I'm hiding behind the rooftop air conditioning unit, feeling the cold metal through my jeans, but I barely even notice it. I'm totally focused on Liberty Belle. I can tell she's about three blocks away. It's like this constant, dull pull in my mind, her blood signature. Her... floating vascular system burnt in my mind's eye. Ever since she started teaching me how to be a detective, I've gotten pretty good at this - tracking without being seen. It's kinda creepy, I guess, but necessary. With Belle's condition... I just need to make sure she's safe.
I mean, I assume if someone was wounded I'd be good at tracking them too. But right now, the only person with a permanent wound I care about is her. No, that sounds weird. Never mind. Train of thought over.
I've got my binoculars out, little dinky ones that I got from a surplus store on the internet a couple days ago. They're old but they work great for keeping an eye on her from a distance. I watch as Liberty Belle makes her way through the dark streets, walking steadily but slowly, no spring in her step. She stops outside this old warehouse that just screams 'superhero secrets'. I write down the address in my notebook, and the pages flutter in the breeze of the night.
She goes inside, and then I wait. Waiting is always the hardest part. I'm left alone with my thoughts, racing and tumbling over each other. I can't help but think about her, and what she's planning to do all by herself. I can't shake this feeling, this dread that something really bad is about to happen. I tap my fingers against the binoculars, feeling restless.
After what feels like forever, but my phone tells me it's only been forty minutes, she comes back out. She's holding something - a small box that looks pretty heavy. I squint, trying to see more details, but it's no use. I add another note in my book, 'Belle took something from the warehouse - maybe a microwave-sized box?'.
I continue to follow her for a while, making sure to stay far enough behind. I become like a shadow, moving silently from one point to another. She doesn't show any signs that she knows she's being followed. Maybe she doesn't. Or maybe she's just that good at hiding it.
Finally, she heads back to her place, and I know it's time to back off. I can't risk getting too close there. It's her safe haven, and I respect that, even though every part of me wants to get closer and make sure she's really alright.
As I make my way back home, I can't shake the feeling that I'm missing something big, something important. My mind keeps replaying the events of the night, every move Belle made, every pause. There's a puzzle here, and I'm only seeing a few pieces. But I'm determined to figure it out, for her sake. She's done so much for me, for all of us. The least I can do is watch her back, even if she doesn't know I'm doing it.
But what am I going to discover? The question haunts me, an itch I can't scratch. I shove my hands in my pockets, feeling the cold finally seeping into my bones as I head home. Tomorrow's another night, another opportunity to learn more. I just hope I'm prepared for whatever I uncover.
Time Log
* 7:15 PM: Spotted Liberty Belle leaving her apartment. Heading towards the industrial area.
* 7:40 PM: Belle enters old warehouse on Whitaker Ave. (looks abandoned, graffiti on side walls).
* 8:20 PM: Belle exits warehouse, carrying a small box (size of a microwave?).
* 8:55 PM: Belle stops at a convenience store. Buys coffee and a sandwich.
* 9:10 PM: Quick detour through a park. Sat on a bench for a while. Looked... tired? Sad?
* 9:35 PM: Returned to apartment. Lights off by 10 PM.
General Notes
* Warehouse: Need to check what's inside. Maybe late night recon? Could be important.
* Box: What was in it? Equipment? Something else? Why there?
* Convenience Store: Regular coffee run? Or meeting someone? Didn't see anyone, though.
* Park Visit: Seemed out of place. Just thinking? Or meeting someone I couldn't see?
* Mood: She seemed off. More than usual. Distracted? Worried?
Other Stuff:
* Saw a cat fight near the warehouse. Loud.
* Need new gloves, hands freezing.
* Remember to charge phone tonight.
* Check homework due Monday.
To-Do
* Research: Whitaker Ave warehouse history? Recent purchases/rentals?
* Surveillance: Keep tracking Belle's movements. Patterns?
* Equipment: Need better night vision gear. Binoculars are okay, but could be better.
* Schoolwork: Ugh, can't forget this. Maths test coming up.
* Training: Practice tracking on someone else? Might help refine skills.
* Coffee: Try Belle's order? Might be good?
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The night's colder than last night, biting through my new gloves - they're better than nothing, but still. I'm back on Belle's trail, charged phone in my pocket, and fresh determination in my mind. After yesterday, I've got this nagging feeling I can't shake. Something's up, and I need to find out what.
I'm perched on some other rooftop tonight, a bit closer to Belle's place. I figure she's gotta leave at some point, and I wanna be ready when she does. My breath comes out in little clouds, and I pull my new gloves tighter, trying to keep the cold at bay. I tap my phone screen - still early, only 7 PM. Belle's a creature of habit, so I'm betting she'll head out soon.
And sure enough, there she goes. I can sense her, that familiar pull, moving away from her apartment. I follow, keeping to the shadows, blending in with the night. It's easier now, I've gotten good at this. Maybe too good. But I can't think about that now.
She's heading towards a different part of town tonight, away from the industrial area. Curious. I jot down the streets she takes, the turns. She pauses outside a small bookstore - closed, obviously, it's late. But she looks in the window for a long time. I wonder what she's thinking about. Books? Or something else?
I scribble a note - 'Bookstore on Carson St., why?'. It's all these little things, they've gotta mean something. But what?
The night drags on, and Belle keeps moving, seemingly without a clear destination. It's almost like she's just wandering, directionless, like a moth that's lost track of the moon. I follow at a safe distance, always careful not to get too close. My phone buzzes with a text from someone in one of my classes - something about a group project due Monday. I silence it quickly, trying to avoid giving away my position, and trying to avoid getting distracted.
Finally, Belle stops in a small park. She sits on a bench, just like last night, and stares up at the sky. There's something so lonely about it, about her. I wanna go to her, ask her what's wrong, but I can't. I'm just supposed to watch, to take notes, and figure out her plans. I'm not stupid. I know something's going to happen with the PES refinery, and I want to be the first one there to help when it goes down.
I take a deep breath, trying to focus. 'Park visit again', I write down. 'Seems lost in thought'. I wish I knew what she was thinking, what's weighing on her so heavily. But from this distance, all I can do is guess.
The night's getting late, and I know I should head back soon. School stuff, the group project - it's all waiting for me. But as I watch Liberty Belle, I can't help but feel like I'm missing something important. Something critical. I shake my head, pushing the thoughts away. I'll figure it out, I have to. For her, for all of us. I take one last look at Belle, still sitting alone in the park, and then slip away into the night, the questions and doubts swirling in my mind.
Time Log
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* 7:00 PM: Set up on new rooftop, closer to Belle's place. Charged phone, check. New gloves, check (but still cold).
* 7:15 PM: Belle leaves her apartment. Heading towards downtown this time, not industrial.
* 7:40 PM: Stops outside closed bookstore on Carson St. Looks in for a long time. Why? Something important there?
* 8:30 PM: Belle wanders around downtown. No clear pattern. Just walking?
* 9:05 PM: Park visit again. Seems lost in thought. Same bench as before. Staring at the sky. Significant bench?
* 9:45 PM: Headed back home. Park still on my mind. Why there, again?
General Notes
* Bookstore: Closed, but Belle seemed interested. Connection to her plans?
* Wandering: Different route from yesterday. Is she searching for something? Or just lost in thought?
* Park Visits: Second time at the same park, same bench. Coincidence? Doubt it.
* Mood: More reflective tonight. Less about action, more about thinking?
Other Stuff:
* Sally texted about a group project. Need to reply.
* Bookstore. Research tomorrow?
* Park - anything special about it?
* Almost out of snacks.
To-Do
* Research:
* Bookstore on Carson St., why?
* Park significance?
* Equipment: Gloves are okay, but could be warmer. Note for later.
* Schoolwork: Group project response needed. Can't ignore.
* Coffee: Tried Belle's order. Not bad. More sugar next time?
* Snacks: Need to restock. Out of KaChing
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The rain outside is tapping against my window, and surprisingly, it's kinda soothing. It's the perfect excuse to stay in, snuggled under a pile of blankets with my laptop and a bunch of books. I gotta finish this homework first if I wanna keep up with everything else going on.
I start with math, which is a nice distraction from the bigger puzzles I've been trying to solve. Jordan has been showing me some of their tricks for gathering information, and I'm curious to give them a try. But first things first. After what feels like forever, but it's only been a couple of hours, I've finished my math and English homework. The rain is still going, acting as the background noise while I switch to detective mode.
I open up my notes from last night. What's the story behind the bookstore on Carson St.? I do some searches, trying to find out its history and see if there's anything interesting about it. Turns out it's just a regular bookstore that's been around for ages, selling used books and hosting some local author events. I sigh, closing the tab. Dead end.
Next, I move on to the park and that bench. There has to be something significant about it, right? I remember the way Belle just sat there, lost in her thoughts. I search online, looking up the park's history and any notable events. And then I come across it - the bench is dedicated to Professor Franklin. It all makes sense now. Belle and Professor Franklin were close, and this bench must hold some sentimental value for her. But that's it, just personal meaning. Nothing that screams 'big superhero secret' or anything.
The warehouse is just a warehouse. No shady deals or secret superhero gadgets. It's just a space for storage, covered in dust. I lean back, feeling a mixture of frustration and relief. Part of me was hoping to find some hidden clue, a missing piece of the puzzle. To figure out what it is I'm even looking for. But another part of me is glad that it's all just ordinary stuff - a bookstore, a cafe, a regular old warehouse.
It's weird how my life now has this mix of normal and not-so-normal. I finish up my research, making a few final notes. The rain continues to fall, a reminder that the world keeps moving, no matter what's happening in my little world. I close my laptop and stretch out on my bed. Maybe tomorrow night I'll go out again and see if I can find anything else. But for now, I'm just a regular high school kid with homework on a rainy Saturday night.
I pull my blanket up, listening to the rain, and for a moment, I allow myself to just be. No superhero stuff, no mysteries. Just Sam, the rain, and the peaceful quiet.
Research
* Bookstore on Carson St.
* Been around since the '80s.
* Regular old bookstore, nothing out of the ordinary.
* Hosts book clubs, local author nights. Sounds kinda nice, actually.
* Park & Bench - Dedicated to Professor Franklin. Makes sense why Belle was there.
* Warehouse on Whitaker Ave.
* As boring as a warehouse can get.
* Storage for local businesses. Lots of old furniture and stuff.
Personal
* Homework:
* Math done (finally!).
* English essay on 'To Kill a Mockingbird' - half done. Need to finish tomorrow.
* To-Do:
* Finish English essay.
* Maybe start that science project?
* Keep an eye on Belle's usual spots.
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It's way past midnight, and I'm pretty sure there's gonna be a snow day tomorrow. The weather's been crazy, like the sky can't decide if it wants to snow, rain, or just throw ice at us. I haven't been following Belle for days because of it, but tonight, it's clear enough. Cold, but clear. So here I am, all bundled up in my warmest coat, the one with the fur-lined hood, trying to look inconspicuous. I tug my hood closer around my face, trying to keep the cold out. My breath forms little clouds in the air, and I stamp my feet to keep warm.
I watch from a distance as Belle moves around the old PES facility. This place is a relic, a giant tombstone for a disaster that shook the city. It's eerie, seeing her here, a lone figure among the industrial skeletons. It's kinda creepy, with all those rusty structures and dark corners. She's moving around with this determined energy that I can't help but admire. Even in the middle of the night, she's all about the mission. I stay back, using a pile of old, snow-covered debris as cover. I can barely feel my toes, but I'm too engrossed to care.
I watch through my binoculars as she works on what looks like cameras and bugs. She's fixing them, replacing some that look broken, probably from the weather. She's got this little toolkit with her, and she's surprisingly good with it. I jot down notes, trying not to let my handwriting get all wobbly from the cold.
I pull out my notebook, jotting down what I see. 'Belle at PES. Late night maintenance? Weatherproofing stuff.' It's mundane, almost disappointingly so. I was expecting... I don't know, something more? But this is important in its own way, a piece of the puzzle of what she's preparing for. I'm battling the urge to just walk over and help her. Or ask her a ton of questions. But I know I can't. Not yet. She must have her reasons for keeping this stuff secret, even from us. My curiosity is like a wild animal in my head, demanding answers.
She finally finishes after what feels like forever. I watch her pack her tools and vanish into the night. I wait a bit before leaving my hiding spot, making sure she's really gone. My whole body is stiff from the cold, and as I trudge back, the first hints of dawn are starting to lighten up the sky.
I'm pretty sure school's gonna be canceled. Good. I need some sleep. But as I walk, my mind is still pondering over everything I witnessed. What's Belle getting ready for? What does she know that we don't? The questions are buzzing in my head, relentless, as I make my way home through the chilly, peaceful streets.
Time Log
* 11:45 PM: Making late rounds, tracked a walking Belle.
* 2:05 AM: Belle heading towards the old PES facility.
* 2:15 AM: Belle starts checking cameras around the perimeter. Lots of them.
* 2:45 AM: Replaces some broken cameras, seems like she's upgrading security?
* 3:00 AM: Belle's installing new weatherproofing - smart, given the recent weather.
General Notes
* PES Facility: Why here? What's special about this place for Belle? Does she expect Chernobyl to appear here?
* Cameras: She's really beefing up security. Expecting trouble? Or just cautious?
* Condition: She seemed focused, but there were times she moved like she was in pain. Hate seeing her like that.
To-Do
* Research: Look up more about PES. Any recent activity or news? Or still abandoned?
* Surveillance Gear: Ask Jordan for help.
* Weather Gear: Get better gear for cold and wet nights. Almost froze my butt off tonight.
* School: Check for snow day announcement. Need sleep.
* Health: Keep an eye on Belle's physical condition. She's pushing herself too hard.
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Fuck.
There was not a snow day.
I am so tired.