HOLD MY HAND THROUGH THE WAVES

CHAPTER 26

              QUEST IN THE MARKET

        “Excuse me..How much for those candles?” Ezra pointed to some beautiful candles, The shopkeeper took it out and gave it to her, “One penny each.” Ezra picked different colours according to what rest of them would like..” “Adam would like Blue...” She murmured to herself. She bought all those candles and put it in her bag. She was about to walk away but someone hit her shoulders and walked away purposefully, Her bag fell down with the candles.

          “Can you help me?” She asked a girl next to her. The girl bent down beside her, They both gathered the things but instead of taking the bag Ezra pushed the bag to the girl and whispered to her, “A boy a little older than you will come in search of me, Show him this bag and confirm. Say continue looking for what you are looking for instead of worrying about me. Now Run!” The girl nodded and ran from there.

          Ezra got up on her feet and someone pulled her by her hair, “Smart as always huh?” “How will I not be Nolan..” “Come with us quietly or we’ll rip your father’s skin out.” “And..” A third voice interrupted them. Ezra recognised it was Cyrus, “And..ask your pretty Adam not to play any tricks on me or I’ll have to say like Nolan said..” “How dare you talk to me you-” “Uh huh..” Cyrus grabbed her face. “Don’t make a scene here..And you know your father promised the royal family that you will marry the crown prince and now it’s me..” A silence filled between them.
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          “Where were you?” “Mother I was- I- I was in the market..” “Doing what?”
“Buying things you asked to buy-” Hydra slapped her 14 year old daughter, Akimi’s eyes filled with tears but she was forced to hold it back. “The rest of them said you went to help some outsider..” Akimi kept her head down, Her tall mother with long black hair and eyes was looking horrible as always. “But- But mother-” “You are killing the goat today.” Akimi looked at her mother widening her eyes in shock, She couldn’t just believe her mother was walking away saying that. She begged holding her mother’s feet but she was heartless as ever.

           Adam stood there motionless, Others could see his clenching jaws and fist. “What now Adam?” Wolf came forward and asked, “As she said we will start the quest today..” “But Adam-” “No Arthur, She knows what is better. There’s always a reason behind Ezra’s words.” Said Adam stopping Arthur. “You have any idea where the key will be?” Fox asked, “No but we’ll have to find it..” Adam took out the map of the market from the drawer. “Where did you get it?” Veronica asked, “Wolf gave it to me..” Veronica patted his head giving him the impressed face again. Wolf moved away disgusted by the patting.

        “So we have to find places which the key can be hidden and split in teams.”Adam opened the map on the table. “In market? Maybe like the library?” Arthur opined, “Yeah it can be..” Adam marked Library. “The auditorium? And the factory?” “The auditorium is a clear no.” Said Adam to Wolf and continued, “Factory? Which one?” “The abandoned one..” “Perfect.” Adam marked the factory pointed by Wolf. “Split in two groups then?” Agnes asked. Adam thought for a moment replied. “Derek, Fox and Kai go for the library, Agnes, Arthur, Veronica and Wolf go for the factory..” “What about you?” Veronica came forward to Adam. “Me? Just because there are some suspicious spots on the market, Doesn’t mean they are not gonna keep the key elsewhere where is less suspicious.” Adam uttered.

          “Change into something comfortable other than gown.” Arthur suggested to Agnes, “Why?” “There’s going to be a lot to run and climb today.” Arthur and Agnes laughed, “Oh! Actually talking about comfortable, I am comfortable in Wolf’s shirt and pants more than this gown.” Said Fox joining them. A moment of silence filled the atmosphere. After a few moments the girls were actually in men’s clothing, “I feel relieved..” Said Veronica stretching. “Let’s leave then.” Said Adam dragging her with him by her collars.

            They all stood in front of the market entrance, “This is where we part ways..” They all nodded at Adam and left with their decided groups. “Right! I am alone trespassing stores today.” Said Adam scratching his head while walking. With no time he was on the roof of some shop. Examining the stores from above, He could see the palace lights. He slightly smiled and went on with his work.

         “You know why they shut down the factory?” Wolf asked Veronica, “Why?”
“Because Arthur’s father allowed Tribes to come work in the factory, So after his death the rumour spread that there is some evil spirit in that factory. Which scared off the workers.” “Huh? Evil spirit?” Veronica shook him holding his shoulders, “No Vonnie...It’s just rumours made by Walter to scare off the workers.” “Aaaah..” Veronica nodded in realisation. “Vonnie? What the hell is that?” Arthur barged in disgusted, “Huh? Did I say that?” Wolf stammered pretending not to know. “You did actually..” Veronica Said confused. “Noo I didn’t you all must have just misheard it.” “All of us huh? Okay..” Said Agnes laughing.

         “I’ve never been to the library..” Said Fox looking at the night sky while walking, “Why?” “Books make me dizzy..” “You haven’t changed a bit have you?” Asked Derek laughing. She just frowned at him and he did the same, Derek hit his head on the library sign board and fell backwards.  Kai and Fox laughed until tears started to fell off their eyes. “I’m okay I’m okay..” Said Derek getting up rubbing his head, “Nobody asked moron..” Fox walked up to the door and found it was locked, “What did you expect?” Asked Kai with a wide smirk on his face, which made Derek groan in disgust. Kai grabbed Fox’s hand and pulled Derek by his collar, He brought them towards the same spot he brought Adam when they first met. To the window high above.

          Adam searched many stores and was finally wandering around the paths, “It feels so much quieter now.” “It sure is..Adam.” The voice startled Adam and he turned around but no one was there, The market was empty. Adam started walking faster and faster, Finally he was about to step on something. He stopped and picked it up, It was a blue candle and It had his name carved on it. “It’s just like the ones the rest of them got from Ezra’s bag..” He smiled and glared at it until he realised he was running away from something. Adam didn’t look back or forward he hung his head downwards, the voice was not familiar, And it seemed deep and mysterious. He saw a shadow passing in front of him but when he looked forward there was no one.

          “Is- Is this the pl-place?” Asked Veronica shaking, Looking at the huge building with shattered windows, dusted and decayed. It was filled with spider webs and much more. Wolf cleared his throat and Veronica loosed her grip on his shirt. Arthur and Agnes were already on cleaning the entrance. “Will you mind coming now!?” Arthur screamed from inside. Wolf and Veronica entered the factory and the scene inside was more disturbing than outside. Arthur and Agnes were also stuck at the entrance seeing the blood written messages and pictures drawn using blood and some of them with paint. “What is this place..?” Asked Agnes looking around. Wolf went forward and touched the paintings and messages. “I think we should get out from here.” “Why?” Arthur came next to him, “Some of them are still fresh..” Even though Wolf seemed unbothered, Chills went down the spines of others. “We can’t leave..” Veronica murmured, “Yes! And mainly most of them are messages for help.” Agnes opined. A faint Voice was audible from a little distance, “It’s coming from next room.” Said Wolf focusing more on the voice, It was singing.

“HAVE I EVER ASKED FOR MUCH?~
  THE ONLY THING I WANT IS YOUR ATTENTION...~
                         MOTHER..~”