Here's the next chapter! Please enjoy!
They walked in silence, their expressions dignified and their movements precise. The three men sneaked across the square, their dark apparel blending in with the ebony darkness around them. The lead paused, his feet skidding slightly over the cobblestone. His outfit was like the rest: a black t-shirt that was tucked into his black pants, a bulletproof vest, and a dark mask that concealed his entire head and face. There was a bulge on the left ear, and a slot ran across the covering so his eyes and the bridge of his nose could be seen. They were too hidden by a pair of dark sunglasses. The left lense glowed bright blue as maps, numbers, coordinates, and other data flickered across the screen. The only thing separating the lead man from the other two was the silver bottom half of his mask.
The leader tapped the bump and from the protrusion a rod curled around the side of his face to his mouth where the stick ended in a microphone. He held two fingers to the communication device over his ear before muttering into the microphone.
"This is Master Phantom to Alpha Base. Do you copy?"
There was a crackle of static before a voice replied, "This is Alpha Base, and we read you loud and clear, Master Phantom,"
"Lead Team is currently moving in to secure the perimeter,"
"Excellent. Collect the Intel and be on your way back to Uno. The authorities have cleaned up most of the landing site, and the evidence of the Package remains there. They have plans to dispose of it tomorrow morning. Get in and snatch the Intel. Should be one of your more easier missions, Master Phantom,"
Master Phantom chuckled, waving and pointing for his followers to move towards the building across the street. "Phantom Two and Three are on the move. You do realize this is child's play, Alpha Base?"
"The evidence is crucial. That's why we have sent you out, Lead Team. We can't have some immature inexperienced squad rushing in and messing up."
Master Phantom squatted down, tugging at his mask in boredom. "Whatever you say, Alpha Base,"
"Uno will have your heads on a platter if you get to cocky, Phantom. You must understand that this Intel will give us all the info we need on the Package."
"But becoming cat burglars is an all-time low," the man tsked, the two others reappearing from the building, a folder in hand. "Phantoms Two and Three have received Intel on the Package."
"Roger that, head back to HQ. Alpha Base, out."
And as if they were one united being, the Phantom Team slipped back across the cobblestones without a sound.
~ Anima ~
"Anima? Annnniimmaaaa?"
I groaned, snuggling further into my cocoon of blankets and deeper into the cozy sanctuary the warm quits provided. Two hands plunged into my covers, ripping them off of me and exposing me into the chilly morning air. I sat there for a moment in shock and shivering, my teeth chattering loudly as if I had been plunged into a bucket of icy water. I snarled and bared my teeth, consumed with anger as I kicked, scrambling to find my covers.
"You're just like a dog Pokémon, Ami," Cal laughed, my vision coming into focus. He patted my head. "It's really weird though, just saying."
I shook my head, sitting up and composing myself. I scowled, unpleased that I had been awoken in such a matter.
"I take it you like to sleep in," Cal grinned, still laughing at my sorry cause. I gave him an irritated, forceful huff as my only reply.
"Breakfast is in the kitchen," he turned with a wave, jogging downstairs.
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help but smile just a tiny bit.
"Idiot," I exhaled, getting out of bed. I was dressed only in a baggy t-shirt and shorts, which were provided all by Cal. I examined myself in the mirror on the dresser, combing out my bedhead. A sweet aroma wafted up my nostrils and washed over my tongue as I stood in my room. I held my mouth slightly ajar to take in the scent before drawing in a breath. I headed downstairs, moving swiftly towards the kitchen in pursuit of the smell.
"What is that?" I questioned as soon as I had stepped foot into the kitchen.
"What is what?"
"The sweet odor," I stated plainly. I sniffed again, wiggling my nose. My eyes darted to the window behind Cal where a bush decorated with small, lavender colored flowers was growing. I walked past him, opening the window and inhaling deeply. The rich smell of the bush made me smile.
"You could smell that from all the way upstairs?" Cal looked amazed. I breathed in the fragrance again, closing my eyes with pleasure.
"It's a familiar smell. I know it…but I don't. Does that make sense?" I glanced at Cal, utterly confused. I reached through the window, plucking off a stem full of the flowers and bringing it closer to my nose and mouth. "What is the plant called?"
"It's a lilac bush. You must have had them wherever you come from," Cal was silent for a moment. I closed my eyes again, a meadow flashing across my vision.
"Anima?"
I looked at him. "Huh?"
"What else can you smell?"
I drew in a breath before taking another through my nose. There were spices in the cupboard, something sweet under the counter, the crisp scent of toast. Then there were the different perfumes of the flowers outside, but I reeled myself back to the kitchen, focusing on the different smells there. The contents of the fridge tasted fresh, possibly different fruits and vegetables. The fragrance of the cherry wood, even the hard smell of marble from the counters.
I pivoted back to Cal, taking in his scent and committing it to memory. He was indescribable, not a bad smell but not a perfume either. Maybe aftershave? I couldn't tell, but he had a distinct smell.
"This is really weird…" I trailed off. "I was never able to smell like this in the hospital. Maybe it was just the closed room or the effects of aftershock or something."
Cal only continued to gaze at me as if I was from another world. There was a dull thumping, heavy and wet. I took in a breath. The smell was metallic and made me cringe. I walked towards Cal in amazement, placing my ear on his chest. Cal looked shocked, but didn't move.
"I can hear your heart beat from across the room!" I didn't mention that I could also actually smell and almost taste his blood if I focused, knowing that would most likely freak him out because it was already scaring myself.
I stepped away from him as there was a faint click and a pop, bread popping out of the toaster. I listened harder, spreading my range outside. There was a whispered arguing match taking place in the house across the street. I could detect the scurrying of small paws in the backyard and the banging of a hammer somewhere on our road.
"Here," Cal brought me back to reality by handing me a piece of buttered toast. He pulled me over to the island, letting me take a seat on a stool before he plopped down across from me.
"We're not going to tell anyone about your sudden ability of super freaky inhuman senses, okay?" He said. I nodded.
"No one would believe us anyways, but we don't want to attract the wrong kind of attention to you and me, Ami. It's already strange enough that you've lost your memory and you healed so fast in the Hospital. Yes, I was told about that, don't protest. We'll have to be wary around the public, like today when we go out,"
That caught my attention. "We're going out today?"
Cal nodded. "Yeah. You need clothes and stuff,"
I swallowed the rest of my toast. "Let's go now!"
~ Cal ~
Anima sure was one interesting girl. She perused through the stores, rubbing her fingers over the fabrics of the clothing as if she had never seen anything of the sort. Although she was amazed, she composed herself and didn't run around like a madwoman.
I thanked my parents that they had left me with money. My father had a job before he died that paid very well, and due to the fact that he worked double shifts and overtime we had a lot in the bank. Now, some of it was finally being put to good use to clothe and get Anima some stuff.
"Cal? Can I get this vest thingy?" Anima held up a red and white checkered short-sleeved shirt that was cut off so the bottom half was missing. Anima put it on, typing the two ends together at the bottom in a small knot. It only covered the top half of her chest, leaving her abdomen exposed.
I snorted, shaking my head. "Sure, why not?"
Anima grinned, taking it off and throwing it over her shoulder as she searched for shorts and pants.
I smiled, watching her wander through the clothes. I knew I hadn't known her long, but I had already come to love her. I had been dying for a companion since my parent's death and now that Anima was here, I could finally have the best friend I had always wanted. The Festival would be great this year with Ami here.
"You ready to go?" Anima came towards me, her cart full of clothes, shoes, and other accessories.
"You're expensive, Ami," I tsked as we checked out. "You want me to pay sixty dollars for a pair of shoes?"
"Girls will be girls," the male cashier said. We nodded a nod of mutual understanding.
I started to walk out of the store, but realizing I was leaving Anima behind, I stopped and clasped her hand.
'You're my responsibility now,' I thought with a small smile. 'I hope it stays that way.'
~Confetti Storm