Chapter Seventy-Four
74
A Trap Is Set...
"We've been waiting for this day a long time...now it's here."
"I know! It's hard to believe the boss is actually coming!"
"Of course he's coming! After all~ the pieces are finally in place!"
"They will be...once we enact the plan, at least..."
"THERE'S NO STOPPING THE DARK SCORPIONS NOW!"
As the sun came to rise the next moment, a motor boat skated swiftly across the sea towards the unsuspecting island.
"Land-ho, detective!" said the captain, "That's Academy Island Right there."
"I see..." a man hummed as he stepped into the light, his colden eye patch shining in the sun, "Well then...it's time to go to work."
XXXXX
Atticus Rhodes wandered the school halls in a daze...with a concerned Alexis shuffling not too far behinf him.
"What's up, Alexis?" the blonde was greeted by Jaden as he approached her along with Chazz and Connar who had been wandering the hall together as well, with Professor Banner, "How's Atticus doing these days?" he asks.
"So-So." said Alexis, "I mean, at least he's out of that hospital bed now...but he still doesn't remember much about what happened."
"I'm sure he'll come around soon Alexis." The brunette tried to stay positive and show a bit of encouragement- which she appreciated.
"So what brings you all over?"
"The law- actually." said Banner introducing a stranger to the small crowd.
"Good afternoon, ma'am." he greeted them with a tip of the hat, "I'm Detective Zaloog."
"Uhm...Okay?" Alexis blinked.
"You see Alexis, since 3 of the 7 Spirit Keys have already been taken by the Shadow Riders...and the fate of the world rests on protecting the remaining 4- The Academy thought it best to call in the Police."
"So he says..." Connar said softly under her breath as her eyes narrowed focusing on this alleged Detective. Something seemed...off...about him. Though...she couldn't quite peg on what exactly it was...
"Something up, Connar?" Chazz asks curiously.
"Hard to say..." Connar responds softly, "But there's something about this guy I just don't like..." she mumbles, "I can't put my finger on it...but I just don't trust him..."
"Really?" Chazz blinked, shifting his gaze between her and this..."Detective Zaloog".
Well...she is called a Spirit Caller for some reason, right?
he thought to himself.
Maybe it could have something to do with this...
he sighs.
Whatever the case...if even Connar is feeling sketchy about him, despite being one of the friendliest people I know...then it might be wise to keep an eye on this guy...just incase.
"Speaking of which...Alexis? Where is your key?" Jaden asked.
"Right here...around my neck." she responded.
That was pretty much where they all kept theirs...those who still had a key to protect.
"Oh my...I was afraid of that." the detective pondered as he sifted through his words, "You may think that's where it's safest...but it's not." he explains, "All the Shadow Duelists need to do is find you- then they've found the key."
"Precisely." said Professor Banner.
"True...I suppose that just raise the danger scale a little higher..." said Connar softly, "By wearing it you are all basically making yourselves beacons...and if they found you while we were at school or something...you could potentially be bringing danger right to the Academy Studen't front doors...and to our fellow students...but then..." Connar ponders, "Where else could they put them? I mean, they have to protect them- but it's not like we can kick them out of school until this all blows over..."
"Well- the Detective suggests, we all hide our keys somewhere." said Professor Banner.
Which didn't seem like a bad idea in of itself...though...Connar still felt un easy about this...more so...about this...Detctive...
They spent the day finding places to hide their keys...Chazz had a secret compartment in his bed panels...it was usually where he hid his secret stash of snacks that he and Connar liked...it was a pretty clever spot.
The door was left open however and they were all startled by the janitor- though luckily, he didn't seem to suspect anything.
Jaden decided to stash his away in the junk drawer. A bit on the nose, but clever enough, no way would it be easy to spot amongst the clutter- after all the best hiding places are generally right in plain sight.
Everyone was startled when the door knob moved... which was odd, consodering Jaden and his room matrs were already inside so who would be trying to come into their room uninvited?"
"Oh- hi C.K!" said Syrus as he greeted a blonde student on the other side.
Right...C.K...
Connar thought to herself...
"He was a trannsfer student rather recently, was he not, ?"
"Oh, Kaibaman?" Connar whispered, "I thought so...something seems off to you too, doesn't it."
"Indeed." the spirit nods.
"We're your spirit partners, Connar...when you feel uneasy...we feel uneasy too." said Dark Magician Girl.
"Right..." Connar blinked, "Sorry about that."
"There's no need to feel sorry for following your intuition, Ms. Connar." said Kaibaman.
"He's right you know...that feeling in your gut is often what keeps you safe." the blonde spirit said, "That being said...is something bothering you Connar?"
"You could say that..." Connar said softly, her eyes held onto Detective Zaloog.
"Connar thinks something's up with the detective." Chazz chimed in, "And honestly after talking with the guy for a few minutes? I'm starting to think so too."
"Oh Princeton..." Connar blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected Chazz to be listening...but she forgets sometimes that he too, like she and Jaden, can also see and talk to the Duel Spirits...even if he's not as thrilled about it as they were.
"Sorry to butt into your conversation." he said softly, "I just want you to know Connie...whatever's going on with this wack job...I'm on your side."
Connar smiled at him in gratitude and nodded.
"Thank you, Princeton." she smiled, "Come on...let's follow Alexis.
"Right..."
"This is where I keep all my other valuables..." Alexis explained as she tucked her key away into her jewlery box.
"Oh...I didn't mean to disturb you all..." a woman's voice came quietly amongst the crowd.
"Oh that's just the school nurse." Alexis hummed, "No one to worry about."
Connar's eyes narrowed.
School Nurse...?
She pondered.
I suppose it makes sense for Nurse Fontaine to have some assistance...but...why would the school nurse be wandering around in student's dorm rooms?
Not to mention...this nurse?
There seemed to be something off about her too...
Things were only getting weirder by the minute as the day progressed...and Connar couldn't help but feel that it all connected to Detective Zaloog, who- had his own strange familiarity to him as well.
I swear I've seen him before... Sthe thought to herself.
...But where?
The last of the remaining keys belonged to Professor Banner.
"I'll bet your key will be safe in there, Professor Banner." said Chumley, as the teacher tucked his key away into a safe.
"What makes you think that, Chumley?" Chazz prodded sarcastically, "The fact that it's called a safe?"
A shadow passed by in the hall startling the detective until Banner explained it was just the security guard making his rounds.
"There...now I believe we should all be able to sleep soundly now." said Professor Banner.
"Yes...quite soundly." said the Detective as he took notice of the daylight that had burned away into a night sky, "Now children, get to bed...you all must be exhausted."
XXXXX
The night was long...and sleepless for Connar. She was certain her friends had all tucked themselves into their beds and were sleeping soundly...but Connar couldn't shake the odd feeling she had all day. About the Detective...and everyone else they had convieniently run into.
Little did anyone know through out the night...that their hidden keys were not as safe as they had believed...
"And...it's done. All of the Spirit Keys are ours..."
"So why aren't the gates opening?"
"Yeah...that's the only way we can get those Sacred Beast Cards..."
"We must have to do something else."
"And I'll bet those children know what...So much for doing this the nice way..."
To Be Continued...