Pitbabe S2, Chapter 32 pg 3
Pitbabe S2, Chapter 32 pg 3
The X-Hunter fanbase remains dead silent, so quiet it’s hard to breathe. Tension blankets the entire area. Even the usually goofy North looks unnervingly serious, which is shocking. But the one I’m most worried about is Phii Alan. He’s been visibly stressed lately, and I’m not sure if he’s having issues with Jeff or something else. Right now, nothing seems normal—not even his expression. I can’t read what’s behind the cloudiness in his eyes.
‘There’s another theory I’ve come across a lot: could Charlie’s recent disappearance be because they’re being heavily harassed? Before this, Charlie openly mentioned multiple times that they were being stalked, wiretapped, and even attacked. Now, people are starting to worry that Charlie might be in danger for speaking out so boldly about government operations and corruption.’
Amid the silence, broken only by the spicy news broadcast, Phii Alan suddenly stands up and storms out of the garage without a word. Dean, seeing this, immediately runs after him. North and I are left staring after them, utterly confused. I don’t know how much North understands, but I’m completely lost.
What’s happening to our team?
I’ve never seen us like this before.
“Hey,” I call out to North, who’s sitting silently beside me. He looks at me with clear discomfort. “What’s going on? Do you know anything?”
“I don’t know everything, you know,” North let out a long sigh. “All I know is that Charlie’s in a bad spot right now. His work, the research team—it’s like he’s being squeezed from every angle.”
“But he came to see you yesterday, right?” I asked, recalling that during our phone call yesterday, North had cut it short because he said Charlie was at his place. I didn’t think much of it then, since North often helps with Charlie’s work. But now, I was starting to sense there was more to it. “What’s going on?”
North froze, his face full of hesitation. He was clearly wrestling with whether to tell me. Honestly, I could understand why it’d be hard to talk about. It’s not surprising he’d be reluctant, but if he chose to keep it from me, I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t feel a bit hurt.
“Something got stolen from the lab,” North finally said, though his expression still showed some uncertainty. “Only a few people have access to the lab, so he’s questioning everyone one by one.”
“Questioning?” I raised an eyebrow. “Questioning what? Does he think you stole it?”
“Right now, Charlie doesn’t trust anyone,” North said, sighing again. “But I get it. The stuff he’s dealing with is too big to just rely on trust. If there’s any doubt, he’s gotta suspect everyone first. He felt bad coming to me about it, but he doesn’t have much choice. And it’s not just me—he’s questioning a bunch of people. He said if he’s going to suspect anyone, he’s got to suspect everyone possible.”
I nodded. At first, I was a bit annoyed that Charlie would suspect North, but hearing it from him, it didn’t seem easy for Charlie either. Even though he joined the team late and has since left, I could tell Charlie cares about our team as much as anyone. Having to suspect his own people must be tearing him up.
“So, what happened? What’d you guys talk about?”
“Nothing much. Why would I steal his stuff?” North replied. “I let him test me for lies all he wanted since I’ve got nothing to hide. Once he saw I was telling the truth, he apologized and looked like a kicked puppy.”
“I can totally picture his face,” I said.
“Yeah, super pitiful.”
“What about Phii Babe? How’s that going?”
“They seem to be okay again, like what you see in the news. But they haven’t officially gotten back together.”
“Hmm… I haven’t talked to Phii Babe in a while,” I admitted.
“Same. Honestly, I talk to Charlie more,” North said, making me realize that compared to Charlie, who’s already left the team, Phii Babe feels like he’s drifted even further out of orbit. “Yesterday, I asked about Phii Babe, and Charlie said they’re together, seeing each other every day. But… his face was weird.”
“Weird how?”
“Hard to explain, but it wasn’t normal,” North said, trying to find the right words to paint the picture for me. “You know how Charlie usually is, right? When he talks about Phii Babe?”
“Yeah,” I replied instantly. “All dreamy and a bit goofy.”
“Exactly. But yesterday? Not at all. He was smiling like usual, but I could tell something was off. Like he doesn’t feel the same about Phii Babe anymore.”
“Hey… that’s crazy!” I protested loudly. This was one of the most ridiculous things I’d ever heard. “No way.”
“I don’t know, it just feels like it.”
“Probably just some kind of argument.”
“Hope so,” North sighed for the third time, now slumping his shoulders like someone who’s lost all will to live. “I really don’t want those two to break up. If they do, it’ll feel like the team’s falling apart or something.”
“Yeah, true,” I nodded in agreement. “That’s why they say not to date at work.”
“It’s not work, we’re family.”
“Then that’s even worse, it’s immoral… ow!”
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