8 Chapter Eight: Finn (1/2)
The team wakes up the next day, preparing rations of food and getting everything ready for the journey. The three, Alex, Siran and Zia say their farewell to Vivi and head out. They were to head out to Tylon, a city east of Farnhardt, the town Alex is from. The only thing left to prepare is finding transportation to their location. They began walking, in hopes that they can either find transportation on the way there or at least make it there before they run out of food. Getting past the border and checkpoints of Omnia would be their first challenge. They'd have to go around like they did on their way back to Seeira if they don't want to be caught, thus increasing the effort for their journey. After a couple days of walking, they've made it past the border of Omnia and avoided Farnhardt as to not attract anyone whom might recognize Alex's face. Not far away from Farnhardt, the three are approached by a car. The car pulls over and the lady driving it asks them ”Where are you headed?”
”We're on our way to Tylon” Siran replies. Alex tries to avoid eye contact in case it was someone from Farnhardt, someone who might recognize him.
”That's kind of far, isn't it?” She asks. ”Get in, I'll take you there”
”Really?” Siran asks, ”that's awfully convenient and nice!”
”Well, it is on the way” she replies, ”so it's no trouble really”
The three of them get in the car, all of them feeling rather awkward from just getting help from someone. After one long awkward silence filled road trip, they arrive outside of Tylon, and the three leave the car, giving their thanks to the driver.
”Oh yeah” Siran says, ”I never asked your name”
”The name's Tanya” she says.
”Well” Siran replies, ”thanks Tanya. It really was a big help”
”No problem” Tanya replies, ”Good luck on your journey!” And she drives away. Alex, Siran and Zia take a good look at Tylon before entering the city. It was a pretty big city, with lots of residential and business areas. They walk into the city, trying to find whatever information they can that might help them without standing out too much. They first come across a bar, and Siran is the first one to suggest going inside.
”It'll be a good place to start when looking for information” Siran says, ”as well as I could always use a good drink!”
”Well” Alex says, ”this round is on you this time. I paid for your last one”
”Deal” Siran says.
They go into the bar and sit at the counter in front of the bartender. There was a man, average size, white skin sitting at the counter. The man, to their surprise, strikes up a conversation with them first.
”Good night for a drink” the man says, ”ain't it?”
”It's always a good night for drinking with the right mindset” Siran replies.
”I like your thinking” the man says, ”I think we'd get along swell”
Siran just laughs a little and they all drink a little to break the ice. They didn't want to ask questions immediately, so that they wouldn't arouse suspicion. Eventually, the man introduces himself.
”The name's Finn” he says, ”nice to meet ya!”
”My name is Siran” Siran replies while shaking his hand. ”Oh by the way, have you heard about anything going on in this place recently. Like all the people going homeless or something? I even heard about some guy who's been robbing government buildings”
Finn pauses for a moment and says ”can't say that I know too much about that”. He immediately averts his gaze and stares at the bar counter, thinking to himself. Siran pauses for a moment too and then says ”well, it's not really any of my business, just curious”
”Everyone these days are curious about something” Finn says. ”Whether it's about rumors, what tomorrow will bring them, or anything really”
Siran just nods his head a little they just chat for a little while longer before all four of them leave the bar.
”Do you know anything about all the people going homeless?” Siran asks. ”Where is all that happening? That news sounds terrible”
Finn just simply points north-east with one hand as he picks up his cup with the other hand.
Finn was the first to leave by himself, then Siran, Alex and Zia leave together not long after him.
”Well that didn't help at all” Alex says. ”We didn't even get any information about that notorious thief”
”On the contrary” Siran says, ”I think we just got lucky”
”What do you mean?” Zia asks.
”We found our thief” Siran replies.
”Wait” Alex asks, ”that guy?”
”Yep” Siran says. ”His body language sold him out when I brought it up. All we have to do is follow him”
”Are you sure it's him?” Zia asks.
”It's the only lead we have” Siran replies. ”Besides, even if he's not the guy, he may just lead us to another place to find more information”
”Well that sounds like a nice plan and all” Alex says, ”but which way did he go?”
”North-east of here” Siran says, ”where Finn pointed too when I asked about the people going homeless”
”Well” Zia says, ”it's definitely a solid start”
The three of them head out towards their new destination, and along the way they encounter a figure in the shadows turning down an alley. Siran peeks around the corner into the alley, observing the figure and then following it. After a while of following, they all emerged from the alley and a street light lit up the figure they were following, exposing Finn as the dark figure they were following. Finn darts his head back and forth to check if anyone was following him and then runs off. The three follow him as discretely as possible. Eventually they lost sight of him when approaching this building that belonged to the Omnia government. This building was a social affairs building. It was clear to them that Finn had gone inside. When they approached the door, it was still locked though.
”How did he get inside without breaking anything?” Alex asks.
”This guy is really good” Zia says.
Siran just looks over at the nearest window, which appeared to still be closed.
”You planning on going inside through there?” Alex asks. ”It's no use, all the windows are locked, aren't they?”
Without responding, Siran sticks his hand through the window, but the window did not shatter. His hand simply went through it as if it were a mirage. Siran looks over at the other two and says ”illusion magic. The window only appears to be closed but it's actually been open the whole time”
Siran climbs through the window and Zia follows after him. Alex debates with himself on whether or not he wants to follow as well but eventually comes inside behind Zia. Not long after entering, they find Finn inside the building, who was very alarmed at the sight of them.
”Who are you people?” Finn asks. ”Are you from The Ly'Lum?”
”No” Siran says, ”we're just simply passing through”