Codename: DEMON || ONC2022 Longlister

Chapter 9: Two-Toned Seeker

It was the second time that night that Greyson felt something shake him awake. He shook his head a couple of times and rubbed his eyes. When his vision was still blurry, he furrowed his brows and looked around the car for his glasses. His hands, unfortunately, only met the leather covers of the car seat and Lucinda's arm. Even when he checked his backpack, he still couldn't find them. He didn't forget to bring his glasses, did he? He was as blind without them, there was no way he would forget it.

Before he could turn around to ask, he felt a finger land on his forehead, making something fall down his face. In an instance, his vision became clearer, and he readjusted the glasses on his face. Greyson shook his head one more time, then he turned to Lucinda.

"Th- thank you," he managed to say. "What's going on?"

"We're here."

Greyson's eyes widened, and his hands reached for the straps of his backpack. Had it been three hours already? Maybe he shouldn't have slept, at least he would have felt the time being slow. Maybe that would have given him time to prepare, too.

Once Viktor and Anthea exited the car, Lucinda pushed the seats in front of them and helped him out. The first thing Greyson felt was the cold wind of the night, followed by small drops of rain on his shoulders. He placed a hand on his brows, blocking out any water that would have smudged his glasses. Somewhere, he heard Embers growling, and he assumed that she hid in Viktor's coat to not get wet.

Greyson's ears twitched with every sound he heard, and he took a step closer to the car. The only light source they had were from the headlights, and it unfortunately died down as soon as Azul locked his car. Even though Greyson expected the dark clouds to cover the sky, he still wished that the stars would be visible.

"You'd think that the Underworld would make sure that they have people guarding this place," Azul said as he crossed his arms.

"Not really," Anthea replied. "This is a secret mission for us, and I have a feeling that they also want to take us by surprise."

"Fair point." He paused, then turned to Viktor. Greyson heard his keys jingling, then it sounded like someone caught them. "The guns and radios are in the trunk."

Greyson furrowed his brows. "Guns?"

"Did you really think we're going to go on this mission unarmed?" Viktor asked.

He quickly headed to the trunk and then took out a case. Greyson heard a few clicks, then Viktor passed him a pistol and a radio. He pressed on the button at the side, making it emit a fuzzy sound, before letting it hang on his belt.

"Guns are too loud," he continued, "and there's only one magazine for each of us. So whatever happens, make sure that you'll only use that in case of an emergency. If you ever need help, use the radio. Goddammit, this stupid rain." He turned to the car's mirror and placed a hand on his face, muttering more curses under his breath.

"And what happens if the Underworld ends up using their own guns against us?" Lucinda asked.

"I'm..." Viktor looked away from the mirror and furrowed his brows. "I'm hoping they won't. Come on, let's get inside. I don't want this godforsaken rain on my face."

Azul sighed. "Sweet Guardian. Even on a mission, you're still a narcissist."

Greyson held onto his backpack's strap as he followed his coworkers inside the lab. The moment they stepped inside, his ears flopped downwards, and he took a step behind his mother. It was as dark as he dreaded. The rain outside became even louder and stronger, and he had to suppress a whine when thunder roared in the distance. He wished that they had done this in the morning, because at least the sounds wouldn't have been as frightening.