The girls were so exhausted that, they fell like stones on the bed, everything they had discussed about the plan to escape and take the cell phone, they completely forgot. This is with the exception of Kunoichi, who woke up in the middle of the night. She looked around and her companions were still asleep, Zafiro was sharing the bed with her, but she was so tall, she took up all the space, leaving her only a little corner. I guess it has its advantages being so small, she thought, though not very convinced.
In the other bed lay Mila and Faye, their nightclothes barely enough to cover their attributes. Damn busty girls, they could share a little with the less privileged ones, she thought as she put a hand on her flat chest. There was no point in waking them up for the mission, besides Faye, the other two had no stealth skills, so they would be more of a hindrance than a help.
She pulled her scarf over her face, more out of habit than really needing it, and set out to go get the cell phone, quietly.
She went down the stairs in complete silence, fortunately those of the little people's race, were able to see clearly in the dark, like cats. So she didn't trip over anything. The house was old, when they climbed the stairs, it creaked quite a bit, but Kunoichi was very light, her weight was not enough to make the planks rattle.
She reached the meeting table and there was nothing on it, not even crumbs from the cookies Runkdar and Zafiro devoured. As expected, the mayor wasn't going to leave something so valuable to him, just anywhere. He would most likely have it hidden in his room.
That wasn't enough to discourage the young ninja, on the contrary, the challenge to steal something that was better protected, encouraged her more.
She was turning around to go up the stairs, when...
- What are you doing? - said a voice that almost made her scream.
It was Faye who had followed her silently, for a moment, she forgot that dark elves don't usually make noise when they walk either, it's something natural for them to be silent.
- You almost killed me with a heart attack.... - Kunoichi whispered, repressing her urge to choke Faye. - What don't you see? I'm following the plan.
- The operation: In another world with my cellphone? - Faye asked quietly, cowering out of sight, something completely unnecessary considering it was just the two of them.
- Shhh, yes, that's right.... - Replied the young ninja. - Now be quiet, I'm going to check in the mayor's room, the cell phone must be there.
They started to go upstairs trying to make as little noise as possible, but a board of the staircase creaked under Faye's feet.
If it wasn't her friend, Kunoichi would have stabbed her into the vital points to put an end to her noises. Then footsteps were heard approaching. With feline reflexes, Kunoichi immediately jumped to the ceiling and held on with nails and teeth to avoid being discovered, Faye on the other hand, hid behind a curtain, but her chest was so bulky, that two bumps were noticeable in the curtain, to top it off, her feet were visible, the plan had just gone down the drain.
The mayor was coming down the stairs, wearing a nightgown and a little hat, as was the style in medieval times. But he had no candle or lamp to light his way. He went to the kitchen, got a glass of water, and retraced his steps, but as he passed Faye, he stopped. Kunoichi was in a cold sweat, praying to Juvey, God of thieves, that she would not be discovered. After a few seconds watching the curtain wordlessly, he slapped two protrusions in front of him. That was it, Faye would scream and they would be lost, Kunoichi thought.
- We have tooo changeshh... theshhe curtains... they already have lumpshh... - stammered the old man, resuming his half-asleep walk.
Only when she saw him pass by and heard him close the door of his room behind him, could the young ninja take a breath, jump down from the roof without making the slightest noise, and go to Faye.
- Are you all right? - whispered Kunoichi.
- Buaa a horrible old man touched me! I won't be able to get married anymore... - sobbed the elf quietly.
- Bah, my brother is not so shallow... - Kunoichi answered mockingly.
- I didn't say that I'm going to marry your bro... - Faye protested but tiny fingers covered her mouth.
- Shhhh, Stop making noise already or we'll be discovered. - Interrupted Kunoichi.
They went up the stairs to continue with the mission, Kunoichi wasn't one to give up easily, once she had something in mind, she wouldn't stop until she got it.
At first, she thought she would try each room, one by one, until she found the right one, but since the mayor went out, she now knew which room he slept in. They crept to the door and tried to open it, but it was locked. Ah, but how could a half-asleep old man remember to lock the door? Kunoichi thought in frustration. it didn't matter, the little ninja pulled an ornament from her hair and proceeded to open the lock, it was a camouflaged lock pick, every self-respecting ninja always carried useful tools even when she was in her pajamas.
She struggled for a while with the lock that refused to open, the fact that Faye was breathing on her head didn't help her to concentrate. Then when it was almost yielding, a voice behind them almost made them jump with fright.
- Open sesame! - Mila said, and the lock clicked open.
Inside the room they heard some startled snoring, but after a few seconds, it stopped and everything was silent again.
- Are you trying to scare us to death...? - whispered Kunoichi to Mila, who had Kuro on her head as a hat.
- I just thought it was very exciting what you were doing and wanted to join. - She replied smiling nonchalantly.
The vein in Kunochi's temple was jumping like an Olympic gymnast. But she said no more, turned around and opened the door, entering the room at last. It was quite spacious, more than the ones they were given, neatness was apparently one of the distinctive features of that house, or rather of the mayor's wife, who was probably in charge of keeping things in order.
On a small table, next to the bed, was the chest containing the longed-for cell phone.
Silent as a shadow, the little ninja approached to take possession of the treasure. The box had a lock, she could open it to take the cell phone and then close it again, or she could take it all together and open it later.
The first alternative seemed the best, so she took out her lock picks again and began to open the lock, this time she was not interrupted, so she did not find the task difficult, after a few seconds, the lock gave way with a small click. The little ninja smiled, satisfied with her skills, and was already reaching out her hand to open the box and remove its contents, when a huge hand fell on hers. They had been discovered...
Mila and Faye almost screamed, but managed to keep quiet. The hand took the box, to pull it and place it on its owner's chest. Unfortunately, it not only took the box, but also Kunoichi's hand that was on top of it, being so light, pulled her and the box over him. Mila and Faye, looked at each other not knowing what to do. The young ninja took a few seconds to realize that she had not been discovered, the old man was still asleep, apparently he had taken the box in the middle of a dream. The whole thing was too dangerous, she was about to get off the bed, but she couldn't, the hand that held the box and her, clutched her tightly, or maybe it was just the difference in size that made it seem like they were holding her tightly. However that didn't matter, she was trapped and if she didn't manage to break free, they would be discovered.
Mila raised her hand to cast a spell, but Kunoichi signaled with her free hand not to do it.
Blinded by the darkness, the young witch took a step forward and tripped over her own heels, falling to the ground with a loud crash.
- What was that? exclaimed the mayor in his sleep, half-rising from the bed.
- Miaaaaau, Miaaaaau! - Kuro said, jumping on the bed at the right moment.
- It's only the kitten of those girls, honey, go back to sleep, let the cat settle at the foot of the bed. - Replied the lady who was also half asleep.
The mayor lay down again, hugging his box, they all remained motionless until they heard him snoring again. Fortunately, Kunoichi had taken advantage of the distraction, to withdraw her hand, but she did not manage to snatch the box from the old man.
- I think we'd better retreat, it's too risky.... - Faye whispered. Mila nodded, but Kunoichi didn't want to give up.
They were still discussing the matter, but were interrupted by the mayor, who was again getting out of bed. Kunoichi rolled under the bed, Mila became invisible, Faye however reacted very slowly and jumped behind the bed, missing the candlestick on the dresser by a few inches.
Slowly, the old man left the room, like an automaton, carrying the box with the cell phone. The girls followed him without making a sound. As they turned toward the passageway, a voice came from behind them, making their hearts skip a beat.
- What are you doing? - Zafiro asked, scratching her belly button. Her nightclothes were once again too small for her.
- Shhhh! Quiet! We almost had a shock. Why are you sneaking up on us? Faye asked, putting her index finger to her lips.
- None of you were in the room, not even the cat, so I went out to see what was going on. - replied the warrior girl, as nonchalant as ever.
- I think we'd better leave. - Mila said.
- No, I'll get that cell phone. - Replied Kunoichi with determination.
- Well said. - Added Faye, who wasn't about to give up on the possibility of getting the smartphone.
- I find it odd that the old man didn't notice us with all the noise you guys are making. - The young ninja scolded them.
They ducked their heads for a moment as they were reprimanded, but that only lasted a moment, soon they were already behind Kunoichi who was following the mayor like a shadow.
The little ninja got as close to him as she could, being at such a short distance, she could notice that he was walking with his eyes closed. Now it all made sense, the mayor was sleepwalking, that's why he didn't notice anything despite the commotion.
The mayor continued walking to the back garden, carrying the box clutched to his chest. Kunoichi stretched to try to take out the cell phone, if she succeeded, she would close the box and the old man wouldn't notice until they were far away.
He stopped in front of a tree and was babbling in his sleep, as if talking with someone from the past. The little ninja took the opportunity to slide the cell phone out of the box. It was almost in her possession. Unfortunately, something in the middle of the dream, made the old man slam the box shut, trapping Kunoichi's fingers.
- AYYYYYY! - she exclaimed helplessly.
The noise woke up the sleepwalker who tried to move and tripped over her, going to the floor. The box rolled a couple of meters away.
- What the hell is going on here? - he asked as he found himself on the ground in the open. All four girls were in front of him, Mila lost her invisibility and didn't remember to cast the spell again.
The scream was heard all the way into the house. The boys immediately grabbed their weapons.
- Are they attacking us? are they attacking us? - Mathew asked, swinging his sword blindly.
- I don't know, but you better put that away, or you're going to poke someone's eye out. - Ashram answered.
The mayor's wife also woke up and rushed downstairs. The young men checked the girls' room and found it empty, so they followed the old lady.
- I asked what the hell is going on!? I expect an answer right now! - The mayor repeated angrily.
In the middle of the confusion, his wife arrived followed by the boys.
- Sorry sir, I wanted to drink water, but I'm afraid of the dark, so my friends accompanied me. We were in the kitchen, when we saw you walking among us, you had your eyes closed, so we assumed you were sleepwalking, we followed trying to prevent you from having an accident. You also dropped the box and we wanted to return it to you. - Faye said, calling on all her charisma.
- That's nonsense! I don't walk in my sleep! - he replied very annoyed.
- My love, what the girls are saying is true, when you are very worried, you walk in your sleep. - Said the old lady soothing her husband.
- Really? - he asked again calmer.
- Yes. - They all nodded.
- Then I'm sorry I yelled at you. - He said a little embarrassed. - Thanks for making sure I didn't get hurt.
- No problem. - Said Kunoichi handing the box to the old man with a smile.