➔ WORD OF THE CHAPTER: man

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We were crawling around to get our gadgets. I grabbed my jacket. Maya got these laser guns. We could hear people talking so we tried our best to stay quiet.

Charlie went to search with his hands on the table for his bracelet. Once he got it he tried to turn it on.

"Low power."

Oh. That was loud.

"This one's dead," charlie whispers. "They're all dead," maya whispers.

———

Maya, Charlie, and I were back in the energy source place.

Charlie connects the energy source with the gadgets.

"Charging."

We all smile.

"This is it. This is the guard's energy source," charlie says. "You gave a whole presentation about this... yesterday," i smile.

"Ms. Squint owes me an apology," charlie says through his teeth.

I smile. "Do you think i can win a nobel prize from this," he asks. "Uh... i don't think so," i tell him, shaking my head.

"Hey."

We turn our heads to see Berger.

"Who's the hero-cat now, buttmunchers," berger says, carrying an unconscious guy in a chair with his magnet wand.

He laughs and places the guy down.

"Sorry about what i said back there," charlie's tells berger. Your ailments aren't what makes you weak. They're actually what makes you strong. And i'm sorry I punched you," charlie sighs.

"That was a really good apology. I wasn't ready to forgive you. I planned on throwing way more shade but i'm sorry too," berger says.

They give each other a hug. Then the man wakes up, startling us.

His mouth was covered and he was restrained.

"H-hey, i think i saw this guy on TV yesterday," charlie says as we stand in front of the guy.

The man denies, shaking his head, "m m."

Maya leans forward and takes the tape off his mouth.

He groans in pain, panting.

"Hey, how old are you guys," he asks, looking at us.

"Eighteen."

"fift-"

"fourteen."

"-teen.."

"It's just you guys down here-"

Maya cuts him off, "We'll ask the questions."

"I say we torture him to get information," i smile.

He laughs, "a-a-and how do you plan on torturing me? Are you gonna tickle torture me."

Berger looks at us and i nod at him. He points the wand to the metal and it shocks him.

He starts grunting.

Then berger stops. "Dude! That was too long," the man says. "Does that feel like tickle torture," charlie smirks.

"That thing's amazing. You wanna sell it," he asks berger, ignoring charlie.

"You wanna see it again," berger threatens. "no, no! no, no, no! You know.. okay what do you guys wanna know?"

"Everything," Charlie says.

"Okay that thing. That glowing thing. That thing is highly advanced technology. It's like otherworldly technology," he explains. "Otherworldly? as in... aliens," charlie questions.

The man pauses, "...yeah. That's what otherwordly means. It's not from this world," he says.

"No way, that thing is clearly designed for humans," maya says. "No, that's because it adapts to its environment. It's a world builder. It created this entire place. I mean you think the guard built this? Not without that," he says.

"Why do you want it," I ask. "Because i think.. the- that the guard has only... unlocked a.. fraction of its potential," he says.

"And you want to fabriquer des armes out of it," i asked, kind of harsh.

"You know what i want it for? I want to use it so i can solve the world's problems," he explains. I look at him not trusting him one bit.

"So, why not tell that to my dad, huh," charlie asks. "You know how many times i've been on TV? Asking for his help? And you know what? I got ghosted," he says. "I'm.. familiar with the feeling," charlie mutters, looking down.

"And your dad's like... so selfish right now. He just wants that technology all for himself. I want to share it," he says.

I look at maya but she's looking around, bored.

"Who's the bad guy here," he asks.

"You are," berger says. "You guys look like smart kids. Just give me the orb... and i'll let you guys go," he says.

"I don't trust him..." i whisper. "No way," berger says.

"I'm giving you my word... hey charlie.. come here," he looks at charlie, whispering the last part. Charlie walks closer to him. I step away a bit. Looking around, thinking.

"Hey man.. now's your chance to be a hero. You know? Dude, don't do it for me... do it for her," he whispers to charlie and his eyes signal to me.

Charlie looks back at me a bit.

"I mean.. there's definitely a vibe there," he whispers to him, smiling. Charlie smiles a bit, "Ya think?"

"There no vibe, Charlie," berger bluntly tells him, shaking his head.

The man lets out a breath, "oh... it's hot. It's too hot. It's gotten... it's uncomfortable," the man whispers.

I stand there awkwardly. Is it actually hot in here? I actually feel very cold to be honest. Underground caves aren't my thing.

Maya rolls her eyes.

"Don't listen to him," the man tells charlie.

———

beep

beep

beep

beep

"printing complete."

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words: 871