Nevertheless, you instead resolve to observe her through the vent cover, watching as she sauntered through the aisles of technology.
She walked over to an aisle of computers, tilting her left and right, almost like she was in deep thought. You continued watching as she stopped next to a computer monitor and ran her finger against the polished metal screen, staring at her own reflection. She drummed her fingers on the keyboard rhythmically, almost like she was thinking about something.
You deduced that she was searching for something, but what? She was already surrounded by computers, what more could she want?
Finally, she touched the slot of the monitor where disks are usually inserted from, her fingers rubbing against the narrow slot. Her eyes seemed focused on it.
"Where is it?" she muttered out loud, her fingers searching around the desk for the object. Her eyes left the monitor and darted in your direction. She swept some papers off the counter, checked on the floor, even pulled out the drawers to search them.
You continued to ponder what it is, things like blueprints for dangerous weapons for mass destruction or incriminating pictures coming in your mind.
Finally, she groaned in frustration, exasperated that she wasn't able to find the object. She ran her fingers through her raven black hair, frustrated at her inability to find this object, whatever it was. She even pounded her fist against the counter, actually startling you.
The impact of the fist frightened you enough to involuntarily fall backwards, you head bumping against the ceiling above, producing a soft, but noticeable banging sound. The sound managed to prickle Fire Wire's ears, who snapped her head forward, and turned around.
Almost immediately, her eyes darted towards your direction, her lips curling into a snarl. Her face was almost livid with rage, or
Instinctively, you cringed, fearing that you may have just given your position away, your first, and possibly final mistake.
Her eyes focused in the wall next to you, so she didn't directly spot you, but she could still trace the sound back to you.
"He can't be here," she whispered nervously, starting to walk towards you. Obviously, she remembers.
Instead of moving back, you remain perfectly still, remembering that movement is always a giveaway to your position. You should remember that her eyes are just as sharp as yours, but thanks to your black costume, you should be able to blend in perfectly. And blend in you did, the darkness of the vent being able to cloak you from her eyes.
You held your breath, as she finally stopped, unknowingly feet away from your position. She stared at the walls, her eyes examining every inch of it. She scanned the room until her eyes rested on the vent for one second, almost indecisive.
Finally, she sighed and turned away, but not before giving one more lingering glance at your direction. She obviously dismissed it as a rat prowling the vents, and reluctantly walked away, leaving the room.
In turn, you sighed in relief, sweat dripping down your forehead. It was a close call, maybe too close.
Nevertheless, you still had to follow her, to find out what she was looking for, and to stop her.
Taking a deep breath, you started to crawl through the tunnel, listening to the sound of her footsteps as a compass.
Following her footsteps, you continue to crawl through the narrow, dust-covered ventilation duck, your ears sharply following the sound of her boot stomping against the ground. The sound became more and more distant, indicating that she was leaving the hallway.
You soon came to a dead end, the path ending a few inches ahead. But luckily for you, there was a vent cover to your left, and the screws were loose enough for you to open up.
Your fingers wrapped around the screws, and you quietly began to unscrew them, one at a time. Occasionally, you glanced at the outside to make sure she was gone. Finally, you heard a soft click, as all the screws popped out. You glanced outside to make sure she wasn't there, before sliding the cover to the side, ripping it away from its hinge.
Smirking confidently, you crawled out of the duct, reassembling yourself on your feet seconds later after looking both ways for Fire Wire. You wiped some dust off of your shoulder, before returning to the task at hand, finding her.
Standing next to a corner, your pressed your ear against he wall, as you heard the footsteps pick put once again.
Cautiously, you peered over your shoulder, and watched as she punched in some numbers into a keypad next to a set of automatic double doors. You narrowed your eyes, but continued watching.
Finally, after entering the combination, the doors nosily creaked open, revealing a dimly light room. Without hesitation, she walked inside, disappearing into the darkness.
Deducing that this must be where the object is, your gut tells you to fly in after her, but your brain, as well as your instincts warn you to wait, and make sure it's not a trap.
The decision is made for you, when the doors start to close automatically. Since you don't know the key combination, this is your one and only chance to stop her.
Silently cursing, you run at the closing doors, your adrenaline kicking into high gear. You continue to sprint, but despite your pace, the doors are only two feet away from combining.
Just before they close, you lunge forwards, literally throwing yourself at the opening, growing narrower and narrower by the second.
Luckily, you barely mange to enter the room, your body entering just before it snaps shut.
You're instantly greeted by darkness.
You briefly taste the concrete floor as you hit the ground on your shoulders, but instinctively roll to your knees. The room was completely shroud in pitch black, not an inch of it visible. You wipe some sweat off of your head, just relieved you made it in on time.
Standing up, you walk around, blindly stretching your arms out for a light switch. You naturally felt uneasy, almost unprepared walking around in an environment you hadn't scoped out yet. It almost reminded you of that tingling feeling in the back of your neck, that you almost knew this was a trap.
Your fingers eventually touched the light switch cover, and with great enthusiasm, you flipped the switch.
Instantly, the ceiling lights came back on, showering the room with light. You blinked your eyes and looked around. You were in another computer lab, but this time with aisles and aisles of old discarded, broken computers. Your walked over to what looked like a mountain of broken monitors with cracked computer screens, each one literally stacked on the other.
You picked up a cracked computer screen and stared at it, trying to examine it. The cracks had riddled the screen with dust.
"Why would Fire Wire want any of this junk?" you murmured out loud.
Suddenly, an object cracked against the back of your skull.
The blow sent you staggering forwards, causing you to drop the computer screen. You nearly toppled over, but managed to catch yourself in mid-air. Your head was now throbbing in pain thanks to the blow.
Grunting in pain, you managed to recover. But as soon as you turned your head, you were greeted by yet another shot in the face by the attacker, but this time you were able to make out a black metallic baseball bat as the weapon. Nevertheless, you were sent reeling back, even falling down to one knee. To say you were unprepared would be an understatement.
You spat out a mouthful of blood, the second blow cracking against your jaw, which was now surging in pain. You could feel another mouthful working it's way up your throat. Still wincing, you opened your eyes, only to see the figure lunge at you again, without warning, and certainly without any mercy.
The mysterious tracker struck again, clubbing you in the face this time with the weapon. This time, the blow sent you flying backwards, your body crumbling to the ground. You instinctively rolled over, trying to get some distance between the attacker. You tried to crawl to your feet, but before you could even get on your two knees, the figure lashed out with a boot to your ribs. You cried out in pain, clutching your bruised mid-section before crumbling to the ground.
The figure turned you over on your back, letting you stare up at the ceiling lights.
As you opened your eyes, Fire Wire towered over you, brandishing the baseball bat with an victorious smirk, as well as a mischievous smirk on her eyes. She placed her boot dominantly on your chest, keeping you pinned down as she beamed down at you.
"Well well well, if it isn't bird boy himself," she smiled, her eyes gleaming mischievously.
"It was a trap all along, wasn't it?" you snarl, to which she nod
"You fell right in Hawk Boy. The noise back in the loud, you stupidly trailing me here, my my, I think you're starting to lose your touch," she purred, tilting her head sideways.
"You're the one whose going to lose Fire Wire," you growl, your fist curling up.
"Cute, but I'm afraid I don't have time for your heroics. I've got things to find, and people to hurt, starting with you."
With that said, she raised her bat, and struck down.
Instinctively, you dodged the blow, moving your head to the fight as the bat cracked against the very spot where your head was mere seconds ago.
Not waiting for her to try again, you brought your legs up and kicked her squarely in the stomach. She grunted before falling back, the kick knocking the wind out of her.
You jumped to your feet, a new found intensity in your eyes.
She used the bat as support to rise to her feet, waving a strand of her hair away from her eyes.
You two begin to circle each other, like battle-hardened warriors preparing to duel.
"This is your last chance Fire-Wire, give up now," you offer, cracking your fist.
"Not a chance hon," she smiled, brandishing the weapon.
"Your funeral then," you smirk confidently.
"Oh, this is gonna be fun," she purred seductively.