Due to the size of their team and the fact taking personal vehicles on the job could pose a risk, Jared drove them to their destination this time. It was good to know that they would be receiving their own company car soon. As they drove, the team went over what their plan was for when they arrived.

  "We need to come up with a plan," Ashton began, "We can't all just charge in there and interrogate her. It will scare her off. Besides, we need to split up and ensure that the location is secure from any threats."

  "In that case, why don't Summer and I meet with her?" Kayla suggested, "Out of everyone, we appear the least threatening and we are strong enough to handle ourselves now."

  "It's too risky," Kai argued, "What if you get a bad roll and Summer ends up with a useless ability? Neither of you can defend yourselves otherwise."

  Ashton had to stop himself from immediately rejecting the idea, but Kai had beat him to it. He was glad to hear the logic behind the objection since he had been concerned he was allowing his feelings to get the better of him.

  "Ashton is the strongest of us, but that is exactly why we need him outside," Levi added, "We don't know what kind of ability she might have, or if it is even her ability."

  "Her ability is likely similar to mine," Jared spoke up, "Something like intuition, or gut feeling. She noticed something was wrong, but she didn't have enough expertise to figure out exactly what. The only reason she was able to report is because she was suspicious enough to read the fine print."

  That was a good suggestion, but it seemed too specific for the current case. After all, anyone could read a contract and notice something was up. Maybe she just had a form of mental immunity?

  "I looked into those contracts too," Ashton pointed out, "I had no problem noticing all of the downsides in the fine print."

  "Yes, but there are two main differences," Jared explained, "You looked into contract examples of several agencies, not just this one. You also actually read the contracts. No one really reads contracts anymore, Ashton."

  There was a pause as the rest of the team silently agreed with Jared’s words, though Summer seemed to feel guilty for doing so.

  "Surely at least one other person must have read through it. Why didn't they report?" Summer asked.

  "If they were the type to read it on their own, they might have sensed danger and just avoided it altogether," Ashton suggested. That was what he would have done if he were in that situation. Reporting was more likely to put you in danger, just like the case with this girl.

  "Those people definitely exist, but I will agree it is strange," Jared agreed, "That is exactly why we are going there now. With any luck, she might even have a copy of the contract."

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  A copy of the contract? Ashton was in shock for a moment as he realized he hadn’t even considered the possibility. If she really did have one, that changed how they would be able to approach the situation completely.

  "If she does, do we read it?" Summer asked.

  “We probably should,” Ashton considered, “and if that is a risk, we need to take that into account when deciding who goes in.”

  “I think it should still be Kayla and I,” Summer doubled down, “If I read the contract, you guys should be able to tell if I enter some sort of hypnosis. I will also be the least threat if it somehow turns me into an enemy.”

  Ashton met her gaze and could see she wasn’t going to back down this time. If he wasn’t going to be able to stop her from going, he would have to do whatever he could to make sure she would be safe inside. For starters, he gave them a temporary serum. Whether they had to use it on themselves or the witness, it was better to have on hand.

  “Are you feeling any danger?” Ashton asked Jared. Jared’s ability wasn’t perfect, but if he or one of his team was in danger of dying, he would get a feeling about it.

  “Nothing like what you are worried about,” Jared assured, “but the alleyway behind the building feels ominous. We should check it out before it moves somewhere else.”

  “Why is it always an alleyway?” Kai complained, “Can’t the ominous feeling come from an overhang, or a coffee shop?”

  “Because alleyways are easier for criminals to hide in than overhangs and coffee shops,” Levi pointed out.

  “Can the two of you go ahead to see if you can see anything?” Ashton asked, “Don’t enter the alley, just pass by and glance in as you do.”

  “And if we do see something? How do we let you know?” Levi asked.

  “How about we give you a thumbs up or down after we pass the alley?” Kai suggested.

  A thumbs up? Well, any signal would be good as long as it was nonverbal. “That should work,” Ashton agreed, “I will need you to stay near the alley to back me up if anything goes wrong.”

  “Got it,” the twins answered in unison and began to walk towards the alley.

  At first, they did exactly as Ashton had told them. They walked right past the alley without being obvious they were looking into it. Then Kai backtracked and took a closer look with a frown. Levi tugged him back out of the entrance to the alley and they both gave Ashton a thumb pointing firmly to the side.

  What was that one supposed to mean? Ashton approached the alley with caution and immediately realized exactly what it meant. The alley was completely empty except for a single very suspicious looking box. The box itself was perfectly clean, unmarked cardboard still sealed with packing tape. If it weren’t for the current situation Ashton might have dismissed it as belonging to one of the residents.

  Just in case, he approached it with caution. Once he was closer he noticed a letter attached to the top of the box. The envelope was black, and the silver writing made it clear exactly how suspicious this truly was.

  “To Shadow Phoenix”

  What now? He couldn’t lean on Jared’s ability every time a situation like this appeared. Besides, if this was from Maskz, ignoring it could put Summer in danger. If it wasn’t from Maskz, it was all the more reason to investigate. Not one to take any chances, Ashton pulled out a mask and slipped on some gloves. They wouldn’t do much against a power, but it was better than nothing.