Okay hi. Apologies, Apologies, but I think now it's safe to say that I'm starting to find more time to write! Which is a relief. To be honest with you guys I had this chapter in my school backpack for like a few weeks - don't kill me - and I've already written the next chapter!

Now, on to business: Shem + Lynx + Ira = together in the Lynx's Lair (aka the scary Library). Shem agrees to help Lynx retrieve data that Otto Bartlett has stolen. Data provides life for Lynx's computer and the location of . . . . Dun dun dun - Austin Baynes. And so we're up to this point, and here they'll be discussing the topics of their plan, because there will be a party very very soon ;)

Thank you reviewers! I'm very thankful yet again because this has gotten so much support ;)

Review, and Good luck!

-Olo Eopia03

- Chapter 11 ~ To Get Away -

A wait. That is the second factor that adds to the growth of suspense. Waiting is the very essence that provides one with a more vivid and nervous atmosphere, asides from a dull and weak mood. The wait. Usually the most ignored, but is all one needs.

The preparations were currently in progress, or so Lynx had told Shem. For about an hour, Shem and Ira were watching the platinum blonde boy profusely swipe through the diagrams, models, and articles, his hands flying in different directions to incite the light show before them. During that hour, Lynx had proceeded to reveal a stash of beef jerky, Twix, Oreo cookies, Cheese-its, snacks, and candy, generously showing that his domestic manners were beyond hospitable as the three of them ate.

"Hey- Ouch, Ira! I don't eat this every day, mind you. I'm ten times skinnier than those fat ducks who sit in front of the television all day. This is just in celebration for the big day tomorrow, and I have better food than that." Lynx had said after Ira had nudged him hard in the ribs and berated him on the lack of nutrition he was getting.

For another fifteen minutes, however, the three demigods huddled together in discussion of the game plan, and Shem realized that he was going to be forced to go with Ira by his side. Before Ira and Lynx could take matters any further, though, Shem interrupted the two of them.

"I believe that it is better and significantly more logical that I do this task alone," Shem said, leaning his head back, his body ensconced in the burgundy couch of the Great Hall and his hands subconsciously rubbing the ears of a sleeping Toby on his lap.

Lynx looked up from his laptop and stopped swiveling in his chair, and Shem watched as the statement gradually inflict an expression of disbelief on Ira's face. She was sitting on the floating obsidian table, her dirty blonde hair looking brown in the dim light.

"Hold on." Ira shot back immediately, and Shem sighed.

Her reactions are so obvious in situations like these, Shem thought. But why can't I deduce anything else about her?

"Shem, you are not -" Ira began.

"It's plausible that Lynx stays here by the sidelines to deal with the battle in the cyber world." Shem said, receiving a nod from Lynx. "But for you to come, Ira. I can't-"

"I'm perfectly capable of doing this too!" Ira said.

"The outcome of me alone performing this task individually would go far smoother and cleaner than if two people were to engage in this mission."

Ira glared at Shem, at a lost for words. Shem shrugged. He just didn't want her to come along.

All his life, he'd been solving crimes and working out problems by himself - with the exception of Toby by his side - and he'd gotten through all of them perfectly. No blood was shed, no extraneous issues getting out of hand, and no one got hurt. Not only that, but Shem was just not comfortable with working with others. He'd spent ten years living an only child, and his closest relative - his brother - had learned the hard way of trusting others too easily. Shem would never forget that. There was no one to trust, and if he really were to ask anyone to come along - someone he would entrust his life to - it would probably only be Petra.

Ira just couldn't come. That was final.

"Sorry," Lynx said, not noticing the silent argument that followed between Shem and Ira. After a few moments, Ira felt as though she was going to lose. She was never good at staring Shem right in the face. "But Ira has to come."

"What?" Shem and Ira exclaimed in unison.

"Wait, really -?" Ira said, and Lynx nodded again, his eyes transfixed on the Tetris Game in front of him.

"Lynx," Shem began. "You know that that is highly illogical -"

"I'm sorry, man," Lynx said slowly, deep in thought. "But I forgot to tell you."

"Tell us what?" Ira asked.

"I'm looking at his floor plans right now," Lynx said, and Shem glared at the Tetris Game on his computer screen. Catching the glare, Lynx grinned sheepishly, paused the game, and pulled up the corresponding diagrams.

"So I'm looking at his floor plans right now," Lynx repeated, clearing his throat. "And I'm suspecting that my data - which contains the information of the location you need - is blocked by a high amount of security. Now, I'm pretty sure that I can breach through every barrier in order for you to physically take the flash drive from the vault, Shem."

"Then what's the problem?" Shem demanded in an agitated voice. Lynx shifted in his seat with discomfort in his eyes.

"I'm about 99 percent sure that Otto has one code that I won't be able to get past," Lynx said. "Against someone like me, it's probably some kind of password that only he's kept stored in his own mind. No record of the data, and nothing saved in the virtual world. The only way you would be able to get it from his is to have him physically tell you."

Lynx pulled up another picture of Otto, the cunning smile playing on Otto's face.

"But you can't just go up to Otto and force it out of him," Lynx said simply, adjusting his headphones. Shem's heart dropped at this new bit of information Lynx had laid out on the table. "It would be inefficient, messy, and blatantly obvious."

It only took a few seconds for the two demigods to connect Lynx's ideas. Shem felt his chest deflate a little, realizing that there really was no other way but to do this with a partner.

"So you want me to get the code out of Otto so Shem can gain final access to the flash drive." Ira said.

"It's not like I really want you to," Lynx said, shrugging. "It would actually be safer and more preferable to keep you here, like Shem said. I don't want you to get hurt. But if Shem went alone, think of how impossible it would be for him to pry out that information, and - if done - how little time he would have to actually retrieve the flash drive before suspicions are aroused and the cops arrive. I don't know where the flash drive exactly is in his mansion, but seeing that the flash drive belongs to me, he'd probably take as many precautions to fill the place with traps and high-end security. It's just not possible."

"Good, then," Ira said, seeming to warm up to the idea more and more while Shem rubbed his temples in frustration and what felt like . . . panic. He'd never done anything with another person, at least for a while. Ira eyed Shem. " 'Told you I was coming."

"What distraction would she be able to provide?" Shem asked, and Lynx laughed.

"Shem, the one thing Ira is - that you are not - will probably be the best way to get through Otto's defenses alone," Lynx said. Seeing that Shem, for the first time, did not seem to understand, Lynx realized that this topic was probably not a very familiar one for Shem.

"And?"

"I suppose the details will come sooner or later," Lynx said, winking at Ira. "All plans have their own surprises."

"Otto's not only attracted to money, is he?" Ira asked firmly, and Lynx nodded.

Shem didn't push it any further, but he knew that they had knowledge of something he didn't. But whatever it was, it was Lynx's plan, and those would hopefully turn out okay.

Anything for Otto to be completely inveigled into giving up information.

"And honestly, Ira's great. You know: smart, loyal, pretty - the real deal," Lynx said, his eyes twinkling. Ira smiled, her blue eyes gleaming as bright as sapphires. "You'll rarely come by a gem like her these days."

Like a daughter of Aphrodite, Shem thought to himself.

"And as a child of Hermes, I'm pretty sure I can trick him into slipping up." Ira added, and Shem was pulled out of his thoughts.

Right. Not Aphrodite. Hermes. But . . .

"I think the plan is well set up," Lynx said. "I will go over the final details with you individually tomorrow morning, because there are still some things I would like to cover with each of you alone. There are a few extra rooms if you walk down the hallway there, so get a good night's sleep."

Lynx motioned back to his computer, which flickered back faintly.

"I really appreciate it that you guys are helping me out," Lynx said sincerely, as the three of them stood up. "The transportation fee and everything are covered, of course. And tomorrow, the real fun will begin."

[xxx]

"You've found a liking for him," A voice said through the darkness. The grating whisper was enough to fill your mind with acid, its harsh tone building an ice barrier that could encase one's heart forever.

"A-And?" A small voice replied.

Another whisper cut through the silence, it's tone more gentle and smoother than the first.

"Well then," it said. The words echoed through the darkness. "I told you he would as well take a sudden fancy himself."

"H-he's hard to keep close, M-master," The second voice cried out timidly to the first voice. The one who had spoken out had a higher pitch and more wispy tone.

The darkness was palpable and ubiquitous. There was nothing else to be sensed; only the darkness that - eyes open or closed - would stay the same, and the faint whispers that formed words with the use of icy tones.

"He will die soon," The first voice replied. "And you will be the one who will bring him to me."

"I . . ." The second, higher voice trailed off in trepidation. The silence between the three voices was so . . . eerie. "I-I will."

The darkness vanished, taking the voices along with it as the environment began to change and a new image melt into the scene.

The dream morphed itself, and the darkness lightened significantly, the sun positioning itself just before sunset.

However, although the mood had completely changed, the sun was already beginning to go down, and a six-year-old Shem had left the house to look for Miro and Austin. He was hopping off the porch, knowing that today was one of the days when Miro had decided to explore the outside world, with Austin trailing behind.

But now, Shem wanted to come along. Six years old, so he's a big boy now, right? Shem scurried around the neighborhood, his heart elated from the rush of adrenaline that was pumping him through his adventure.

As Shem walked down the sidewalk, his mind wandered elsewhere. Lately, odd sensations had started coming to him. For some reason, he was the only one in his class who could see things - or at least that was what Miro had called it. Shem's eyes roamed over a random, fallen, potted plant by the sidewalk, the protruding daisy wilting amidst the lump of dirt and broken shards of pottery.

Within a few seconds, information of who'd dropped the plant, where it had come from, when and how it had been dropped, and countless other facts had flowed into Shem's head. It was an odd feeling, and Miro had assured Shem that it was in fact not a normal thing.

Shem frowned. Was he different? He knew Miro could do exactly the same things, and definitely with more skill and talent, but what did that mean? Austin did not seem to be fazed by that fact at all.

These were definitely not the only questions that had crossed Shem's mind, and when Shem had asked Papa about half the questions, he'd almost driven his father up the wall. His father would just keep . . . ignoring his questions - compared to Miro's curiosity. It wasn't that Shem was disliked, but Shem could easily tell that Miro was definitely the more favored of the two because Miro was just that gifted. Compared to Shem, Papa would be willing to take on Miro's questions any day.

And of course for Shem, none of his questions had been answered, only ending with his father taking refuge in his study, a place where both children had been forbidden to enter, and a place that would most likely add on to Shem's long list of mysterious conundrums were he to accidentally stumble into that room.

There was this one time when Shem had asked for the whereabouts of his mom, and the only thing that his father had replied with was - "When you're old enough, son."

The distant look on his father's face really unnerved Shem, and that had caused the river of questions to come down to a halt.

The sky had dimmed significantly as the sun emitted its last ray of sunshine, and Shem looked around, worried that maybe Miro and Austin had already completed their epic journey.

It was his first time out here all alone, and the shadows of the alleyways grew ominously, sending a chill down Shem's spine.

He didn't want to call out Miro's name - what if something scary appeared? Shem's footsteps quickened, a feeling of trepidation and nausea flooding his head. There was only the eerie glow of the moon above that served as Shem's only source of light, and Shem clung to it dearly.

But he couldn't back out now. He'd come so far, so it was natural that Shem at least tried a little more before giving up, right? Slowly calming his nerves, his footsteps slowed to a more controlled step. Soon, he would tell Miro of his own adventure, and of all the excitement of wandering outside alone.

Shem felt a sudden chill up his spine and his breath hitched slightly as a new chorus of sounds reached his ears.

Voices. He could hear voices coming from the alleyway just a few feet ahead of him.

And the voices, sounding hushed and filled with surprising duplicity, were almost too familiar for Shem's liking.

"You don't understand what my family has gone through . . . But . . ."

Shem strained his ears as the sounds faded in and out, hugging the wall next to him as he inched closer to the alleyway. Very soon . . . He was going to look around the corner . . .

"Well then," Shem perked up at the sound of Miro's voice and familiar phrase. Miro would always say those two words. Shem didn't know why, but it was just Miro's habit. Asides from that, Shem was surprised by how cold Miro sounded. "You can't be serious."

Shem peered around the corner of the wall, confirming his suspicions as the moonlight gleamed to show two, taller silhouettes.

Even in the dark, Shem could see the light shining in Miro's eyes. Shem's older brother had his back against the wall, and he looked almost . . . angry.

It was a type of anger that showed a mix between fury and defiance, to the point where irrationality would win the battle against logic. Shem shrank further, hoping to melt into the wall due to his sudden fright at Miro's coldness. When did Miro look so angry?

When did he ever look like that?

The second silhouette was in front of Miro, his back facing Shem. With the dark clothes and the addition of the black cap, Austin looked like a shadow facing down Miro. But the light in Miro's appearance and the darkness in Austin's was the only difference. Asides from that, they couldn't look more similar.

With the jet-black hair, same tall physique, and confident composure, it looked as though Miro was staring into his own shadow.

Their voices were still faded, and Shem leaned forward dangerously just to hear. This time, it was Austin's voice that came out in a hiss.

" . . . We have to get away from here."

Shem almost fell over at that statement. Get away? Who's going away? Why?!

"Don't be -" Miro began, but was interrupted by a sudden movement. Shem gasped in pure terror, but the strangled cry was not noticed due to the commotion in the alleyway.

The shadow in front of Miro had leaned toward him, pale hands flashing forward to rest on the sides of Miro's head. Shem had never known that Austin - the sleepy, relaxed, and slow Austin - could act so quickly.

As soon as Austin's hands had made contact, Shem watched in horror as Miro's voice was cut off, and his eyes dimmed for the first time. Miro was frozen in place, his eyes containing a hollow, distant look. Shem had to keep himself from running forward as the screams of fright continued endlessly in his head.

What was happening?

Miro's eyes widened, and a gasp escaped his throat as Austin let go. Miro stumbled against the wall, looking aghast as he swayed slightly.

None of them, however, were suspecting what was going to happen next.

Shem fell forward, another wave of terror washing over him as he accidentally lost his footing. A crash sounded as a trash bin nearby collapsed onto the floor. The two figures started as Shem scrambled to his feet.

Shem let out a whimper of fright.

"You're -" Shem began, the fear eminent in his voice. Miro and Austin looked just as shocked by Shem's unplanned appearance. Shem backed away. "You're - What were you doing to Miro?!"

"W-Wait," Austin started, moving forward, but Shem didn't wait.

Shem ran.

Shem ran with the image of his helpless older brother still embedded in his mind. Austin was evil. Something was going on.

Something was definitely going on.

He ignored the voices crying out his name from behind him, fear clouding his mind. Something bad was happening. Miro. Miro was doing something. Austin was doing something.

Miro, the light dimming from his eyes. Austin, the pale fingers . . . reaching out, reaching -

Shem lurched forward, a yell escaping his lips.

Those pale fingers. Eyes dimmed . . . pale fingers . . .

Then an image of a bloody sword. A week later, the dead body of Miro Baker, the sword dripping with blood -

Shem looked around wildly, his eyes taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. Slowly, Shem realized that he was no longer six years old.

He was sitting up in bed, realizing how tangled the sheets were in front of him. He'd taken his shirt off earlier because it had gotten excessively warm, but now he could feel his forehead clad in sweat.

Shem looked down to see the field notes of Nicholas Baker on his lap. The book must have fallen from his chest when Shem had jerked forward. Shem thought of the two books he had in his possession.

The Aristotle book was probably rendered useless now, since it had provided Shem the code to the empty book that contained all of Mr. Baker's notes. But he'd still cherish both. That was definitely a given.

Shem threw off the covers and walked out the room, grabbing a black shirt on the way out.

The sword, dripping and glistening with blood . . . the lifeless body . . .

He just needed to get out of here.

So much blood . . . Blood that had splattered everywhere . . . His dead brother . . .

Just as Shem walked out into the hallway, a voice sounded in his mind, despite the blood roaring in his ears.

"You look like one who tends to over-think things, right?" Lynx had said. Shem shrugged, watching Ira head out the Great Hall to settle into her room.

"If you're trying to pry, you know I prefer to keep to myself."

"Exactly my point!" Lynx said brightly. "Take advantage of this place, because this is actually quite a beautiful building. Tomorrow's where all hell will break loose, so might as well give yourself some peace and quiet while you can, right? There's a great view from the roof of this building, and I go there all the time to just think. I guess I thought it would be good for you to know that you always have a chance to get away. You know, just in case."

For the first time that day, Shem smiled at Lynx in gratitude before wishing him a good night.

A chance to get away.