Lana never came and didn't answer her messages either. Horatia looked for her everywhere on Campus, called her a million times. An unknown interference blocked all signals and means of reaching out to her. She called her parents who seemed pretty unphased by it all. A few hours later, she called Alex.
"I'm sorry to interrupt your studies but I need your help," she said.
"What's wrong?"
"I think something bad happened to Lana. I can't call her and no one has heard from her in a while either. We were supposed to have lunch together on me and she didn't show up. When was the last time you saw that girl pass away food, let alone free one? Never, I tell you! Something is not right, I can feel it in my bones."
"I believe you, R. We'll get to the bottom of this, promise. Where do you want to meet?"
"I'll be waiting for you at the entrance to the Library. Please hurry."
She hung up the call and found herself staring at one of the dreaded symbols of The Super Patriarchy. It looked like a real flag but in fact it was just another three-dimensional hologram riddled with intersecting patterns and subliminal encoding, she was sure of it. The Oath flashed every now and then on the upper-right corner and other directives followed suit, constant and insidious reminders that those in power would do anything to keep it and that those without it were forced to endure the full extent of their desires in whatever way they presented themselves.
Horatia shuddered. A cold tingle ran down her spine and onto the tips of her toes as she waited for Alex at the rendezvous point.
One of the teachers - a mid-forties, turtle-necked and golden-haired man whose name she couldn't recall but knew it sounded a lot like Dick - looked at her as if she had just emerged from a spaceship, a peaceful alien on an hostile planet. She ignored his gaze, only to discover two more leaning against a pillar, trading whispers in-between laughs and laughs in-between exaggerated hand gestures and other pretentious body language.
"Now you're just being paranoid," she muttered to herself. Seconds dragged themselves under their weight, they too a part of the vile conspiracy looking to claim her thoughts and feast on them until there was nothing left. She faltered for a moment, perhaps two, tapped her heels on the floor and kicked the ghostly remnants out of her mind.
Alex arrived sooner than expected, having borrowed his older brother's car before he had the chance to say "no". He looked wonderful in his matching pants and vest dark grey suit but now it was not the time for fashion appreciations.
"I'm glad you're here," she kissed him.
"Anytime, my dear. I don't need to be entranced to be here for you. I loved what you did to me a few hours ago though," he grinned.
"You'll probably change your tune after a few more weeks of denial but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Right now, finding Lana is our utmost priority."
"Of course. What do you have in mind?"
"I looked around everywhere already, or rather almost everywhere. There's one place I didn't check because it's already closed off. I need you to help me get inside so I can look for some clues."
He knew on the spot what she meant by "inside". Others probably wouldn't but, then again, they didn't know the innards of her brain like he did.
"I never thought I would see the day when you would ask me to go back to my old B. and E. adventures," he retorted, reminiscing teenage experimentations only the two of them were familiar with.
"It's an emergency and those skills are needed. I need you to trust me on this."
"I do trust you but I'm also aware you're playing a very dangerous game going up against Lazendorf that way. You don't know for sure he had anything to do with what you believe may have happened to Lana. If we're caught snooping around, who knows what the consequences will be. I don't want you to do anything rash you may regret in the future, My Goddess. Are you sure you want to go forward with this?"
"Yes. He threatened me, today. I have no doubt he's capable of using my friends to get under my skin. Lana was with me when he asked me to go his office. I suspect he may have called for her after I left and everyone is keeping quiet because they're afraid of possible repercussions just like you are."
"A little bit of fear is healthy, especially when dealing with someone with so many connections. We both have a lot to lose if this goes sideways."
"I know but it won't," she encouraged him. "Are you with me?"
"Always," he encouraged her back. "Let's go then."
Deep into the University they descended, casual lovers on an unsuspecting stroll. To wary eyes, Alex played the role of Alpha male leading his daily piece of flesh around. He talked dirty, he shoved her, he rubbed his hands on his ass and spanked her. He made everyone see the standard norm of behavior from someone of his status for what's normal is easily ignored, forgotten, and it was highly unlikely anyone would think twice about the scene a couple of minutes later.
Horatia handled herself as just another dumb and subservient woman better than anticipated but was glad when it was over and quite vocal about it. A brief mention of "punishment afterward" almost made her mind-controlled boyfriend cum without permission and the tease made them both feel more appeased as they stood in front of Lazendorf's office door.
"This looks familiar," Alex noted while studying the security mechanism, a more evolved version of a 20th century numerical keypad although the basic principle was the same.
"Can you open it or not?" Horatia queried, keeping an eye for any guard or lost wanderer in the vicinities.
"I think so but I need a little more time to be sure. It's a good thing there are no cameras."
Yes, it was. A good and unusual thing that played in their favor. Lazendorf's inner beliefs of complete immunity and sense of entitlement had led him to forbid any kind of recording mechanisms in a fifty-meter radius outside his office. No spying eyes were allowed inside either for his private debaucheries were just that - private.
Alex's hands moved swiftly across the panel doing things she didn't grasp nor wanted to. Whatever he did worked like a charm nonetheless. If they ever found themselves on the run from the Super Patriarchy's Police on account of her cry for help, his thieving skills were sure to come in handy again and again.
"After you," he declared.
Horatia took the lead and in five seconds got her confirmation.
"Lana was definitely here, today."
"How can you tell?"
"Her favorite perfume is still in the air. Can't you sense it?"
"It certainly seems like hers but that's hardly concrete evidence."
"Which is why I'm going to tear his desk apart. Check his call registry in the meantime," Horatia commanded.
"Yes, Goddess," he gladly complied, the chastity spell being put to the test once again. It held as it should and they both got to work.
Both papers lying around and recent calls proved inconclusive. As for his personal quantic computer, the layers of encryption set in place were an unsurmountable barrier even for both of their intellects combined.
"Nothing. Shit!" Horatia vociferated.
"Now what?"
"No clue."
She looked at the Professor's bookshelves, daydreaming of forbiddent secrets "You don't suppose there's a hidden passage behind one of them, do you?"
"I think that only works in fiction but it's still worth checking."
They did, leaving as little evidence of any tampering as possible, with the same results as previous dilligences. Horatia bit her lower lip in a sign of frustration. Lana's trail was fading fast just like the lavender notes of her perfume.
"I think it's time to go, R.," Alex said, somberly.
"You're right," she agreed, despite wanting the opposite. They had been quite fortunate until then but Fate was fickle and vengeful when pushed too far. Horatia muffled the raging scream rushing up her throat and exited her teacher's office. Alex trailed right behind her, resetting the keypad's configuration in the blink of an eye. The door hissed and closed. The serpent of despair hadn't swallowed them but the bite marks were undeniable.
Horatia didn't have to pretend being something she was not as they negotiated a path towards the University's main entrance once more. During those minutes, she was actually a little broken. Alex kept quiet, didn't push the envelope, instead waiting for the right moment outdoors, that moment when his dominant Goddess cried like a regular human being in his arms as the artificial night sunk in.
"Damn it!"
"It's not over yet. We can go to his house if you want," he consoled her.
"No. You've done plenty already!" Horatia sobbed. "I'm going to try to call her parents again, see if they heard anything from her in the meantime."
"You might want to hold on to that idea for a little longer," Alex declared.
"Why?"
"Because Lazendorf's car is right around the corner," he pointed.
Her eyes followed his right index, the hypnotist somewhat entranced by a glimmer of hope. Two shadows stood next to the vehicle, one all too familiar.
"I can see the son of a bitch, too. But who is he talking with?"
"Can't tell, but if you look closely..."
"... there's a woman in the back seat."
Lazendorf's shadow gesticulated furiously to the other one, a gigantic mass of muscles under a top hat. There was no visible reply, nothing that indicated they were witnessing an actual conversation instead of a monologue.
Horatia and Alex crossed the street using other cars as a cover until they were close enough to see a truth they weren't ready to see for the other shadowy figure divided into two under a fluorescent lamp's light. Besides the muscles and the top hat, there was a red skirt, curly shoulder-length brown hair and designer stiletto shoes.
Maximillian and Sarah Danvers. Lana's parents.
"I can't believe this!" Horatia gasped.
"I'm finding it hard to believe myself but that's definitely Lana in the car," Alex noted.
"Are they...?" she couldn't finish the sentence when she saw the money in Lazendorf's hand. No, that couldn't be a business transaction!"
"This is definitely more than she's worth so you'll do well to accept it and never discuss this with anyone," Lazendorf said.
"The money is always welcome but you're doing us a favor anyway, Professor," Sarah Danvers replied. "It's a pleasure to serve."
