Spirit's Ascension-Chapter 99—Against the Whole Slum

"Speak up as fast as you can," Linda urged.

"I think we are being exposed by the people of the slums," Cole said to the others.

The others looked at Cole with wide eyes as they thought about the implications of what he said.

"Uhmm, let me rephrase my statement. I am not saying everyone in the slums, but I am saying just a selected few,"

"They have spies."

"I have had that suspicion since our first raid of the dome-shaped building," Cole said.

"They were prepared for our arrival."

"Spies of the slums, new members of the slums, this place is really a hellhole," Linda said.

"When we are in the light and they hide in darkness, it is difficult."

"But now that we have an idea of them too, It should get easier," Bryan attempted to console.

The three remained in their hiding spot while waiting for Cole to fully regain himself.

After a while, someone finally spoke up.

"I think we should check out the last location," Cole pitched.

"Why? It is almost sure they won’t be there again," Linda said.

Bryan also seemed to agree with her as they looked at Cole to understand the reasons for his actions.

"I know, but as you know. People make mistakes."

"My encounter with him that time displayed just how confident he was."

"He believes there’s nothing we can do to him, and that will lead to his downfall," Cole said with a fiery gaze.

"I am almost sure he would be expecting us there,"

"How did he become so evil so fast?" Linda asked.

"Didn’t he just leave the academy about two weeks ago?"

"It is possible," Bryan replied, his pained face.

"That’s what that dark energy does," He continued.

The others looked at Bryan, expecting him to say more, but when they noticed his expression, they quickly gave up that idea.

"Every one of us seems to have one problem or another," Cole thought to himself.

The group of three quietly left their hiding spot and began heading towards the third location.

They were previously cautious when they were approaching this place, but now they are even more cautious.

Cole tried everything possible to go through routes that weren’t as crowded as other areas.

"We must fulfill the mission," Cole thought to himself.

The two locations they planned on visiting today weren’t far apart at all.

They were even extremely close to each other, so in no time they arrived close to the location.

Cole and the others had prepared themselves for anything to come and any sneak attacks while they approached the building.

"Excuse me, sir," Cole suddenly heard from beside him.

The voice was extremely thin and gentle. As if it was coming from a young child.

Cole looked to his left, where a small girl was sitting pitifully on the roadside.

Her face was covered in mud, while her dark hair had dried-up mud sticking out of it.

Cole was immediately forced to stop at such a sight. Memories of his own life were flashing in his mind.

"Do you guys have any extra change to give me?" the small girl said.

Cole’s heart immediately tightened; he wanted nothing more than to give the girl all he had with him at that moment.

But Cole knew he couldn’t; he was dead-ass broke.

As a last resort, Cole turned to Linda, hoping she had anything with her.

"You don’t need to tell me; I plan to," Linda said.

Her hand dove straight into her pocket as she took out a bunch of money and gave it to the girl.

The girl looked up at them, her eyes sparkling with a deep gleam like she was looking at gods.

"Thank you uncle, thank you aunty," She said excitedly. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Cole was just about to approach her and give her a pat on the head before leaving when he remembered something.

There are snakes everywhere in the slums.

The moment that thought resurfaced in his mind, Cole looked at the few people around them and noticed how they stared at the kid.

They looked like predators ready to pounce on helpless prey.

"We can’t leave her like this," Cole thought to himself.

He looked towards their destination, at his teammates, and then back at the child.

Before making any decisions, Cole turned around to look at his teammates and ask for their opinion.

Just as he was about to speak. He suddenly heard the tiny voice coming from behind him again.

"Uncle, don’t go there. Bad, bad place." She said,

The trio immediately looked at her in shock as they wondered about what was going through her mind.

"Why did you say that?" Cole asked.

"Uhmmm, my sister told me," She said with bright eyes.

Cole and the others immediately breathed a sigh of relief. They were previously wondering how the girl knew what was in that place.

Before Cole could respond to the little girl. A slightly matured hand suddenly came into his line of sight and grabbed the girl by her arm.

"Kelly, haven’t I told you not to leave like that again, and how did you get so dirty?" a young feminine voice sounded.

"Uhhhh, where did you get all of this money?" the voice said when she noticed the money with her.

It was then that the girl noticed Cole and the others’ presence.

"Thank you for this, but we must leave now," the girl said before turning around to leave as fast as possible.

"Bye, Uncle, bye aunty," the young girl said while she was being dragged away.

"Haven’t I told you not to go begging for money?" Cole heard the girl say as the distance between them widened.

"I am sorry," the young girl replied with obvious remorse.

Cole suddenly snapped out his trance and noticed the increasing distance between the two of them.

"Wait," he shouted.

The girl attempted to speed up but as if deciding against it. She stopped and turned around.

"If you don’t mind, I want to ask you some questions," Cole continued.

"No please, just let us be; I want nothing to do with it," she said.

Hearing her words, a thought quickly popped up in his mind.

"She knows something."