Chapter 10

“Helene told me you are on an undercover mission near here?” the kid asked excitedly.

“Yes.”

“That’s so cool. I want to do undercover missions too.”

Ilana held back a scoff, letting the moment pass without commenting on it.

“So, where are you stationed for this undercover mission? I know it's pretty far away from Knoxville.”

Knoxville was the small town where Helene had built their supposed headquarters. That's where Ilana had spent most of her childhood, either with Vincent perfecting her throws or with Nancy learning sleight of hand or with Lily learning history and art and geography.

“It is far,” she answered vaguely. “What are you doing all the way here anyway, kid?”

“Oh, I'm with Vincent. He said he had business here and Helene insisted for him to take me. And then this mission came…”

“Vincent is here? In West Creek?” 

“Err… no. Not in West Creek. We're in the city. We’re in Nashville.”

Ilana frowned. She was also in Nashville for the mission.

“What's he doing in Nashville?” she asked.

Vincent knew she had moved to Nashville for the mission. He could have at least informed her he was coming.

“I don't know. He didn't tell anyone. I think Helene mostly sent me to keep an eye on him.”

“Keep an eye on Vincent?” She snorted. “Kiddo, Vincent is a thousand times better at this than the whole of the Helene's brood combined. You can't keep an eye on him.”

“Yes, well, I haven't been. He's home all the time.”

Ilana's frown deepened. Vincent wanted this boy to think he was doing nothing interesting but of course that wasn't the case.

If Vincent was in Nashville, he definitely wasn't there for pleasure. It must be something important. Important enough that Helene wanted to find out about it as well. Important enough for Vincent to hide it from her.

“How long has he been there?” 

“One week.”

What were they playing at?

“How long do we have to walk now?” he asked, glancing fearfully towards the stretch of woods towards their left.

“We’ll get there when we get there. You should learn to tolerate long walks. People won’t be driving you around when you’re on missions.”

He huffed out a breath but didn’t say anything.

A wind blew, ruffling the bushes and disturbing the leaves on the ancient trees. The kid shivered, scooting closer to Ilana.

“It’s just the wind,” Ilana said, rolling her eyes.

“It could be a lot more than that.”

Ilana stared at him with a raised eyebrow.

“You don’t know the stories about Adams?” he asked.

“No. I don’t waste my time with stories.”

“Well, this one has a lot of truth to it. The local people have confirmed it. Why do you think it’s so quiet here?”

“Because it’s one in the morning,” Ilana said but her interest was piqued.

“That’s a bar there,” he said, pointing to a shabby looking place. “Look, it’s bolted shut.”

“I noticed,” she said. It wasn’t just bars and restaurants. The residential area was tightly locked as well with curtains covering every window or looking glass.

“Well, there’s a myth. The beast of Adams. Once the clock hits midnight, the town becomes his. He strolls the street and he steals and kills anyone that comes in his way. Kids and women and elderly. No one remains safe if they don’t barricade themselves in their homes. They say he has red, glowing eyes and he’s as tall as a giant.”

Ilana had heard whispers but she had never paid attention. Now, she pulled out her knife.

“Why the knife? You believe in the myth?” the kid asked with wide eyes.

“Weren’t you the one who was scared of the beast just now?” she asked, walking with extra caution now.

“Because I believe in the story. I didn’t think you would. Oh god, it’s so much worse if you believe in this. We’re doomed now.”

“Relax, kid. No beast is going to come attack you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Then why did you pull out your knife?”

“You should always be alert when you’re on a mission.”

She sighed. Her legs were starting to ache and she was itching for some action.

“There's no beast worse than us humans,” she replied as one of the flickering lights gave up and stopped altogether.

“So, you're saying it's just some human who’s roaming these streets and spreading fear?”

“There's always some truth to myths like these.”

“You think we'll be attacked?”

“By a beast as tall as a giant and red glowing eyes? No. By some psychopath running around the streets? Maybe.”

“So, is a psychopath more dangerous or less?”

“God, kid, do you ever stop talking?” She asked, taking an exasperated breath.

He looked at her with wide eyes, as if only just remembering who he was with.

“I'm sorry. I'll shut up now.”

“We're here,” she said, stopping in front of a quaint little house.

It was a double storey building with a small front porch and a gabled roof.

He breathed softly, staring at the house with a pale face.

“How do we enter, kid?” she asked, approaching the door.

“Err… spare key. If not, we pick the lock.”

“Good. Find the spare key.”

While the kid upturned rocks and doormats and felt around overhead in the rain gutter, Ilana had pulled out her lockpicks and was clicking away at the mechanics of the lock.

“There's no spare key,” he said a minute later, walking back towards her.

The lock gave way beneath her fingers.

“Of course, there isn't. These people are superstitious and terrified. They aren't going to leave house keys laying around.”

She turned the doorknob but the door didn't open. She wasn't surprised.

“The door's bolted shut?” He asked.

“Yep. Just like every other building here,” she said, walking towards the side of the house.

“So what now?” he asked and Ilana tried the window that opened into the living room. She was sure it wouldn’t give out but she tried anyway.

“You tell me.”

“Err.. windows?”

“Yes but windows are locked from the inside too. What next?” 

“I have no idea,” he said, looking around as if some genius idea might struck him from that direction.

“Stay here. I’ll unlock the door for you and then you’ll hide, okay?”

He nodded, a crease between his eyes. “How will you unlock the door?”

They were at the back of the house now and Ilana pointed to another window on the upper floor.

“That way.”

“You don’t have a grappling hook. How will you climb?” 

“I don’t need a grappling hook,” she said, pulling another knife out of her waist band. “Go wait near the front door and stay in the shadows.