Chapter 5

Now in Sean City, Lisa Pernalli searches for evidence of Liz's whereabouts to follow up on the file she found at Liz's apartment. While a Mirrond is on the loose in Sean City, unbeknownst to Lisa, she quickly befriends Karina Sean whom she learned about from the secret file at Liz's place, and learns some insider information. Just what did Liz get into this time, Lisa wonders.

Downtown Sean City

"Coming", a faint voice said as I knocked loudly. I heard several locks being undone as the door opened to reveal an average-height, blonde-haired girl, who seemed to be in her twenties. "How can I help you?", she politely asked in a light, girly voice. "Hi, I'm Lisa Pernalli-", I said as she yanked me by the arm and slammed her door shut, locking it. "You're Liz's sister right?", she questioned, assuming she was correct. "Yeah, I -", I began as she interrupted again saying, "Good, I need to tell you something". She motioned me to follow her into the living room. "I need to ask you something", I started. "Not yet", she stopped me, continuing to dig through some drawers in a modern-looking desk near the far corner of the room.

Whipping out a file folder she walked over to me digging through the papers. "Here", she handed me a small folder. "What is this?", I asked, confused. She narrowed her eyebrows as if she expected me to know. "Proof of your sister working for us", she informed. "How did you get your hands on this?", I asked, hopeful of finding my sister now. "I'm the head scientist at the lab, duh", she replied. "I practically own it. I can get anything I want, whenever I want. And considering I'm working for my mother now, it's only fair I get to do what I wish with all the information", she continued. As she spoke, I was rummaging through the folder, looking for any incriminating evidence of my sister. "You seem to know what you're looking for", she said with a little giggle. I ignored her comment and continued to look through all of the files.

I stopped suddenly when a black tab at the top of a file caught my eye. I quickly yanked it out and started searching; ripping through the pages. As I vigorously tore through the pages I noticed at the corner of my eye, Karina staring at me with a face that told me she thought I was being a little too aggressive. I began to slow down as I concluded that. Her face appeared to relax as I did so, which confirmed my suspicion. "Did you find anything?", she suddenly broke the silence. "No, do you-", I paused, looking up to see a gun pointed at my face. "What are you doing?", I questioned with a surprised look.

"Ugh, I didn't want to have to threaten you cause you seem nice but, I need you to tell me where I can get an EB 1K", she explained. I gave her a confused look, sarcastically asking, "You hold a gun up to my face to ask me where you can get another one?". "Well when you put it like that, you make me look like the crazy one", she admitted. "I'm just saying, isn't that kinda counterintuitive?", I asked, rhetorically. "I guess, yeah", she replied, lowering her weapon.

Calming myself down, I responded to her first inquiry, "First of all, how do you know I know where to get one?". "Uh I don't know, because I looked you up after your sister was incarcerated, how else?", she replied sarcastically. "Yeah, I get that but, I've never been in the military or anything of the sort so...", I lied.. "Your sister", she responded vaguely. "What do you mean by that?", I continued with a disarranged expression. "Your sister and I use to talk a lot; we were good friends... she uh, told me quite a bit about you. She said you guys never really associated, but she always wanted to, she just thought it would be awkward", Karina explained. "Were those her words?", I questioned skeptically. "Yup, all hers!", she said happily.

After our short talk, I carried on searching through the files Karina gave me. It was silent for about 15 minutes or so before Karina decided to leave the living room. I stayed by myself for an hour or so until she came back. I was concerned by this as most people, especially strangers, wouldn't leave some random person in their living room alone; I could snoop for all she knew.

Karina interrupted my train of thought with, "Hey Lisa, I just got off the phone with a friend of mine, he said he'll be over in a half-hour or so". Being kind of paranoid, I assumed as I do with everyone, that she was planning something dastardly. "What for?", I asked. "I figured you'd want some more proof of your sister working for us, so I called my friend from the lab to get a few 'top secret' files for you", she clarified. I threw her a skeptical look as I slowly turned my attention back to the files in my hand.

Twenty-five minutes or so passed until we heard a knock at the front door. "Who is it?", Karina called out. "Who else K, it's Elias", a man answered. "Oh perfect!", she chirped, glancing at me. She immediately proceeded to the door with a sort of hop to each step as if she was elated. "Hey Karina!", the man expressed joyfully. "Uh, where is she?", he asked Karina. "In the living room, follow me", she replied, guiding him to the living room.

His head peeked around the corner and I quickly shot a surprised look at him. "Hello, it's nice to meet you! I'm Elias, Karina's co-worker slash friend", he greeted me ecstatically. "More than a co-worker", Karina chimed in. I smiled at both of them awkwardly and replied, "Very formal, and it is nice to meet you as well. I'm Lisa". "Well Lisa, I have some evidence proving that your sister was only an accomplice to the crime and not the ring leader", he promised, holding a small stack of files.

"One of them holds her contract with Barren and my parents, including all of the requirements they ushered her to agree to", Karina enlightened. "That's great!", I said, genuinely happy. "Yeah, and there's plenty of other stuff in there to help you take Barren and the Seans down", Elias added. "Thank you both so much", I said, getting kind of emotional but holding back any tears. "No problem", Karina and Elias said concurrently. They looked at each other and giggled a little bit. I noticed a little bit of affection in their eyes but refrained from saying anything.

I sat for a few seconds without saying anything. "Why are you guys doing this for me?", I bursted out. They both looked at me puzzled for a second. "Uhhh", they both began. "Lisa, I know we're not friends and all, but Liz and I were, plus I despise my mom, she's so manipulative and backstabbing. I just want to get your sister out of prison because I don't like injustice being served, and I also don't want Barren and my parents to get away with such a heinous crime", Karina exclaimed. Elias stared at Karina, surprised by her response. "Okay, well I appreciate it but... I can't exactly trust you just because you're helping me. For all I know, you could backstab me too", I clarified. "No, of course, I totally get it. I just wanted to give you this information to use against my parents and Barren, cause frankly, I don't like either", she assured. "Yeah, we could never go against her parents, it'd have to be you", Elias explained. "Why specifically me?", I asked. "You're her sister for one, and two, you're the only one who wasn't a part of this operation that knows. We'd get thrown into prison too if we tried to report them", Karina expounded.

"I see.. thanks, then... for all of the help", I said in soft voice. They both threw me an understanding expression and gave a genuine smile. I smiled back, but I felt it looked more like a grimace.

Elias and Karina began whispering to one another. I pretended I couldn't hear them as I shuffled through the documents. Elias abruptly cleared his throat so as to get my attention. I slowly lifted my head up to them with my eyebrows raised. "Uh, I better get going now", Elias said. "Right, um, I'll walk you out to your car", Karina offered. "Sure, thanks", he concurred.

"Well Lisa, it was a pleasure to meet you. I hope we get to meet again in the future", Elias stated, walking towards me with his hand out. "Likewise", I returned, reaching my hand out to shake his. "All right, let's get going", Karina said, motioning her hand at Elias to come along.

I watched them both as they exited the living room. I could tell there was chemistry between the two of them, it was totally obvious. I listened in as the door quietly shut, and for a split second before it completely shut I heard Elias about to say something. I was suspicious, as always, and thought maybe Karina offered to walk him to his car so the two could chat in private without making it look obvious, but that's precisely what they did. I could only assume they were talking about me, either negatively, plotting against me, or it had nothing to do with me and I was just being dubious.

A proceeded to search the documents for any incriminating evidence pointing toward Barren or the Seans. Some minutes later, Karina walked back in, shutting and locking the door behind her. She approached the living room with her hands around her hips, leaning against a support pillar. "What was that about?", I asked skeptically. "What, oh walking him back to his car?", she questioned, as if she didn't know what I was talking about. "Yeah, what took you guys so long; making out?", I instigated. "What! Huhah!", she laughed, "As if I would ever, we're just friends. We were just discussing plans and tactics for reopening your sister's case so she can hopefully be acquitted", she explained.

I wanted to believe her, but there was still a hint of doubt in my mind, I was always this way; cynical.

"Oh, that's really kind of you guys to put so much effort into this", I thanked her. "No problem, but we're not just doing this for you and Liz. If we can prove your sister's innocence, to some extent, we can hopefully be absolved of any crimes we may have commited as well. Considering we only did this because our lives were in peril and my mother practically threatened to break my fingers if I didn't succumb to her prowess", she explicated spitefully of her mother and Barren. "I can see you loath your mother-daughter relationship, and Barren", I inferred. "Huh, that's the understatement of the year", Karina said sullenly with a weak laugh.

I stood up and walked to Karina, holding my arms out for a hug. She smiled at me with appreciation and leaned in for a hug. "We'll put your parents and Barren away for a long time", I reassured her. "Yes, and most importantly, get Liz out of prison", she replied in a shaky tone, tears rolling down her face.

I was certain now that I could trust her, I mean if anyone were to pull off a charade like this, they'd have to be a sociopath to go as far as befriending me and breaking down in tears whilst hugging me. But one thing's for sure now; she's clear in my book.