Chapter 9
David stood around near the lost and found building, leaning against the wall. His job was to keep watch for the security or the Overtakers while Willa was searching for a clue that Wayne had left for them. With more Overtakers out and about, they had to be extra careful. And they had to use the buddy system so no one had to be alone while in their search.
So far, they were the only two there. The other Keepers had to wait till their parents were asleep and were able to get to the park. Unlike David, who always had an advantage to always come to the park with the worry of parents or caretaker. Willa was lucky that she was able to go to bed early without her mother worrying this time. Her mother had been overly worried since she had been in the Syndrome when she was kidnapped by the OTs.
"Found anything yet?" David called out in a whisper to avoid any attention, but focused on Willa.
"Nothing yet. Just a bunch of hats." She softly called back as she ran her hands through a couple of containers of hats and keys that people left in the parks and were brought there. Having no luck with finding the clue. The clue that Wayne left that would help them find a way to stop the Overtakers.
It was the only way that Wayne could help them without being seen. He had been hidden from sight for a few weeks. He wasn't even at the apartment in the Magic Kingdom. Making David concern of his whereabouts. But he also knew that Wayne was always one step ahead of the OTs. Knowing how to handle himself just like how David has to handle himself when he was homeless.
"What time is it?" Willa asked him while she was too focus on the objects in each container.
"It's ten minutes after midnight. The others should been here by now." David stared down at the watch that Wayne give him. It had a Mickey Mouse on it, with his hands pointing to the numbers. Wayne had told him to use it while they were in the parks at night.
"Maybe they're somewhere in the park." Willa guessed, turning back over at David through the bar door.
"I hope so." He said, fearing that since the OTs are out there, patrolling the area. They would be looking for them. He was worried that the OTs would spot the other Keepers and would hunt them down.
"You might want to hurry up in there." He said, keeping his eyes on the empty street.
"I'm trying to." Willa told him, trying to hurry in her search. She couldn't find anything that Wayne would left as a clue, or something clever that the keepers would be the only ones to figure out. She then moved back over to the door. Going all clear in her DHI form, she went through the door to meet up with David.
"We should look around to find the others." He said to her. Willa nodded as she agreed. Both of them carefully made their move towards the World Showcase in the center of the future space center.
David stopped Willa in her tracks. Seeing a figure nearby in the bushes. Willa saw this too. One of their friends? Or was this an Overtaker?
A spark formed in David's hand as he prepared to strike if this was an Overtaker. He narrowed his eyes to focus on the figure before them. Willa remained close behind him as she watched.
"Whoa. Guys, it's us." Finn called out as he stepped out. He was wearing all black, and had blue outlines on him. Showing that this was his DHI form. Maybeck stepped beside him.
David signed with relief, making the spark disappear from his hand. "Sorry, I thought you were an Overtaker." He then glanced around. "Where's Nikki?"
"Over here. Sorry I'm late." Nikki called out as she ran up to them from the entrance. Nikki was there longer than the others. Testing out the computers with her DHI form. She already visited the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios in the pass few hours. During that time, she encountered some hidden folders, but none were written with OTs. It didn't make sense to her. Then how the Overtakers were able to hack into the system. There had to be something she was missing.
"Where were you?" David asked her with concern on his face.
"Sorry, I was hanging out with my grandparents." That was a lie, and she hated to lie in front of her friends. But she knew they would be mad if they knew she had been in the computers all of this time. Wayne had warned her about it. The Keepers even warned her. But this wasn't going to stop her from doing this. Because of her abilities, she was able to remember almost everything in the parks. The map, upcoming projects and blue prints of the attractions that could be very useful.
"Since we're all here, let's move to somewhere safe. We need to discuss our next move to find the Overtakers." Finn said, pointing to a building that read 'The Seas with Nemo and Friends.' Everyone quietly moved into the building.
Inside, it was very quiet, and very empty. But everything was still lit since the cast members were still there to check up on things and making sure the ride was working in proper order. Not seeing anyone around, it was safe for them to stay there. At least for now.
They all gathered around in a circle. "Charlene, Amanda, and Jess will be joining us soon." Finn spoke up first. "Once we check around here, we'll try to move onto the Magic Kingdom."
"In one night? How can we do that, Whitman?" Maybeck huffed, his eyes were upon Nikki. Knowing that she had a way. Though Finn told them they couldn't.
"I've talked to Wanda. She'll pick us up at 2am after we search here and then we'll meet her at the entrance." Finn explained the plan, turning to Willa. "Did you and David find anything in Lost and Found, Willa?"
"Not yet." Willa replied, feeling disappointed in herself.
"Maybe it's in the other parks." David suggested.
"Oh, like the Magic Kingdom." Maybeck added on. "Yeah, usually Wayne likes to hide strange stuff there."
"But that would be too easy." Nikki spoke up. "The Ots would know about that and would be searching there first. Wayne wouldn't just do that."
"What about Hollywood Studios?" Will suggested. "There's the Disney Characters that Wayne trusts to hide stuff there."
"You could be right, Willa. We'll have to start looking there next. Philby, get Wanda to come for us at the same time to take us to Hollywood Studios." Finn turned to him.
"Already on it." Philby pulled out his cell phone that he stole away in his pocket when he crossed over.
"Alright, let's separate and look around once more. We'll meet back here ten minutes before 2am. Got it?"
Everyone agreed, and then separated. Before Finn would turn to leave with Philby, he turned his head to see Nikki heading down the path that led to the control rooms near the front gate. Why would she be heading there? He wondered.
"Finn, you coming?" Philby walked over to him with concern on his face.
"Meet me there with Maybeck. I have to check out something." He responded, not taking his eyes off Nikki as she turned the corner.
Philby didn't respond, looking at Finn with confusion. But he did as he was told, rushing towards the bridge to meet up with Maybeck while Finn headed down where Nikki was heading off to.
He kept himself in the shadows, looking over at Nikki as she was heading for the door of the control room. He witnessed as the girl glanced around to make sure she wasn't followed before stepping into the control room, closing the door behind her.
Finn had a bad feeling in his gut. Nikki wouldn't act like this unless something was wrong. He feared that she turned into an OTK. But, her eyes weren't green. He would of saw them by now. Her eyes remained brown. But, what was she up to. He had to know what was going on with her.
He crept over towards the window near the door, peeking inside to see Nikki near the computers. Once she stepped inside, he could see her DHS glowing more than before as she neared closer to the screen.
"Maybe Wayne has something on here I can use to find the clue faster." Nikki said to herself. Finn couldn't hear, but he could see her lips moving. Knowing that she did say something.
Was she the one that was betraying the Keepers to help the Overtakers. Finn didn't want to think that. Though, it wasn't the first time he suspected any of his friends to helping or being controlled by the OTs. In fact, he remembered Charlene was controlled by the Evil Queen. Or that Philby's friend, Hugo, and the bully, Luowski who would do anything to get to Finn by joining the Overtakers.
Finn inched closer, accidently making a sudden sound. This made Nikki turn her head quickly to the window. Seeing no one there. Finn ducked himself fast enough so he couldn't be seen.
"You're just making yourself paranoid, Nikki." She whispered to herself before stretching her hands out towards the screen. Watching her DHI forming into tiny particles and floated herself into the computer screen.
Finn could only sit there, staring in shock by what he just saw. Nikki was right. Their DHIs can go into the computer. There were parts of him that was actually impressed. But then he remembered Wayne's warning about the dangers of the computers. Making him worried about Nikki. Why would she keep going in there knowing the risks.
He thought about just looking for the others to get their help about the situation. Maybeck already knew about the computers and went in it with her. But he also feared that something bad could happen to her if he waited too long. He picked up his cell phone and made a quick call to Philby.
"Whitman! Where are you?" Maybeck spoke into Philby's phone when he answered.
"Nikki went into the computer. She went in her DHI form." Finn spoke into the phone, trying not to sound scared. But mostly concerned.
"What?" He heard Maybeck said in a tone that was worried. "Why would she go alone? Why didn't she come to me before she went?" He said this mostly to Philby in panic.
"Calm down, Maybeck." Philby tried to ensure him. "We don't know why. What should we do?" He asked Finn.
"I want you to take charge till I come find you guys. If I'm not back by 2, leave with the others to go with Wanda. I have to go after her before something bad happens." Finn instructed. He can already imagine the others worrying about him Especially Amanda. If she knew he was going, she would find a way to go with him. He couldn't put her into danger with the computers.
"Finn, it's too dangerous. What if you both get trapped in the computers? What if the OTs found a way to use the computers against you?" Philby was now getting worried.
"Listen, even if I don't know if Nikki is with the OTs, she's still a Keeper. And our friend. I have to make sure she's all alright. Just maybe we can use the computers to find you guys. Just meet us there."
Philby signed after hearing Finn speak in the phone. "Alright, but both of you be careful."
"Don't worry. I'll make sure we both get out of there alive. Also, keep an eye on David when you tell him this. We can't have him put himself in danger."
"But, why would David do that?" Philby asked in confusion.
"Just do it." Finn then hung up. Remembering what David said at the Magic Kingdom. He thought he figured out how David feels about Nikki. If he knew that Nikki was in danger, he would he would come for her. He had to keep her safe. Not just because she was part of the team. Because David would be heartbroken if something happened to her.
In his DHI form, Finn was able to step through the door. Standing before the computer screen that Nikki was before. He thought about what would happen if he gets lost in the system and never getting out. He's real body would be stuck in his bed forever. But, he remembered that Nikki needed him. Taking a deep breath, he put his hand through the screen. Disappearing into the computer.
