Chapter Eleven
Peter
At first glance, the obstacles seem rather easy, but I know, from Cathy's intense grip on my hand, I know, that looks are deceiving- especially right now.
She removed my blindfold just a few steps after we had got out of the car and as my eyes focused, I came to realize that the To Sotos headquarters was not only better hidden, but also much much bigger and more secure than the one we used at Oi Alloi.
In front of me, a big, triangular pyramid seeps into the sky, a stunning shade of purple lightly coating the grey metal. There is no security outside, but the machines already visible to me, guarding the breathtaking monument, gave no reason to waste man power.
I turn to look at Cathy, thinking her eyes would be radiating a positive, home-ly glow, but on looking at them, I twitch, and believing that most of this mood is caused indirectly by me, I guiltily grab her hand as we walk into the structure.
A gust of cool air hits me instantly after the door swings open, Cathy having put in her thumb print successfully. The air conditioner here is exceptional. Maybe if the school followed its lead, members of the Oi Alloi wouldn't be heading home drooling in sweat every other evening.
There is no fancy entrance. A long, narrow passage connects the main entry to, I suppose, the rest of this architectural wonder. The walls inside are steel gray, no effort taken to paint it a more subtle colour, the nails still visible. We walk ahead inwards. The lights automatically flash on with every step as we continue our way down. With my ever-so-sharp ears, I can already hear the soft screams of cheers that probably await us on the other end. Our footsteps echo in sync.
After walking for a good three minutes, we reach an open end, I was right. Cathy and I now stand at the beginning of a humongous room- if I could call it that. About a 100 feet high, a thick, dark layer of metal enclosed the hall. Both sides of the place were covered in trembling- yet thrilled men and women, members of the To Sotos.
Sandwiched in between were four courses, each thoroughly testing either one of my powers. How did they know each and every one of my four powers? My thoughts get interrupted by Cathy, who nudged from my right, her cheeks holding back gallons of laughter. I followed her eyes to find a most shocking discovery.
The leader of the To Sotos, as Catherine had explained to me before, sat on a high chair on the right of where we stood, her hair, agreeably, was a mess, but that was not what caught my mind.
The announcer seated opposite her carries on, explaining in crucial detail the set of challenges that I was to complete.
But that was not what I was gaping at either.
My eyes turned a silent shade of grey. Countess Margarita's hands are trembling on its rest on the chair she sits on. Traces of sweat are settled over her white skin. Still not it.
Countess Margarita's long, pale purple dress that extends down the stairs is wet, and one can clearly see ignored brown, muddy spots at the end, and a few dark patches contrasting to its otherwise bright purple. Only one thing ran across my mind. Igetis met her. She met Igetis. They had a fight. They probably came to a conclusion; seeing that both were still alive. Where and when did they meet? Did the rest of the Oi Alloi know about this? Did the To Sotos know about this? What was so important that made these two enemies, who loathed each other since as long as I knew, meet?
And then, a ghastly idea slithered its way into the conversation I was having with myself. I shudder.
There was only one reason: Cathy and me.
I have to complete this, and fast, and we have to get out of here, both of us. A sudden hug from Cathy broke its way through me. Fast.
-
The courses are surprisingly easy- I was done in less than 30 minutes with hardly a few bruises except a trail of blood that trickled down to my jaw. On finishing, the entire audiences, including Countess Margarita, were clapping and cheering so loudly that I was pretty sure the stable roof over our heads would fall down.
Every single face displayed happy, cheery, proud expressions, some members were also sobbing on their seats. Every single face, that is, except two- mine and Catherine's. She figured something out too.
She facially sends me urgent messages pointing towards the exit. I reflect them and swiftly start heading for it behind her. In another five minutes, we had hit the road, Cathy absentmindedly not blocking my vision. But that was just a small issue- as we both sat in silence for some time, allowing our newly sought out ideas to sink in, I realize the importance of what I had just figured out.
It was a stab in the back not only to me, but to the entire Oi Alloi community. But who would listen to me? A 17 year old who had just been accepted into the society? A 17 year old who Igetis clearly despised?
As the car turns around the corner, Catherine's eyes spread wide in panic; I know what I have to do. "Catherine," I say to her, my hand already on the wheel, "pullover, let me drive." She agrees without a word.
We are in a race against time- one that the majority always loose.
-
"Mom!" she cries, falling into her mother's arms. A wave of guilt and remorse sweep over me. The three of them, reunited once more, are in a muddled mess on the floor.
I had already untied the ropes that held her parents hands together, having come to a conclusion and set of rules. The trio now turn and face me. I shrink back, expecting the worst.
"Thank you, Peter." I frown, confused. "Thank you for taking care of them."
"Obviously." I grunt and head back to start setting the table for a very important dinner.
-
"I met Igetis right before I joined Cathy in the park." I start, settling into my seat. I couldn't wait till we were done, the news has to be announced now. "Apart from his usual black cloak, a trail of blood and mud followed him when he stepped ahead towards me."
"Why didn't you ask him what happened?" Mr. Davis asks, leaning into his plate.
I blush a crimson red, my eyes turning a painful shade of pink, "the topic of our conversation was imperative to understand clearly and," I pause, looking away, "I had to meet her on time."
He nods, satisfied with my answer. I continue, "At the To Sotos headquarters, I saw Countess Margarita on her chair, the end of her trailing dress was muddy and there were unmistakable traces of blood too."
"It's true." Cathy picks up, "And the fact their clothes were covered with mud and blood at the end, at the hemline, proves another astonishing fact," she stops, placing a piece of macaroni into her mouth. I smile. Even at times like this, this girl manages to look adorable.
"Hmph," she struggles, swallowing the piece, "that they weren't hurt. They probably weren't even hurting each other." she puts another piece of her dinner in her mouth, clearly enjoying it. The end of my mouth twisted into an upward curve.
I resolve in letting her savor her meal and continue the shameful story myself.
"Which leads to us to believe that for some unknown reason, Igetis and Countess Margarita are working together- or at least know of each other, well enough to defend both of them as a team- against someone, or some people." I give myself and the horrified audience a breather. Then persist, "this could either mean that Igetis and Countess Margarita are two good causes secretly working together against one bad enemy, or-"
"Or, they both are working together against a good cause, using us as toys to simply carry out their devilish tasks." Cathy cuts me off. I frown at her, "did you do that just so that you could say the main part?" I ask playfully.
"Duhh!" she replies, our voices sounding much lighter than they should be. We turn to the appalled duo seated in front of us, "so, what do you'll think?"
Mrs. Davis answers first, "I think you two might have jumped to conclusions, honey," she says, placing her hand gently onto Cathy's, "it was a heavy day- for the both of you. You'll might have been hallucinating."
"Both of us were hallucinating, mom? At the same time? Dreaming about the same thing?" Catherine asks, her voice turning pushy and accusive.
"What she means is it is the most sensible conclusion we could come to of this situation, Mrs. Davis." I hold her back, mentally willing her to stop, to calm down. It doesn't look like she was going to do anything of that sort anytime soon.
She continues, her voice high now, "No, Peter, I do not mean that. The result we came up with is the only possible solution." She turns to her father, "when have you ever seen Margarita a mess? Her hair undone? Sweating? Mud on her dress?"
I put my hand on her shoulder, "Cathy calm down. We might be pressing too hard. It's a lot of information to take in. It's a very big deal." She lets out a deep breath and opens her mouth to continue, but thankfully listens to me and leans back into the chair, her arms crossed against her chest. I place my hand carefully around her shoulders.
Mr. Davis visibly bit his lip. He stares at my hand, then deciding that there were more significant things to talk about, turns to his wife. I smile, triumphant.
"Regina," he sighs, "I think what they are saying is true. It makes sense." Then he looks at us, our hands now joint and rolls his eyes, "it's the only thing that does."
Regina, though clearly shocked at her husband's words, looks thoughtful, as if contemplating the matter in her head all over again. Then she looks up, "okay kids. Done. I agree with you'll. Now, what are we going to do about it?"
I leans forward, resting on my elbows. Adrenaline pumping into my body and reaching to my eyes as then I slowly explain to her what Cathy and I decided on our enjoyable ride home.