I can't really think of another title for this chapter...hehhehe... you can suggest if you want... okay?

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Credits to: Evanescence... sweet corn ...I'm eating sweet corn... haha... and Lifehouse too! and to EVERYONE INCLUDING YOU!..

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CHAPTER 35: GOING UNDER

Mikan's POV

PRIORITY ONE: Forget what happened this afternoon. PRIORITY TWO: Get the key.

"Alright, remember the counts, three seconds and then bang!" Reddie instructed as I fastened the watch on my wrist. "Do you remember how you opened the room?"

"Yes, I twisted the hand of Ishgar, and the room opened." I answered him lamely.

"The key is on the room, at the center of the floor. You have to slice the portion of the marble to open it because we don't have enough time to look for the switch, we need to get the key at once. There are lasers all over the place, and an alice-detector there. The surveillance cam and all others were disabled." he sounded so casual, but never mind. Remember, he's not my priority!

"Ready… three… two…" I counted, "…one!" and splash! We need to dive to get to the tunnel under that museum because it is impossible to barge in using the main door. I unzip my suit and changed into the plain black one when we reached the tunnel. He zipped the back part for me and secured the communication devices attached to me.

"Who's on the back up?" I asked him—because he's not on the back up.

"Koko."

I nodded and gulped a bottle of water and started to chew bubble gums. "Thanks." I told him and then I started to walk away.

"Mikan…" he called out. I have to close my eyes to remember my 'priorities'. I need to stop myself from being impressed or touched. Geez. Suddenly, while I was still lost in my thoughts, arms just went around me with him at my back. I can feel his head buried on my right shoulder. "Be safe…"

I can't help but smile and be happy, although I keep telling myself that this ain't easy. "I will…" I told him and then he let go. I don't want to look back so I continued walking faster.

Koko was already in the location, with the devices installed expertly. I glanced at my watch to see that we're just right in time. In ten seconds this bomb will explode quietly and we will have our way inside. Koko will be my back up, while I was the one tasked to get the key. There's just the two of us because it's a fact that the lesser the entities, the cleaner the job. Others are given different tasks like Natsume and Permy.

"Fives seconds…" I declared. Four, three, two, one and bang! The whole square piece, cleanly and silently fell on the air balloon and we went up. Two guards on the round, Koko nodded at me and we hit the two at the same time, careful not to make a sound. As soon as the area was clear, he gave me the 'go-ahead' signal.

"Shit…" I muttered. Someone's calling at our room phone. Natsume connected a diverting device to me in case someone plans to intervene with our plot. He will go to the stakeholders' meeting tonight without me, and someone might think that I'm in the room, or he will tell them that I'm in the room. The virtual presence device was all that's in there, and we're not wrong that someone's gonna check on us.

"Cover…" I told Koko, who was setting up some gadgets.

"Got it…" he said.

"This is Hyuuga, may I help you?" I glanced around to see if we're clear.

"Hello?" the other line sounded out. "Mikan? This is Dione. Natsume told me that you're not feeling well so I called you. I actually want to talk to you about something…"

I faked a cough, "Uhm… maybe later, I really don't feel so good, I think I need rest. I'll join Natsume later and then I guess we can talk." I blinked at the liquid I dropped at my left eye then set-up my infrared monitor so I can be able to work through the darkness.

"Alright then… But don't force yourself… You know, it'll be better if you rest for a bit, or exercise… Don't worry, I'll give Natsume a company…" I WANT TO FREAK OUT! SERIOUSLY! How dare she— Ugh!

"Relax, Mikan… you're too obvious!" Koko said with a low chuckle. I blushed, thanks to the darkness, that Koko can't see how much my face would want to explode in anger by now.

"Yeah… Thanks Dione… I'll hang up now…" and I did! Thank goodness that I'm not holding the phone or it is crushed by now. We continued creeping like cats in the dark hallway, until we reached the Egyptian room. Koko unlocked it easily and set up the devices again.

"Listen, you have to go there alone, ok?" Yeah, because I'm more skilled with the laser threads, fine. "The guards will patrol and make system checks in seven minutes. In three minutes, the key should be in your hands, two minutes to come back here. At my signal, we will use the other stairway in the south and jump down through the window. In there, we can teleport." I nodded in comprehension and readied myself. "Five minutes on the clock… Go…"

I thought this will be an easy task but no. I'm lucky that I'm focused and Koko is a bit skilled with our mission. If I'm not mistaken, Hotaru and the others on the lab can't communicate to us to avoid complications, so Permy, with a closer location will be my eyes on the top and close view of this area. There's more body twisting here, and splitting also.

"Raise your left leg higher, Mikan and don't move your head... Alright, slowly… lift your right leg and next, your left, support your weight with your hands…" I did just as she's whispering to my ears. "Good… tilt your head, thirty degrees. Nice… turn around but don't move your hands. Arms down, sixty-three degrees, Good…"

"Three minutes and forty seconds…" Koko said on the other line. I'm getting more nervous, shit, my hands are trembling.

"Relax girl… We'll be right there in less than one minute…" She's right… I'm done. "That's the square." she said. I kneeled down slowly and feel the floor.

"Now slice the floor with your laser knife…"

I slowly lifted up the thin marble tile and a plain wooden box appeared before me. Carefully, I slid the knife under it and I was not mistaken—the security switch is under it. I kept the switch intact my pressing the knife on it while I was lifting the box, then secures it to my front pocket. I reached for the gum on my mouth and pressed it on the switch while taking the knife away.

"Clever girl…"Koko remarked. "Now, two minutes and twenty-eight second, faster, Mikan…"

"Yeah…" I told him. In no time I was beside him, ready to leave.

"Guards are on the door! Use the door on the right!" Permy said in warning, tensed. I grabbed Koko's hands and reached for the door on our right.

"Shit, it's locked. Give me a key!" I hissed at him.

"No, we'll use this invisible spray and crawl our way out, ok?" he said and I responded with a nod. The next second, we're already invisible, and we're crawling out while the guards crashed into the room.

"They're patrolling?" I asked Koko while we're running.

"No, they were tipped." he replied still guiding to the south… "But I guess they still don't know about us so be careful with using your alice…" We took the stairs and reached the window where we will jump.

"Someone's behind you!" Permy screamed. It's too late. A big bulky guy, grabbed Koko and threw him to the other side of the room. I pulled my gun and aimed at him.

Another dark figure appeared and kicked my hand right at the exact time when I was about to pull the trigger. The bullet still flew out but it didn't make much damage on the bulky man. To my anger, I punched the other dark figure. A little fight between us followed but I prevailed. Koko also managed to stand up and shoot the guy.

I hurried to Koko and handed him the wooden box, "keep it safe…" I told him and he immediately secured into his invisible knapsack.

"Jump now!" Koko shouted with controlled voice when we heard footsteps heading to our direction. "We need to get separated, but remember, use your alice once you're out of this area!"

I jumped at once and fell on my foot. But I can't move—I can feel a gun pointed at the back of my head.

"Stand up…" a woman's voice instructed. I did what she told me. "You're such a stupid creature, aren't you? Give me back the thing you stole." she said. I coughed a short chuckle and swiftly turned around and slap her with much force to cause a stiff-neck; I twisted her hands until I can get hold of the gun and then pushed her on the ground by my elbow. She moaned in pain, geez… to brave to point a gun at me, thinking that I'm an ordinary thief. To my surprise, I recognize the face. It's Dione. What the— she's in the stakeholders' meeting right?

She screamed and guards started to be near us. I still can't use my Alice so stood up and kicked her on the stomach. Bitch! That's for trying to steal my husband! SLUT! WHORE!

The nearest mode of transportation is a motorbike. Too high for me, but I've got no choice so I used it and drove away.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Darn it… I was shot. I can feel blood pouring out of my body but I can't stop. Shit, where to? I'm not sure about the direction but I took the right street. Several black cars are following me now so I have to pull my own gun and shoot them. I lost my focus as I tried to escape them, several shots hit me again at my back and it's making me weaker… I don't think I can still go further. The road leads me to a cliff and it's my last option—to jump off and teleport.

I made the last twirl on the cylindrical of the motor bike and flew down splashing under the sea. My blood colored the water red and took the sharks' attention. Just in time as they're coming nearer, I was able to strip my black clothes and teleported anywhere my thoughts will lead me…

It's getting colder with me on the water and my undergarments were the only ones covering me. I think I'm running out of blood also, and it's getting harder to breathe. I can't keep myself underwater, but I don't have the strength to surface and take in some oxygen. It's like I'm drowning already, my eyes are weary and blurry…

Please, I don't want to die yet. Still, if this is my last breath, I'll hold it. I gathered my last strength to surface.

Air…

I can't keep going under…

I need air…

I breathed at once, gasped the air and held it long. My body's so weak, I even doubt if I can still use my teleportation. I felt something cold on my chest as I rested my body on the water, I touched it.

I can't help but smile; it's the necklace he gave me. Why on earth—

I can't die now… I closed my eyes, once again, I gathered my last ounce of strength to use my Alice and be where he is…

…if in case this will be my last time…