John sprang to his feet, his face contorted in exasperation, as he heard Lara's words. "What do you mean the alien escaped?" he grumbled.
"I-I don't know... It's... It's just that—" Lara said, stammering.
John stormed out of his office, striding toward Dr. Idris' laboratory. Upon entering, he found the researchers seated, their faces downcast with worry
"How did this catastrophe occur?" he demanded. "How did you manage to lose the monster?"
The guards stationed at the door stepped forward, their heads bowed in contrition. "It was our fault, sir. We failed to perform our duties adequately," one of them admitted.
"Tell me everything that transpired, now!"
"They disguised themselves as cleaners, wearing nose masks that concealed their faces."
"And you allowed them to enter?"
The men shifted uncomfortably.
"We heard a voice, sir, resembling one of the researchers. It ordered us to let them in."
"It was later that we realized it wasn't actually one of the researchers but…"
"But what?"
"It was almost like... magic. I really can't comprehend how he accomplished it, but it seemed more akin to telepathy."
"What kind of absurdity are you spouting? Do you think I'm gullible?" John chastised.
"He's telling the truth, Mr. John," Mr. Sawyer intervened. "None of us can rationalize what we witnessed. Was it how he communicated with the guards without speaking? Or how he managed to manipulate the alarm to prevent it from sounding?"
His gaze drifted toward the glass room and John could see fear flashed across his eyes. "We're still perplexed as to how he escaped the glass room without our knowledge."
"That's understandable; his rescuers must have released him," John assumed.
"That's impossible. Accessing the glass room requires Dr. Idris' fingerprint authorization," Mr. Benjamin emphasized. "And... the unidentified intruders didn't approach the glass room."
In frustration, John muttered a curse under his breath. Turning to the researchers, he pressed for clarification.
"How did they exit the facility? Don't tell me they vanished into thin air."
Mr. Sawyer gestured toward the window. "They departed through that… route."
John's gaze followed the direction, and he frowned further.
"He flew out with the intruders?!" he exclaimed, struggling to grasp the implausible scenario. "You're telling me that the beast flew out of here, accompanied by the unidentified individuals, using his... wings?"
"We grossly underestimated the alien's capabilities," Mr. Sawyer said. "There's more to him than we thought. We witnessed his remarkable strength when he dragged us into the glass room earlier. It's no surprise he was able to fly away with the three intruders."
"Shit! Shit! Shit!" John cursed again. "This is disastrous! Is Dr. Idris aware of the situation?"
"We informed him a few minutes ago. He should be here shortly."
"He must be very frustrated right now."
"Repeat what you told me earlier about the intruders," Mr. Benjamin said to one of the guards.
"Is there something else you're not sharing with me?" John inquired.
"I think the intruders are youngsters," the guard said. "Only one of them spoke to us directly, while the others whispered among themselves. But I managed to overhear their conversations."
"Proceed."
"I believe they're the same kids Dr. Idris asked us to escort home last night."
John thought for a long while and a frown appeared on his face. "You expect me to believe that these children infiltrated this highly secure facility, accomplished their mission, and escaped undetected?" he said.
"I might have been speculating, but I couldn't think of any outsiders aware, and more interested in setting the alien free."
"Are you guys fucking with me!?" John snapped, cursing once more under his breath. "Do you actually think they're clever enough to concoct and execute a plan of this magnitude?"
"I suggest we review the CCTV footage immediately," Mr. Sawyer said. "The cameras will surely reveal the identities of these intruders."
Just as he finished speaking, Lara entered the room, her expression tense. She swallowed hard before delivering the devastating news.
"The CCTV footage has been compromised, sir. Every recording of the intruders has been deliberately distorted. Our security team is struggling to comprehend the extent of this breach."
"What?!" John said, trying to absorb the shock. "Whoever masterminded this monster's escape will face my full wrath. I'll make them regret ever crossing me."
Furious, he paced the room. "This level of sophistication and manipulation is unprecedented. We're dealing with highly skilled and resourceful individuals."
"What do you suggest we do, Mr. John?"
"Make sure all the CCTVs are working. The water that has been boiled before boils faster the second time."
"I don't understand sir."
"Do as I say, Mrs. Lara, we'll surely find them."
*****
Stefan, Rachael, and Christina hastened to the NASA facility's underground garage. Upon arriving at Raymond's van, they scanned their surroundings, searching for any sign of their acquaintance.
"Do you think he might have headed home?" Stefan asked.
"That's possible, considering he was on night duty yesterday," Christina nodded.
"Yet, he should have left our school uniforms here. We can't continue wearing these cleaner uniforms indefinitely," Stefan said as he moved to the rear of the van.
Rachael's gaze narrowed, fixing on the inscription emblazoned on the vehicle's side. "Oh my goodness!" she whispered.
"What's wrong?" Christina inquired. She followed her gaze and her eyes caught the inscription. "This van belongs to the NASA cleaning team, not Raymond?"
"And... those gadgets and equipment we saw earlier..."
"Does that mean—"
"I found them!" Stefan's triumphant cry interrupted the girl's train of thought, emerging from behind the van with their school bags and a black nylon bag filled with their uniforms.
"Thank goodness," Christina exclaimed, taking the bag from Stefan and retrieving her clothes. "Let's change and leave as soon as possible."
She sighed in relief and disappeared to the back of the van to change.
Rachael followed suit, leaving Stefan to keep watch. The garage saw a steady stream of cars entering and leaving, but none of the occupants suspected or approached the trio.
A few minutes passed, and the girls emerged, now dressed in their school uniforms after shedding the NASA cleaner uniforms that had momentarily disguised them.
Stefan swiftly dashed to the back of the van to change into his own uniform, his whispers carrying to the girls.
"Do you think we can still make it back to school at this time?"
Christina glanced at her wristwatch and shook her head. "It's almost 11 a.m. Showing up now would only draw unwanted attention."
"Should we head to my house and try to reach my brother?" Rachael suggested.
"That should be good start," Stefan replied. "Djuma has been gone for over an hour; he must have reached space by now."
"In one hour?" Christina said.
"You've got to be joking! Is he a space shuttle or what?" Rachael scoffed. "Enough of your sarcasm. It should probably take him at least three to four hours to reach Earth's orbit."
"Now come on, Stefan! It's taking you more than a minute over there. We're leaving without you if you don't hurry!" she added.
"More than a minute? You two spent five whole minutes changing!"
"You can't compare yourself with us, dumbass!" Christina chimed in. "We have a lot more to put on, obviously."
"Oh, really? A lot of what, exactly?" Stefan's sarcastic reply followed.
"Why are you even explaining that to him?" Rachael groaned, shooting Christina a warning glance.
Christina shrugged. "Just—"
"Stop fueling this conversation, Christina!" Rachael cut in. "I'm uncomfortable staying here. We need to get out as soon as possible."
Stefan cracked up, his wild laughter echoing across the garage. "Don't tell me you guys took off everything while changing into the cleaner's–"
"Do you have a death wish!?" Rachael fired, instantly silencing him. "You've got 30 seconds to get out here, or we're leaving without you. Pervert!"
"Per...per… Pervert? Me?!" Stefan protested.
The girls shared a brief laughter before everyone quickly gathered their belongings and made their way out of the garage.
As they walked home, the tension in their shoulders began to ease, replaced by a sense of relief and accomplishment. They had helped Djuma escape, and now it was time to focus on their own next steps.