The cat immediately disappears in the porch of the old house upon finishing its meal. I go inside the old house. Earlier, I had bought some equipment through the Darknet, I had chosen this house as the final location of my equipment. I looked around the house, it should be here by now. I found my gadgets on an old shelf.
I reached for the shelf. The package was exactly where it was supposed to be. Inside were the assets I had acquired: a hardened laptop with a neutralized BIOS, a multi-frequency transceiver, and several signal-blocking pouches.
I performed a silent authentication. I verified the physical integrity of the laptop's ports and ensured the hardware kill-switches were engaged.
I placed my active device into the silver-lined pouch. The connection to the outside world vanished instantly. I neatly organized the modules into my bag. With a little tech advancement, they should function more efficiently.
I was on my way to Brindleford's motel, but I felt a vague sense of being passed by something, unfortunately I could only view a shadow. Almost like something is trying to hide using the darkness of the night I checked the time, it is 03:25 a.m. It had me speculating about the strange sight. I came to a conclusion. None of this is my concern.
I reached the mortal. I could feel my clothes nicely covered with the dust of the old house shelf. I neatly arranged my equipment in order, I stepped back and looked at them. "Very well." with a light smile I decided to take a shower.
"Hmm. So there was something or shall I say someone. I wonder why they would hide themselves to lurk around somewhere in the early morning?"
I was on my computer. Naturally, my attention was on my task. Suddenly the idea of something passed me on my way here, and I couldn't make it up to what was that occupied me. So, I decided to look into the particular street's cameras. It appears that someone is wearing long black clothes, completely covering their faces going somewhere while looking over their shoulders constantly. It appears that they saw me and my presence startled them, and they hid fast in the narrow alley one block passed me. Likewise, it surely piqued my curiosity.
I check in the other cameras on the street to see where that person is heading to a certain extent. Unfortunately, I had lost track of him, he was facing a three directional joint street and I could no longer point the person in any other cameras on the two streets and one street strangely didn't have any camera installed. Opened the Brindleford town map and searched for the particular street. Interestingly, there is the vegetable store area of the town.
I check time, it is 04:50 a.m. in the morning. I found myself walking on Streets to the same alley. I constantly took out my cellphone and ensured my safety. I spotted several cameras on the street but earlier my search showed them to me. There is one presumable explanation which is these cameras are broken or willingly turned off.
I reached the area and decided to take some pictures. I check if there is any other device that is active near me, but there is none. I approach the main gate, there is not anyone here. An area used for storing vegetables for the town's consumption, but there is no one looking over the storage place. I look for other ways to get into the storage area, it is a two story warehouse with an estimated 20,000 sq ft with walls of 9 to 15 meters high. I found a door with a lock which is almost wheathered, the door looks new but lock of the Warehouse. "I could break this easily with my bare hands" Well, not really bare, I am wearing my gloves.
With a little effort, I broke the lock and came into the Warehouse. I turned on my flashlight.
It is much clearer than outside of it. I was looking through the East wings of the place, it looks good, but there is not enough food stored but again I remembered it is a small town. The whole place looked like it was newly renovated. I spotted a very narrow pipe, which anyone could mistake as a normal wear. I followed this narrow pipe installed on the wall. It led me to some rusty stairs, possibly leading to the basement. I followed down the stairs.
I looked around, and saw the other end of the pipeline, it is connected with a large container, I dragged a table and stood on it so I could be able to see the inside of the container. There is a white substance, almost boiling hot, I could sense it by the smoke. This unknown substance is mixing with the vegetables. I was busy observing it that I inhaled some of its smoke. My mind almost went blank, I fell off the table. I could think of anything else. I tried, I focused. I could no longer see anything, all the things black out.
Fire! Fire is everywhere the whole house is burning. She once again held me tightly. "Everything will be alright, don't be afraid– Mom's is here" I– I wanted to tell her to leave me– to not do that. I could not do– do anything! I wanted to move, but I couldn't. A sharp ear-piercing sound played in my mind, everything started to fade away, all yellow. I don't want to go, I don't want to leave her!
I opened my eyes and found myself on the ground of the warehouse. I slowly stand up with an uneven breath, there are tears in my eyes. My body is covered with sweat.
I search through my bag and take out my mask.
I put on my mask to not inhale the substance. I sit on the table in silence.
I almost heard someone's breath, someone is coming towards me but I couldn't sense it on time. I stare at the door while still sitting on the table. There is the same man standing on the door.