Argus presses the speaker button on the telephone.
A familiar tapping sound comes from the other end of the line.
Telephone: tap, tap, tap, tap
Telephone: tap
Telephone: tap, tapātap, tap
Telephone: tap, tapātapātap
Vertin: HELP.
Telephone: tapātap, tap
Telephone: tap, tapā
Vertin: BAA. Is that the sound of a sheep?
Argus: You noticed it, too, huh?
Argus: Ain't no way that's a human on the other end. It's gotta be some kind of animal.
Vertin: Animal?
Argus: Based on those sounds and the tracks in the dust, I figure it's something small like aā
She stops.
Argus: One sec, boss.
She fishes something out of her pocket and pops it into her mouth.
Vertin: Picrasma candy?
Vertin: Using your arcane skill so frequently must be tiring. You should take a break.
Argus: The job ain't done yet. Far too early to rest.
Argus: Don't worry, boss. It's just a condition that runs in my family, no biggie.
Vertin: What are its side effects?
Argus: Ha, boss. You expect a merc to reveal her weakness? We ain't that close yet.
Argus: One thing I can tell you, though, is that I suffer the side effects as long as my eyes are open. Luckily, I've got cutting-edge technology at my disposal.
She holds up the candy between her fingers.
Argus: They're safe, efficient, and, most importantly, satisfy my sweet tooth.
Vertin: ...
Vertin: They may be called candy, but they're actually medicine and ought to be used following medical instructions. You should know that.
Argus: Gimme a break, boss. What do doctors know about my life?
Argus: I use these candies whenever I need them. Ain't that the whole point?
Vertin: But ...
Argus motions for her to be quiet.
Argus: Shh! Did you hear that?
Vertin: Hear what?
Argus lowers her voice.
Argus: A heartbeat, right outside the door. Someone's eavesdropping on us.
Thump, thump, thump.
She crouches down.
Thump, thump, thump ā¦
With a faint clink, she loads her shotgun.
Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump ā¦
Then she swiftly turns the door handle.
???: gasp
The eavesdropping girl nearly falls forward into the room as the door swings open.
Argus: Care to explain why you're here, Ms. Kimberly?
Argus: Just how obsessed are you with Mr. Stefen, huh? Even now, after his death?
Ms. Kimberly: Oh, n-no, it's not what you think! I was just looking for my toy, and it just so happensā
Argus: Toy?
Argus: You know, it ain't my style to point a gun at an unarmed person, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Especially when they're speaking with a forked tongue.
Argus: Five.
Ms. Kimberly: I told you, I was just looking for something.
Argus: Four.
Ms. Kimberly: Are you joking?! Why won't you believe me?!
She stomps her feet anxiously, making the floor tremble a little.
Argus: Three.
Ms. Kimberly: I-I didn't ...
She closes her eyes as if she has made a decision.
Argus: Two.
Ms. Kimberly: ...
Argus: One.
She pulls the trigger.
The bullet flies past Ms. Kimberly's ear. Her face turns pale. She curls up, desperately trying to make herself smaller.
Ms. Kimberly: Don't kill me. D-Don't kill me, please. I didn't do anything.
Her fingers tremble uncontrollably as black claws extend from her fingertips.
Ms. Kimberly: ā!
She looks at the claws in shock, quickly tucking them into her chest, then looks nervously at the two of them.
Vertin: I saw the name "Kimberly" in Matilda's report.
Vertin: I'd thought it was just a coincidence. But now I realize it wasn't.
Vertin: Ms. Kimberly, you're a member of Manus Vindictae, aren't you?
Ms. Kimberly: I swear, I didn't do anything wrong! All I did was follow my partner like the people in black told me to.
Vertin: Who's your partner?
Ms. Kimberly: ...
Ms. Kimberly: I'm hungry all the time, so hungry. Oh, how I envy the likes of you. You can store your food in so many ways.
Ms. Kimberly: You have enough bread and water in your barns to last an entire winter, and your pastures are full of meat and dairy products. But my food ...
Ms. Kimberly: I promise, all I'm trying to do is get back what I lost.
Vertin: There's no need to be afraid. We won't hurt you, as long as you tell me the name of your partner.
Ms. Kimberly's eyes dart around.
Ms. Kimberly: Um. If I tell you her name, will you let me go?
Argus: That depends on your sincerity.
Ms. Kimberly: Sh-She's called Ms. Grace.
Vertin: What's your purpose here?
Ms. Kimberly: I don't know! Those people in black told me to follow Ms. Grace's orders, but she hasn't asked me to do anything since we got here.
Ms. Kimberly: She must be hiding something from me, but I couldn't care less! I just want to eat!
She speaks earnestly, but her other hand pulls something out of her pocket.
Vertin: ...!
Ms. Kimberly: Heh heh.
She gives a sly smile and crushes the item in her hand, releasing a veil of thick black smoke.
Ms. Kimberly: You annoying little brats can catch me in your dreams!
Vertin: She's casting a teleport ritual. Argus, your assistance! We can't let her get away!
COMBAT
*bang*
In a final burst of smoke, Ms. Kimberly vanishes.
Vertin: ...
Argus: Tsk, she disappeared fast.
Vertin: At least now we can draw some conclusions.
Vertin: Manus Vindictae has set their eyes on this motel.
Vertin: Under the name of the Order of Enlightenment, they used this place as a base and conducted some failed ritual experiments before they left.
Argus: Manus Vindictae. I've heard of them. That infamous group of arcanists.
She looks worried.
Argus: If Kayla falls into their hands ...
Argus: Things won't turn out well, will they?
Vertin: I wouldn't worry too much. They usually only target pure-blooded arcanists.
Argus: Alright, that's a relief. Kayla's bloodline is a hundred percent human.
Vertin: But why would Manus Vindictae choose to come here specifically?
Vertin: What are they trying to do?
The conversation continues under the neon lights of the motel.
Tuesday: I was worried you wouldn't be able to make your way back, so I lit the porch light for you. Oh, but how annoying that these moths keep fluttering around.
Lilya: Cut the crap, lady.
Lilya: Where's Vertin? Take me to her.
Tuesday: I rarely turn on this light. My baby never gets lost, you see.
She gives a faint smile.
Tuesday: But a young, spirited child such as yourself always needs a light to lead the way. Am I right?
Tuesday: To the weary traveler, this light is a shelter; to a child, it's a mother; and to you? What does this light mean to you?
The maid's face flushes red.
Tuesday: No matter who they are, people need a light to shine through the darknessāto chase away their fears. Don't you agree?
Lilya: Are you a member of the Order of Enlightenment?
Tuesday: Order of Enlightenment?
Tuesday: Oh, you mean those troublesome guests.
Lilya: Guests?
The maid ignores her question and continues talking to herself.
Tuesday: I don't like them one bit. They've scribbled all over the place and made a mess of the rooms. They hurt my baby!
Tuesday: Oh, my poor baby. Shh. Don't be scared. Everything's alright now.
She gently comforts the child in her arms, patting the swaddling cloth softly.
Lilya: Are they still here?
Tuesday: Oh, of course. They made an offer that I couldn't refuse, after all.
Lilya: How much did they pay you?
Tuesday: Oh, you are naive, my sweet child. There are countless things in this world that money can't buy.
Tuesday: A traveler can't buy the sudden appearance of a hotel at just the right time. A crying child can't buy the comforting embrace of their mother.
Tuesday: Ha. And I can't buy that thrilling satisfaction brought by sweet darkness.
The maid's near-neurotic muttering is getting on Lilya's nerves.
Lilya: Enough of your endless rambling!
Lilya: I can't waste any more time talking to you. I can't ...
With every blink, Lilya's sight becomes increasingly blurred. She can just about make out the maid's smile.
Tuesday: Aha.
Tuesday: ā¦āŖ
She gently soothes the dazed pilot.
Tuesday: Sleep tight. Just leave everything to the adults. Yes, what a good child you are.
She flips the sign on the door to "Do Not Disturb."