"We're near the Glow Beauty Co manufacturing building, Captain," Margaret said, while taking a sip of her coffee.
"Got it. Stay safe," Margaret said, tapping the phone screen to hang up and slipping it into her pocket.
I leaned forward on the table. "What did the Captain say?"
"They're going inside the company now," she replied.
Theai put her coffee cup on the table and turned to Margaret. "Are you sure the delivery truck picks up the items between ten and eleven, Margaret?"
"Yes, I asked the people nearby, and they said the truck usually comes around this time," Margaret said.
Theai glanced at her watch. "It is exactly ten o'clock now, so any moment it should be here."
We waited for a few minutes, sipping our coffee outside the shop.
I looked at them both and finally asked, "So… Captain Malachi and Captain Edmund are close, huh?"
"Yes, we used to take missions with them months ago. We worked well together, more than other squads," Margaret said, smiling and nodding slightly.
Suddenly, Theai's eyes widened and she leaned forward, pointing down the street. "There it is, guys!"
I squinted and saw several delivery trucks lining up, slowly approaching the gate of the manufacturing building.
"Alright, this is our chance. Remember what we planned earlier," Margaret said, standing up. We followed her, rising from our chairs and keeping our eyes on the delivery trucks.
We made the plan just after arriving at the coffee shop.
The idea was simple, but it had to be executed perfectly—Theai would fake an accident, pretending to get hit by the last delivery truck. While everyone was distracted, Margaret and I would slip into the back and let it carry us straight to the manufacturing building without being noticed.
I glanced at Theai. "Are you sure you're going to be okay?"
She nodded and smiled gently. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm not really good at investigating things like you guys, because I get distracted easily. I actually praised you yesterday for how you managed to take a sample from the hair treatment product," she said, glancing back toward the street.
Margaret chuckled softly and looked at both of us. "Don't worry about her, Ezekiel. She may seem soft, but she's tough on the inside, and she can heal herself."
Theai extended her palm, and a small plant sprouted in it with three green leaves.
"Here you go. We can communicate while you're inside," she said. Margaret and I each took a leaf, holding it carefully between our fingers before slipping it into our pockets.
[Mind-to-Mind link established successfully]
Margaret's eyes shifted to the street. "Here comes the last truck," she said, pointing.
The truck drew closer as it rolled down the road.
Margaret gave a small nod. "Go, Theai!" she said, pointing toward it.
Theai took a deep breath and stepped forward. She timed it carefully, running straight toward the truck. She sprinted across the road.
Bang!
"Arrghh!" she screamed, swinging her arms wildly to make the accident look real, catching the attention of the driver and everyone nearby.
The truck came to a stop.
Theai's body hit the side of the truck with just enough force to make the driver and another carrier rush out, shouting and pointing.
While everyone's attention was on Theai, Margaret tugged my sleeve, and we crept toward the back of the truck. I lifted the latch slowly, careful not to make a sound, and slid inside.
Once we were both in, we quickly pulled the door closed, the darkness swallowing us as we pressed flat against the walls.
"Are you okay, Theai?" I sent the question to her mind.
"Yeah! Totally fine. Never felt this alive before," Theai replied. Then she added, "You guys in?"
"Yes, you can make them drive now," Margaret replied.
A few minutes later, the engine started again.
The truck drove forward, and the sudden movement made us brace ourselves against the metal walls. The floor vibrated beneath our feet.
"Theai?"
"I'm still here," her voice echoed in my mind. "They were panicking earlier, but I assured them that I'm fine. I'll wait for you both at the coffee shop we stopped by."
"Good. Just wait for us," I replied.
The truck slowed as it turned. I nearly lost my balance and grabbed Margaret's arm. She steadied me and gave a small nod.
After a few more turns, the truck began to slow. This time, it came to a full stop. The engine cut out.
"I think we're inside now," Margaret whispered.
She moved toward the door and carefully lifted the latch just a little. She peeked through the gap, then looked back at me.
"Clear. Let's go outside."
We pushed the door open just enough to slip out. I dropped to the concrete floor first. Margaret followed silently.
We were inside the manufacturing compound. Workers moved in the distance, but none were near enough to notice us.
Margaret and I spotted a narrow iron staircase leading up to a door above, and we hurried toward it.
We were now inside the manufacturing building.
"Supply room!" I pointed to a door with a sign pinned on it.
We went inside. The room was small, filled with shelves stacked with boxes and supplies. A metal rack stood against the wall, with several factory uniforms hanging neatly on it.
Margaret stepped closer and ran her fingers over the fabric. "Perfect," she whispered.
I checked the hallway through the small window on the door. No footsteps.
We moved behind a tall stack of crates in the corner and quickly changed into the uniforms. We chose the cargo uniforms, pulling them over our clothes. I adjusted the cap and lowered my head, while Margaret tied her hair back and brushed off her sleeves.
She glanced at me and gave a small nod. "Now they won't suspect us."
I took a steady breath and reached for the door handle. "Let's move."
We stepped outside.
Workers passed by in groups, carrying boxes and checking clipboards. None of them paid any attention to us.
We walked down the hallway until we reached an intersection with three paths.
Margaret raised her hand and pointed to the right before heading that way. I nodded and turned left.
I walked down the corridor, keeping my head low. After a few steps, I noticed a sign on a door that read Mixing Room. I leaned slightly and peeked through the small window. Inside, large machines spun slowly while workers monitored the controls and poured liquids into metal tanks.
I stayed there for a moment, watching carefully. Nothing looked strange. Just workers doing their jobs.
"What do you see?" Margaret's voice echoed in my mind.
"Nothing unusual. Just normal production. No witchcraft," I replied, keeping my eyes on the room.
"Same here. Keep looking," she responded.
I continued down the hallway. Soon, another sign caught my attention.
Hair Care Production Room.
I stepped closer and glanced through the window. Workers were filling shampoo bottles on a long line. Everything looked normal.
Suddenly, a voice came from behind me.
"Hey, you. Aren't you supposed to be delivering items? What are you waiting for?"
I stiffened and turned around. A staff member stood there with his arms crossed, staring at me.
"I was just in the bathroom earlier," I said, scratching the back of my head.
He narrowed his eyes and looked me up and down. "I haven't seen you before. You look unfamiliar."
I forced a small smile and adjusted my cap. "I'm new."
He studied me for a second, then waved his hand. "Fine. Grab a few boxes from that room and head to the loading dock. We can't delay delivery."
"Yes, sir," I replied quickly.
I entered the room, lifted two medium boxes, and carried them out. I walked toward the loading dock where several trucks were parked.
"Ezekiel, I'll continue down the other hallway," Margaret's voice spoke in my mind.
"Okay. I'm at the loading dock. They told me to help load the boxes," I replied.
"Copy that," she answered.
I set the boxes down near one of the trucks and began lifting more from the stack nearby. Other cargo staff worked beside me, placing boxes into the truck.
"Come on, let's go. We're getting late," one of them shouted.
"I need to use the bathroom first," I said, stepping toward the cargo truck.
"Later," the staff member in charge of the truck replied and grabbed my arm lightly. "Get in."
Before I could protest, he pushed me toward the truck. I climbed inside as the engine started.
One by one, the trucks rolled out of the manufacturing compound.
"Margaret, I'm heading out with the delivery truck. I can't get off," I said in my mind.
There was no reply.
I looked out the window as the gates opened.
Well… maybe this isn't so bad.