Lanny Chapter Four-Discovery
By the time the shower was done, Shirley have quieted down and was sleeping by the bed. For this night, she had nightmares. And you would too. Provided that you too are tied up by a masked stranger without the knowledge of the outside world. Anyhoo, Lanny read the diary by the desk with amusement, laughing twice when it mentioned her goofy friend, Davina. The clock ticked 17994 times before Lanny looked up and noticed it's already passed midnight. Tearing a page out, he began writing notes and summaries about Shirley.
Lanny is a strange boy. I guess that what happens when you spend enough time with Cathy, other wise known to Lanny as 'The Abusive Caretaker'. You see, after first grade, he expected to go to Florina Beach and break the world record for biggest sand castle. But instead of treating him as a normal boy, the guardian decided it's time to start his training. To describe the training would be like trying to find a word that rhymes with 'orange'. You just can't. Because without being there and experiencing it yourself, you'll never know the horrors he has been through. Some of you might be thinking about walking on a tight rope atop the Twin Towers, or swimming in three degree Celsius water. But I assure you, that while Cathy's methods were strange and perfectly safe they are by no means any better than skydiving into a volcano.
Most others would probably quit after the first fifteen minutes. But not him. Lanny is a survivor. As a result, he wasn't uncomfortable when wearing the slightly tight suit. When walking around with his hair brushing behind his elbows. When saying the most girlish words to the girly-est of Shirley's companions.
The time was a little over six. After the excitement last night, the kid wouldn't want anything more than a day of rest. Too bad for him that isn't an option. His job requires twenty four hours on call. But the concealer did a better than perfect job with his eyes. No one suspected he stayed up all night practicing and reviewing the diary on the desk. Rather everyone felt safe at the 'friendly' face.
"Hey Shirley." A girl greets by the cafeteria. Black spikes for hair, dressed loosely, a scary yet serene look, plus lisp. A light bulb tinged in Lanny's head. This girl was Shirley's friend, Davina.
"Hi." He tried to be as high pitch as needed to imitate Shirley. And really, it isn't hard considering he had entire year spent on practicing tone and pitch alone.
"What's up? Why so early?"
"My tummy's been getting a bit round, so I need to walk in the morning a little." Lanny flexed his arms out and made an extremely realistic yawn.
"Sounds like little Miss Princess needs some coffee. Here, I'll treat."
"Hey! I told you lots of time! Don't call me princess! I not a baby!" They headed to the cafeteria, taking little notice of the passing strangers.
One step in and he smelled the aroma of soft syrup and warm pancakes. A few early birds scattered across the table, chattering quietly. But in the ears of a professional, every word was so clear. In the corner, two guys joked about threatening the females of the facility, a group discussed the weird flavor of the syrup and behind him, and footsteps rushed pass him.
In quiet, which would be really out of character if this was the real Shirley, the friends enjoyed their morning cup of tea. Davina didn't notice because in her head she's thinking of one person. And it so happens that the person was walking towards the cafeteria. Even through sound proof walls, you can always hear the jingling of bells as his presence was felt. Everyone anticipated, even Lanny who had no idea why.
The door swung open and all was quiet. Too quiet. Like the whole building shrunk and boxed Lanny inside. Standing at a striking 196 centimeters, the man dressed in lab coat walk to the cafeteria lady. A winter hat and sunglasses don on his face, an odd but perhaps useful combination. No one talked. Everyone listened.
"Hey beautiful." Lab coat guy said. The whole room exploded in conversation. All sixty people in the room spoke the word 'Mr. Anderson' on an average of two point five times. It was hard, but Lanny took his best shot at taking in all the flooded mess of overlapping words all the while keeping an eye on the figure.
Anderson ordered a double espresso, and found a seat across from two boys in the corner of the room. Davina got up and moved closer to listen to the conversation, completely ignoring the disguised Lanny. But that's ok. With the distraction gone, it was much easier to concentrate on the matter at hand.
"Good morning boys. Why so bright and early?" Mr. Anderson said.
"You should know." One of the boy replied.
"I should? Wha—Oh yeah! You're talking about her?"
"Yes, yes we are." The boy shook his head at the man's behavior. "Can you at least try to remember things?"
"Sorry. I tend to have a bad memory."
"Yeah you told us that."
"I did? I never recalled—"
"Never mind that. Now on with the important things."
"Huh? What important things?"
"The girl."
"Oh yeah. She's doing fine. Soon she'll be ready to join. Here. I have her file." Anderson shifted through his coat, to find it missing. "Must have forgotten it. Can you boys wait for a minute?"
"No. It's fine. The file isn't urgent. I got the next file." Vanilla folder. Documents. Intelligence.
"Nick Yu?" The man said immediately followed by shushes from the two boys. Important intelligence. "Oops. Sorry. Since he's the next case, I'll get right to work then. If you'll excuse me." Politely, he pushed his chair in. On the way out he bumped into Lanny. Their eyes met.
Lanny pierced deep into the inner world of Anderson. Under that blanket of forgetfulness, he saw Anderson's true self. The self that isn't forgetful but rather sneaky like fox. And with fox-like eyes, Anderson pierced through Lanny's disguise. The both of them kept their cool, and exchanged apologies. Then, as Anderson left, he turned and mouthed the words "I know who you really are."
And trying to not appear weak, he stared deep into Anderson's eyes and responded with "Me too."
The moon rose. Lanny walked down the empty halls. As his hand slid the card, he found himself shaking. Thirty minutes ago, he still remembered, he was struggling. Almost he slipped out his identity to even more people as his behavior drastically changed. It's nice that the cashier didn't ask anything. Or was that an act too? Was everyone in the spotlight now? Did everyone know? No that can't be. I trailed Leol Anderson the whole day. He couldn't have told someone. It's all just in your head.
The last thing he wanted was to get caught. After surviving in a battle with a super soldier, it would be a complete waste to die here. And truthfully, he didn't want to die. He owed lots of people. A debt that he'll regret not paying if he brought it with him to the grave. Repeatedly he told himself everything will be fine. The whole operation will be fine. Leol Anderson, a Night Lord. He challenged me. I will succeed.
Lanny stepped into the room, waking up Shirley. Fear and confusion eating at her sanity, all she could think of was her fate now that he has returned. But in reality, Lanny saw her weakened mentality and could care less. All he really did was put down the take out and cut the ropes binding her hands. Then he resumed drowning himself in his concerns by the desk. Without realizing it, he started drawing a picture with his stray finger.
He never really known or understood that picture he drew. It was the embodiment of everything he held in the bottom of his heart. The artwork depicts a boy with shorter hair introducing himself to a girl with shorter hair. Was it a memory? No, it never happened. Was it a dream? No, something like this never crossed his mind. So what does it mean? Who knows? Not even Lanny.
"Shirley." Lanny began. The girl, startled, stop eating and look at him.
"Don't kill me." Was all Shirley could utter.
"Relax." His voice was soft and sad. "I won't kill you. I'll be leaving in the morning and…." He paused. "I'll be leaving." He repeated.
"What's wrong?" Shirley asks. The question had taken the young Hermit by surprised, so much in fact he paused and thought. He thought if he really had slipped to the point where even someone as naïve as Shirley can read him.
"Ho ho. Wouldn't you want to know?" He fought with words, but couldn't settle on anything that wouldn't make him sound incapable. "Leol Anderson, you know him right? Your friend seems to be a big fan of him." He stopped and pondered how he should say it. Jiggling around with words, he decided the best way is the most straightforward. "He found out I'm not you."
Silence. But from looking at the girl, Lanny knew the images going through her mind.
"He's not as clueless as you think. But he's not sure either. But if you get lucky," Chuckle. "perhaps you would be able to see the light of day again."
Uninterested in continuing on, he stood up, moving toward somewhere more quiet. Shirley, who lost her appetite, looked at her double. Then her lips moved, catching Lanny's attention. "You lied. Leol. He couldn't tell the difference between a duck and a chicken. Don't badmouth my professor."
"I'll put that in mind."
The girl looked down at her dinner box, feeling timid and stupid. Lanny, know full well how she felt, left the room into the much smaller bathroom. There he conducted his second report. "Audio log two. 2244 hours. Since last night I have gotten a disguise. My new identity is Shirley Leblanc. Information regarding this girl is inside this chip. Using that identity I trailed Leol Anderson, a scientist missing since eight years ago. He seems to be wary of my true identity, and this might as well be the last log." He sighs, frosting the mirror with his breath.
"This facility clearly contains a big secret at its lower levels, if it does in fact exist, according to rumors. But there is a lack of stairs or elevators in any building, except the one on the eastern side. I don't have maintenance to explore the place, and as much as I trust my stealth, I'm running out of time.
"But Leol Anderson has a pass, as well as the counselor. In the morning I plan to target Leol, steal his pass, and gain more information. Should I fail on this operation, know that I went this far without failing. Over and out." With the last words recorded, he hid the piece in a cabinet, and retired for the day. Tomorrow is going to be the longest day.
Luck isn't on his side. It never did, but the odds were never so extreme. Common rule among Hermits are to never engage in someone stronger than you, especially when they're the same job. Lanny is a strange kid though. The harder something is, the more it excites him. By morning, when he thought up a plan, he was smiling. Smiling as he place a shuriken by the bedside, a means for Shirley to escape (by which he'll be long gone). Smiling, as he move out the door. Smiling, as he feels at that moment, powerful.
The last bit of his uncertainty shed like a cocoon. And mentally, he spitted at it, teasing luck to do its worse to him.
"Good morning, Mr. Anderson." Lanny smiled, on the way to Leol's room. The lonely figure smiled in return, both pretending like nothing happened. Or more accurately, like nothing is going to happen.
"Good morning, Shirley. Why up so early?" Casual and relaxed.
"Same reason you are." Also casual and relaxed.
"Early bird catches the worm, I see. I'll be heading to the cafeteria, want to join before you stir things up a little?"
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just off doing a bit of exploring."
"Didn't you explore enough yesterday? You practically have been everywhere!"
"Not quite. If you get to know me, you'll know how much I love scouting around."
"Well, don't take too long. I'll be back from my coffee break before you know it."
"I'm more than ready for anything."
"I guess things are getting interesting in this boring place. I wouldn't want to interrupt your scouting for any longer, bye."
"See ya. Mr. Anderson." Both parted ways until both disappeared in the confusing halls.
The walls are set-up like a labyrinth. If Lanny wasn't so keen on his mind he could get lost quite easily. But he had no time to get lost. Because if he did he'll never find his brother again. He couldn't turn back either. Especially when he's right in front of the door. A door to destiny? No a door to a more point of no return.
As Lanny neared the door, he took out an important heirloom from Cathy.
The master card, a neat little thing that can hack into the doors of most five stars hotel. Once you slide it, it'll take little more than twenty-five seconds for the lights to go green. Why would the GMs have such a card? Yes, publically they are supposedly a guild of people who guide and help others. In truth they are nosier than the paparazzi. Relaxed, Lanny turned on the lights and took his first step further into the point of no return.
He began with the pass to hopefully the elevators. Placing it in his pocket carefully, then move to the laptop. He logged on and began to explore around the desktop, finding nothing more than pictures of his family and the rest, password protected files, elaborately layered with multiple protection programs. With all the information he needs, he relaxed into a comfy position and started a game of solitaire.
"What took you so long?" Lanny sighed upon the beginning of the tenth game.
"Ten minutes? You don't appear to be the impatient type, Shirley." Leol said, sipping deeply into the cup of coffee he purchased while Lanny invaded his privacy.
"Really now? Time seems to pass really slowly in here. So. I'm curious. How did you figure out I'm not Shirley."
"It's simple. I would know my favorite."
"Your favorite? I can think of many ways that can sound wrong."
"That's just you thinking. And on the subject of Shirley, I just remembered something." Leol slipped a hand into his coat. Lanny immediately got into a defensive stance. Smiling, Leol pulled the long, slender object out. Then he dialed a few numbers. "Yes. Make sure you do it quietly. It'll be trouble if anyone finds out."
"What was that about?" Lanny asked. His body began to relax once again, but his mind was still wary of the sneaky Night Lord.
"Orders to…how should I say it…severely punish Shirley."
"I thought she was your favorite."
"Favorite and expendable are two different words, carrying two different values. Don't worry. A young and healthy girl has some good organs. Her body will be put to the perfect use."
"I'm interested. What is it that you people are doing? It must be really illegal for you to be so secretive."
"I wish I really could share my secrets to you. But I can't."
"Oh, I guess that's too bad."
"Can I selfishly ask you one small thing?" Lanny quickly nodded. "Who are you really working for?"
"Tell me the password to your files first."
"Sorry, this stays with me and me only." Leol pulled out three stars from his coat, going to use force to subdue Lanny.
"I wouldn't really do that if I were you."
"I don't comp—"
"I've hidden several mines throughout the room. Stepping onto one would result in, well, I'll let you imagine. Such a small armored room, soundproof too. How long would it take for people to notice while you squirm and bleed to your death? Of course, you'll have to survive the blast in the first place. Don't bother trying to find it, they're untraceable."
"You're bluffing. You wouldn't risk this."
"Oh, remember the firework show at noon. That was two days ago, I believe. You know I have the ability to do anything and is more than willing to do it. And for the purpose of preserving my secrets, I'm willing to die."
"Die? Is that how you look at your life?" There was a small amount of surprise and panic in his voice. Lanny saw a little bit of fear within Leol, and decided it was time to begin.
"My brother's an ass. My teacher is an even bigger ass. I have nothing to really lose." And you have a loving family and a bright future. "So want to tell me the password to the computer? Or should I blow us both to bits." The Night Lord waited. Waited for some way out of this. On one hand, he's thoroughly afraid of Lanny. "Testing my patience? Maybe I'll step forward and see what happens." Lanny raised on leg up.
"Wait! I'll…I'll tell you. Don't move. The password is: t, a, capital C, f, e, t, 3." As he recited the symbols, Lanny typed them in, double checked before pressing enter. It loaded to a new window, containing a folder. Satisfied with the results, Lanny leered in anger.
"You. You think I'm bluffing, don't you? Giving me a false password! You wouldn't cry until you see the coffin."
"What? That was the right one! Maybe you made a mistake! I'll say it again! T, a—"
"See you in hell!" Enraged, the Hermit threw the laptop directly onto the floor, while Leol cowered under his arms. Lanny stabs Leol's heart with his left steely, and clawed his stomach with the right. With the all the diminished energy he have left, Leol slashed Lanny with nothing but nails. The Hermit collapsed onto the ground, holding onto and feeling blood and shredded clothing across his chest. His breath came in rapid succession. Staggering, Leol fell on top of Lanny, crushing him.
Pushing the gargantuan off and standing up, Lanny took a nice long look at the dead body. His eyes showed regret and hatred. And for a second, he looked as if he's about to cry. Or it could be Lanny imagining things. "And today, I made a widow." Lanny gravely joked. He found it more depressing than funny.
Cleaning things up, he dressed himself in bandages and elevator shoes. Sunglasses and a beanie covered half of his head, while a lab coat covered most of the dark clothing underneath.
Flash drive in the right pocket, and pass in the left, he readied for the next phase of the plan. It was an unexpected side trip, but he didn't want to stand by while knowing Shirley organs are being harvested. He searched all around for the girl, increasingly worried with each passing second. By sheer chance, luck decided to have them strike an encounter, bumping into her with several others in white suits. Shirley looked happy and cheery, completely kept in the dark.
"Boys. I can take it from here." Lanny commanded with a deep strong voice, sprinkled with Leol's personality. Without question, they scattered like rats in a cage, leaving them both behind. "Follow me." Lanny stepped down a different hallway, away from where Shirley was going to be dissected.
"Where are we going? Aren't I supposed to take to the counselor?" Shirley asked, confused.
"I talked to him a while ago. He'll handle things. Just follow me. I have something I need to show you." Lanny rushed.
"What is it?"
"You'll see." They headed to the closest door out of the building and into the settled snow. Guards saluted to Lanny wherever he went and deep inside he felt a sense of false pride in his new but temporary position.
Shirley followed closely behind the scientist, someone whom she respected and loved. It was him who introduced her to the organization, and she loved it. The people were nice and the training she received was great. Everyday her skills as a Cleric became increasingly polished, and her dream was to one day assist in the field. Saving others, it was the dream of every Cleric and every doctor. And the person she wanted to work with the most is Mr. Anderson. I'll help in making new potions. She thought.
"Mr. Anderson. Why so early?" the guard of the eastern building commented.
"Early bird catches the worm." Mr. Anderson explained. And right then, Shirley felt something was off. It wasn't the looks or the speech patterns. Just a feeling. A women's intuition. To describe it would be similar to reaching for the sky. It's always there but it feels so impossible to gasp it.
And by luck, she found a flaw in Lanny's act. But she still followed, followed the boy into the building with only one hall way, leading to one place. From behind, the door closed, and behind these soundproof walls, they both stood one meter apart.
"You—" Shirley pointed. "You are," she hesitated. This guy have Leol's pass. If that's the case, then…. Could it be possible? Mr. Anderson can't die. He's too nice of a person. God would never… She feared reality. She would rather live in an illusion, where the person who gave her her dreams is still alive. If she continued to live in the illusion, she could believe that this is actually Anderson. And she would never have to chance the possibility of the death of her hero.
It didn't take Lanny to hear the full sentence. Her eyes, once pierced through, showed all her thoughts and emotion. She wouldn't trust me.
It was a rash move. It could kill him. It would cause him to slip.
He held onto her wrist and pulled her through the hall, defying his lessons. She has to see the truth for herself. Passing through ten meters of walls, he shoved the girl into the elevator and slid the card. Soon everything buzzed into action. Between the yelling and reasoning, Lanny wondered what kind of luck was waiting for him. But once he actually put some thought into it, the answer was clear. Either way, he would have to put up with the new set of challenges once he reached the point of no return. And so, he welcomed as the door of destiny slid open.
"What's this?" The elevator slid open.