17 Who you gonna call? (2/2)
Sia walked down the long white hallways and showed off the many doorways until she got into a larger area. The hallway connected to an indoor balcony area and an escalator is going down into the lobby. The camera view shifted to the glass ceiling and giant chandelier that hung above the lobby area. Plants decorate the lobby. From the ceiling to the ground floor, an artificial waterfall could be seen gushing water out onto colorful stones at the base into a small artificial pond.
”It's really incredible how beautiful this place is. Your big sis and her coworkers keep it looking spic and span, so the scientists and visitors can enjoy their time here. Hey, and it's usually just as quiet as the library was. Not much of a change for me. Reply back to this as soon as possible. I know homework has been killing you, but I really wanna talk about some stuff. Love you, bye.”
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Vanessa stops watching and tosses the phone at Sia. Sia scrambles, catches it, and holds the device to her chest.
”You have a younger sibling,” Vanessa says.
”Mm. I had a sister. That's from before everything happened.”
”…”
Sia goes over to her bag and puts away the phone. After zipping it up, she puts the bag under a seat and sits down on the hard metal seat. She leans to the side and ignores the clammy cold temperature of the dark green wall.
”Sorry. We've all lost people we love. I wouldn't take away the chance to view happy memories from you.”
'I wish I had a way to remember them, or the way things were before,' Vanessa thinks to herself.
”Do you think your people might have spares to trade?”
”Huh?”
”Cellphones.”
”Uhh…yeah sure. Loads.”
Vanessa nods, exits the back of the truck, and sits in the driver compartment to sleep against a door.
The next morning, Raymond gets into the passenger seat before its time to drive off. Vanessa squeezes the keys in her hand and taps her fist against the steering wheel. Raymond glances over at her.
”You want me to drive?”
”Maybe you're right,” Vanessa mutters.
”About what?” Raymond rolls down the window and adjusts the chair to become more comfortable.
”She's definitely hiding something.”
Raymond stops adjusting the seat to turn attentively to Vanessa.
”Hmm. So, you see the inconsistencies in her whole story? Finally joining my side?”
”She's not a friggin spy, you idiot, but there's definitely something up. She's a janitor, but she is a fighter? Why would they send a janitor with a team to Coldstone? They must be up to something big.”
”What, you still think she's a janitor?”
”I saw video proof that she definitely was apart of a cleaning crew.”
Raymond crosses his arms and purses his lips while looking out the windshield at the thin trees. Bright light burns through the crowns of the trees and casts shadows through the window onto the dashboard. The shadows ripple as the wind blows leaves around to dance among the dust.
”We're probably missing something obvious, but if we can get her away from these mercenaries, we might be able to get some truths from her. The closer we get to Coldstone, the more I'm worried they're waiting for us to slip up.”
”Or, for you to lose your cool.”
Vanessa snorts at that.
”Unless we strike way before they do, but I can't imagine what they might think of next,” Raymond mutters while thinking on plans.
Vanessa's face brightens up as she thinks of an idea.
”That's it. That's how we'll do it. I'll--”
Vanessa starts the vehicle after everyone piles into the truck. Raymond and her figure out their plan along the way.