Ender well while I'm on a mission.

The fact that I decided to form a truce with the enemies is a risky gamble to take, they could end Ender's life without my knowing. Caleb and Elizabeth's debates kept going on, and it went on until the debates were completely unrelated to the current case.

"I've been washing everyone's clothes! And you always keep forgetting your schedule!" Elizabeth pouted.

"Hey! It's not my fault that I forgot! Everyone needs me! And I just happened to forget! You can remind me if you're so bothered about it!" Caleb retorted with a blush. "Don't yell about it, geez! What if my little brother disappointed in me?".

The more I look at them, the more I'm aggravated at them.

"So are you guys done yet?" I scoffed. "How about the offer I make?".

Both of them turn their focus on me, still intrigued by the offer about the information.

"How do we know you're not lying?" Caleb sulked. "Listen here, we've been through a lot! I prefer to kill you right now to let you stay as a spy for-".

"I'm serious here, I have a loved one waiting for me back at his base" I glared abt both of them, infuriated. They don't know how worried I am for Ender's well-being, they could end his life before I know it. The worst thing is that he's incapable of defending himself, he's lying on the bed injured.

"He's injured because of you guys" I still try to contain my hissy fit. "Please, let's just go straight to the point".

However, before I could continue my offer a young girl came to us with a concerned expression.

"Caleb! Elizabeth! I saw someone sneaking in! There's another stranger in our place!" the pale brown-haired girl panted heavily from running. "He's suspicious! But now he's gone hiding!".

Could it be that Tristan was found out? I hope he stays hidden, otherwise, he would ruin the deal between us. Tristan and I share the same brain cell, which is hating Vladimir and his tyranny rule. He should understand that what I'm doing right now is essential to investigate Vladimir's background.

"Tristan, go back to hiding please" I screamed internally.