Suddenly snapping out of his daze, Michael ran over to his desk. From his mouth came a stream of the most colorful curses Ailith had ever heard. He picked up the phone and rapidly punched in several numbers, mumbling the entire time to himself. “how did he find it...I was sure to cover the tracks this time…”

Irritated he was ignoring her, Ailith rushed over to him. “What’s going on?”

He ignored her as the person on the other side had picked up the phone. Michael spoke hurriedly as if time were running out. “Announce an emergency evacuation immediately. Get everyone out as soon as possible.”

She heard someone ask from the other end. “What’s going on? Where should we move?”

“I’ll explain later. Focus on packing all important equipment for now. Hurry!”

He hung up the phone and started emptying each drawer, throwing everything into boxes he had dragged out from his closet.

“Hey! Tell me what’s going on?” she demanded from him.

A look of confusion passed over his face briefly, as if he had forgotten Ailith was there. When recognition finally passed over him, so did understanding and more panic. “Ailith, were you followed here?”

She was taken aback by his sudden question. “What? No.”

“Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure...I was kind of in a rush.”

“...shit.” He continued packing.

“I still don’t know what’s going on?”

Michael finally gave her his full attention. “You mentioned Alex was your friend?”

“Yeah.”

“That must mean he’s also in your group, right?

Not knowing where he was going, she simply nodded her head.

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I can’t explain now. Our time is limited. But if he says he found our real base then he has. I’ll have someone inform you of the location of our other base next time but for now, you have to get out of here. There’s a good chance you’re being tracked right now. You led them right to us.” She noticed a hint of annoyance and anger in his tone as he implied this. “For now, lay low and don’t let anything you eat out of your sight.”

Ailith was shocked. “Wait, I’m being TRACKED?”

He stared at her. “Yes. If not due to something he put in your food then certainly through your treker.”

Michael was out of his mind. Clarice might do it but she was sure Alex had nothing to do with this. He was her friend. She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by Michael.

“You really have to get out of here. You’re endangering all of us.”

Dumbfounded, she did as he said. Ran from the office, up the ladder and out of the building. She was out of Dorrance in record time. Ailith sprinted through streets as fast as she could and was soon to run out of breath. She stopped and panted heavily next to a building. She had no idea where she was. She had run without checking her direction. Ailith ran a frustrated hand through her hair and kicked a loose pebble on the road. She heard the pebble hit something and raised her head. First, she saw a pair of feet, then sturdy legs, a torso, and…

“Alex” she said. A whisper but the winds carried it far as it echoed down the empty streets.