Axel Light Trilogy: Wands and Shield

Chapter 29

The next morning after breakfast, Axel went back to his room. He had decided to stay put in the room for the rest of the day, so that Stanley, Johnson and everyone else could have some rests. He would not even visit Elliot today, as they would be going back to Stirling tomorrow anyway.

Axel took out the Yearbook and planned to peruse it from the front cover to the back cover like Elliot did in the cave. He was only at the first few pages when he heard a knock at the door. He was hoping that it would be Linden or even Mintridge, but he was slightly disappointed when he saw Johnson at the door.

'Axel, Commissioner Linden would like to meet you,' said Johnson.

Axel's heart leapt with excitement.

'Is he back?' asked Axel, peering over Johnson's shoulder.

She nodded, 'He had asked me to bring you to MaxPol Headquarters to meet him.'

Axel nodded and quickly kept the Yearbook in his bag. He then wore his jacket, grabbed his wands and followed Johnson out of his room. Johnson still looked distracted like she was during dinner.

They walked past the kitchen, but it was empty.

'I thought Jane had said that she would be making apple pies before lunch?' asked Axel curiously.

Johnson just shrugged, 'Maybe she had changed her mind?'

They walked past the living room, and it was very quiet too. Just outside the front door, Johnson stopped Axel on his tracks.

'Can I look at your wand?' asked Johnson softly, her eyes not looking at him.

'My wand?' asked Axel surprised.

Johnson's eyes darted around uncertainly. She still looked troubled, like the night before at the dinner table.

'Sure,' said Axel as he took out his Ebony wand hastily.

If looking at his wand could make Johnson feel better, Axel would show it to her anytime. He had caused so much trouble for everyone. Any little thing he could do to make them feel better, he would jump at it.

Johnson took the Ebony wand and stared at it. She looked stunned, immobile for a while. She then held it in her other hand. She took out her own wand and compared them. Side-by-side, their tips touching at one point. She took a deep sigh before she returned Axel's wand back to him.

'Thank you,' she muttered before she gave him a smile.

Axel smiled gladly back at her. Her mood had improved by just looking at his wand. Maybe he should let everyone else hold his wand sometimes if it could improve everyone's mood. He had seen how many of them had looked longingly at his wand before. Stanley had looked tired last night, and Axel was getting worried about Stanley too.

Johnson motioned at Axel to continue walking and they made their way to the gates. At the gates, Johnson grabbed his arm and they got ready to Translocate. But Larson had quickly ran up to them.

'I didn't know that you are going somewhere this morning' said Larson, looking between Axel and Johnson, 'Where is Lieutenant Stanley?'

'Commissioner Linden had just asked for Axel to meet him in his office urgently. We will be going to MaxPol Headquarters. Lieutenant Stanley is already there with the Commissioner,' Johnson said briskly.

Larson looked at Johnson, uncertainly, 'I saw Lieutenant Stanley coming in this morning, but I didn't see him going out.'

'You must have missed him,' said Johnson.

'Let me check with Sergeant Beatty...'

'We are going to Headquarters. Commissioner Linden is waiting,' said Johnson agitatedly.