Hide and Seek: The Mad Girl Sees All novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18

“Keep up.” Lyra didn’t answerShe just kept walking.

“Lyra, you’re seriously incredible. I watched the replay of your stream after I got back. You were amazing

My commander told me to thank you properly

The chatter buzzed in her ear. For a second, Lyra regressed it. Why had she dragged a motormouth along? So loud

“Stop talking.”

Lina blinked, dazed, but obediently shut her mouth. Then she stared at Lyra, confused.

This round’s Wraiths probably hunt by ear.”

Lina froze, then glanced up toward the pavilion.

Players were still scrambling to anchor themselves outside windows. Someone scraped against brick. Someone shifted and knocked a tile loose. The whole thing was a mess.

‘So they… Lina whispered.

If they can’t keep quiet, it could get ugly.”

Lyra didn’t slow down. “So this round, watch your noise.”

They followed the winding corridor toward the lotus pond. Lyra moved in fits and starts, sometimes stooping for a small stone and tossing it lightly, tilting her head to track where it landed before walking on.

Lina trailed behind her. Watching the whole routine, she didn’t dare ask.

A narrow path ran along the pond, winding behind a stand of reeds. Deeper in sat a half-moon stone platform, mostly hidden under spreading lotus leaves.

yra hopped onto the platform, crouched, and dipped a hand into the water. Not cold.

she stood and turned to Lina. “Can you swim?”

ina hadn’t expected the question. She blanked for two seconds. “…Yeah. I can. Why?”

You might need to go in. Or not. You can just lie flat on this platform and stay put

yra sat at the platform’s edge and pulled off her shoes.

una watched her roll up her socks, stuff them into the shoes, and dip her feet into the water

You-you’re getting in?

Just in case,” Lyra swung her feet through the water “Better to know the temperature ahead of time

Lina bent down and started pulling off her shoes too.

n Command, Lana stared at the split screen, her eyes flicking between Lyra and the lotus pond

1/4

33 am

Copte

What she planning

Ms Reed had pieced it together Going by Lyra’s read-the Wraiths track by sound this round Water scatters sound waves. Near water, they d have a hard time pinpointing the warce”

Garrett turned to look at her ‘She worked all that out

She’s been listening and testing the whole way started studying the reeds

Lana sud Nothing more. Her eyes went back to the screen, where Lyra had

In Draconta’s stream, though, the chat was fixated on something else

LyraMyldol [Folks, breaking new-several countries have already pinged their players through their comm channels. Telling them this round’s Wraiths hunt by sound’

NeverAteVeggies (Wait, for real) The Wraiths haven’t even spawned yet’)

NeverAteFruit Don’t tell me other countries top brass have been camping our stream’]

Another Day Alive [That’s wild Our Goddess hasn’t even confirmed it and they re already telling their players’]

GoDraconia: (Gotta hand it to those countries-they ve got guts Blind faith in our Goddess’]

DontHitMe (Yeah but, not many people are thinking water right now If everyone copies and dives in at once, it’s gonna be LOUD]

LuckyKoi: [Only three nations notified so far. The rest are probably waiting for the Wraiths to spawn and confirming before Jassing it on.]

BornToCuss: [Forget them. What’s our Goddess doing now’)

n the reeds, Lyra snapped off a stalk, broke off the fluffy top, and was left with a long ‘flute.”

Lina.

Yeah?

Try this. Put it in your mouth. pinch your nose, see if you can breathe.

Okay.”

ina took the reed, shipped it into her mouth, and tested her breathing. “It works. Bit of effort, but I can

manage.”

Good. Hang onto it. You hide in this area.

On the platform, or underwater. You can breathe through the reed. Underwater’s safer than the platform. Your call.

Underwater Lina said without a flicker of hesitation.

Right. Three hours underwater isn’t easy, though. Prep a few extra of these.

And remember-do not make a sound.

Even it a Wraith’s weapon catches you, try not to cry out. Got it?”

Got it But aren’t you hiding here too? Lina hesitated before asking

24

933 am

Ny T&P gut othershings to do With that 1 yra turned and left

Tana watched her go. Then, no hesitation, she started snapping off more reed tubes-not just for herself but for Lyra too

Lyra had helped her so much. If Lyra didn’t need them. fine. But if she did, Lana wanted them ready

After leaving. Lyra didn’t head anywhere new She picked a courtyard wall directly facing the wall the Wraiths would come through

The wall sat about sixteen feet from the Wraiths’ wall. Below it was a small bamboo grove, with potted plants and a rockery

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