[Chapter 9: Steal It]

                                    

                                          
"Siddarth! How was your trip?" Uncle Elias said cheerfully. 
                          
Somehow I felt irked when I was around him now. He smiled at me as well, but I could tell that was a fake smile plastered on his face.
                          
After school ended, Dad picked me up and we went to pay Uncle Elias a visit. Dad and I sat around the table at the lobby while Uncle Elias went to the pantry to get us some refreshments.
                          
I was at the edge of my seat, my palms were sweating and I was continuously glancing at the door. 
                          
Uncle Elias returned with the drinks and Dad and him started talking. I totally zoned out until I heard the door slide open. I quickly turned my head, and let out a sigh of relief when I saw Axel enter.
                          
"Hey, Uncle Elias...," Axel trailed off as his gaze moved to Dad. He gave a questioning look, although he perfectly knew who he was. 
                          
"Axel, this is Mr Siddarth. Siddarth this is my nephew," Uncle Elias introduced. 
                          
"Yes, yes. Laila already informed me about that. Nice to meet you, boy," Dad said while extending his hand.
Axel shook his hand with a polite smile. 
                          
"Um... Uncle Elias, I kinda have a pair work assignment to do with Laila. Do you mind if we do some research in the library?" Axel asked, just as planned. 
                          
"Oh... Sure...," Uncle Elias said, but it was clear that he was a bit uncomfortable with us snooping around the library. 
                          
However, I believed because my dad was there he did not want to make it too obvious that something was up. I was still worried if Uncle Elias would tell my father that we have been meddling into things.
                          
I sighed to myself. I hoped not. 
                          
Gaining permission from Uncle Elias, we quickly stepped into the elevator and hit the button level 3. To avoid getting caught we had to take the elevator to the third floor then take the stairs to the second, as the elevator displays the floors it stops on, through a screen that was above the elevator door. 
                          
If Uncle Elias saw the screen display of the elevator stop at the floor of his study, it was not going to end so well for us. We did not take any chances.
                          
When we reached the library we took the emergency set of stairs to avoid from being noticed. Slowly, and as silently as possible we reached Uncle Elias' study. I let out a breath I did not know I was holding. 
                          
Uncle Elias' study was a large room. It had a number of desks and shelves storing his work and books. Some of the tables had a few artifacts, waiting to be examined. Scattered on the table were various tools.
                          
I walked to his main desk and looked around. I did not see the journal, there were only scattered papers, files and books on it. 
                          
"Axel, where's the journal?" I whispered aloud. 
                          
Axel was looking through the drawers and cupboards. He turned to me and mouthed an, I don't know? 
I pinched the bridge of my nose, now what? 
                          
Axel walked towards me and a said with aggravated tone, "He must have changed the hiding spot. When I came here yesterday, I saw him place it in that cupboard," he said pointing towards one of the cupboards that was closest to the desk.
                          
"But now, I don't know where it is."
                          
I sighed and thought for a moment. 
                          
"That's it!" I suddenly said which made Axel jerk a little.
                          
"His safe. He must have kept it there," I exclaimed.
                          
I walked to the shelf at the back of the room and pointed to the metal safe that was placed on it.
                          
"So... Do you know the password?" He said, crossing his arms against his chest. I nodded. 
                          
Uncle Elias did not tell me, but I sort of saw him key it in when I dropped by his office about a year ago. I doubt he knows I know. I hoped he did not change it. I silently prayed while I keyed in the password.
                          
With a click it swung open. I breathed a sigh of relief, so did Axel. The journal to my expectation was in the safe. I pulled it out. 
                          
"Oh thank goodness," I mumbled while Axel pulled out his phone.
                          
"Why are you..?" I asked puzzled by his actions.
                          
He pulled the book from my hand and flipped to the alien agenda section and started taking snapshots of each page. 
                          
"We can't take the book. Uncle Elias would be on to us," he explained while taking the pictures. 
                          
I nodded in agreement. I guess in the end we would not be stealing the journal. Instead we were stealing information. Once he was done he flipped through the book once more.
                          
"Just in case," he said. 
                          
Then we put the book back in its place and shut the the safe.
                          
We tiptoed back upstairs and pulled out some random books from the shelf and scattered then around the bean bag. I jumped into the bean bag and pulled out a notebook and pretended to be jotting something down. Axel did the same. 
                          
Minutes later the elevator door opened and Uncle Elias as well as dad stepped out of it. I thanked the stars that we made it just in time.
                          
"Laila, we should be heading back now. Are you done with your work?" My father asked.
                          
"Umm.. Yeah. I think that's about it," I replied.
                          
"Well then let's go," Dad ushered.
                          
I nodded and packed my things up. 
                          
"See you tommorow, Axel," I said casually while waving at him. 
                          
He waved back and I stepped into the elevator with Dad. Uncle Elias on the other hand walked out and towards Axel.
                          
For a moment I was slightly worried, but I knew Axel would be able to cover up any suspicious leaks. At least I hoped so.
                          
We made eye contact for the last time before the elevator door shut.