"Judging by the way the Yunies were already ten steps ahead of us, our drones wouldn't have even made it past the woods," I began. "But a person could. Still can."

"No, the Yunies are the only ones who have access to Zavlon Academia as we all know right now." Rav piped in from the unintentional circle the four of us had formed. "As great as an insider would be, we have to be realistic Beth."

"We could put on the most elaborate disguises and still be not only unable to get into Zavlon, but get caught as well." Dorian shrugged.

"He's right," Camila added. "Zavlon's walls remain sealed to everyone who isn't a Yunie or mind controlled."

   Thanks a lot for the faith in my idea... jerks.

   Was there even a point to the agreement we'd just made where anyone who wanted to listen to my plan had to be less of a killjoy?

   I refused to let this dampen my mood though. Especially since it would only make rubbing it in their faces ten times better when they heard what I had to say.

"Not everyone." The grin was impossible to conceal even as I shook my head. "Not the Visitors."

   Three faces were sudden to a common shade of pale when realisation finally kicked in.

   Ten times better, I tell you.

   I, on the other hand, was still trying to tone down the overwhelming effects of adrenaline pumping through me after sharing my idea.

   For many years now, Zavlon Academia had held the event known to many as Visitation Day. On a particular day of every week, a selected number of people—The Visitors—were invited to interact with students and staff, while exploring the lessons and facilities the school had to offer. These Visitors were not only given a detailed display of Zavlon, but full access as well.

   Visitation Day was our way in.

   For once, the memory involving my Zavlon orientation tour months ago didn't trigger any feelings of resentment. I never thought I'd be glad that the school hadn't abided by their initial promise to make my orientation tour a personal one. Who knew merging Mum and me with the visitors instead would eventually come in handy?

"But wait," Camila dispersed our circle with waves of her hand. "Visitations to Zavlon should be cancelled. The Yunitides wouldn't want to draw any attention."

"Think about it though, there has never not been a Visitation Day. Cancelling it now would give Zavlon the amount of attention the Yunies are intent on avoiding." I dug through my bag to fish out my phone, scrolling through a bookmarked page I didn't think I'd ever need till now. "Which is why a visitation occurred just last week."

   I held up my phone for Rav, Camila and Dorian to get a view of Zavlon's official website. Their eyes grew bigger as they leaned in further to peer at the school's recent activity on its page.

"They've been active this whole time?!" Rav gasped, taking my phone into his hands. "How were you able to figure it out? Also, they're aliens, how are they able to pull off being so normal? This was never mentioned in the Alien Studies textbooks."

"Well, last week consisted of me constantly stalking the school's page whenever I found myself questioning whether this mind control craziness truly occurred," I remarked. "I'd always be reminded by going to Zavlon Academia's website and seeing how very active it still was. If you keep scrolling, you'll see the pictures of the visitors that the school usually posts at the end of the week after Visitation Day. There's even a few Liberation Week posts as well! None of the students though."

"Come to think of it, there was a visitation despite the occurrence of Liberation Week at the same time last year." Dorian referred to Rav and Camila. "Don't you guys remember how they made us stay in the Quarters that day?"

"Wait!" Cami snatched my phone from Rav's grasp. "The site says here that Liberation Week has extended an extra week, with the reasons limited to Zavolonian."

   Well, at least the Yunies had found a way to cover their tracks. For now anyway. I scoffed. I wondered what other excuse they were going to come with when next week ended.

   Or could this mean they didn't need an extra week to destroy the world?

   Happy thoughts... happy thoughts.

"They wouldn't want to make it worse by cancelling Visitation Day as well," Rav said. "The Yunies can't afford to catch the heat from any wild rumours when they're not ready to execute their plan."

"Okay, that makes sense." Camila nodded. "But it's not like we can find one visitor, approach him or her and tell them everything with the hope that they'll go along with whatever we say."

"That's where our insider comes in," I explained. "The visitor has to be someone we know."

"You do know how the selection works right?" She crossed her arms.

   Yes I did and told her so. Zavlon's website had stated that a non-biased algorithm was tasked to make random selections from a swarm of visitation applications.

"So you're aware that even if we find someone willing to pose as a visitor, it won't change the lack of control we have over the algorithm," Dorian stared at me.

"With who I have in mind, trust me, it will."

   I hated how the tension went directly to my stomach when I said that.

***

"I'm sorry." Mrs. Lightning, at the main door of the Lightning household, sounded genuinely apologetic as my face fell at her response. "It's been an hour since she left. I'd been thinking all this time that she had even gone with you."

"Did she by chance mention where it was?" I asked. "I think I remember her talking about it the other day, but I want to be sure just in case."

"Yes, I think it was Esi Kwao's home. I'm sure you know her?"

"Yeah."

   Esi was a former Ridgeton schoolmate of mine. We had a class together during the first year I'd spent at Ridgeton High if my memory serves me correctly.

"Tali and I have been to her place once actually," I told her, to clear whatever doubts created by the hesitancy in my previous response.

   Talise's mum replied with a tender smile after I expressed my gratitude, shutting her door. I was glad she didn't find it weird that I wasn't aware of where my best friend was. Or chose not to show it, at least.

   I walked back to the side of the street where I'd told Camila, Dorian and Rav to stay put. Although the sky was only displaying subtle hints of darkness, I couldn't risk slacking my pace.

   My street was one of the relatively cooler parts of Ridgeton, but these were people who had no experience with blending in with anything that wasn't themselves. They couldn't be written off as bait to potential creeps.

   Rich bait.

"She's not home," I said, joining them under a tree they had chosen to wait for me.

"Then where could she be?" Camila pondered. "Where else could one possibly be on a Friday evening if not home?"

   I stifled a tired sigh at Camila's comment. 

   Bait, I tell you.

"Will you guys go to where she is with me?I don't think Talise will be as open if it's just me. Your presence may make her less likely to ignore me," I babbled the words quicker than I realised.

   Yeah right. If anything, what had transpired in the coffee shop earlier today was definite proof of otherwise. But at least I'd be less scared to talk to her and not make up some excuse as to why she had to be in on our plan.

   I could finally tell her the truth. 

"That makes sense." Cami nodded. "Sure."

"Where exactly are we following you to, though?" Rav raised questioning brows. "You haven't mentioned the place since you started talking."

"Yeah, where is your friend?" Dorian added.

"She, uh," I turned away from their reactions before proceeding, "She's at a party. We're going to a high school party."

A/N: What's next you ask😌? Let's just say I'm excited for you guys😌❤️!

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