“Stop disappearing on me like that. Just what were you trying to pull here?” Maria asked, a little too loudly. It caused several curious heads to turn toward the pair.

“Nothing sis. Just a little fun. It’s not my fault that you cannot keep up with me in your old age” the teen teaser and his words drew chuckles from the passersby. But it also diluted any thought of interest they might have had in the pair.

After all, it was just a sibling pair fighting with each other. There was no real reason to pay attention to them. And that was the only reason Maria did not tell the kid off for insulting her.

“Don’t get your panties in a twist. I promised not to expose you and I didn’t. Here, we’ve reached the bus terminal you wanted to take toward the Grand Canyon” Alester replied with a soft smile. It looked almost like a genuine smile on the teen’s face but it still made Maria suspicious of him.

And also, how had the kid guessed their next move? The trio had been careful not to talk about their destination with anyone outside the group.

“You! How did you figure it out? Our next destination” the teen looked confused at the question for a few seconds before understanding flashed in his eyes. The teen straightened his back at her harsh tone.

“I guessed based on the hints you dropped. And Oh look, it’s your friends and they are together. Do you think they ditched you to have their date?” Alester asked as he pointed in a random direction.

Maria knew it was a ploy to divert her attention away from the main problem but she could not help but fall for it anyway. She was curious about Alester’s words and their validity.

And much to her surprise, the teen was right in that regard. Maria could see her two friends together in the distance having a relaxing conversation without her. They had never looked that relaxed with Maria around and it made her feel annoyed to see them interact.

“Yeah, they are together but there could be a number of reasons for this-” Maria made the excuse, only to find Alester gone. He had disappeared in thin air and had even left behind Maria’s teacher in his original place.

No matter how she tried to trace him, there was nothing for her to be able to do. She had been successfully tricked by Alester.

“Maria. You finally arrived. Let’s go. The bus is about to start and they are starting to make identity checks. We need you there” Suna came over as soon as she spotted Maria. Nao followed at a more sedate pace but there was guilt in her eyes.

Maybe they had tricked Maria into leaving them alone for their date. Maria would have been a thorn in their side if she had been present. Besides, Maria herself would not want to be a third wheel anyway.

It would have been a doomed date from the get-go.

“Let’s go. I will tell you something important once we leave. I no longer feel safe in this city” Maria complained as she dragged the other two toward the exit line.

In retrospect, she should have told the other two about Alester and how much he knew about their party. He was a threat they needed to take care of. But it would take time which they did not have. They could not stay behind on Chariot hill.

Maria quickly passes their falsified papers to the checker, her heart skipping a beat when the checker looked at them with suspicious eyes. Her system had assured Maria that it had been through in ensuring their safety but Maria couldn’t help but still feel worried.

“Are you really serious? I didn’t think anyone would take the bait. But I guess those who have money cannot bother to check the price tag” the checker commented in awe as he gave Maria their identity papers back. There was a surprise in his gaze but also suspicion.

Maria could not help but feel played by her system. It had assured that there would be no questions asked but that had not meant that the system was at liberty to do what it wanted to. And it seemed as if it had done something unnecessary once again.

“Welcome to the Chariot travel’s VIP section. I hope you enjoy your trip with us. It did cost you a fortune after all” the checker called as the trio exited the room.

The trio had a priceless look on their faces. It was beyond shocking and uncomfortable. But there was excitement to be had.

“VIP? What happened to keep a low profile? We’ll be found out at this rate” Nao asked as soon as they entered their cabin. The bus had a separate section for them and they were the only ones here.

It was a cozy and comfortable room, lined with pillows and cushions. You couldn’t even feel the bus’s movement in such a comfortable condition.

And as the bus left the station, Alester watched from the top of the apartment complex. He had a self-satisfied look on his face that resembled a cat that got the canary.

“You sure seem happy to see them go. l and not report it in? And also, will it really be alright though? I’ve heard about that group and their VIP section’s curse. But then again, they did choose to travel in the regular section” the shadows at Alester’s feet converged to form a familiar goat demon.

“What? You are still here? I thought you would have gone back to report my inefficiency by now” Aleater asked with a mocking tone. There was a lack of contentment as well.

The demon remained unphased at the hostel look he was getting. He was used to these mood swings from Alester after all these years.

“I decided to stay back and accompany you. I don’t want to tell the master the news when you can do it yourself” the goat demon replied back. Over the years he had learned not to report Aleater’s on-the-spot ideas because it generally ended up as trouble for him as well.

By experience, the goat demon knew that it would be better for everyone involved to allow Alester to make the report. He had a real talent of being able to sway any conversation in his favor if he wanted to.

“Alester, what did you do?” The goat demon asked as he observed the teen’s unusual interest in the vehicle driving away.

“Me, I did nothing except upgrading their travel package to VIP. Isn’t it a wonderful gift?” The teen asked as the trio departed further and further away, unaware of the danger they had been put into.