Chapter 254

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*- Agent Rowden*

This is the 254th episode of *unORDINARY*.

## Synopsis

The fun at the resort pool has been going on for a while. Blyke helps the nervous Remi overcome her apprehension about swimming, while Isen keeps his distance to avoid the pain of an electric discharge. Without Seraphina's company, John finds he would rather watch everybody enjoy themselves than participate. His attention shifts to a group of Safe House members, including Evie and Dylan. They have chosen to rest a bit before resuming their swim, and pass the time by sharing ghost stories. Evie loves a good scare, and decides to tell "a true story" about a haunted motel in Rowden.

*There were eerie reports about a certain room where the murder of a woman took place. But one high-tier wanted to prove that there was nothing to be afraid of. So he resolved to spend three nights in the room, and the sounds and sights didn't deter him at first. But on the last night, when he was washing his hands, he realized that they were getting drenched in blood. And right after he was strangled from behind by a force too powerful for him to break free from. When he looked in the mirror, the last sight he saw was not himself, but THE SOULLESS GAZE OF A HORRIFYING WOMAN WITH DECAYING FLESH.*

The sight of Evie delivering the last line while casting light beneath her wide grin scares the wits out of her audience. The group then hears a loud "THUD", which they turn towards. It turns out to have been the sound of John falling out of his chair. He too, was spooked by Evie's tale. The group is astonished that he was paying attention. Dylan asks John if he would like to officially partake in the activity.

Meanwhile, Seraphina asks Agent Rowden the reason Spectre decided to change their plan. He explains that the task would be more difficult than originally anticipated. Seraphina gripes that Spectre seems awfully careless for a widespread organization. She then asks what the assignment is, assuming it has something to do with the duffel bag she spots near her colleague. "*Rowden*" explains that they will be infiltrating a NXGen Facility in the nearby town of Arcwood tomorrow. Seraphina would be responsible for entering the facility to acquire two assets: research documentation and a physical sample. Seraphina asks what the research is focused on, to which *Rowden* replies "conversion technology". Seraphina wants more details, but *Rowden* has none to give. He then proceeds to outline the roles of the Spectre agents who will be supporting her. He himself will serve as their transport. The second is a tech expert who will knock out surveillance. The third will serve as their communications officer for when the group separates. And the fourth will act as Seraphina's person on the inside, having been planted there some time ago. *Rowden* then gives Seraphina her equipment, starting with a specially marked map of the facility for her to memorize. She then gets the duffel bag, which contains the disguise and Fake I.D. for her to assume the role of "Meryl", assistant to a renowned professor. Officially, she was going to NXGen to help with the project, but Seraphina wasn't obligated to speak if she didn't want to. For now, they were to rest until dawn, when they would go forth and get more detailed instructions on site. *Rowden* asked if there were any further questions. Seraphina had too many to pick from.

Back at the resort, John drags his feet getting back to his room. He is still in shock that Evie was capable of inspiring such terror within him. Arlo walks up from behind the jumpy fellow and begins asking if he got word from Elaine. John yelps and drives his elbow into Arlo's chest. Unharmed, Arlo inquisitively wonders if he could have possibly frightened John at that moment. John furiously denies the implication.

Later on the two arrive at the door to Seraphina and Elaine's room. John knocks, and Seraphina answers. Having sent Elaine away for the purposes of privacy, Seraphina informs the two of the assignment she recently received. John is puzzled that they would operate in broad daylight. Seraphina isn't bothered by the hours, as it would still be completed before lunch. Arlo asks if she'll need their help with anything, but Seraphina tells them that everything's covered for now. She asks them to continue keeping a watchful eye on the group, especially Blyke and Remi. Placing her hands on each boys' shoulder, Seraphina sighs in relief that they were one day away from going home, incident-free. She sincerely thanks them both for going out of their way to support her.

At 7 AM the next day, outside of the Arcwood NXGen Facility, *Rowden* waits by Spectre's van. When he notices "Meyrl" arrival, he asks if she's all set to begin.

## Appearing Characters

* Isen
* Remi
* Blyke
* John
* Dylan
* Evie
* High-tier naysayer (Fictional In-Universe)
* The Ghost of Room 414 (Fictional In-Universe)
* *Agent Rowden*
* Seraphina
* ***Tech*** (flashback)
* ***Communicator*** (flashback)
* ***Stacey*** (flashback)
* Arlo

## Navigation

* This chapter more or less canonizes a few things that were once just played for laughs in Uru-chan's wider UnOrdinary works.
	+ The art piece showing an electrically-charged Remi jumping into a pool where Isen and Blyke are swimming is implied to have really happened, thus explaining Isen's present reluctance to get too close.
	+ John truly does not cope well with the horror genre, a callback to the third short story of Bonus Episode 1.