"We've reached the perimeter, Hawkins."
"I am aware, Cecilia..." - Said Hawkins, cool as usual - "I am also aware that we are back at Lakeside..."
"Yep." - Said Cecilia, as Hawkins made a turn and entered a road - "So, the box is somewhere in this neighborhood..."
Lucas and Death walked on, by one of the infinite houses stretching back and forth.
Lucas saw the first sign of motion in a while. Or, a still-life of a sign of motion.
A black car entered the view. The next "second" in that still-life sequence of houses had it approaching. And the other allowed Lucas a view of the passengers.
Hawkins and Cecilia. They'll want to know this. - Thought Lucas - Plus I could use the help...
"Death, I'll open a rift to my plot on the Moon, and use it to open another one and bring them here. This is big and we need someone that's actually competent in this kind of situation. That a problem?"
Death shook her head.
"I am forbidden from interfering. You aren't."
Hawkins drove. On a strange sort of whim, he turned on a corner and kept driving.
Then, for a milisecond, he saw another landscape. A deserted one. With a privileged view of stars.
Then he was back on the street. But... That wasn't right.
"Hawkins, something teleported us. To the Moon and back. But..." - Said Cecilia.
"I know." - Said Hawkins, pointing out at the angel that waved cheerfully at them, by the side of a gothic-looking young woman. Hawkins stopped and left the car.
"Before you ask, Hawkins, yes, it IS important. The Enemy wants to attack time itself somehow. And if you don't believe it, it's fine, I LITERALLY won't waste your time, as we're, essentially, outside it. Oh! Where are my manners? How are you?" - Lucas smirked and curtsied ironically, with little help from the jeans she was currently wearing.
"Cecilia..." - Said Hawkins.
"My sensors indicate that, though we can move around, things are perfectly still, yes. But only for some meters in each direction, then still again, but a bit different, and so on. Like we are in one of a strobe's frames..." - Said Cecilia.
Hawkins turned to Lucas.
"I am seeking something of importance stolen from a high-security location, Lucas. I... do believe it may have to do with it. It does make sense for it to be... connected..."
"Yeah, then you'll have the help of a civilian. And..." - Lucas turned to Death - "Er... How do I introduce you?"
Death looked at the agents and shrugged.
"I'd not like time to stop or existence to see any more than the next guy. But I'm Death. Nice to meet you. Before you ask, it is not your time."
Hawkins paused for a moment.
"...Nathan Hawkins. Nice to meet you." - Said Hawkins, after a pause.
"Er... I'm Cecilia Pennsbrook..." - Said Cecilia, after a longer one.
"Your first name is Nathan?" - Said Lucas.
This question isn't that normal... No... Avoidance... - Thought Hawkins - Of course she'd be stressed out dealing with something of such a scope. Yet, for a civilian tasked with saving the Universe itself, she is actually keeping it together...
"Yes, Lucas, it is. And, anticipating your response, yes, you can call me Nate... Get in the car, you two. We'll make our way to, well, whenever we must be faster." - Said Hawkins.
"Okay. Be careful, though, when I tell you to steer somewhere, do. Some of the Enemy are nearby." - Said Death.
Hawkins nodded. - "Very well."
The four got in and Hawkins - literally - drove into the future.
"'m home, mommy..." - Said Lilly, walking in.
Mrs. Gordon, with the usual care not to expose herself to the Sun, let her daughter in.
"Hello, Lilly. Did you have fun?" - She asked, gently.
"Yeah. I'm gonna go t' my room, now, t' do homework..." - She said.
Mrs. Gordon watched as Lilly went to her room, a bit surprised at Lilly's eagerness to go do homework.
As ordered, Lilly put the strange box on the windowsill.
Good. Now, Lilly, go near the window and open the book... Look through the pages until told to stop... - Said the voice.
Lilly obliged.
