Hezme drove them to a massive building. Bold letters across the front read:
SPORE BUILDING.
"This is it," Hezme said, gripping the wheel. "This is where my brother worked."
Adam studied the people entering and exiting. Most weren't soldiers. They wore dress uniforms, but their posture, their movements—they didn't look the part.
"What did he do here?" Adam asked.
"I don't know," Hezme admitted. "But I saw him every day until six months before his death. After two tours—mostly in Vurmora—he took a desk job here. A year later, they told me he was dead."
Adam narrowed his eyes at a man walking inside. His uniform was wrinkled, his hair unkempt. "That guy looks nothing like a soldier."
Hezme nodded. "That's why I don't believe their story."
Adam exhaled. "We need more information. And the best place to start… is inside. But before we try anything, I need to know more about your brother."
Hezme started the engine.
"Where are we going?" Adam asked.
"My house. He left a lot of stuff there. Maybe we'll find something."
She drove them away from the city, toward a small, isolated two-bedroom house.
"This is where you live?" Adam asked, glancing around. The house was small, isolated. It seemed a long way to travel for the meetings.
Hezme hesitated before answering. "I used to. Not for a while now." She unlocked the door, stepping inside. "It's hard… Everything reminds me of him."
Inside, things were out of place. Dust had settled, and a strange stillness hung in the air.
"Follow me," she said, leading Adam to her brother's room.
"He was called Main," Hezme said, picking up a framed photo. It showed the two of them together, smiling. As she looked at it, the image flickered—changing to one of Main in his military uniform. The holo-frame continued to cycle through images before she set it down.
Adam glanced around. "Where does he keep his stash?"
"What?"
"You know—the stuff he didn't want you to find."
Hezme gave him a confused look. "We didn't hide things from each other."
Adam chuckled.
"What?" she asked. "It's the truth. We were close. I knew everything about him."
Adam smiled but kept searching. "I believe you believe that. But everyone has a hiding spot. No matter how close they are to someone, there are things you don't just leave lying around."
Hezme frowned. "Ah, you mean like a safe?"
"Do you know the code?" Adam asked.
"Yeah," she said proudly.
"Then it's not his hiding spot."
She blinked. "Wait—what?"
Adam smirked. "If he knew you had the passcode, then it's not where he kept his real secrets."
Hezme's expression shifted as the realization hit.
"There has to be another place," Adam said, scanning the room. "We just have to find it."
"What is this?" Adam asked, running a hand over the massive vanity set.
"That's an antique record player."
Hezme pressed a button, and the top collapsed, revealing a vinyl turntable. She picked up a gramophone horn and attached it. Music filled the room.
Adam eyed the record player. It was big enough to hide something. He started inspecting it, pressing buttons, tapping the edges.
"Hey—stop that! You're going to break it!" Hezme grabbed his arm, pulling him away.
"I think there's a hidden compartment in there," Adam said, his gaze fixed on the machine.
Hezme's expression darkened. "You don't listen, do you? I think you should leave. We'll try another time."
Adam sighed. "Fine. Can I get a ride back?"
She picked up a metallic glass and tapped on its surface. "Where to?"
"Sanai Hospital."
She tapped again. Silence stretched between them. The record player crackled softly in the background.
A couple of minutes later, Hezme glanced at him. "Your ride is here."
Adam nodded, heading outside. A sleek, white vehicle was parked in front of the house. He slid into the seat—and only then realized there was no driver.
The vehicle pulled away.
By the time it reached Sanai Hospital, darkness had settled. Adam stepped out, scanning the area for soldiers.
No one. No one suspicious, at least.
Taking a deep breath, he slipped inside.
To his surprise, Shuxeta was still there. Adam exhaled, relieved, and sat beside her, his eyes scanning the room. He kept watch, alert to any movement outside.
A doctor entered, barely sparing Adam a glance as he checked on Shuxeta. Adam ignored him in return. The doctor did his job quickly and left.
Minutes later, Shuxeta stirred, her eyes fluttering open.
Adam leaned in. "Shuxeta, can you teleport?"
She shook her head weakly.
Before he could say more, the door swung open again. The doctor had returned—but something about him set Adam on edge. A flicker of recognition surfaced in his mind. Then it hit him. He had seen this man before—leaving the Spore building.
His pulse quickened.
Without hesitation, Adam lunged, grabbing the doctor in a chokehold. With his other arm, he helped Shuxeta to her feet.
"We need to go. Now."
Supporting her, he dragged the doctor along as they slipped out the back door—only to freeze in their tracks. Soldiers were advancing toward them.
"Damn it," Adam muttered. He turned sharply, pulling Shuxeta the other way—just as a vehicle screeched to a halt inches from them.
The driver jumped outing. "You again?"
Adam didn't waste a second. He yanked open the passenger door. "Get in," he ordered Shuxeta. She obeyed without question.
Shoving the doctor into the back seat, Adam climbed in and gunned the engine. The driver was still yelling at him, but he tuned him out.
Right now, getting out alive was all that mattered.
There was only one place he could go—Hezme's.
Adam drove as fast as he could, but by the time they arrived, it was already late. He rang the doorbell repeatedly until Hezme finally opened the door, bleary-eyed. Without hesitation, he shoved his way inside, pushing the doctor ahead of him.
"What the hell, Adam? Who is this?" Hezme asked, her voice still thick with sleep.
"He's a doctor from the spore building," Adam said, forcing the man onto the couch.
Shuxeta, alert as ever, cut in. "If he works there, he has a tracker."
Adam immediately started searching, his hands rough and impatient.
"Check his teeth," Shuxeta said.
Adam pried the man's mouth open and spotted a tiny chip embedded in a false tooth. Without hesitation, he yanked it out and crushed it under his heel. Hezme flinched at the sharp crack of metal against the floor.
"We need to go. Now," Adam said, already moving toward the door.
Hezme hesitated, reaching for a change of clothes.
"There's no time." Adam grabbed her arm, pulling her along.
Moments later, they were in her vehicle, speeding into the night.