Chapter 109Of Sounds and Signs

We all read the message again. Strange how much power simple words can have. The odd thing was that the handwriting was quite neat, too neat even. The paper looked just like any paper from a copy machine or printer or something. No lines, just blank paper. For a moment I realized I was glad it wasn't written in blood, but just blue ballpoint. Still, the words ran chills across my spine.

Good luck on your travels, Amy.

To the others, your house is no longer safe.

Isabel

The four of us were looking around if we saw her anywhere or any trace of her. But it was all to no avail. She didn't leave a trace like usual. Sometimes it felt as if she was no more than a ghost. But I had felt her, helped her. Ghosts didn't wear clothes, did they?

"Amy?" Afentis asked.

"Yes?"

"Who is Isabel?" He looked worried.

"You don't know? But..." I tried to remember. "Janus told you about her, at least once. I was there when you talked to him. Have you forgotten?"

He looked at me with surprise. "No, I haven't forgotten, but I still do not know who she really is. Janus told me a little about her, yet I still have not felt her anywhere. Even now I don't sense..."

He fell quiet. My ears picked up the sound of a truck arriving below. Somehow I felt this was not a good thing. It had been here on and off some nights, but never more than simply loading cargo. What could possibly be wrong with that?

"Those trucks, have they been here more often?" He asked in a serious face.

Kai nodded. "On average, about once every three nights, but very erratic. The times have been very varying as well, ranging from early evening to almost morning. They just appeared to be a legal distribution company, so I deemed it as normal for now."

Afentis looked very worried. "Something is wrong. Please go back into the room, Amy come with me."

He jumped down but you couldn't hear him landing. I nodded at the others and jumped down after him. I smiled, jumping became a lot easier now that I could slow my fall before I landed. Not a sound, not a mote of dust stirred by our passing. We were the ghosts now.

Silently we moved to the building where they were moving the stuff inside. Like always they were moving simple nondescript boxes that looked heavy and expensive. Now that I thought on it, they could be packed with computer equipment or electronics of some kind. I wanted to wait for them to be in the truck to head in but Afentis stopped me. He nodded to a camera in the doorway that would make a silent entry nigh-impossible.

"Just listen." He said.

Standing still, I tried to focus on the sounds inside of the building. Blotting out all sounds of the city one by one. The people, the animals, the cars and the wind. Everything until I could hear his heartbeat beside me like a slow loud drum. Then, slowly, I could hear the sounds coming from inside. It was odd to concentrate on my hearing like this, but it was fun. But it wasn't a game.

Inside I heard many people talking, too much to make out clearly. Sounds of pallets with boxes moved, rubber on concrete, the scrape of wood. Finally I was able to make out the sound of the air conditioning and many other machines. Computers? I heard the distinct sound of keyboards and mouses clicking. It was faint, but audible. What were they doing here?

Afentis tapped me on my shoulder and whispered so softly it was as if no air actually left his mouth.

"Not for us."

My thoughts roamed on the meaning of those words when I realized they could very well be government like investigators. But that was a problem, as they might find out about us over time and try to capture us. Yet, it didn't feel like the aim of Isabels warning. I had a feeling that had a truly different source altogether.

Like Kryss' old associates.

I looked at Afentis and motioned him to get back again. We hovered up in the shadows, noting there were no cameras here anywhere. But in a way it made sense. Only a camera inside so it would not be visible from outside that this was anything but a simple storeroom. The fact they were there was enough though. The others had to move. Bad timing.

They had taken the stone from the roof and closed the door. But it wasn't locked. Afentis and I headed in and saw them all sitting on the sofas, eagerly awaiting our return. They looked up as they noticed us come in.

"You've got to move." I spoke calmly. "There's some advanced stuff going on below here. And though they probably haven't noticed anything so far, staying here is asking for trouble."

Kai nodded. "I know of a few places."

Khuna looked sad. "What will you do?"

I took a deep breath. "I'm going now, traveling with Afentis."

She nodded meekly. "I understand. Will you find us again?"

I smiled. Even if it was cheesy, I had to say it. "Always."

She smiled, still a bit sad, she gave me a quick hug and looked me in the eyes. "Thank you."

Valerie got up and gave me a hug. "We'll keep an eye open for Isabel, take good care of yourself."

Kai just stood there, not knowing exactly what to do. Of course I had to give him a hug. "Make sure they're both safe, and take care of my book."

Afentis and I left after that, as quiet as the night with another few hours to spare before morning would come. I felt bad leaving all these adventures behind, but for once I knew it wasn't for me. Khuna, Valerie and Kai would have their own adventures and lives until I got back. And, for once, I would live mine separate of them.

I missed them already, but it was time to move on.

To travel to new adventures.