Quoted By:
<span class="mu-r">“Is there any way that you can send me those voicemails?”</span> you asked.
<span class="mu-g">“Huh? Oh yeah, sure. Let me just get my laptop real quick. I’ll email it to you.”</span>
While you waited for her to do that, you decided to open up the SHIELD communicator. Cho’s voice was the one that greeted you.
<span class="mu-g">“Heeey, Spidey! How’s it hangin’?”</span> he said. <span class="mu-g">“We’ve got some really good news and some not so great news. The good news is, your buddy’s up and walking around already. His concentration still needs some work, but I helped him learn how to speak again!”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“That’s awesome!”</span> you almost said, before remembering that it was a pre-recorded transmission.
<span class="mu-g">“And as for the bad news…I’m afraid he’s in a bit of a bad mood right now. Kinda has been for the past few days, actually. I was thinking that seeing you might cheer him up.”</span> Cho suggested. <span class="mu-g">“Mockingbird should be ready to pick you up when you send her the signal. Hope to see you soon.”</span>
The transmission cut off, then.
You honestly couldn’t blame him for being upset, but you just hoped that none of that anger was reserved for you. No…this isn’t about you. You need to make sure that your friend’s okay.
<span class="mu-g">“Okay. Just sent them.”</span> Vicky said.
<span class="mu-r">“Got it. Thanks a lot.”</span> you said.
<span class="mu-g">“No problem. Just…let me know if she’s okay?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Will do.”</span> you responded, before hanging up. You didn’t want to tell her that you were more or less leaning towards blowing Callisto off to visit Flint, but you could at least hold off on making your decision until you heard the messages.
You hit play, and the first voicemail started off with some crazy bad audio quality. Did you sound like this when you called Vic that night?
<span class="mu-b">“Hey, Mr. Magoo.”</span> Callisto began. <span class="mu-b">“Just wanted to ask whether you or someone you knew came back down here. Some of my guys say they keep hearing noises and catching glimpses of someone moving around in the tunnels. If it’s not you, then don’t worry about it. We’ll manage.”</span>
The line clicked, and the message was over. You moved onto the next one, and the static over the line had somehow gotten worse.
<span class="mu-b">“Hey, Scrooge? So…you remember that thing that I called about a little while ago?”</span> she asked. <span class="mu-b">“Yeah, well…we’re pretty sure that it isn’t one of your friends. And judging from the way it’s been hissing at us and clawing up my mates, I don’t think it's one of ours either. Wasn’t sure if it was that thing that you brought down here last time, but I just wanted to give you an update before I sent it packing. Hugs and kisses. Don’t forget to write.”</span> she said with very little enthusiasm, before slamming the phone onto the hook.
You played the last message, and before Callisto had said anything, you could already tell that the tone of this message had shifted towards something much more sinister.
(Cont.)
