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“What is this…?!” The boy whispered at Arsene. Evidently, he wanted explanations.

“Are you implying I had something to do with that?” Arsene answered with all the innocence he could muster.

But he was never good at being guiltless. “I’m not implying, I’m saying you DID put these into my pockets. Are you trying to bribe me into trusting you?”

Smirking, Arsene responded. “No, I just wanted you to hold on to my share as well. Besides, you don’t have much of a choice in terms of trust.”

Glaring, the boy demanded. “WHAT. DO. YOU. MEAN?”

While he wore his confident grin, Arsene explained. “We came here together. People expect us to be companions. Let’s say one of us is thrown into the brig, the other will be too until further notice. Our lives are too connected at this point. We’re stuck together, until we get off this ship.”

“And what if,” the boy interrupted, “I just knock you out and leave you?”

Arsene smirked. “Well, I could solve that problem.”

Before Arsene could even open the window, the boy blocked it. “Oh, no you don’t.”

“Awe,” Arsene started, “You do care.”

The boy glared at Arsene, almost wanting him to feel it. Unfortunately, an annoying smile was more effective. Sitting back down, Arsene sighed. The boy continued to glare, while Arsene dug up his radio.

“What’s that for?” The boy inquired with more than a little resentment.

Arsene changed channels. “I’m bored, so I’m going to eavesdrop.”

Arsene listened in on multiple conversations, including the doctor talking to the captain. They mentioned how the boy had tested negative for any disease and was fine. Adjusting the frequency, Arsene inclined his ear to the radio.

“They say it’s going down tonight. The goods are in the safe, but we can’t get inside it.”

Another voice answered. “Can’t you just break into it?’

“Nope,” the former replied, “Any forced penetration will trigger the alarm.”

The other voice, clearly annoyed, questioned. “How about overriding the lock?”

“We can with one of the locks, but there are five locks total. One is a digital lock, another is a combination lock, while the others require a one key each. Enter the wrong key, and its lights out with 5000 volts.”

“Hmm.”

Arsene was interested. What in the world would require a safe like that? “I think I’m going to check that out.”

As Arsene put on his mask and tailcoat, the boy added. “In case you forgot, YOU quarantined us.”

“Oh right,” Arsene said dejected, “That means you’ll have to stay here to cover for me. Sorry that I can’t take you with me. I’ll tell you everything when I get back. Bye.”

Before Arsene could crawl into the vent, the boy half-way shouted. “If you leave, I’ll scream.”

“You are just like that boy.” Arsene muttered, as he slid into the vent. “Scream then.”

Why would someone make these vents so big or was Arsene small? Either way, he was able to traverse the ventilation shafts.