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Chapter 37: The Game Begins
Adrian and Tessa hurried down the narrow, winding path that led to the only inn in the remote village. Their hoods still covered most of their faces, but Tessa couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
Every step they took seemed louder, every rustle in the trees more suspicious. The wind had picked up, blowing leaves in all directions like some chaotic game of hide-and-seek.
The inn was a humble structure, made of wood and stone, nestled between large trees. The sign that hung out front creaked on its rusty hinges, barely legible with time-worn letters spelling "Restful Night Inn." Tessa wasn't convinced.
'With the state of your inn, hardly can anyone have a restful night rest, when one considered the leakages, the constant drippings, the doors that seemed like it would fall off its hinges if more force than necessary is applied, the scouring rats, the coackroachs, yeah you are absolutely right, it's truly a restful night inn!'
Adrian pushed open the creaky wooden door, and they slipped inside. The dim lighting inside cast long shadows, and the air was thick with the smell of old timber and something faintly musty, like someone had forgotten to clean the place for a few decades.
A small fireplace crackled in one corner, with an elderly man seated beside it, smoking a pipe and mumbling to himself about the "good old days."
"Welcome," a plump woman behind the counter called out, her voice almost as creaky as the door they'd just walked through. She gave them a glance, then her eyes lingered a second too long on Adrian's tall, imposing figure. "How can I help ye?"
Adrian stepped forward, his face mostly hidden by the shadow of his hood. "A room. Just for the night."
The woman blinked slowly, eyeing them suspiciously. "Not many strangers come 'round these parts. You two running from something?"
Tessa's heart skipped a beat, and she glanced at Adrian, who showed no sign of distress. He leaned in, flashing her the kind of charming smile that could melt glaciers. "We're just travelers, ma'am. Nothing more."
The innkeeper's face softened slightly, her suspicions easing under the weight of his charm. "Well, travelers or not, ye look tired. Room's upstairs, second on the left. Ten coins."
'He looks handsome, and the girl is pretty too, it's rare to find such bloke and pretty lady around the block,' the woman's thoughts strayed.
Adrian handed her the coins, and the woman gave a small nod, pushing an old brass key across the counter. "Enjoy yer stay."
They made their way up the narrow staircase, each step creaking loudly beneath their weight. Tessa sighed in relief once they were safely inside the room. It was small, with a single bed and a tiny window, but at least it was shelter.
Tessa sat on the bed, her mind still reeling from the video of Ms. Caldwell. Every time she closed her eyes, the image of her mother's bruised face haunted her. "What if we're too late, Adrian?"
"We won't be," Adrian replied firmly, though his tone carried the weight of uncertainty. He stood by the window, his eyes scanning the village below. The night was quiet, but his instincts told him they were being hunted. "Get some rest. We'll move before dawn."
Before Tessa could respond, a knock echoed at the door.
She froze, and Adrian's body tensed. His blue eyes darted toward the door as his hand hovered over the blade strapped to his belt.
Adrian gestured for Tessa to stay back, moving stealthily to the door. He opened it just a crack, peering through.
Standing in the dim hallway was a bald man with a head so shiny it reflected the faint light like a mirror. It was as if his head was practically made for slapping.
He grinned awkwardly, scratching his bare scalp. "I don't mean to bother ye," he began in a thick accent, "but... I couldn't help but notice yer faces."
Adrian's grip tightened on the door, ready to slam it shut, but the man wasn't finished. Adrian had to rein in his erupting anger as he felt the urge to practically slap his bald head.
"I seen ye two somewhere. Yeah! That's right! I've seen ye both in that there video, clear as day!" His grin widened. "Ye're the ones everyone's after, aren't ye?"
Tessa's stomach flipped. Adrian, still calm, raised an eyebrow. "And what do you plan to do with this information?" His voice was so steady, it could have frozen the man in place.
The man chuckled, wiping a bead of sweat from his shiny forehead. "Well, I ain't planning on doin' nothin'. Just thought I'd let ye know, in case ye didn't realize ye're famous now."
Before Adrian could respond, the man continued, "But... maybe a little reward wouldn't hurt. Ye know, for my silence."
Tessa's eyes narrowed. "You're blackmailing us?"
The bald man shrugged, looking unapologetic. "The way I see it, a man's got to make a livin'. Now, I could go tell them soldiers outside ye're here... or ye could make it worth me while to forget I ever seen ye."
Adrian stepped closer, his presence casting an intimidating shadow over the man. "You'll forget you saw us," Adrian said, his voice cold, "because if you don't, I'll make sure you never see anything again."
The man's grin faltered, replaced by a nervous gulp. "Right, right. Consider it forgotten."
With a hasty nod, the man scurried off, his shiny head bouncing in the dim light as he disappeared down the stairs. Adrian shut the door, locking it behind him.
"That was close," Tessa muttered, her heart still pounding.
Adrian turned to her, his expression deadly serious. "We leave now."
They quickly gathered their things, throwing the hoods back over their heads. As they slipped out of the inn, the faint sound of voices reached their ears. The bald man hadn't kept his mouth shut after all.
Just minutes after they left, soldiers swarmed and scoured the inn with agents in suits all heavily armed as they ransacked everywhere.
"Shit, we missed them!" One agent said and the rest looked at the awkward bald man who was now stroking his bald head as if hair was there.
"I came as soon as I could sir, I mean them guys are aliens so they would be fast right?'
One agent nearby nearly smashed his bald head. 'So why did you collect money for the information if you are going to allow them to escape, stupid...fool.. aaarhhhgg'
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Back in the stark, white interrogation room, Ms. Caldwell lay slumped against the wall, her body aching from the beatings she had endured.
She looked very different from her once lovely and beautiful busty appearance. Her mind drifted to Tessa, the little girl she had taken in all those years ago. She had raised her, loved her like her own, and now... now, they were using her as bait.
Mr. Thompson sat beside her, gently dabbing at the dried blood on her face with a piece of cloth. His once strong, commanding presence had withered under the endless torture, but his spirit wasn't broken.
"They'll be okay," he whispered, more to himself than to her. "Tessa and Adrian... they'll find a way out of this."
Ms. Caldwell didn't respond. Her mind was too clouded with guilt. This was all her fault. If only she had hidden Tessa better. If only she had never brought Adrian into their lives. She had failed them both.
"They're strong," Mr. Thompson continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "Stronger than we think. They'll make it."
But Ms. Caldwell wasn't so sure. Every fiber of her being screamed that they were running out of time. Marshall had them all cornered, and she feared there was no escape.
Across the room, Andrew Marshall paced with a satisfied smirk on his face. His eyes gleamed with anticipation as he watched the monitors displaying footage of the village. "Any sign of them yet?"
A soldier nearby shook his head. "Not yet, sir. We've been scanning the area, but nothing credible."
Marshall's smirk widened. "They'll slip up. Everyone does."
He leaned over the control panel, zooming in on the grainy footage of the village square. "Keep watching. We've got them right where we want them."
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Outside the inn, Adrian and Tessa moved swiftly through the village streets, blending into the shadows. They had to stay ahead of their pursuers. Adrian's mind raced, calculating every move, every potential threat.
As they turned the corner, a loud shout echoed behind them. "There they are!"
The chase was on.
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To be continued...
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