Alrick left the dining room and hid in his office. He wanted to be with Jessie, but it was true. He’d things to do. Messages to return, documents to sign, not to mention talking with Craig. He needed to give Craig a heads up about Ashley.
Sitting at his desk, Alrick took out his cellphone and answered several messages before biting the bullet and calling Craig. Craig had enough on his plate already. Alrick felt guilty about needing to pass more to him.
“Hey, you see Ashley yet?”
“Not yet. Why?”
&nb
Jessie’s consciousness slowly returned to her. The world around her looked different. Grey and hazy. She frowned, sat up on the bed. The voice called to her again. It wasn’t far from its sound. But the voice sounded off. Like it’d an echo somehow. Jessie climbed out of bed. She followed the noise out of the apartment. Jessie noticed the packhouse was silent. No one was about. She figured everyone must be sleeping. Following the voice out through the kitchen. The night was dark. It’s unnaturally dark. There was no wind, nothing moved. It was like everything was dead. The mist was thicker outside, giving everything softened edges. Then it hit her.A quick lookup. Stars, but no moon. No moon meant she was in the Dream Realm. Her heart picked up its pace at this discover
Alrick fell into a heavy sleep quickly. However, when he dreamed, things were far from perfect. He noticed his surroundings. At first, he didn’t recognize where he was. It’s too dark for him to make out where he was. He could see shadows flitting back and forth, nearly out of sight. Alrick could hear wails and screams off in the distance.He could hear something closer gorging on something that sounds squishy and wet. He shuddered, deciding that he wouldn’t investigate who or what it was. Alrick realized now he was in a cave or rough-hewn tunnel. The walls were damp. He stood in a chamber-like room. With tunnels branching off in different directions. There was something clinging to the rock walls, giving off
Morning came early as Eric’s phone woke them. Blurry-eyed, he struggled out of bed to answer it. “Yeah?” He listened for a few moments. Jessie watched from the bed. Tense as she waited to find out. Why they were receiving a call at this hour. She caught Alrick’s attention and mouthed. “Who is it? What’s wrong?” Alrick only held up a finger and continued to listen. “Corral them and keep them calm. Rachel or Davie need to fix that. We do not deal with that. They can call someone in to fix that. Yeah, it’s the worst thing that could happen. But that’s why we brought in NARC representatives. We’ll survive this. Just keep a low-key. Don’t admit to knowing anything. Stick to the story that the land was unused to our knowledge and we’ve just ga
Craig phoned Alrick as the Sheriff and his people left. Rachel claimed that they’d take care of the investigation. The sheriff needed to report to the State police who they’d resource and people in. Those people could cover up the breaches. Alrick knew he’d have to tell Jessie about the lab breach investigation. The sheriff or state police may still interview them. She’s not prepared for an interview. By now, they’re driving to the mine. “Jessie, babe, I got a message from Craig. I want to tell you about it. But you must promise me you will listen and not panic.” Jessie’s eyes left the road ahead of them. Once her delicate features looked at him. “Why?”&nb
Jessie could smell the change in the air. She could smell the scents of humans. Jessie hated having to deal with humans. She’s not learnt how to dodge their prying questions and confusing reactions. Some were touchy, while others became hostile. This was a race that lost its protective way. Alrick took the laptop and documents from Jessie. She followed him to the trailer, where quite a few strangers stood in uniforms. They heard Herald’s voice giving rules to the people. About how to mind their actions within the mine. There’d always be a trained worker with them. The poor man was doing his best. As others demanded to know where his boss was. Herald didn’t lose focus and surprised the demanding humans by stating that his bosses were behind them. Herald went on the change in scent pro
“I don’t understand something.” Alrick drove for quite some time. Jessie’s quiet demeanour was difficult for Alrick. He’d hope she’d talk about his kiss. Comment on it even. Something, anything. He wanted his kiss acknowledged. But this was her response? “What don’t you understand?” “What would Hector gain by calling the sheriff and report the drug lab to them?” “I don’t believe he knows we’ve got connections with skilled cleaners. He believed we wouldn’t have time to clean up. I’m surprised he didn’t sen
Craig and Rachel returned to the old drug lab. Here they could set up. Then send out small teams of people. Run in stealthily and attempt to catch him unawares. “Alright, Ashley. You and Craig will go investigate the old packhouse. Focus on the basement, and attic. Any place a secret room might exist. Look for spaces, seem off. You’re looking for a secret space, don’t expect a sign hanging on the wall. Space might hold an old bunker or safe room. If you think you’ve found something, then don’t search for an entrance. Contact us immediately so that we can be there enforce to lower the danger factor.” Rachel instructed those leading the groups around an old table that now housed several maps and other documents. Craig leaned on the table watching the faces of those she instructed, what
Alrick and Jessie returned to the packhouse. They’re greeted with absolute chaos. People were everywhere. Decorating, delivering, and creating everything. They could hear Bonnie running the kitchen like a madwoman. Jessie assumed the sheer size of this endeavour overwhelmed Bonnie and its time constraints. Alrick sighed. His office was one of the few rooms off-limits during the event. So, he’d have a safe space from the chaos there. “Why don’t you go see if you can help her out? I’ll get down to the mess in the office. I’m sure it’s boring sitting there watching me work. Never mind, you would distract me.” He smiled and placed a kiss on the top of her head. “Sure. I believe she needs it. She can’t be in all places. She needs others