The pool was ahead and I finished explaining my plan at Hunley.
"Do you have any questions to ask?" I examined his face.
"Uhm… I think not!" He looks up.
"No, you have to be sure, Hunley. No room for doubts."
"Well! I-I'm a bit nervous, actually… can we really sneak inside that pool?"
"Yes. We can accomplish such task."
"But what happens if I fail?! Are we going to be in deep trouble, for that…?"
"It will never happen, Hunley. My strategy guarantees our safety. All you have to do is following my instructions."
"Which is to enter inside the pool, through a fence as a Squid, then swim around the area and escape the same way?"
"Correct. Make sure to go near the small dressing rooms, ok?"
"Ok! After that I wait and…"
"I'll wave my hand at you and repeat the previous process."
"So I can pick you up and escape?"
"Exactly. See Hunley? You improved your memory, since last time."
"Oh… hey, you are right! I do remember a bit more than usual!"
I smiled: it's good seeing him fighting his own weakness, as much as he can.
"Though, I kinda forget that last part… but I think to remember it. I'll try!"
"Very good. Now, let's stop for a moment and look carefully at the pool."
We both watched the place: its situation was left unvaried, since my first visit.
"That's the fence you are suppose to pass under." I pointed at it. "Are you ready, Hunley?"
"Ehm… uff… maybe…"
"I believe in you. I know you can be very brave, if you really want to."
He keeps looking at the pool… then he nods, followed by a loud breath.
"I'm ready, Mirii."
"Perfect. Please, become a Squid and begin to swim."
Hunley turns into a Squid and swims towards the pool: I become a Squid and followed his inked path. We both passed right through the fence and immediately everyone noticed us. Especially the guards, which they dived on Hunley trying to stop him.
Surprisingly, he avoided the guards by either stopping, turning around or jumping over. Hunley was getting near the dressing rooms… I have to jump out right here!
Bonk!
OW! I-I hit my head against the wall! Ugh… I must have exaggerated with my jump… uff, anyway: I turned into my other self and entered inside an empty dressing room. Those appear a little old: the locker were rusty. No wonder everyone doesn't leave their personal items inside them!
I quickly changed my clothes: I put my normal clothes inside the bag. Before I got out, I peeked outside: a guard was coming this way! I closed the door: I hope that the guard didn't
"Who's there?"
… see me… AH! He opened the door!
"Hey you!"
"Gulp! Go-good morning mister…"
"… I have never seen you around here…"
"N-no! I-I was here!"
"Really…? Card, please."
… oh right, the card! Luckily I managed to compile it before, while I was walking with Hunley. I opened my bag and took it.
"He-here…"
The guard grabs my card and examines it carefully.
"Uuuhhmmm…"
No, no Mirii! D-don't sweat like this…
"… seems legit…" He returns my card! "But I'm going to watch you, squid!"
D-drat! Th-this was not part of the plan! Ok… calm down… he's going a-away now… phew. I left the dressing room, with my bag on my shoulders. Now, I have to find an empty lounger... … I-I'm shaking a bit… that guard was keeping his word: he's watching me through his sunglasses.
I found an empty lounger! I placed my bag near it and took off my sandals. Since every seat is occupied, the owners will come back soon enough… and that guard is going to have a clear reason to suspect on me. I must act rapidly, before this event will take place!
According to the riddle, I'm suppose to fly in the sky and then swim in the water. In the distance, I can see a high diving board dominating a small part of the pool. That must be the solution.
Looking better, I noticed a line eagerly waiting near the diving board. I started taking big breathes and stretching my arms. My feet were getting wet: the sides of the pool were dripping with water all around. That's why I'm not seeing any traces of green ink, left by Hunley…
I was trembling from the coldness of the water and cursed mentally for not bringing my sandals with me! At least, I reached the line. After someone was walking on the board, the next one was already climbing the ladder. Everything was going smoothly.
Except that guard: he even lowers his sunglasses to look closely my movements. I really start to wonder if he was doing his job or he was just an ugly pervert… oh, it's finally my turn! I climbed the ladder and reached the board. My feet were losing grip, since the board was covered by the water.
I walked slowly, until I reached the edge. Ok… no need to perform the perfect dive… I'm going to swim underwater and check everything remotely useful!
"Come on! Dive!"
Hmpf, patience must not exist inside that boy! All right, then. I hold my breath and jumped high, diving into the pool. I opened my eyes: they were burning, but at least I could see around. I swim deeper: the water was getting colder, starting to sting all over me!
I touched the bottom, but I was running out of oxygen: I need to act quick! … wait, what's this? A… card?! YES! IT'S THE KEYCARD! I snatched it and swim upwards desperately.
Aaaaah! Fresh air!
That was my first thought, after that nightmare!
"Hey, go away! Let me dive!"
Someone was stomping the board, red from the anger. Uff, those people are really getting crazy over a stupid board… tsk, I swim away from the diving area. From my position, I could see my bag: no one walked near it, yet. Good, because I'm done here.
I climbed out of the pool: my body was freezing from the cold air! I didn't have a towel, so I had to leave my hopes on the sun. I walked towards the bag carefully, since my feet were too wet. Once I reached it, I put the keycard inside. Ok, now I have to deal with that guard… he's still observing me…
Uhm… I have an idea. After I wore my sandals and took my bag, I scanned through different guards: one of them was talking with two female Inklings, while smiling. His body was covered by tons of muscles. I went there, thinking about the words to pronounce.
"Excuse me?" I talked to the guard.
He looks at me: he whistled taking off his sunglasses.
"Yes, baby?"
… I was almost puking on the ground.
"I wanted to complain on that guard over there." I pointed at my living obstacle. "He entered inside the dressing room, while I was changing. He kept looking at me, ever since!"
The two girls were talking with each other, utterly disgusted. The muscular guard wears his sunglasses and walked away, while lifting both his sleeves. I watched the entire scene: the muscular guard yelled at the other guard, capturing the attention of everyone else.
Uhm… nobody is watching… perfect! I walked towards the dressing rooms, without even looking at the sudden quarrel that took place between the two guards. I changed myself, wearing the same clothes I had this morning. I wish I could take a shower, though… sigh. For now, I have to grit my teeth and get out of this place.
Once I prepared myself, I got out of the room: the other guards barely stopped the fight. I tried to track down Hunley: there he is! He was watching me, from behind that corner. I waved my hand high and he started moving in Squid form, coming faster than before!
His sudden reappearance made a woman scream: the guards barely noticed Hunley speeding through them! I jumped inside the green path he inked behind, turning into a Squid in midair. I swam all the way, blindly trusting Hunley and his instincts.
We arrived outside, far away from the pool. Phew! We did it!
"Good job, Hunley!" I smiled, throwing away some green ink. "See? I told you my plan was perfect!"
Hunley looked at me, confused.
"Did you really say that?"
…
"Yes, I did. You should train your memory more."
"Oh… if you say so…"
"Anyway!" I give sign to follow me. "I found the keycard inside the pool. Now, we just need to reach the Headquarters and the trial is complete."
"Ah, we are almost done then! Is this place like a city or something?"
"No, I don't think it's that big… actually… I don't even know where the location is!" I stopped.
"Really?!" He did the same. "Then, what we are going to do?!"
"I… … curses! It could be anywhere!" I bit my lips frustrated.
"Worse than finding a needle in a haystack?!" He enlarges his eyes in panic.
"Well, not really that dramatic! Still, it's a rather perplexing problem." I looked around with faint hopes.
"I see… does Mr. Tarfo know about the Headquarters?"
"Of course he does. We can't ask him anything, unfor"
Suddenly, my brain began working on something… and made an important conclusion!
"Hunley! You are a genius!" I hugged him, satisfied!
"Ah… what's a genius?"
…
"I'll explain it on the way." I walked ahead, feeling a cold breeze over my shoulders.