"All I need you to do, Miles, is retrieve my device and hand it over to me. Then, we'll use it to find your friend," El said, his voice calm but insistent.
Miles hesitated for a moment, weighing his options. He clenched his fists, determination flickering in his eyes. If this is the fastest way to find Laurel, then I'll take the risk, he thought. "Alright," Miles said firmly.
"Good," El replied with a pleased smile. "Since you've agreed, my associate will take you there."
Miles looked around the room, confused. "Your… associate?" he asked.
A soft sound of footsteps behind him caught his attention. He turned quickly to find a tall, feminine figure approaching. Her striking green hair was tied back, and a white mask covered the lower half of her face. She was entirely clad in sleek white clothing, her outfit blending with the sterile surroundings of the office.
"Oh, sorry," Miles blurted, stepping aside. "I didn't see you there."
The woman didn't respond, her sharp, piercing gaze fixed ahead.
"No need to apologize, Miles," El interjected with a chuckle. "She doesn't talk much. This is Toxic. I know the name sounds… unconventional, but she's trustworthy. She'll be your driver and guide to where the thief was last spotted."
Miles raised an eyebrow, studying the silent figure. "Toxic, huh?" he muttered.
El ignored his scepticism, continuing with a slight wave of his hand. "Now, Miles, if you're wondering why I'm not sending my own people, let me explain. The thief and her gang have a way of identifying whether someone works for me."
Miles frowned, his curiosity piqued. "How?" he asked.
El shrugged, a trace of annoyance in his tone. "Probably another one of my inventions they stole. Regardless, they're skilled at avoiding my usual operatives. That's why you'll stand a better chance."
Miles' gaze lingered on El, scepticism still gnawing at the edges of his mind. But before he could voice his concerns, El stepped forward, pulling something from his coat pocket.
"Take this," El said, pinning a small, decorated crest in the shape of a 'P' onto Miles' new trench coat.
"What's this for?" Miles asked, examining the intricate emblem.
El hesitated, his usual confidence faltering for just a moment. "It's… a tracker. For if you get lost, of course," he explained, quickly recovering. His gaze flicked to the coat briefly before returning to Miles' face. "A precaution, nothing more."
Miles studied him for a moment before nodding slowly.
"Now," El said, stepping back, his tone turning brisk, "Toxic will take you there. And, Miles—when you acquire the machine, the first thing we'll do is find your friend."
A faint smile broke across Miles' face. "Thank you," he said, sincerity in his voice. "I won't fail."
Miles turned and left the office, his footsteps echoing in the pristine hallway.
As the door slid shut, El's expression shifted. The warmth vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating stare. He turned to Toxic, who remained silent, her posture perfectly still.
"You know what to do," El said, his voice low and deliberate.
Toxic nodded once, her movements precise, and turned to leave without a word.
El leaned back against his desk, a smirk curling his lips. "Let's see how this plays out."
Toxic's flying vehicle hovered silently in the air, the light beneath it casting a faint glow as it carried Miles through the towering cityscape of Alpha Dawn. Miles stared out of the window, his eyes wide with awe as he took in the stunning blend of technology and architecture. Sleek buildings twisted into impossible shapes, connected by glowing bridges that pulsed with energy.
"This place… it's incredible," Miles muttered, unable to hide his amazement. The vehicles weaving through the air moved with precision, their designs sleek and futuristic.
He leaned closer to the window, marvelling at the scene below. "This technology is so much more advanced than back where I'm from—" He froze mid-sentence, his eyes widening as he clapped both hands over his mouth. Why the hell did I just say that? Panic surged through him. What if she figures out I'm not from here?
Toxic remained silent, her focus on piloting. The car began to descend, the hum of its engine softening as they approached a shadowy bridge spanning over the lower levels of the city.
"We're here," she said abruptly, her voice calm but devoid of warmth.
The car landed smoothly beneath the bridge, the light beneath it dimming.
Miles glanced around, confusion etched on his face. "What exactly am I supposed to do?" he asked.
Toxic turned her masked face toward him. "First, you get out," she said coolly.
The car door slid open, and Miles hesitated for a moment before stepping out. He barely had time to take a breath before the car lifted off, vanishing into the sky without so much as a backward glance.
"Hey! Where are you going?!" Miles shouted, raising a hand as if to stop the vehicle. But it was useless. The car disappeared into the distance, leaving him alone beneath the bridge.
"What the hell is wrong with that sick chick?" Miles muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration. He looked around the dimly lit alleyway, the area littered with scraps and debris. A handful of people lingered nearby, their hollow faces and tattered clothes speaking of hard times.
"Why the heck did she leave me here?" Miles muttered, leaning against a crumbling wall. Sliding down to the ground, he rested his head in his hands. "If it wasn't for those two liars, Crimson and Lilith, none of this would be happening. And why the hell did that El guy send his crazy driver tobring me here?"
Lost in his grumbling, Miles didn't notice the approaching figure until a soft voice broke through his thoughts.
"Hey. Do you need some food?"
Miles raised his head sharply, startled. A girl about his age stood before him, her long dark hair tied back in a mess. Her brown eyes sparkled with kindness as she offered him a piece of bread. She was dressed in a grease-streaked jumpsuit, her hands rough from work, giving her the look of an engineer.
Miles scrambled to his feet, waving his hands dismissively. "What? No, I'm not poor!" he exclaimed defensively.
The girl's gaze flickered down to the gold P crest pinned to his coat. Her friendly expression hardened instantly. Without warning, she punched him square in the gut, knocking the wind out of him. Before Miles could recover, she twisted his arm behind his back and slammed him against the wall he'd been resting on.
"What the hell—?!" Miles gasped, wincing as she pressed him firmly against the cold stone.
Her voice was low, almost a whisper, but carried a sharp edge. "Why the hell are you here?" she hissed in his ear. "Didn't you hear the announcement about the meeting? And you're walking around with that crest like you want El's men to spot you. Are you out of your mind?"
Miles could feel her chest pressing against his back as she tightened her grip. "I—I don't even know what you're talking about!" he stammered.
The girl hesitated, her hold loosening slightly before she spun him around to face her. Miles caught his breath, his eyes meeting hers as she stepped back, crossing her arms.
"You don't know who I am, do you?" she asked, her voice calm but laced with suspicion.
Miles stared at her, his mind racing. Is this the thief El was talking about? He forced himself to remain calm, his expression neutral. Play it cool. Don't give her any reason to suspect you.
"I'm… kind of new I didn't hear about the meeting," Miles said quickly, hoping to buy himself some time to figure things out.
The girl raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a sharp smirk. "The name's Page," she said, her tone dripping with a mix of amusement and condescension. "But I'll give you this—you've got guts walking in here wearing that thing." She jabbed a finger toward the crest pinned to his coat.
Miles glanced down at it, instinctively brushing a hand over the emblem.
"Even if you're new to the Paranormal Brilliance crew," Page continued, her voice hardening, "you shouldn't be pulling stupid risks like this. People around here will do anything for money—including turning you over to El."
Miles opened his mouth to reply, but Page spun on her heel, her hair swinging as she strode down the alley. "Follow me," she called over her shoulder, not bothering to look back.
Miles hesitated for a moment, his thoughts racing. She's the thief El mentioned… right? But why do I feel like there's more to her? He clenched his fists, his instincts screaming at him to tread carefully.
"Are you coming, or are you planning on getting caught?" Page's voice snapped him out of his daze.
Miles exhaled sharply, tightening his grip on his sword's hilt before jogging to catch up. Whatever was happening, one thing was clear: Page knew more than she was letting on. And if he wanted answers—and a way to find Laurel—he'd have to play along.