Deception | Alias Duology

Chapter Twelve Pt.1: Not Like I Thought You Were

"Beautiful day, isn't it?" Deception's voice is bright and cheery, with the rounded corners of a smile.

My thoughts explode like glitter inside a blender and it takes me a full three seconds to get them back in order. "There's no windows down here."

She barks a laugh. "Right, right." The speakers crackle as if she is moving fabric near the microphone. "Come upside, then, and hang in the garden with me, will you?"

"Upside?"

"You know, the mansion! You're only in the secret basement. There's lots more to see! Meet me at the Leapers in five and I'll show you my favorite place!"

My mouth drops open. She's inviting me to get out of here? "I— What—"

Deception chuckles, the sound rolling and bell-like. "Don't be silly. You've only been down there for so long so those heroes don't find you. But now things have blown over in my area so it's safe enough for you to explore the inner courtyards."

An invisible fist hits my chest. The heroes missed me. They searched, and they missed me. I wet my lips, glancing at the pillow I shoved Wraith's watch under. All the more reason to get out a clue to the heroes. "Right...okay. Where should we meet?"

"At the Leaper. I'll come get you; there's a password at the top."

She hangs up and I am left staring at the far wall, heart cartwheeling several times in a row. I...can actually do something. I have a chance, an opportunity to get one step closer to getting out of here. Finally.

—01000100—

Despite spending far too long rummaging around in my closet, I end up standing at the Leapers alone with the comfiest and most practical jacket, the least ridiculous pair of socks, and the only pair of sturdy boots that do not have some sort of tracking electronics in them I could find.

It's not long before the Leaper's doors whooshes and Deception lands on her feet with a practiced hop and skip. Brushing back stray strands, she grins at me. "Hey! Ready to see something awesome? Well, besides me?" She winks.

Fighting a swell of unbidden heat, I offer a half-panicked, half-automatic smile. "Uhm, sure."

Deception laughs, slapping my shoulder gently. "You sound so unsure about it!" Suddenly, she's in my personal bubble, leaning so close to my face her breath fans my cheeks. "Life's too short for that, Blank Slate. It's either in or out. What will it be?"

The skin around her eyes crinkle, cheeks plump with the wide grin she gives me, an offered opening like a hand for me to take. And she waits, waits for me to fill in a pause with the answer she expects, the answer that is a part of a ritual, a banter that we must've once shared.

But we don't anymore. I don't know the answer. I don't know her. So I take three steps back from her, letting the metaphorical hand drop. "Uhm..."

Deception closes her mouth, smile dimming and the shade of sadness, disappointment, and regret across her face. "No, I'm sorry. I just...It's easy to forget you don't remember. You're just so like before..." She tucks a strand of her hair behind her ears, weight shifted to her heels and the light mischief gone from her voice.

I flick my gaze to the side, stuffing my hands into my pockets. "Yeah." So I used to look like a nervous wreck faking through every interaction? Great. Just who I wanted to be.

The mood drops like a stone on a spiderweb and we stand, words caged between our teeth for a few awkward beats.

"Well," Deception says at last, clearing her throat, "let's get going." She flashes a sheepish smile and flicks her wrist as if to dismiss the whole thing. With a nod, she spreads her arms wide, steps back, and falls straight into the leaper. She vanishes, the echoes of her whoop tangled in the rush of wind.