Chapter Fifteen

Phillip stared up the drainpipe. “How d’we know the lockdown doesn’t shut off this too?”

“We have to hope for the best,” Raymond told him, rubbing his back.

“Okay. Who can get in through this?” Martin asked. “I can’t.”

“I can,” Cali said. “I can turn into steam and float up- as teleportation isn’t shitting possible- and be poured out a tap at the other end.”

“I can flame my way up,” Brendan added.

“I can too. Ghosts can go anywhere,” Raymond said.

“Phi and I can nick one of those abilities,” Marie pointed out. She saw the worried look on Martin’s face. “You shouldn’t worry about him so much, M. He’ll be fine.”

“Aw…” Phillip threw his arms around his twin, hugging him tight and pressing a kiss to his cheek with a ‘mwah’. “You care…”

“Get off me!” Martin tried to shove the younger boy off, with no success. “Who else can go?” he asked after a while, giving up and just letting Phillip cling to him like a limpet.

“I can,” Andrea said, stamping on her father’s foot as he opened his mouth to protest. “I’m young enough that I still have the baby safeguards such as the ability to walk through walls.”

“It fades. Trust me,” Olivia muttered, rubbing her forehead. Andrea grinned.

“Anyone else?” Martin asked, straightening his sleeves as Phillip finally let go. No-one else said anything. He nodded, “Okay. Klepto Demons, do what you have to do.” Marie kissed Raymond quickly on the lips. Phillip grabbed Brendan’s chin and seemed to take great pleasure in planting a kiss on his lips, then he turned round, grabbed Kyle and- to the Nierriao’s shock- gave him a full on kiss.

“What was that for?” he asked once they broke away.

“I didn’t want you to get jealous…”

“I would’ve preferred jealousy… I think you burnt my tongue.”

“Sorry.” Phillip turned to the others. “You ready?”

*          *          *          *          *

The kitchen was quiet. Then the tap suddenly turned on, gushing water into the sink. The water flowed over the side and onto the floor, where it slowly formed a figure. Cali stood up slowly, shaking extra water out her hair. She smiled when she looked round. She was in. Fire exploded out the plughole and Brendan appeared, Phillip followed in the same manner. They ran silently into the living room, where Raymond, Marie and Andrea were already examining the door. “No way,” Raymond whispered.

“We’ll manage,” Brendan replied. “Let’s go find Bourne. And you may have taken out that one, but be careful not to be seen by any other cameras.”