34 Research Time (1/2)

”We're actually closin- Oh! Waze!” Alec rushed out from behind the counter to greet Waze, a light smile on his face. The expression quickly changed upon seeing Waze up close.

”Holy- what happened to you?” Alec scanned Waze up and down with concern.

”That's actually why I'm here. To sum it up, this is my friend Cassidy.” Waze gestured to the similarly beat up Cassidy beside her. ”We train together at the tea shop. Last night, when we were walking home together, and we got attacked behind a convenience store. Based on the tattoos I saw on the one guy's neck, my best guess is they're from that Ebony group. I need to know more about them. You're the best person I can think to come to.” Alec's eyes widened as he tried to process the onslaught of information from Waze. Cassidy spoke before he could.

”So this is your oh-so-wise best friend? He's not bad on the eyes, I guess. But can he help us?”

”I'm sure he can. Alec, you said the store's closing, right? I told my mom I'm staying late to talk to you. Cassidy's here to help. I grabbed my laptop from home, and Cassidy got hers too.”

”Woah woah woah, slow down a bit. Give me a second.” Alec sat back on his heels as he took a deep breath. ”So, you and your training friend got attacked by the notorious Ebony, made it out alive, and then came here equipped with laptops to try to research them?”

”Pretty much, yeah. You got it.” Waze nodded.

”This is, this is crazy... I mean, are you ok?” Alec brushed his hand on Waze's shoulder.

”Not doing great, I'll admit, but I'll be fine. Right now,” Waze lifted up her laptop bag, ”research!”

”I'd call you pushy Waze but I fear that may be hypocritical coming from me.” Cassidy smirked up at Waze.

”At least you admit it,” Waze said, looking down at the girl.

Alec sighed and turned to walk toward the back room, gesturing for the two girls to follow him.

”Come back here. Abbus went home already, he wasn't feeling well. I'll text him that I'm staying late. Set up your stuff here. Plug's over there.” Alec gestured around the room as he spoke.

Waze and Cassidy flipped open their laptops next to each other on the table, plugging them in and pulling out notebooks and pencils.

”You guys really came prepared, huh?” Alec looked down at the two girls readying themselves on the couch.