Lyla opens the door to her room, and invites us all inside. Walking inside of Lyla’s room there’s not a lot going on. The room is plain and barren, much like the rest of our rooms but they never really gave us anything to spice it up. I remember asking someone about it when I got here, and they said that it was a funding issue. Anyways, Carter starts talking about the phones to all of us.

“So, we know where the phones are, but how do we get to them?” Carter asks.

“Well, there’s a couple things we could try,” James says. “There’s always trying to get you in there Carter.”

“I would, but with me being involved in the fight with Paul, they’ll be suspecting me to do something, especially since I spoke with Thorn about the incident.”

Lyla’s the next to speak. “We could try to get the keys from one of the swat guys. With those we could just sneak in there.”

“Possibly” James responds. “However, if we get caught in either of those situations, they’ll definitely either keep an eye on us or keep us in lockdown.”

“What else could we do?” Carter asks.

Everyone sits in silence, thinking about a possibility of how to get the phones from the band room. Luckily, an idea comes to my head. “What about the vents?” I say.

“The vents?” Carter inquires, “What about them?”

This is my chance; I speak up again. “Well, the vents, this place has a ventilation system, right? And if spy movies have taught me anything, every room is connected to the vents. Me being as small as I am, I could climb through and get into the band room, take the phones, and get out without having to use the keys or put any of you guys in trouble.”

I pause, but then start talking again.

“Even more, I haven’t started anything, unlike you guys.” I point to the three of them. “I’m the perfect candidate for this.”

Everyone looks at me, puzzled expressions across their faces. I mean, it’s a good idea, I don’t think there’s any better idea. But I also know that they all just kinda met me, so it’s like… they might not be on board for this kind of thing.

“I could see it working.” James says.

“If it’s done right, it could.” Carter adds.

“If you guys think it’s a good idea, we can do it.” Lyla replies.

Carter turns to me. “You seriously think you could be able to do this without messing up?”

I respond. “Oh yeah dude you know me, I’m small, nimble and I’m able to sneak around, it’s like I was made for this.” I gesture to myself, “I mean look at me, does this not say, small creature that steals things? Like come on, you know I’m perfect for this.”

Carter shakes his head, “You’re… very enthusiastic about this... aren’t you?”

“Yes, yes, I am, and I finally get to do something cool with this new body. Instead of sitting around and doing the same shit I’ve always done. It’s exciting.”

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“You do realize that we’re not playing pretend right?” Lyla says, “You mess this up and we’ll all never be able to go home.”

“I know, I know, I’m just having a little bit of fun. There’s nothing wrong with that right?” I reply.

“I guess not, but we should be serious about this.” Lyla replies. “I just want to ensure that I get out of here… With you guys of course.”

“The most important right now is finding out how we’re going to pull this off, where the vents go, and when we need to do this.” Carter says. “We can go looking, but when we do it is paramount.”

I chime in, “Let’s do it tonight.”

“Tonight?” James says, “why tonight?”

“Well, there’s still time left in the day, I can go case the place, since I’m not in any kind of trouble, me wandering around isn’t going to get attention. We find a way in, and Carter lets me out of my room tonight, and I get the phones, and give it to you tomorrow.”

“Don’t you think that’s a little early?” James says, “We literally had the assembly today.”

“True, but they’re not going to expect someone to pull something right now. They’re going to think anyone trying anything is going to be waiting for a moment, in a sense, it could be their most vulnerable point.” I reply.

Carter ponders, before responding once more. “So, all I have to do is let you out?” He asks.

“Yeah.” I say. “Once I know how to get in, I can sneak around on my own, and grab the phones and come back to my room, you’ll just have to lock it once I get back. We set like a time or something.”

“And I’m not involved?” Carter asks.

“Well yeah, It’ll be a me thing, going by myself, no one will expect me, you two don’t have to do anything.” I point at Lyla and James. “I’ll get your phone by tomorrow.”

“And what if you get caught.” Lyla questions. “What then?”

“I won’t say anything about it.” I respond. “I can make something up, I’m good at that.”

Lyla pauses, looking at me again, scanning me. I know she probably doesn’t trust me, and to be honest I don’t even know if the plan is going to work. But I have a craving to do something, anything. I want to feel the rush of breaking the rules, and I know I want to be able to show them that I’m perfectly capable of helping out. So, despite my better judgement, I’m sticking to this plan.

“Alright.” Lyla says, “Since it’s mostly you doing all the work, I guess it’s not a bad idea. Keeps our heads low, and if you’re willing to take one for the team if you get caught, it should be fine.”

“Kind of a weird way to put it but awesome!” I reply, grinning. Finally, my chance. “Now, I just need to figure out how to get in.”

“I could probably help with that.” Carter says. “I can walk around and check out the band room. I’d suggest that you guys try to find some tools in the event you need to use them.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Lyla says. “After we find the tools, what then?”

Silence fills the room, we all ponder what to do with the tools. James, then speaks up.

“What if he hid them nearby?” he says.

“Where?” Carter replies.

“Well, one of the lockers could be a good spot.” James claims.

“Wouldn’t that be a little loud?” I ask.

“Sure, but what if it’s in a secluded hallway, somewhere where nobody really goes. We know the band room is where the swat guys go, and in the event some of them are still there, we could always find a hallway that’s out of the way. Where that noise wouldn’t matter. That, or you’re quiet.” James says.

“I can look when I scout.” Carter says. “I’ve got one of those master keys. Something that can open all the lockers. They gave them to us to check for contraband.”

“Okay, so we have a plan. Now, we just have to execute it.” Lyla says. “James and I will split up and find those tools. Carter and Kellie can scout ahead and look into the room where the phones are, and find a locker to put the tools in.”

With our plan now set, Carter looks at his watch. “We’ve got a few hours before you guys are supposed to go to bed for the night, so that will give us enough time to get this done. We sure we want to do this so early?”

I nod. “Yes, I think this is the perfect time to do it.”

“Then we’ll try our hardest.” James says. “Lets get it done now, so that we can send Kellie to the room tonight.”

I put my hand in front of me. “Lets do this, team.”

“Team?” Lyla says. “We’re a team now?”

“Well, there’s 4 of us isn’t there? That would qualify as a team.” I reply.

James Puts his hand on top of mine. “We’ll get out of here. If we work together.”

Lyla pauses, and then puts her hand in. “Alright, yeah, we’re a team.”

Everyone looks at Carter, who’s hesitant. After a moment of silence, he nods and puts his hand in as well.

“I’m doing this for you guys. Let’s go.”

“Awesome.” I say. “Lets do this!”