The room was heavy with tension. The only sounds now were the synchronized breaths of those inside Dr. Broke's office. Shay's eyes shifted to Drake, her instincts urging her to act, but her mind was unable to piece together the next step.
Drake moved slightly closer to Markey and Macie, his voice a low whisper. "Is the route clear?"
Macie nodded once, her wristwatch glowing faintly as she tapped it. The holographic interface briefly revealed a grid map before disappearing. "The main exit is compromised," she murmured. "Side stairwell. Three floors down, east exit. Safe for now."
"What do you mean 'safe for now'?" said Shay, her voice sharper than she intended.
Markey's gaze met hers, calm but intense. "It means we don't have time to argue. If you want answers, you'll have to trust us. We need to leave now."
"Drake," whispered Shay, "you promised me some answers. Who the hell are they?"
"They're here to help. For now, that's all you need to know. Trust me."
Shay's instincts screamed at her to push further, but something in Drake's tone made her pause. She glanced at Alena, who looked equally bewildered.
Macie moved to the door, her hand lingering over the knob as she tilted her head, listening for movement. The knocking had stopped, replaced by an eerie silence.
"They've moved," whispered Macie. "Probably repositioning to cover the exits."
Markey motioned for the group to gather. "Stay close. Move quickly. Don't speak unless absolutely necessary."
Drake stepped beside Shay, his hand brushing hers for a fleeting moment. "Stay with me," he said softly.
As they moved out of the office, a new figure stumbled into their path, eyes wide with fear. It was Billy Stream. "What are you doing here?" whispered Shay.
Billy's voice trembled. "You said to leave if things got weird, but they were everywhere. I couldn't make it out alone."
Drake glanced at Macie and Markey, then back at Shay. "He comes with us. No time to argue," said Drake.
"Fine. Everyone, stick close and stay quiet," said Markey.
The stairwell was cold and industrial, the echo of their footsteps muted by their cautious pace. Shay clutched her notebook tightly, the weight of her scribbled observations grounding her in the surreal moment. Alena held her notebook tight. Shay's hand brushed against her arm, a silent reassurance that they were in this together. Billy followed closely, his breathing heavy.
Three figures emerged from a side corridor: Detectives Susan Ques, Mary Prose, and Marcus Parks. Their weapons were drawn, but their expressions were more worried than hostile.
"What's going on here?" Det. Ques demanded, her sharp gaze sweeping over Markey and Macie.
Drake stepped forward, his tone calm but firm. "We don't have time to explain. You need to come with us if you want to stay alive."
"Come with you?" Det. Prose asked, her tone skeptical. "Why would we do that?"
Markey stepped up, holding a sleek, compact device that began emitting a low hum. "Because this isn't a request," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. The hum grew louder, and the detectives exchanged glances before reluctantly lowering their weapons.
"This better not be a mistake," said Det. Parks. His eyes briefly met Alena's, and she couldn't help but notice the quiet intensity in them. For a fleeting moment, she thought to herself how strong and good-looking he was, but she quickly pushed the thought aside as the group continued moving.
Dr. Broke appeared from another side door, clutching a slim case that glowed faintly at the edges. "What's going on?" she demanded in a harsh whisper, glancing quickly at the group.
Shay stepped back in surprise. "Dr. Broke? I thought you…"
"No time," interrupted Dr. Broke. "I knew something was off, and when I saw them outside, I stayed behind. What's the plan?"
"Safe house," said Drake. "Stay close."
"Fine, I'm not staying behind. You'll need me."
"What's in the case?" asked Shay.
"You'll find out soon enough," snapped Dr. Broke.
"Let's move," said Markey.
Around the corner, Myra Klean hid behind some deliveries. When she heard Dr. Broke's voice, she stepped out slowly and whispered, "I'm going with you. I've been hiding here for the past hour."
"Myra, why have you been hiding?" asked Shay.
"When I came back later to deliver more packages, I got scared when I saw what was going on around me, so I hid here waiting for the right time, but it didn't come. I almost got caught."
"Myra, why didn't you call me?" asked Shay.
"I dropped my phone getting away from… well I'm not exactly sure," said Myra, trembling. "I was too scared to chance going back for it. I can't tell you how relieved I am it's you, but who are these two?" asked Myra, pointing at Markey and Macie.
"Never mind now. We have no time. Need to get everyone to the safe house," said Drake.
"Let's move, now. We're running out of time," said Markey.
Myra looked at Alena, and Alena mouthed to her, "It's okay." Myra sighed with relief.
The group continued their descent to the bottom and exited the east exit door. Finally, they reached the SUV.
"You'll understand soon enough. It's okay," said Drake, placing a steady hand on her back, guiding her forward. "We'll be there in 20 minutes."
Shay hesitated. Her instincts were fighting her logic, but she stepped in and motioned Alena that it was safe with moving her right pinky finger. Alena got in next to her quietly.
Alena knew if Shay had used her left pinky finger, it meant trouble. Since primary school, they had created secret gestures using their fingers and eye movements and still used them even now at 28. They agreed when they were five years old to never share their secret gestures with anyone.
Drake noticed Shay signaling Alena and smiled. I've always adored how cute you and Alena communicated.
Markey started the crowded SUV with the addition of Dr. Broke, the three detectives, Billy, and Myra. They had started out as a group of five that and grown to eleven. I'm glad I decided on the larger size. Markey shook his head.
The ride was silent, tension hanging heavy in the air. The city lights blurred past, distorted by the tinted windows.
"Where exactly are we going?" Shay finally asked, breaking the silence.
Macie glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "Your grandparents' place."
Billy leaned forward slightly. "Your grandparents? What's so special about them?"
"Trust me," said Macie, her voice low but firm. "You'll find out."
Fifteen minutes later, the SUV slowed as they turned onto a secluded dirt road with towering oaks. The vehicle came to a stop in front of an old farmhouse, its weathered facade lit by the soft glow of porch lights.
Shay's grandparents, Mitch and Shay Bishop, stood on the porch, their faces illuminated by the warm light. Mitch's piercing eyes looked at the group that had arrived, while Shay's grandmother exuded a quiet strength that seemed to anchor the group as they approached.
"Come inside. We don't have much time," said Grandpa Mitch.
The group filed into the house. The air inside was cool. Shay's grandmother closed the door behind them, looking at Macie and Markey.
"You've done well," she said, her tone carrying an unspoken familiarity. "Thank you."
Billy looked around nervously. "What is this place? Why do I feel like I've stepped into a trap?"
"It's not a trap," Shay's grandmother replied firmly. "It's a haven for now."
Dr. Broke placed the glowing case on the table. Her voice edged with suspicion. "And this 'haven' is supposed to keep us safe? From what exactly?"
"I will explain after we handle this situation," said Grandma Shay.
Shay's head swam with questions, but before she could speak, her grandmother turned to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Shay, there's something you need to know..."
A faint hum filled the air, barely perceptible but unmistakable. Shay's grandmother's expression hardened as she exchanged a glance with Mitch.
"They're here," said Grandpa Mitch. "We need to activate the barrier."
Shay's grandmother moved to a hidden panel in the wall, her fingers pressing a sequence of buttons. A low hum reverberated through the house as a shimmering energy field enveloped the property.
"What is that?" asked Alena.
"Protection," said Grandpa Mitch. "It's why this place has remained off their radar. And why you're all safe here. For now."
Alena pointed at the baton mounted near the control panel. "What's that supposed to do?" she asked.
Shay turned to Drake, her voice a whisper. "What are we up against? Why does it feel like they know every move we make?"
"Because they do. But not for much longer."
A sharp knock echoed through the house, breaking the silence.
Detective Ques moved forward, her voice firm but low. "I hope this barrier of yours is as good as you think, because we might not have a second chance."
The porch light flickered once, then went dark.
Shay's grandmother pushed another button on the panel, and a door in the floor opened. "Everyone, now, go below. You will be safe. Don't touch anything. Hurry! Move it now!" she ordered.
Everyone but Markey, Macie, Drake, and Shay's grandparents quickly filed into the underground room. Grandma Shay pushed a different button on the panel and ordered, "Let's get the time warp weapons and teach these alien bastards not to mess with us. Macie, be ready to erase memories."
"Now what?" thought Shay in the underground room. Where's Drake? Where's grandma and grandpa? Where are the other two? Why do I feel like I'm in a nightmare? I still don't have answers. What the hell is going on? Now what? Why did… what the heck... oh crap!