At the same moment the voice rang out, a gray-black rat nimbly slipped from the shadows behind the radiator and raised its upper body as it spoke.
Its fur was far from sleek, its tail was somewhat bald, and one toe was missing from its front paw. It looked old and haggard, with only its eyes appearing exceptionally lively.
Immediately afterward, the bedside table in "Eugene Brown's" room transformed into a square Cube. Four wheels emerged beneath it, while two thin tubes protruded from the top, their ends capped with constantly spinning eyes.
"As expected of Percy Weasley!" A voice came from inside Rubik's body. "I knew that kid would be easy to fool!"
"The plan went even more smoothly than expected." The broom swayed its handle as it said, "I was originally prepared to draw his attention by suddenly falling over, but now there's no need for that at all."
"But this isn't the time to relax yet."
The rat squeaked, "Locke needs our support—especially mine!"
"Then let's go!"
The broom abruptly leveled out, and Rubik extended a mechanical claw to pull itself onto it.
The rat, meanwhile, made a nimble leap and landed in front of Rubik, its tiny claws gripping the broom handle tightly.
"Hold on tight, we're setting off now!"
the broom said cheerfully. A faint glow spread across its body, gradually blending it into the surrounding colors.
Suddenly, a howling wind rose in the corridor. The three shot through the shattered window like rockets, flying into the distance!
Neon lights cast mottled reflections across the wet asphalt. A taxi honked impatiently in the street, startling a stray cat scavenging in a trash can. It instantly leaped onto a rusted fire escape and vanished in the blink of an eye.
Inside the motel room on