The next morning was strangely normal. Which, for Alex, was as rare as finding Carlos without his tablet. After what they experienced in the underground room — ancient guardians, floating stones, and his dog unlocking doors as if it were a galactic VIP pass — he expected to wake up with helicopters in the sky and secret agents at the door.
Instead, he had cereal for breakfast. Max ate kibble as if he hadn't saved the world the night before. Carlos arrived with his backpack full of gadgets, and Marta… well, she arrived with a cold pizza.
— Pizza for breakfast? — asked Alex, raising an eyebrow.
— Breakfast of champions. And besides, there was no time to cook. At 2 a.m. I saw a drone flying over your house, and at 3:20 I found a note under your grandmother's flower pot.
— What!? What did it say!?
Carlos unfolded the note: it was written in red ink, with twisted letters as if someone had written it in the dark or… with their feet.
"See you tonight. Alone. Old cinema square. Bring the dog. And not your little friends. — S."
— S...? Severino? — asked Alex.
— Sauce. Tomato sauce. Or, yes, probably Severino — replied Carlos, biting a piece of pizza with more cheese than recommended by any nutritionist.
— What does he want? — asked Marta. — A trap?
— Or a delivery — said Carlos. — Maybe he needs it, but he can't access the stone by himself.
Alex crossed his arms, thoughtful.
— What if we go… but not alone?
— Do you want to dress up as spies? With black suits and dark glasses? Because I already have a fake hat with a mustache — said Carlos, excited.
— Something more subtle. Let's go with a plan. And if he tries something weird… we will too.
At 21:00, they were ready. Alex and Max would walk through the center, pretending to be a normal boy walking his dog. Marta and Carlos, meanwhile, would hide in strategic points near the old cinema, each with modified (and ridiculously decorated) walkie-talkies.
— Team Alpha reporting from the blue container. It smells weird, but I have visual on the target — said Marta.
— Team Beta reporting from the bushes behind the sign "Promotion: two for one on popcorn eight years ago" — said Carlos —. I confirm: I have sight of Alex and a sinister suspect.
Alex swallowed hard. Max, for his part, wagged his tail as if they were on their way to the park.
The abandoned cinema was a place out of a horror movie: broken windows, graffiti that said things like "Long live the VHS" and a marquee that still displayed the title of a forgotten movie: "Love Among Tentacles II: The Return of the Jelly".
— Romantic — murmured Alex.
From the shadows, a figure emerged. Tall, thin, with a long trench coat and a scarf covering half of his face.
— You arrive on time — said a rough voice —. That's good.
— I didn't come alone — replied Alex.
— I know. Your friends are noisy. The guy in the bushes sneezed five minutes ago. You think I'm not watching you, but the game started a long time ago.
— What do you want?
The man pulled an object from his pocket: a metal plate, similar to that of the underground pedestal.
— This opens the second chamber. The one to the east of the floating stone.
Alex put his neck.
The second camera?
There is more. What you find is just the beginning. I can't open it. Only he –
He said that Max could. That's why I love it.
Alex went back.
I will not deliver it!
You don't have to do it. I will follow it. When the time comes, he goes alone. The necklace will guide you.
What does that mean?
The figure kept the plate.
I will tell you soon. Just... take care of it. Someone else is also looking for it. Someone who is not
So... reasonable.
It disappeared between the shadows.
What was that?! "Carlos screamed out of his hidden visage, covered with leaves.
What is the meaning of "second camera"?How many cameras are there!And why Max? It is
He asked Martha, Jade.
Alex looked at his dog, who was now looking to the east.
I think we'll have to explore again.
The next morning, they were prepared. This time they brought corner, more lights, batteries.
Replacement, snacks, and a whole box of croquettes for Max.
It's no longer just for the necklace. I want to see why my dog is special," Alex said.
"Spoiler: It was always so," said Carlos, caring Max with tenderness.
They walked for more than an hour to the east point of the expanded map. The ground
It became more stunning, with turning trees and clouds. Finally, they found a
It is hidden under roots.
That's like a secret level of video game! He said, fascinated.
The entrance led to an inclined tunnel with stone steps. At the end, another circular room… this time with different symbols. There was no floating stone, but there was an altar and a kind of "screen" made of light that flickered when Max approached.
— Is it a… projection? — said Marta.
The screen showed blurry images: a dog similar to Max in a kind of laboratory, surrounded by scientists. Then, the collar… then, an explosion… and then darkness.
— Was that dog… Max? — asked Alex, trembling.
Carlos was taking notes frantically.
— It's a memory file! An old recording!
The projection ended with a word in large letters: "RESTART."
Suddenly, the room vibrated. Something was activated. The altar began to sink slowly and a new gate opened to one side.
— Correction! Secret level with final boss! — shouted Carlos.
But what came out of the gate was not a guardian. It was a drone… not like the toy ones, but a large one, with cameras and a metallic voice.
— Entity identified. Subject: Project M.A.X. Priority reconnection activated.
— Project what!? — said Marta.
The drone launched a net. Max dodged it. The dog had learned to dodge drones!
— Don't let them catch him! — shouted Alex.
The trio ran through the tunnel, Max among them, the drone behind them launching electric pulses that sparked against the walls. Marta threw a stone. Carlos took out a stroboscopic flashlight.
— I used this to make weird TikToks, but it also works to confuse sensors! — he shouted while waving it frantically.
The flashing light disoriented the drone long enough for Alex to press a slab with his foot. The door closed behind them, trapping the drone inside.
— Wow… that was…! — EPIC! — said the three in unison, lying on the ground. Max licked Alex's face. — Yes, champ. You are more than a pet. You are part of a secret project, a kind of chosen dog… and, besides, my best friend.
That night, back home, Alex couldn't sleep. He had more questions than answers. But one thing was certain: his dog was special. And someone — more than one — wanted him for that. He hugged Max, who was already snoring with his typical calmness.
— Tomorrow we will continue. But today… today we won.
And with that, he closed his eyes, while somewhere in the forest… another hooded figure watched from a portable monitor.
— Soon, Max… soon you will return home.