Ultima Venena— something I remember learning about in vivid memory: a very deadly injected poison made several years ago by a chemist that went absolutely insane due to being locked up in a lab too long. He was being forced into work for a large crime ring of double agents from several agencies.
Legend has it that he used the concoction as a way to find a way out of the blasted place. His sense of smell started deteriorating after a car crash as a young child, and by the time it was completely gone, he began to cherish any smell he'd manage to sniff out.
Whenever he made a new mixture or solution, he would place only the most absurd of fragrances into it to at least create some sort of tingle in his nose. Some sensation to prove that he wasn't disconnected from the earth, and wasn't going insane.
It's very distinct; a mixture between capsaicin and burnt vanilla. So what resulted is an awfully unsettling, sweetly intoxicating-burning smell. I have come across it a couple of times in my life, so I'm far too familiar with the scent. Almost too familiar for comfort.
But although it did have its fatal background, there were also other applications it could be used for. And example would be this: say you want to convert a person into a "zombie" for your cause. Sort of like an army of people who will listen to you, and only you.
If used correctly, and in very spared doses, you could, in a sense, "brainwash" that individual into becoming your minion. It messes with some things in your brain which makes you dependent on the person choosing to brainwash you.
But back to what's happening.
I notice how the quick and gruff steps of the man followed by the small pitter patter of my own run down the hall contrasted greatly. But I don't pay any attention to the ringing as students start to file out of classrooms on cue to the final bell of the day.
I manage to safely reach the back of the school before more suspicion is drawn from the other students, which was surprising, since I was running quite quickly. Any normal person with common sense would think something was wrong, right? But oh well. Like Plagg said once to me, "People are blind.", and I choose to use that to my advantage.
I peer over the walls corner as the large man sets the bag down and unties the drawstring of the bag that's no longer moving,
"Yes sir." I hear him whisper into his earpiece. "She's been implanted. No worries! No worries at all, sir." His grip on the bag loosens as he checks his watch, "Uhh... in about 15 seconds. It's going as planned. Of course." His grip is now completely loose from the bag, and it drops lifelessly to the floor. "Have a great day, sir."
Clicking his ear piece off, the bag is untied and Ms. Bustier miraculously stands up straight, seemingly unfazed from the whole ordeal.
"How do you feel, Ms. Bustier?" The man asked.
"I'm feeling just fine, thank you very much. Now what am I doing back here? I should be teaching my students right now... oh dear, I feel a bit woozy." She began to restlessly pace around in a circle, and then started shaking violently.
"W-whats g-g-going o-o-on?!" She yelled in agony.
The man quickly took something from his back pocket and placed something behind her ear.
From my perspective I couldn't see anything, but it seems right after he placed the object, Ms. Bustiers shaking immediately stopped, and she fell unconscious.
The guys was calling someone up on his earpiece, and he shoved my teacher in the back of a 1990 Toyota Camry.
Seriously? Out of all the getaway cars you could have, you chose that?
It may not have shown, but I cringed so hard internally at that moment I could've fell on the ground right then and there.
I sent the video I was recording to Plagg, included the license plate on the car, and then made my way back into the school.
You may be wondering, "Why aren't you following the car? Why don't you care that your teacher just got shoved into the back of a garbage car?"
Well, it's simple. I already figured out what was going on, and I choose to lay low until I have a plan of action.
Based on my predictions, I should expect Ms. Bustier to appear back at school in a day, and that gives me, Plagg, and Tikki time to think. I have some work to do tonight.
But inside, I'm grateful for finally some action.
I reach the front of the school where my 'squad' is standing around, and one outlier looking worried. That outlier being Kagami.
Kagami caught a glimpse of me and called me over.
"Ellie! Where on earth did you go the last half of class?!" She exasperated. "I was worried sick. Well, not really, but you know what I mean."
I let out a giggle. "Don't worry Kagami. I was just in the bathroom. You know, the woman's thing?"
Her face appeared blank.
"Y'know?" I tried conveying my message with a few head movements, but she still didn't get it.
"The monthly? Satan's waterfall of sacrifice? But.. like... in your uterus?"
It finally clicked with her. "Ahhhhhh!! I get it" she winked at me and nudged my shoulder. "Look at you! A woman."
I scoffed and laughed with her as we rejoined the main groups conversation.
"Eyo! Ellie what's up!" Peter called out to me.
"Ellieee!!" Sabrina said way too over-exaggerated for my taste.
"Hi guys!" I responded. "So what are we doing?"
"We were actually planning our next hangout. What do you think of going to the mall as a group for some homecoming dance shopping?!" Lila said, stressing the last word into a shriek.
Adrien sympathetically looked towards my covering of my right ear and explained further.
"We just wanted to walk around, maybe get some froyo, and try on clothes for the homecoming dance! Maybe when we're there, we can coordinate outfits. What do you think?"
The coordinating outfit part caught me off guard. I totally forgot I was going to the homecoming dance with Adrien.
"Oh! Uhm.. sounds alright with me! When are we doing this?" I ask.
"How's tomorrow? It's a Saturday anyway." Phillip shrugged.
The group unanimously agreed, and just then Plagg pulled up in the round about in front of the schools steps. I heard Lila combust at the sight of my fake agent dad and I rolled my eyes.
Plagg popped out of the car and called me over. From the look on his face and his demeanor, he meant business.
"Bye everyone, see you tomorrow!" I waved goodbye, and walked towards Plagg with a questioning look. As soon as I reached him, we both went into the car and I asked, "What's the status on what I sent you? Is everything alright?"
"No. Long story short, your principal is actually a double agent working for an underground crime ring. That man carrying Ms. Bustier in that old car was his top assistant."
Let me guess: a principal that's barely even seen roaming the halls of a rich private school, rich and powerful people donating money every year, and more powerful connections.
Was I surprised? No. No I wasn't. And by the looks of it, neither was Plagg or Tikki.
This was just getting started.