Encryption ➵ Sally face

The New and Improved

"Hello... Is anyone here with us?" I looked to Sal as he spoke softly, caution lacing his voice.

"We're not going to hurt you - we're your friends," I smiled to the two of them, speaking in the same calming tone as Sal.

I leaned up against the partially tiled wall, searching my surroundings for any sort of sign - even the smallest hint would be helpful.

"You're sure she just comes out on her own?" Todd glanced to Sal and I after we had sat in silence for a few moments.

"Positive; we either get lucky and only get to speak with her for a few moments or usually not at all," I shrugged at the red head, still keeping my eyes open for any sort of sign.

"I don't think anything's happening, and the game isn't lighting up either," Sal looked to Todd as he pulled out the Gear Boy - the screen still olive green.

"... Well I may be able to amplify your Gear Boy to detect some of these apparitions and other super natural hot spots. I mean it obviously responds to those types of substances right?" Todd looked to us hopefully as he spoke, his eyes darting to the Gear Boy every so often.

"I mean, it only started lighting up recently. For the past couple of months we honestly forgot about it until it lit up once in Larry's treehouse," Sal shrugged, handing the Gear Boy to Todd as he examined it.

"Interesting... Well I'm going to need a few things for this alteration. First; I'll need something to amplify the devices reception. And second - something to boost electrical out put,"

Sal and I looked to each other, I could tell he had a few ideas as to what to get and smiled softly to him.

"Perfect, I think I know exactly where to go,"

~*~

Silence shrouded the elevator as we descended back to the bottom floor - envy still lacing my thoughts.

"Sal... I- I hated that," I looked directly down as we stepped out of the elevator, not wanting to make any sort of eye contact.

"Hey hey hated what," Sal turned to look back at me as I stood planted in front of the elevator.

"Her... Coming onto you like that... I hated it," I kept my attention directed at the ground as I spoke shakily. "I hate myself and seeing her do that just made me realize how much better she is then me... And that you can really have anyone..."

"Liz you're the only one I want, you're the one I see a future with and you're the only one I'm going to be with. I don't want anyone else, I want you..."

I smiled as I felt Sal's chin rest a top my head - I had no idea how I became so lucky to be with him.

"Thank's Sal... I'm sorry," I weakly smiled up to him as he gently kissed my forehead.

"Don't worry about it Liz, I'll say something next time she tries anything like that okay?" I could tell he smiled as his mask shifted slightly.

"Alrighty - hey let's go get that antenna, where did you say it was?" I nodded to Sal happily as the two of us pulled apart - heading back to Larry's.

"Well I don't think Larry's gonna like it so you may have to distract him," Sal chuckled as the door swung open, revealing our 'second home'.

"Well fuck it, let's try," I let out a laugh - walking quietly into Larry's room seeing him passed out a top a heap of clothes on his bed.

"Hurry Sal, Larry's one of the lightest sleepers I know," I whispered hastily while standing in the doorway - Sal heading into his room and grabbing the antenna off of the police scanner along with an extra battery pack for our walkie talkies.