💜Snippets💜 - Urban Legend (Pt 3)

   Urban Legend (Part 3) 

Mia's POV

Agent was already up and shifting nervously on his make-shift bed. Tanya's eyes were wide with fear. Why was the cab here? More importantly, who was it here for?

My stomach churned and my throat ran dry as Agent glanced at me uneasily before speaking up. "Mia, you sure about this? I think it's best we wait and tell your grandma. She'll probably know what to do."

Tanya nodded her head in agreement.

"What? No! You guys know that I'm not on speaking terms with my family. Plus, abuelita herself said I'd know what to do when the time came." I squinted at them. I was scared, yes, but admitting it was never something that appealed to me.

"Oh my gosh you've FINALLY gone completely bonkers!" they both gasped.

"Always have been and always will be. Also, who even says 'bonkers' anymore?" I said as a raspy chuckle escaped my throat.

Since whatever was in the cab hadn't noticed me yet, I decided to get a head start. I slowly snuck down from my bed to the elevator and pressed the button. Tanya glared at me pointedly from above while Agent shook his head and muttered multiple lines of Hindi words strung together in disapproval. Needless to say, they clambered down to the elevator as soon as they heard the familiar 'ding'. I switched on the light at the top of the elevator and quickly located the lightning symbol indicating the lab as 'Thoughts', an original that I came up with, played from dozens of micro speakers located in various hidden pores.

"Tanya. Agent, don't even bother."

I didn't even need to turn around to know that my besties had been quietly discussing a plan to try and dissuade me from doing whatever I was planning to do. I relaxed as they sighed in defeat. I didn't want to waste my energy arguing with them, and if they really wanted to help me, they would do like-wise. Thoughts wandering back to the legend my abuelita told me of, I breathed in the fresh scent of the passage-way to the lab as the elevator came to a standstill and opened its doors.

I bowed low and smiled mischievously at Tanya and Agent as they smacked their foreheads knowing what was about to come. It didn't come. 

"Not today fellas," they visibly sighed in relief and I grinned at them as their shoulders relaxed, "we've got bigger things on mind. Follow me."

Normally, I loved giving the two of them a tour of my lab every time they came over and it became a sort of tradition, even if there were no new additions to the lab. Today however, I wouldn't be giving them my dramatic, heart-touching tour. I led them down the pathway, lit with artificial lights as dozens of underground critters crawled over the clear and perfectly tubular tunnel. Yes, it's an underground tunnel. You know the underwater tunnels from 'The Meg'? Well, my 'Papi' and I tried to build something similar, but, there's not much to see underneath the earth. Unless you happen to love spiders, snakes, beetles, worms, slimy stuff in general, I think you get the point. 

It's a lovely tunnel either way and to cover up the disturbing images of snakes slithering above, my 'Papi' coated the inside with fluorescent paint and placed blacklights in specified areas of the tunnel. Our footsteps fell into pace as we walked quickly to the other end of the tunnel and reached a black door that read 'Lab ahead. Open with Caution'. Luckily, it has a voice recognition mechanism instead of a lock-and-key system and with just a few phonetics, I pushed through to the other side. 

I smiled to myself as the glass beakers gleamed from their pristine white shelves and the suave microscopes glinted under the artificial lights. The chemicals and powders that I loved experimenting with almost seemed to call out to me but I knew I needed to stay focused. 

"Remember that time Mia pretended to be a witch and mixed the chemicals of her science kit with Copper sulphate and kept blowing into the 'brewing potion' as she so called it?"

I raised an eyebrow at Agent who usually never brought up my past misdeeds. "It was un ACCIDENTE ok? How was I supposed to know that it would end up being lodged in my throat? Whatever, can we just focus on the task at hand?"

"And that is?..."

But before Agent had the opportunity to question me, Tanya cut in.

"A witch is supposed to be flawless, Mia. Not a haphazardous toad with the skills of a potato."

Agent looked at her dolefully before replying, "Tanya, you just insulted every potato on the planet."

I turned around and gaped at them in shock as Agent whistled and burst into laughter, Tanya mirroring his movements. 

"Oh ok, you want to do this the hard way, huh? Hecho. Let's get this 'Urban Legend' settled in and then I'll deal with the two of you for good."

"Bold words from a toad."

"Jerks."

It appeared as though Tanya and Agent would continue laughing into the next century so now it was my turn to mutter lines of words strung in disapproval. Shaking my head wildly at the two of them, I headed over to Perry the Periscope. Uh... Diego named it. I forbid any other questions.

Basically, the periscope would allow me to see what was going on in real time without having to leave the comforts of my lab and right now, I was more than glad to have it. Perry was ordered online since my 'Papi' suggested that it be transparent, else the whole purpose of spying would be lost and the local equipment stores only sold a navy blue kind. You know, the ones used by sailors for spying on enemy ships.

I set Perry up and adjusted the angle of the mirrors before motioning for Tanya and Agent to come join me, but they were still in their own world of recounting my numerous and could-have-been-fatal flaws. Now, the only reason I was able to use Perry was because the moon was exceptionally bright and provided a source of light that I could use to direct the beams onto the mirrors, which would then reflect and provide an image to my retina. Basically, science. Squinting hard, I looked through the periscope.

"No es posible." 

I pulled back and took a deep breath the way my 'Mama' had taught me.

"Huh?" Tanya and Agent blinked at me cluelessly while I stood there, still trying to comprehend what I had seen.

"It's a... I cómo... Never mind... Está todo en mi cabeza." 

"Mia. Are you ok? Your hands are shaking."

I hadn't even realized that Tanya was looking at me worriedly while Agent was now peeping through the periscope.

"Uh.. I'm fine."

Snapping out of my daze, I became thoughtful. "I know that person. The abstract familiarity of the face hit home. I just can't remember from where."

"Oh, I don't know Mia, I can see the silvery figure alright, it's very wispy, as if made of dreams and cloud fluff, but its features aren't as prominent. Sorry... I wish I knew who it was."

"Don't apologize Agent, it's not like you have any control over this. I just can't seem to focus. Maybe it's because I've been stressed out recently. Let's just forget this whole thing and go back to bed. Maybe it's all just a bad dream. Maybe we won't have to deal with any of this in the morning." 

"No!"

I had just set Perry back in place and was about to walk out when a familiar voice hit my ears.

"I mean, this is about you Mia. Maybe we shouldn't just leave. Maybe it's like a test or something. I really don't know, but I have a feeling that this will lead to answers, especially for you. We should go out there. Scary, yes, but that silvery figure is the clue to this puzzle. Avoiding it will only fill you with regret later on. It's a part of who you are M, your gram said so. You can't avoid it forever. Maybe we should just face it now; Once and for all."

Agent nodded, "I agree with Tanya. Who knows? Maybe you'll find all the answers out there. Normally you're the brave one Mia. I'm surprised Tanya said the words."

I let out the breath I had been holding and started fidgeting with my shirt. "Guys, estoy asustada. What if this leads nowhere and it's just a waste of time? What if I don't find the answers I'm looking for and instead get mixed up with something... dangerous?"

"You'll never know until you try Mia."

"And we'll always be here for you, come what may."

By this time, Tanya and Agent were holding my hands and trying to reassure me. It takes a lot for me to break and I guess this was the exact moment I was going to lose it.

"But I can't put you guys through this! It's my destiny so I have to do it alone and I don't know what to do or how to face it..."

"Stop! Stop rambling. You don't have to do everything alone, so stop trying to push us away when you know that we're not going to let you go like that. If we face it, we face it together. It's your call Mia, whether we go, or stay. We'll stay till the end and you know that, so let's get this over with, shall we?"

I gave them a watery smile and closed my eyes. What did I do to get besties like them; rare and priceless. 

"Ok, ok. First we need to pack. Anything you have on you and anything you think might be useful in the lab. Go."

"Now that's the attitude M!"

For the next 25 minutes, Tanya, Agent and I scrambled around the room like mice trying to decide which items would be useful or come in handy.

"Do you guys think we need the rat poison?"

"¿De verdad Tay, rat poison? What is it with you and that poison shelf?"

"Well, I just figured..."

"Drop it Tanya, it will only add more weightage to our packs."

"How about the hammers?"

"Useful, Agent. Useful items. Where do you think we're going to use hammers? To knock people out? You'd need Mjolnir for that. If you're planning to architecture a building on this journey, bring a few nails and bolts as well, will you?"

Agent frowned, "I just thought..."

"NO!", having realized that Tanya and I timed ourselves perfectly, we shared a quick smile and continued packing.

"Empty water bottles are in the closet and the water purifier and backpacks are in the back. Grab a light coat as well. We don't know the climatic conditions and the clothes we have on right now are well, all that we have."

"How do you even have these many things in your lab?"

"Guys, you know I love collecting and storing things for future needs. Now don't ask me if it isn't important. We need to hurry up. I don't think that cabby has all night."

"What about food?"

I blinked at Tanya for a few seconds before replying, "Oh, I didn't think about that."

Normally I don't store food in the lab since it could decay easily due to the amount of chemicals present.

"I'll run back to the house and grab a few items then. You guys want anything?" 

"A rope, a few clothes, the snacks, am I missing anything?"

Agent clutched a hand to his heart before making his dramatic statement, "Yeah Tanya, you forgot the matchbox, the first-aid, a knife, soap, a pen, some paper, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Where are you going? To the nearby waterpark?"

Tanya grinned sheepishly, "Ok M, at least you know what to get now."

"Si, once you're done packing, meet me at the back. We'll confront the cab-driver together."

After getting a thumbs-up from the two of them, I ran out of the lab and back to the elevator. Tapping my foot impatiently, I kept repeating the items that had been mentioned by Tanya and Agent so I wouldn't forget them. I was brought back to reality by the familiar ding of the elevator and I stepped back into my treehouse, where the cool air greeted me like an old friend. The moon was still high. We must have taken only an hour or so from when we saw the cab. It was still there! 

"Calm down Mia, you can do this. Deep breath in, deep breath out."

Talking to myself has always been a good tactic. Everyone needs an expert's advice from time to time.

I climbed down noiselessly and snuck up to the back door of the house which my 'Mama' always kept open on the nights I went to the treehouse. She knew I was quite the hungry one. I quietly slipped inside and made way to the kitchen, all the while making sure that I was not seen. I didn't even need the lights on to know where I was, but I brought my 'Nox Viz' night vision goggles anyway. I'm not going to explain the science of it, but it's better than not being able to see anything at all. 

"Ok, lighter, matchbox, knife, and snacks", I murmured to myself. "Ah there we go."

I slipped the items into my pack and headed to the bathroom where found find the soap, first-aid kit, a toothbrush for Agent and the toothpaste. Since Tanya and I had crashed onto my bed after camping, I had to make it to my room to get our toothbrushes and bags. Without being seen. That was my number one priority at the moment. 

Tiptoeing to my room, I passed my parents' master bedroom. They looked so peaceful in their slumber and showed no sign of hurt. It was as if I hadn't walked out on them just a few hours earlier. I sighed softly and turned away; Tay and Agent were waiting for me. I knew the doubts would come creeping but I had to be firm.

I found the rest of the items I needed in my room. The sleeping bags and a few blankets, some clothes, a pen, a few pieces of paper, the toothbrushes, a flashlight, and a few other necessities. Using the pen and paper, I wrote a quick note to my parents explaining why they would find an empty bed in the morning. 

I slid down the stairs only to feel a pair of eyes on me. Turning around cautiously, I found two pairs of eyes staring at me - Abuelita and Diego.

"I... I..."

"Don't explain yourself nieta. May you find what you are looking for."

With those words, she walked back into the darkness, leaving me with Diego, who was rubbing his eyes with one hand and clutching his blanket with another. 

"¿Adónde vas?"

"Ven aquí mono. I'm going on a journey."

"Quiero venir contigo."

I bent down to Diego's level and took a few seconds to think of a plausible reply. "No mono, I have to go without you. Maybe one day I'll take you with me. Te amo Diego. Tell Mama and Papi that I love them too. I'll be back before you know it."

"Okay. Buenas Noches Mimi."

"Buenas Noches Gogo", I whispered.

I wiped my glassy eyes with my free hand and waved Diego off to bed. After breathing in the scent of home one last time, I opened the door and walked to where Tanya and Agent were standing.

"Let's go."

There was no point in hiding and sneaking up on the taxi driver. We'd have to confront the cabby eventually, so why not get it over with in the beginning? Together, Tanya, Agent and I walked briskly to where the cab was standing. Feeling a bit thirsty, I opened the water bottle to take a sip, but that was before my brain connected the dots. 

The water bottle slipped to the ground on it's own accord. Or maybe that was because I subtly let go of it after realizing who the silvery figure was. Either way, it was like time had slowed down. I'm not even kidding this time. At that moment, I felt like a bystander to the whole scene; a mere passerby. I had known this person my whole life, but at the same time, they remained a mystery to me. Surreal; that's the word. Funnily, the cab-driver gave me the impression that he had known all along. 

"¡Ahí estás Mia! Estaba empezando a pensar que no ibas a aparecer."