“Ya, okay but ya be careful now. Looks awfully ghoulish place ta me. Well see ya then. Call if ya need another ride.”
We waved to him goodbye, pretending nothing strange was happening.
After a few minutes, we were looking at the Victorian mansion that somehow looked more towering and ominous in the cold silver light of the moon. “How do we get in?” I asked. It says “Closed”.
“You look in front, I will go to the back,” said Hailey.
“Ok, let me know if you find a way in.” Then I heard a rustling of leaves, “What was that?”
“What was what?”
“I heard something, Hailey. I think there’s someone else here.”
“It’s the wind. You’re just a little jumpy. Maybe you should use your flashlight. I’m ok with the light of the moon. Are you going to be ok?”
I nodded but I could feel my skin crawling. I turned on the flashlight and started to work my way around the perimeter of the house. I got to the side of the house and I heard the rustling again. It was coming from the direction of the elm tree. I shone my light to the tree and was reminded of the mound of dirt in front of it. It looked eerie and mysterious. It was just a tall black mound of dirt with nothing growing on it. I rubbed my arm with my free hand as I shuddered. I thought that mound was creepy the first time I saw it and that night, I was certain there was something other-worldly about it. I focused my eyes on the mound. I was sure the rustling was coming from there. I strained my ears, waiting for the next rustling but the mound just stood there staring back at me. I finally decided to move on, all the while feeling I was being watched. I tried a couple of windows but they were bolted from the inside. Then I heard my cell beep. It was Hailey.
Hailey: I found a window, come to the east side of the house.
Abigail: Okay, on my way.
Hailey: Hurry.
I started to go forward to the next corner, and realized it was the wrong direction and turned back. Mental note: Figure out your east and west before your next breaking and entering. I found the open window and started to climb in. I had one leg through the window when I heard faint rustling from the dirt mound next to the elm tree again. I was too scared to look so I just clambered into the café as fast as I could.
“Shh, clearly you don’t know the first rule of B&E. Be quiet!” Hailey said in a stern whisper.
“Yes, but...but...I think we’re being followed.”
Hailey looked around and saw nothing. “The sooner we get out of here and into the Sanctuary, the better we’d be off.”
I agreed and followed her to the second floor.
CHAPTER 24
The Destroyer Of Kings
It was pitch-black inside the house. The only illumination was coming from the tall windows letting in the soft light of the moon that was casting eerie shadows of the tall trees.
“This place looks even creepier than before,” I said.
“If that is even possible,” replied Hailey. “Let’s just get on with it.”
“Now what do we do?”
Hailey took the journal from my hand. “It just says using your hands, pull energy from around you and concentrate the force into one will. When ready, recite words: “Volvere sanctuarium.”
“But I don’t know if this is going to work for us. We are not Xanas. We don’t have magic.”
“We’re already here. We might as well try,” Hailey said with just a hint of edge in her voice. I felt she was trying to be open-minded but still resistant to the idea of magic.
“Ok. Ok,” I said, worried Hailey might reach the limit of her patience.
“Just close your eyes and do what the instruction said. Concentrate,” Hailey ordered.
I closed her eyes like the doctor did then I opened my eyes and focused on the fireplace.
“Volvere Sanctuarium!” I commanded.
A green fire appeared in the fireplace.
“Shall we?” I said while inviting Hailey into the fire.
“I hope we’re going where I think we’re going,” Hailey said.
I shrugged.
We stepped into the fire and before I could finish saying, “So do I.” We were swept away into the cular vortex that goes into River of Time. Soon, the green of the fire started to meld into the blackness and I saw the now familiar undulating blobs of green and black aura. My stomach still gave a lurch whenever my body carried the centrifugal force of passing green globules. Some unquantifiable time passed but to me, it felt like we were taking too long in the river. I need to get the Sanctuary right away. I am running out of time. Soon after, we emerged on the other side of the fireplace right into the Sanctuary.
“Nice job!” Hailey said.
“Thanks but that took entirely too long. Let’s get to work. I haven’t much time.” I couldn’t keep the impatience from my voice.
Hailey was taken aback by my irritated response. She backed away from me with her hands up in the air in mock surrender saying, “Whoa.”
I took a deep breath and gave myself an attitude adjustment, and said in a softer voice, “Sorry, I’m just getting very nervous... it’s just there so many things I don’t know. I can barely open a portal, it took me weeks to figure out the box and now I only have hours to figure the crown.”
“I get it. No harm done.”
“We need to review the book. It must say how to the crown is activated,” I repeated, trying to sound more enthusiastic this time.
“Good idea. Except I left the book in my locker, remember?” Hailey said, cringing.
“Oh that’s good to know,” and my annoyance was back.
“Hey I didn’t think it was a good idea to take it with us to the mansion,” Hailey protested.
“No, you’re right.” I felt embarrassed that she picked up on my apparent discontent.
“Let’s see.” Haily closed her eyes and tried to remember what she read. “It said, first, you need to open the Kerberian Box with the blood of the bearer. Two—” Hailey muttered.
“We should just get the book from your locker,” I suggested.
“Good idea. How are we going to do that?” Hailey asked.
I grabbed the journal back from her hand and went in front of the fireplace one more time. I closed my eyes and concentrated. “Volvere Sanctuarium!” The fire turned green again.
“Yes!”
“Shall we?” I asked.
“After you.”
We entered the fire and exited out the other side into the Sanctuary.
“Why are we still here and where was the River of Time?” I wondered aloud.
“Beats me?” Hailey said.
“Okay, well the portal thing is not working. Tell me again what you remember.”
Hailey sat down and put her elbows on her knees and rested her head on her palms. “I just remember something about the blood of the bearer.”
“Alright, that makes sense. The doctor looked like they took a lot of blood from her. Why is the crown not working?”
“I don’t know. We need the book,” Hailey answered in exasperation. She opened the green journal and scrutinized it. “There are pages missing from this journal,” she said, running her finger down the inside of the spine of the book where pieces of torn paper were left behind and lightly touching the blank pages. “Do you have a pencil?” she asked and started to shade the page by running the tip over the page over and over again.
I was deep in thought about the crown. I didn’t think this was the right time to be doodling or whatever it was Hailey was doing. Then it hit me. “Hold up, I remember the time we went back to school, the fire was blue, not green,” I said.
“Yes you’re right! And that fire is not blue,” Hailey said matter-of-factly while pointing at the fireplace with the journal.
I pulled out my cell phone. “Oh, man, no signal.”
/>
“What do you need?” Hailey asked.
“Latin word for library.”
“Bibliotheca,” Hailey said without even thinking.
I gave her a sideways glance. “Are you sure?”
Hailey shrugged. “Look I won spelling bee when I was a kid on the word bibliography. Same root word.”
I walked over to the fireplace once more and said, “Okay, here goes. Colvere bibliotheca!”
The fire turned green. We went through it and we were still in the Sanctuary.
“Ok, this is not working. Are there any other words you know for bibliotheca, I mean library?” Hailey said.
I didn’t answer. I felt so frustrated at that moment. I tried to speak, but I knew that the minute I opened my mouth, all my pent up emotions would just come pouring out. I opened my lips but nothing came out. I hung my head low so Hailey couldn’t see I was falling apart.
“Monty? Are you ok?” Hailey asked. When I didn’t respond, she added, “It’s going to be fine. You and I, we’re going to get to the bottom of this. Don’t worry.”
I shook myself out of my funk. I needed to have some physical activity. I couldn’t allow myself to wallow in self-pity or become paralyzed by anger. I knew I was annoyed because we don’t have the book. Blaming Hailey was convenient but it was not really fair. I forced a smile on my face and said, “Yeah sure. I’d feel better if we can get to the book.”
“We will. You’ll see. But really, I’m trying to read this journal, if you have to pace, would you mind doing it on the other side of this fireplace?”
“Sheesh, touchy much?” I smiled so she knew I was joking and walked around to the other fireplace. “Heelllooo! That’s it! I got it! We are at the wrong fireplace. When we left the Library Triangle, we left through the fireplace facing the great hall which should be through those double doors,” I said excitedly.
“Spectacular! Let’s give it a go!” Hailey said.
We moved to the other fireplace and I repeated the incantation.
“Woohoo!” We hooted and congratulated each other when the fire turned blue.
“What do you think, will it work this time?” I asked.
“How else are you going to know?” Hailey said.
We shrugged at the each other and I said, “Ok, together then, let’s go to school.” We stepped into the blue fire.
This time, we were sucked into the vortex of the River of Time. Hailey gave me a high five. After a few moments we arrived at the Solomon Triangle library.
Hailey gave me the universal “good job” sign by raising her thumbs up as we arrived. We looked around and made sure we were at the correct library.
“Success!” she yelled and started to skip forward then back and wiggle her hips, putting her hands in front and then behind her. “What? It’s my victory dance.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. It was a horrible victory dance.
“Look.” I showed Hailey my phone. “It’s only 8:00 p.m. here. It gives us more time to research. Let’s go get the book. Thank goodness the school is closed. No one will bother us. I’ll get us some food. I’m starving.”
“Sounds perfect. You go to the vending machines and I will go to my locker. Let’s meet here in about ten minutes,” Hailey said. We split up and went different ways.
I was already at the door with my pack full of food when Hailey showed up with her backpack.
“Oh no, I left my cell phone. Here hold my pack, I will be right back!” Hailey said.
“Leave it, we might run out of time, we don’t really know how to use the portal. We need to get back to the Sanctuary...” But she had already taken off before I could finish my protest. I followed her down the hallway carrying the two backpacks.
“Hey, wait for me! These packs are heavy,” I said while following her and struggling to carry the two packs. I saw her round the corner then I heard her curse. “Darn it, I don’t have my key! Hurry up!” Hailey said. I hustled faster to bring her backpack, assuming the key was in there. I heard the booming voice of Detective Dewitt. I slid to the ground and laid the backpacks down quietly then I peeked around the corner to see what was happening.
“What do you think you’re doing? And who are you talking to?” I saw Detective Dewitt walking towards Hailey from the opposite side of the lockers followed by Detective Mercado. Even in the darkness I could see him popping seeds into his mouth, but this time, he just spat them on the hallway floor. Detective Dewitt had his hand on his hips and was trying very hard to tower over Hailey. But she was as tall as him, so it wasn’t working.
“I left my cell phone in my locker, officers,” answered Hailey in defiance and much louder than was necessary for them to hear. I knew it was so I could be warned.
“So you decided that you’re going to break into the school in the middle of the night and open this locker without permission? Mercado asked, spitting out the latest batch of seeds to the side.
“It’s my school, officer, and it’s my locker and it’s my phone!” Hailey answered back but she didn’t get to finish her defense.
“And it’s after school hours! You have no permission to be here. What are you really doing here, Miss Goodson, and where is Abigail Montserrat?” Dewitt demanded.
“Abi who?” Hailey said.
“Don’t toy with me. We know you are now BFFs,” he said using air quotes.
“Look, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Hailey said.
“Well why don’t you go with me to the station so I can explain it to you and your parents how I caught you breaking and entering into school grounds, caught in the act intention of committing burglary. That’s a felony offense and if we find out what you are helping Miss Montserrat with whatever she’s up to, we can add accessory to commit those crimes too. How about that for starters?” Hailey didn’t say anything. He motioned to Mercado. He pointed at Hailey to turn around for the cuffs.
My heart was racing like a horse running out of a burning barn. No! Please not Hailey, too!” I heard Hailey trying to protest. I tried to think of a way to rescue her, but I couldn’t without giving myself away. I crouched close to the floor to look around the corner. I could see the detective’s face but Hailey was facing away from me with her hands behind her back, signaling for me to run.
Instead, the two detectives led her towards where they came from. They led her to the exit door passing the hallway I was hiding in. I crawled to the darkened area of the hallway, dragging the backpacks. I felt my elbows and knees scrape the coarse tiles of the floor. Then I flattened myself to the floor. With my ear to the ground, I heard their footsteps as the two detectives marched Hailey past me. But there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t afford to get caught, not with so much at stake.
As soon as the exit door clanged close, I rushed to the window. My heart sank to my feet as I watched Hailey being put into the police car. She looked back at the library as the car pulled away. I couldn’t tell the expression on her face.
I clutched on to the window ledge until my fingers started to hurt. I hate those cops! They are worthless! I stood there unable to move. My mind was racing with what this meant to Hailey. A felony charge would mean she will lose her scholarship, at best and at worst, she could go to jail. Guilt and shame washed over me again. Where does this end?
I stared down at the deserted driveway, lined by the pine trees moonlight making the pavement look like a solid, cold, icy river. And for the first time it hit me just how utterly alone I’d become.
I didn’t try to keep it in. I didn’t try to stop it this time. I let my tears fall unrestrained. I didn’t make any noise but wept quietly for all I lost and for all the ones I have yet to lose. But more than that, for all the things that my loved ones lost and have to lose because of me.
I picked up both backpacks and raced back to the library and went straight for the second fireplace. “
Volvere Sanctorium!” I yelled and plunged into the green fire not caring where or when it took me. I rode the river frigid to the magic that used to amaze and frighten me.
Rip Van Winkle has no idea how lucky he was to have missed the drudge and sludge of life so completely.
I emerged from the green fire and walked slowly to the couch and dropped the packs on the floor. Unconsciously, I pulled out the contents of Hailey’s backpack. I saw the green journal and picked it up. I flipped to the page where Hailey had drawn a big star on the corner. I looked at the words now made visible because of the shading she did. There were words of incantations and what looked like notations on the left of the words. But I couldn’t even think straight.
I picked up Sir Arcturos’ book. I ran my fingers against the beautiful but cold and unfeeling gems of its cover. I opened it to the page where Hailey had the silver chain bookmark. My fingers were smarting from the scrapes made by the window ledge and the heavy backpacks. Soon after the sensation traveled to my knees and elbows, courtesy of the fresh cuts I received from crawling on the tiled floor.
I sat down closest to the fireplace and let the warmth of the fire comfort me. I was expecting to have a full-on mental and emotional breakdown. I expected an outburst like no other I’ve had before. I expected to go scorched-earth on everything in my path as I have done so in the past. I thought my heart would give out over the guilt over my parents’ disappearance, forgetting the instructions for the box, losing my old friends, and getting all my new ones into mortal peril. The visions of the doctor’s tortured body kept repeating in my head. I kept hearing Taylor’s sobs over Blaise’s burned and comatose body. And now Hailey. Taylor was right. I am toxic.
But I was fresh out of tears. And what little energy was left in me, I used up hours ago. I had nothing to fight with anymore yet the anguish continued. My demeanor might have seemed emotionless but inside, I was a sea of turbulent cries and screams for help. It was so much better when I was able to cry, at least, there was some release to the tightness in my chest and the constant choking in my throat. Now, my body was literally wracked in an internal battle I had no means to win. My hands started to tremble and shake. I was so cold.
The Obsidian Crown of the Lost Dominion Page 18
