Chapter 17: Finding Lena

As stepped onto the roof of the house it felt quite chilly outside. The jacket I brought didn't really give to much warmth as the night air made me shiver. I had walked from rooftop to rooftop for a while now on the terraced houses, and didn't want to test my luck to go back and get a decent coat. I didn't even know if I was going the right way, but I just wanted to get away.

At least the jacket I wore still had a bit of cash inside. Lauren was always too lazy to put change back in her wallet, so she just slipped it in her pockets. Since I didn't bring much clothes of my own, and a lot of things she wore were a bit oversized, she had leant me hers.

I had to watch out not to slip on the mossy roof tiles and plummet down onto the street. So after walking about twenty minutes I decided to climb down one of the houses. The city was beautiful at night, and at this time I didn't have to worry about Lauren sending out a search party. She'd still be fast asleep.

I hoped Oxford had city maps around, cause my phone with all Dinah's software and gadgets on it was now with Mikaela. I hoped she was on my side. That she didn't know about everything Lauren was doing, because I had been so excited to meet her again. I couldn't believe she could ever do anything like that. She mentioned going to Oxford too, so maybe we'd cross each other. Lauren would send her after me anyways.

I decided on asking a group of university students walking down the street where I was. Until now I had only seen a few drunken men, but they were probably not in the right state to show me the way. The students didn't look too sober either, but at least they could walk normally.

"Hey, excuse me. I'm not from here, and I need to find a place close to the botanical garden. Do you know where it is?"

"Oh the botanical garden is pretty close" One of the guys in the group spoke up. " just keep following High St. and you'll come across a bridge. I think it's called Magdalen bridge. Don't cross it, the last building to you're right before the bridge is the botanical garden. What's the name of the place you're looking for?"  He pointed towards the direction I was already headed.

"I'm not sure if you'll know it. It should be somewhere medical research is done, I'm meeting up tomorrow with a researcher and I lost my phone so I don't have the address." I lied. "I want to know how to get there so I'll be in time." How could I possibly explain to strangers what was happening anyways.

"Oh I used to go to Merton college, it's right next to it. The University of Oxford has researchers there for multiple areas. I think there is a biomedical science group." Bingo. Biomedical science... sounds like it I guess? Lucy said she was a medical researcher right? 

"Really, that's probably it! Thanks guys. So I just have to keep following High Street right?"

"Oh for the college you'll eventually have to turn right to Merton street."

"Wait Connor, I'll show them on google maps." The tallest girl in the group said taking out her phone to show me where to go.

They were right, it was pretty close only 1,5 kilometers.

"Thanks for your help guys! Bye." I replied and started walking towards Merton college. I was lucky that I'd met them. 

To my surprise I wasn't really tired. On my watch I could see it was 3 a.m. already. Still a few hours till morning time though and I had no idea what time Lena would meet up with Lucy. 

I quickly turned down an alleyway to my right and glanced passed the corner. I recognised 2 women with dragonflies on their jackets. The bodyguard Evelyn, that Lauren had assigned to me being one of them. They were glancing around. Luckily the alley wasn't well lit so they wouldn't see me.

Did Lauren know I was gone already? She possibly went to check up on me since I had told her I felt bad. 

I heard them talking as they walked past.

As soon as they passed, I took High street again. This time walking more carefully. I kept my head down every-time I saw the lights of a car approaching.

Soon I had reached Merton Street, and as I reached the college I climbed over the wall. There was a garden there, with trees that looked climbable. From there I had a good view of the street, but wasn't too visible myself.

At some point I started dozing off, but I held out until morning. At around 8am I saw Lucy approaching down the street. I kept as quit as i could, making sure not to move an inch. She was too occupied reading papers anyways. I decided it would be best not to follow her and wait till Lena was there. 

After a while a black car with tinted windows turned into Merton Street. It came to a halt right in front of the college and soon after Lena opened the door . Her dark hair flowing freely over her shoulders wearing an all black outfit she was followed by one of her personel. I slowly approached the entrance to the college. Today there was no school for students. So no one would notice me sneaking towards her on the other side of the wall.

However Lena was too fast and entered the college in a quick pace before I could reach her safely. I'd have to go inside. 

Once I reached the door the hallways were empty, but I was sure I'd caught a glimpse of someone turning around the corner. I followed that direction, and as soon as I turned the corner I heard voiced coming from up the stairs.

I silently stepped upwards towards the voices but as I was close, I heard a door shut, muffling the sound. I was sure it was them, so I continued on up the staircase, until I reached the first floor.

Suddenly I was yanked backwards a hand covering my mouth. As a reflex I elbowed whoever was behind me in the gut, but more people were surrounding me. I caught a glimpse of an embroidered dragonfly on one of their outfits.

"LENA LENAAAAA LENA!" I yelled as soon as I had thrown the first person of. My shouting echoed through the halls of the old building.

They all struggled trying to muffle me. For the first time I was hopping I'd get an attack soon, so I'd be able to throw them off, but someone had pricked a needle into my neck, which instantly made my legs feel wobbly. Those bastards.

"LENA HELP PLEASE IT'S Y/N! LENA!"

The third door on the right flew open, revealing Lena and one of her guards. I felt relief wash over me. I had found her. Lena's eyes widened as she saw the scene in front of her unfold.

"Hands of her!" Lena's icy tone echoed. For a moment everyone froze in their spot. 

She whispered something to her guard and in a flash he moved towards us and started fighting the Lauren's guys. We were outnumbered, and as soon as I saw the next person storming towards us, my heart dropped. Mikaela came storming up the staircase.

"Y/n, what the hell are you doing! Lauren said you... you had an attack and ran... but you look... normal?"

"Back off everyone!" She yelled at Lauren's people and they listened. "Explain please."

"She was in on it Mikaela. I saw a letter. Lauren paid Lilian Luthor for whatever was going on, all that horrible shit that has happened because of her. I don't even know why. It's hard to believe I know, but I knew something was going on as soon as we met up with that Lucy chick. She must've worked for Lilian, they wanted to continue whatever happened at CADMUS."

"LIES! LIES! CAPTURE HER MIKAELA!" I heard Lucy yell. Lena who stood beside her looked visible shaken by rage. Without much hesitation she sucker-punched the dubious scientist right in the face, knocking her out instantly.

"All right y/n, let's get you and Lena the fuck out of here then." Mikaela replied after watching Lena land her perfect hit. She threw me over her shoulder and ran towards Lena. Her guard followed us. "Ok miss Luthor, I've got y/n now let's get the fuck out of here cause Lauren went ballistic and ordered all of her men to get y/n. Reinforcements are on their way now. Btw y/n throw that watch of yours away. Lauren somehow tracked you with it."