#imperial base

Upon returned the tray of cleared dishes to the kitchen, Galahd hastily made her way to the second pantry.

She took a brief moment staring at the cot.

If this plan worked, she would no longer be forced to this small space her room.

However, if it didn’t...she still wouldn’t...her new bed would be within multiple albinogin stomaches.

But it was too late to retreat...the last seed was in her grasp and just needed to be planted.

Which was the phase of her plan.

As she grabbed a small coat hanging upon the wall and a scarf to wrap around her face, she returned to the hallway, peering to the right while returning to her statuesque form.

The light from the office fireplace still barely illuminating the corridor and the subtle moans continued.

Galahd just shook her head in silence before she returned to the Bird’s cage.

She made her way into the bathroom. The plush rugs squishing under her feet.

Her milky eyes planted out of the window above the tub.

Birdie only took baths on few occasions.

Her birthday, lower business days where her extraction services weren’t needed or when Dion was busy entertaining guests, in whatever way he saw fit.

Other than that, she only showered and if she was the prime source of entertainment, they were exceptionally long.

At least an hour which a trip to her bed immediately followed.

During those long showers, Birdie liked to keep this small web shaped window open to invite in the cool night air.

The latch was old and rusted so it always stayed unhinged.

And knowing this would be one of those fateful nights for the poor bird, it was a sure way of her source of absence being undetected.

After climbing in the tub, with a heave, Galahd hoisted herself up to the window leaping from it head first landing in a somersault on the hard grounds below.

It was a 35 minute walk to the nearest Imperial Base on the main road, but with a short cut through the woods, she’d arrive in 15 minutes flat.

Wasting no time, enveloped tape in hand, she dashed toward the blackened woods shrouded by a grey fog.

The vapors so thick, the moon barely shown through, but she could see her way.

Navigating through the darkness in swift silence. Her light footsteps not steering a single leaf out of its place.

Her breathing seemingly non-existent.

Like a ghost in the grey.

15 minutes on the dot, she arrived at the base. A camera patrolling the entrance slowly turning between the left and right side.

It had to be timed perfectly as to not set raise alarm.

She awaited just outside of the camera’s view on the side that covered the most ground.

As it began to turn away, she sprinted fiercely to the entrance placing the envelope on the pavement before swiftly turning her heel and returning to her original spot.

Turning to see the camera’s light just now pass over the envelope.

She was undetected.

1:30am, Phase 4 was officially complete.

Still she had no time to rest in triumph, although the hard part was over, she still needed to get back to the manor.

After that, the rest would be cake.

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1:46am.

Galahd stood outside the manor. Staring up at the window in silence, she surveyed the atmosphere.

She heard not a soul, no subtle breathing, no footsteps. The room was shrouded in darkness.

The coast was clear.

She backed up just far enough.

With a deep breath, sprinted toward the window, using the momentum to carry her up the wall until she firmly grasped the window seal.

Light pain from her sharp grasp emitting into her fingers.

Ignoring it, she hoisted herself forward slowly pulling her body through as to not make a sound lowering herself into a handstand position in the tub.

Tilting her body backward and correcting her stance to an upright position over the edge of the tub onto the floor.

Hastily making her way out of the Bird’s cage, Galahd steadily made her way toward the kitchen. There was little need to worry, but the sooner she could make it into the kitchen, the better.

Peering toward the office for the final time, the fireplace light still illuminating the floors and Birdie’s body still being used to the devil’s will.

A light smirk rose to Galahd’s face as she entered the kitchen.

Returning to the second pantry, she removed her coat and scarf before planting herself onto the cot.

Finally able to rest.

The hard part was over.

Phase 5 was complete.

Now there was nothing left to do, but wait.

Come morning, this will be their nightmare.

Come morning, the bird sings no more.

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