Well, it's best if we reconvene, said Delaney. I'll send some bubbles into the maze. If you find one, follow it to me, alright love?

Sounds good.

Omaha said nothing about the interaction. Sloan tried to wink at her as if to say, See? I won't sell you out to them, but Omaha was pro at eye contact evasion.

After a few more minutes of aimless meandering, they found a red bubble adrift amid the passages. The moment they sighted it, Omaha relinquished Sloan's wrist. The effect was instantaneous: Sloan reemerged in the visible realm while Omaha crumbled from existence, free to stalk Sloan unnoticed. Not a reassuring thought.

Sloan poked the bubble. It wobbled. I found one, she broadcasted to Delaney.

Awesome! You must be close.

As if tugged by a magnet, the bubble drifted down the corridor. It moved faster than Sloan expected. She jogged to keep up with it, whipping around corners and ignoring the numb pain in her leg.

(Chapter 6)