Page 44 of Anders
Anders had equipped them both with comms and basic tactical gear—nothing that would draw attention but enough to give them an edge if things went wrong.
The basement first,Anders decided as they reached the back door.That’s where your episode happened.There might be something there that triggered your memories.
Using Etta’s key, they slipped inside, closing the door softly behind them.The building was quiet, dark except for the security lights that cast long shadows across the main workspace.
Anders scanned the room, noting that nothing appeared to have been disturbed since they’d left.
Do you need a light?he asked Etta.
She shook her head.I can see fine.Better than fine, actually.It’s like…my eyes have adjusted beyond what should be possible.
Enhanced night vision,Anders said.Another wolf trait emerging as the suppression fades.
Anders led the way toward the basement door.The stairs creaked slightly beneath their weight, and he winced at each sound.If there was surveillance equipment in the building, they were announcing their presence with every step.
The basement looked much as they’d left it—scattered papers across the floor, the overturned trash can, the disarray from Etta’s seizure.
Anders moved methodically through the space, examining every nook and cranny with experienced precision.
What exactly are we looking for?Etta whispered, staying close behind him.
Anything out of place.Anything that doesn’t belong in a normal newspaper archive.Anders ran his fingers along the underside of a shelf, feeling for irregularities.
Etta began examining the papers that still lay scattered on the floor.These are all from the 1980s and nineties.Local stories about strange occurrences.I remember reading them before…before everything happened.
Anders nodded absently, his attention caught by something else.The electrical outlet near the floor appeared standard, but there was a faint hum coming from it that troubled him.He crouched, examining it more closely.
This isn’t right,he murmured, pulling a small tool from his pocket to pry at the cover plate.
It came away easily, revealing not a normal outlet but a sophisticated piece of equipment disguised to look like one.
Anders let out a low whistle.
What is it?Etta asked, moving to peer over his shoulder.
Government-grade surveillance equipment,Anders said grimly.This isn’t commercial tech—this is military, maybe even black ops level.
How can you tell?
The casing design, the miniaturization.Plus, I recognize some of the components from my time in the army.Anders carefully removed the rest of the faceplate, exposing the full device.This is a passive monitoring system, designed to record and transmit data without drawing power from the building’s electrical system.
Etta’s breath caught.So it’s been recording everything?Even when the power was off?
Exactly.Anders’s mind raced as he examined the device more carefully.And based on the wear patterns on these components, it’s been here for years.Long before you arrived.
But that would mean…
That they planned to put you here all along,Anders finished for her.This wasn’t a hasty operation.This was calculated, with years of preparation.
The implications sent a chill through Anders.Whoever had done this to Etta wasn’t operating on impulse—they were methodical, patient, and thinking long-term.
He pocketed the device and continued his search, now with a clearer idea of what he might be looking for.
Over the next thirty minutes, they discovered three more surveillance devices—one disguised as a fire alarm sensor, another built into an old desk lamp, and a third hidden within the binding of an archive ledger.
But it was when Etta pulled a particular volume from the shelf that they made their most disturbing discovery.
This one feels heavier than the others,she said, handing it to Anders.
