Linda casually strode across the road and made her way inside the alley. It is something she hadn’t done before, she discreetly avoided the main road, fearing that the new model of robots might have listed them and finds out about their identity. She hunches over her shoulder with her hands inside the pocket of her maroon jacket.

As much as she wants to go out and spend her time in leisure, there is many pressing matters at hand. For the past days, she did nothing but to investigate every den of the ambitious criminals she knew—traipsing all over the city under different disguises, but none of them were able to know the location of her lost teammate and the asset. And now, that she’s running out of option, she had to look to a certain spy who has a lot of unique resources, but it seems that she couldn’t find any trace of the man. Until Tin managed to spot him in a café of a five-star hotel doing some fishy business. Tin had heard about a mission regarding infiltrating women’s bathroom.

The neighborhood in the alleyway is less likely friendly, the befitting description would be uncomfortable, not when you hear a gang whispering with their malicious look, skulking around the corner, in which, it seemed that they have despicable plan to execute, or what her imaginations telling. These days, she couldn’t help but be suspicious, not after the enemy had profiled them.

It was nothing less but a den of scums, a place where she shouldn’t stay too long and should move on. She kept her stern gaze up straight, even though she wants to scan the environment for potential suspects or an informant, she couldn’t risk being exposed. She may sound paranoid, but she couldn’t let her guard down, not after what happened to her team.

When she finally reached the end of the road, she came out on a playground, a rather old playground outside of school. It’s a good thing that she came out in the evening, they might find her suspicious if ever she came here on broad daylight. Parents are protective these days, it’s no wonder why, it’s all over the news of the missing people, that includes the children being abducted by some street dwellers, immersing in the playground – introducing as a good person but behind those playful words, a hideous plan is at hand.

Regarding the infiltration they did on the Kelby Hive, it seems that there are some paparazzi that were able to sneak and grabbed some scoop, but as of now, they were taken into custody. Their work, on the other hand – has managed to slip before the police could contain them. The information they’ve had was posted on various media platforms, suspicion and conspiracy take over after that. The citizen may have not yet voiced out their concern, but it’s a matter of time – before the bomb explodes and when that happens, the city would go into a hellhole.

Passing through the playground she turns left and entered another alley; she turns right and walked straight ahead. Her unfriendly composure left and unpalatable mood maintained to the residents. It’s not like she wants to do it, but she had too, she needs to come strong but not creating too much attention that might compromise her cover, just intimidating enough for the unlawful abiding delinquents won’t go near her.

Ahead of, her, she could see the lanterns in white light hanging under the arched and ponderous roof tiles, but the backdrop became blurred as a man stepped in front of her offering a brochure, she didn’t bother to look at it and shoved off the man out of her way, deciding not to pay attention anymore. She walked fast; her gait was heavy just as her footsteps.

Stood firmed in-front of the traditional spa house. She couldn’t help but feel a bit of uncomfortable about this. She never had entered a spa before, nor able to share the same bathroom with any other women. She dialed Tin.

“You sure this is the place?” Linda asked.

“Yep, one-hundred percent sure. My eyes are sharp just like a hawk.”

She entered the premise and contacted the attendant. She paid three-hundred Haz for the fee. Linda goes to the woman’s bathroom and changed, wearing only a bathrobe. As she entered, she was greeted by a smoke steaming through the hole and warm her body. She sat in the nearby seat extending at the end of the space and close her eyes, dozing off.

If she remembered quietly, Tin said to her that they should be here at nine. She was about to give up because they’re ten minutes late, not until a voice from a group of women had entered. Scanning the party, Linda noticed a certain woman with an odd physique, chattering along with them. Her blonde hair is questionable as it looks silky and didn’t look haggard the moment she entered here.

Their topic was all about the travels and tourist spots they enjoy, less engaging in business. Their gaze met, she avoided Linda’s cynical eyes. After a few minutes, she stands up and were gone to the locker room, Linda followed her, and conspicuous with her presence.

When she goes out, the woman couldn’t be found. Heading back, a hand grabbed her mouth, she instinctively kicked the feet and twisted her hand. A wig that fall had caught her attention, distracted, she was pinned at the wall.

“Calm down.” The manly voiced had unmasked his cover.

Linda calmed down and raised her hands. She recognized the voice. At that moment, her spine shivers, and eeriness crept into her spine.

“Cid? What the hell are you doing here?”

“As you can see, I’m on an undercover mission.”

“Undercover? In a woman’s bathroom?”

“I know it sounds weird, but I had to do it.”

Linda’s words remained skeptic, “Is it just me or you just want to look what’s under their towel?”

She just noticed by now, Cid used a clip to maintain the towel covering his body.

“Wow, I feel like my professionality is being questioned here. I’m-I’m very offended.”

“Then, tell me why are you in disguised as a woman?”

“You know I can’t tell you that. Enough about my spy life. Tell me, what exactly do you want?”

“I need you tapped into your resources to find Al.”

“What happened to him?” His eyes tightened.

Answered, “They somehow tapped into our profiles and found out Ken along with Sherry strolling outside—”

Cid cut her off, “We both knew that they will come after you guys after what we did back in Kelby Hives and you let them do whatever they want? You shouldn’t have let them go outside.”

“I know, I know. It’s my fault. It’s my job to maintain our cover.” She made eye contact with him, her eyes illuminating in tears.

“This is the first time that I’m disappointed with someone.” He sighed. “If you’re asking for my help, I’m afraid you ran out of strings to pull me on, Linda. On top of that, I have a mission to carry on.”

“What kind of a friend wouldn’t help another one?”

“I know we had our shared moments, but my hands are tied right now.”

Linda wipes her tears and came closer to him. Her aroma allured him, but he remained firmed of his decision.

“Alastor is gonna die if you’re not gonna help me.”

He looked down, his brows wrinkling in concentration, “I’m afraid, that’s on you. Rod gave me a task that needs immediate action.”

“Fine,” Linda took a step backward, giving enough space for Cid to have a breather, “If that’s your decision, then I won’t stop you.”

“I'm so sorry.”

Cid picked up the wig and wore it before he entered. Linda pulled a chair and block the doorknob. She looked at the clip once more before throwing. She waited for a few minutes until she heard the ladies yelled and squealing.

A loud rumble has overtaken the sound of showers and a man yowling as he hastened his movements. He tried to open the door, but the knob won’t budge.

“Linda?! Are you there?!”

“Yes?” She asked.

“Open the door, please?” Cid begged.

“I’m so sorry, my hands are tied, literally.”

Cid looks back and hears footsteps marching closer to him.

“Uh, I don’t appreciate the sarcasm. Fine. I’ll help. Now, could you open the door please?”

She lifted the chair and toss it aside. Cid finally unlocked the door and made a run.

“Second floor, room forty-three.”

With that hushed voice, Cid made a run to the right. The women that’s after he asked her where did he go, of course, Linda led them to the opposite direction. When she’s finally dressed up, she goes to the room.