Chapter 125: "Riverdale Reborn: The Underground Sanctuary"
Tessa's smile softened as she looked at Oxlade, her face shifting from her alter-ego back to the familiar face he remembered, the real face of Tessa, the alien. "There's the Tessa I know," he said, finally relaxing as his guess was confirmed.
Chinelle, the owl perched on Tessa's arm, tilted its head at Oxlade with a look that seemed to say, Finally figured it out, did you?
"Hey, don't give me that look!" Oxlade said, feigning indignation at the owl's mocking gaze. "You and Tessa have that special bond– I don't have that bond. How was I supposed to know?" he protested, half-jokingly.
Chinelle merely fluffed its feathers and perched comfortably on Tessa's arm, as if saying nothing more needed to be clarified. Oxlade stepped closer, finally face-to-face with Tessa. A look of pride and admiration settled on his face; seeing her here felt like witnessing a legend come to life.
"You have to help us, Tessa," he said, his voice growing serious. "Your alma mater—it's not what it used to be. You need to come see what they've done."
For a moment, Tessa studied his face, taking in the urgency behind his words. Without a word, she swept her left hand forward, silently signaling him to lead the way.
As Oxlade started forward, Nyala moved into step beside them, her spear still in hand, ready and watchful. She glanced at Tessa. "I'm guessing this school of yours won't just need saving—it'll need a reckoning," she murmured with a smirk.
"Reckoning indeed," Tessa replied, her eyes steely with resolve.
As they walked, Oxlade couldn't hold back his enthusiasm, excitedly sharing updates on the school's progress. "You know, Tessa, we've managed to keep our license somehow," he said with pride. "Classes are still going, but...it's all underground now, literally." He chuckled. "No one really knows where the classrooms are—keeps Rhemon's thugs from sniffing us out."
Tessa nodded, impressed. She could tell the school had become more than just an institution; it was a safe haven for the students and staff alike. But Oxlade held back one important detail: the upcoming graduation ceremony, where Tessa would be the guest of honor. Instead, he painted the situation as a dire one, hinting that trouble was looming, making her all the more eager to step in.
Meanwhile, Adrian walked silently behind them, his presence simmering with barely-contained intensity. He was like a loaded weapon, a moving land-mine of some sort, poised to act or explode at the slightest threat, and his eyes scanned the surroundings vigilantly. Nyala, equally alert, kept a firm grip on her spear, though she seemed to enjoy Oxlade's lively chatter.
Every few minutes, Oxlade would glance back at Tessa, flashing her a grin before hurrying ahead to guide the way. He was so animated, bouncing between conversation and his role as a guide, that Chinelle, perched on Tessa's shoulder, eventually grew exasperated. With a quick flap, the owl leaned forward and gave Oxlade a playful smack on the back of his head with its wing, as if to say, Enough with the chatter, keep moving!
The group burst into laughter at the owl's antics—even Adrian let out a rare chuckle, his expression softening momentarily before slipping back into his watchful silence. The laughter lightened the air, adding a moment of levity amidst the tension of their mission.
As the march continued, Oxlade's step grew even lighter. He was finally home, surrounded by those who made him feel safe, and he was leading them back to a place where, perhaps for the first time, hope felt real again.
Eventually, they entered a clearing. This was where Riverdale School had once stood proudly, but now it looked abandoned, a shadow of its former self.
As they entered the gates, they noticed something unexpected; there was not a single soul was in sight.
The once-lively grounds were overgrown with weeds, some as tall as 6 feet or even more, grasshoppers leapt around in the tall grass, and lizards scurried from one empty classroom to another.
The roofs were starting to peel away, rusted and neglected, some with wide-open gaps where sunlight poured through.
Adrian was the first to break the silence. "Where the hell is everybody?" he muttered, fists clenched, his thoughts already racing to find the Rhemon thugs who had caused this ruin. But beside him, Tessa noticed Oxlade wearing a calm, knowing smile.
She watched him closely, and from his demeanor, Tessa sensed this wasn't a disaster—this was deliberate. Nothing seemed truly out of place; everything was exactly as it should be. So she just decided to wait patiently, for him to speak without assuming anything.
Nyala, catching Tessa's calm, relaxed too, though she kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings.
Adrian looked to Oxlade, waiting for an explanation, irritation simmering beneath his stare.
"Relax, Adrian," Oxlade finally spoke, his tone light, almost amused. "This is exactly what we want the Rhemon agents to see. It's our ultimate disguise.Smart right?" He gestured around at the empty grounds. "Everyone's safe underground. Follow me, and I'll take you there."
With an exaggerated sigh, Adrian rolled his eyes. "What's with all the suspense? You could've just said that."
"Where's the fun in that?" Oxlade replied, grinning wider as he led them toward the north wing of the school.
They approached a vine-covered entrance that looked like it hadn't been used in years. Oxlade pressed his hand against a hidden panel, and the door clicked open with a low hum, revealing a staircase leading into the depths below.
As they descended, the stark difference between the overgrown exterior and the meticulously kept interior became apparent. Bright lights illuminated the hallways, and soft chatter echoed in the distance. Students were walking around, some in study groups, others hurrying off to class. Riverdale was very much alive.
"Welcome to Riverdale Underground," Oxlade said proudly. "We've turned the old school into a decoy. Anyone who comes looking finds only an empty shell. Meanwhile, we've got everything running as usual down here."
Tessa's eyes softened with pride as she took in the bustling underground campus. It was like a hidden fortress, a place where the spirit of Riverdale continued to thrive despite the threat from the Rhemon agents above.
Students passed by the new arrivals, chatting and laughing, not sparing them so much as a glance. It was as if Tessa, Adrian, and Nyala were invisible—just another part of the scenery in this hidden refuge. The students seemed carefree, completely undisturbed by the newcomers, as if they had grown accustomed to the presence of strange allies and occasional visitors in their sanctuary.
"Impressive," she said quietly, nodding at Oxlade, who beamed at the praise.
Adrian, looking around at the unsuspecting students who seemed blissfully unaware of the dangers outside, gave a slight nod. "Not bad," he muttered, folding his arms. "But next time, don't leave us hanging."
Oxlade just laughed, his pride clear. "You've got to admit, it was worth the suspense." And with that, he led them deeper into the heart of the underground Riverdale, where the spirit of resilience and hope burned brighter than ever.