Enzo couldn't have asked for a better opportunity. "T-thank you, Sarah. I d-don't have anywhere else to go, and I'm g-grateful for your h-hospitality."
As they engaged in conversation, Enzo kept a watchful eye on the bookshelf. His butterflies continued to inspect each book, searching for any anomalies or hidden mechanisms that might reveal the secret passage he suspected. It was a delicate balancing act, appearing friendly and vulnerable while pursuing his mission to uncover the mysteries of this organization.
As Enzo chatted with Sarah and the other survivors, he subtly directed his butterflies to focus on the bookshelf. They fluttered between the books, carefully examining each one for any irregularities.
Time seemed to blur as they worked in tandem, Enzo maintaining his friendly facade while the butterflies scoured the bookshelf for any hidden secrets. It felt like a test of patience and persistence, and Enzo knew that any small detail might lead to a breakthrough.
Sarah introduced him to more members of the group, and Enzo did his best to remember their names and make a good impression. They were wary of outsiders, but his healing abilities had won them some trust.
"Enzo, have you ever encountered any of those abominations before?" asked a young woman named Mia, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Enzo nodded, deciding to keep his answers vague for now. "Y-yes, I have. I mean, if y-you're talking about regular m-monsters out there, then yes. I've b-been on the run for a while, trying to survive."
Mia nodded solemnly, her expression filled with empathy. Although she wasn't really referring to regular monsters, she understood how tough it must have been for Enzo. "It's a tough world out there. We've all had our share of close calls and losses."
Enzo's butterflies continued their meticulous examination of the bookshelf, and finally, they made a discovery. One of the books had a hidden latch on its spine, cleverly disguised to blend in with the rest. However, the tiny, agile butterflies didn't have enough strength to press the latch.
'Seriously what are those odds? Are you telling me that I won't be able to go deeper?!' Enzo thought before laughing at one of Mia's anecdotes.
As Enzo laughed at Mia's story, his mind raced to find a solution to the newfound obstacle. He couldn't let this opportunity slip away. The hidden passage behind the bookshelf might hold vital information about the organization and its intentions.
However, there were still some problems. First, if he were to be caught, things would go sour for him, and he wouldn't be able to stay in the building with them. Although it wasn't a problem for him, it was still dangerous to leave such a strange organization untouched.
And second, the door where his butterfly was in trying to open the secret passage was locked with a key. So how in the world was he supposed to get there?
As Enzo pondered his predicament, he realized that he needed a multi-pronged approach to solve these challenges. He couldn't risk being caught snooping around, and he had to find a way to unlock the door where his butterfly was working to open the secret passage.
Though, it seemed that it was useless as the bookshelf started to move on its own.
'W-what's happening?' Enzo was taken aback as he didn't expect such an outcome. He knew that he wasn't the one triggering the opening, so he quickly hid his butterfly between a few books.
After a few seconds that lasted for an eternity, an old man came out of the secret passageway.
Enzo was surprised to see yet another person come out of here. But when he looked closely at the person, he guessed that this old man must be the mastermind behind the organization.
As he continued staring at him, the passageway started closing again. Enzo quickly thought whether it was better for his butterfly to follow the man, or to enter the secret passage.
And in the end, he chose the latter option as he just moved another butterfly closely to the room to eavesdrop on this old man.
Thankfully all of this happened without anyone noticing, be it the old man, or the people he was chatting with.
The butterfly fluttered silently through the passage, navigating its way into another office. However, the atmosphere here was markedly different from the rest of the building. It felt eerie as if the walls themselves were whispering.
Enzo strained to listen as the old man began to speak after coming out of the room, letting his other butterfly tail him easily. His voice was low and filled with a strange, unsettling confidence.
"Everything is proceeding as planned," the old man murmured to himself, unaware of the butterfly's presence. "Our experiments are yielding fascinating results. Soon, we will unveil our true power to the world."
Enzo's mind raced as he tried to make sense of the cryptic words. Experiments? True power? It was becoming increasingly clear that this organization was involved in something far more sinister and secretive than he had initially suspected.
Or rather, the old man was manipulating everyone in here, even those who risked their lives here.
He didn't know why, but his gut was telling him that all the people he had met when he first came here were played with by this old man.
During this time, the other butterfly continued its silent journey, uncovering more details about the office. There were strange diagrams on the walls, complex formulas, and research notes strewn about. Enzo couldn't decipher the scientific jargon, but he had a sinking feeling that whatever they were working on had the potential to endanger people.
Back in the main room, Enzo maintained his friendly demeanor with Sarah and the others, all the while grappling with the newfound revelations. He knew that he needed to tread carefully, for the deeper he delved into the organization's secrets, the greater the danger he was putting himself in. But he was determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.