Tenebris latet veritas. In shadows lies the truth.
Riley grinned, showing off her white teeth and bright brown eyes. Her blonde hair held in two short French braids and wearing the blue sundress her mother had gotten her just last week, she walked down aisle sixteen of Smarty Mart. Otherwise known as the pet aisle.
"I'll pick you up after my hair appointment dear, and remember little miss Riley Stoppable," Her mother warned her. "Nothing with fur, my allergies couldn't take it."
"Yes mama, I understand!" Riley assured her mother. Mrs. Stoppable left for her appointment while Riley waltzed down the aisle. Unbeknownst to Riley, she's about to become way more than a normal middle scholar, and it all starts with Tenebris Latet Veritas. For in Shadows, lies the Truth.
"We need to hire a normal child to take home Experiment R." A well-dressed man sighed, as he spoke to a similarly dressed companion. The plan was to send Experiment R home with a child so they could have an in to a normal household. The problem lie in getting Experiment R adopted out. Kids didn't go for baby Naked Mole Rats these days.
"Yeah, because hiring a kid is the only way to get this ugly thing out." His companion nodded sagely. The first man rubbed tiredly at his face, completely disbelieving.
"I meant, that if we're going to get a full understanding for the experiment the kid needs to send in reports." He clarified.
"Oh, that makes sense." They would have continued the conversation but a little girl arrived, gazing carefully at the pets on display. Since the hairless cat was out for being too freaky Riley had been forced to go through the fish, reptiles, and 'exotic' section. So far there was nothing here, hairless or otherwise, that she was particularly looking forward to bringing home.
"Ah hello there little girl!" The first man, shall we call him Draconem, greeted her.
"Um, I'm not supposed to talk to strangers." Riley said uncertainly. This man didn't look like a Smarty Mart employee, and since Kim wasn't around to save her if she got kidnapped Riley wisely decided to ignore him and continue browsing.
"Are you looking for something in particular?" He persisted.
"Something without fur, my mom has allergies." She explained, thinking that just the first half of the sentence might confuse him. If she had a choice, she really would pick a dog or a cat.
"Excellent!" He exclaimed, bringing out Experiment R from his travelling cage. "Do you know what this is?" He asked her, trying to sound excited.
"Um, it says Naked Mole Rat on the little tag." She pointed out. There was also something in Latin. The creature yawned and looked up at her, smiling and showing off its own pearly whites.
"Yes it is!" The second man nodded, coming into the conversation. "And he's furless!"
"We're running a special survey, we'd like you to buy this pet and then report back to us about how he does! You'll even be paid!" The first man tried to entice her.
"Really?" She asked, picking up the small animal and pocketing the tag.
"Yep, but there's a catch!" The second man warned her, picking his teeth and ignoring the frantic 'shut up' signals coming from his partner. Instead he gazed down at the girl with foreboding in every inch of his voice.
"You can never reveal our secrets, that means no telling anyone where the money came from, no telling anyone about our survey, and no returns." Riley whimpered, her eyes tearing up.
"Now, be a good girl and memorize this information sheet, then destroy it!" He added happily, giving her a packet of information. Within seconds both agents had vanished, leaving Riley Stoppable with a new pet.
"I think I'll name you…Rufus."