Secrets of the Unity (Available on Inkitt)

Chapter 35: Crystal & Prudence Wang

Olivia

***Earlier That Day***

After trading numbers with Jules, I headed to Amber's cottage, hoping like hell that she could —or more like would— shed some light on my existence.

I walked up the wooden steps to the cozy two-story cottage covered in colorful, blooming plant life growing from the garden and along the exterior gray multicolor cobblestone walls. The 'floral utopia,' Amber and I would call it.

Coming here would always make my day when there wasn't much light and blooming going on inside my psyche. The magic, the fresh plants, and the companionship Amber and her cottage offered were a great distraction from my lonely and sad existence.

I'd even come to the cottage when Amber wasn't here, just to spend time away from my room when the dining hall and Crystal Tree Forest were occupied, or if I just wanted to be in the forest with a place I could have good A/C and have a nice glass of lemonade.

Of course, Amber didn't just let me come without putting me to work. I'd help her garden her herbs and mix her potions and elixirs for the pack whenever she was here if she wasn't out on her wild goose chases, looking for Goddess knows what. Either way, I'd learned a lot and got a safe haven out of it, I wasn't complaining.

This cottage, with its grand arched windows and white stained wooden balcony that stretched around the perimeter of the house, was a safe haven for me for the past four and a half years. I was more than relieved to be back here to visit it.

I'd barely tapped on the door before it slowly swung open with a loud squeak from the old, rustic, black-painted hinges that connected the red arched door to the house. Amber really needs to oil those things. I thought as I looked into the dimly lit foyer.

The place was eerily silent, and that wasn't its usual state. Usually, there was a boiling sound coming from the kitchen, or a shuffling around from Amber doing paperwork or gardening, or Silver, Amber's familiar —who was this adorable black cat with the most striking, fiery orange eyes— stumbling around, or running to the door to greet me. However, there wasn't a meow or ring —from the green feather and blue bell on his collar. It was just quiet... too quiet.

That's suspicious... Unless...

I had to test my theory.

I took a few steps into the cottage; the black walnut hardwood floors creaked under my weight.

Just as I passed the door, it slammed shut and locked behind me, closing me into the comfy home that smelled of apple turnovers and warm lavender tea. I whipped around, expecting to see Amber, but was only greeted by the back of the door.

Hahaha... So you wanna play? Well, game on. I chuckled, shaking my head in secondhand embarrassment for my friend.

"You know you haven't beaten me in nearly two years, Amber! You should know better than this!" I called out, hoping she'd come out so I didn't have to knock her on her ass for the thousandth time in a row.

Nothing...

Not a sound was heard. Well, okay then... Let's play. The smirk on my face was broad, excited, and challenging. I walked further into the cabin slowly, alert, and on guard.

Amber and I always played this game to keep each other on our toes. It's called 'Up High, Down Below'. We played it a lot when I first started my training with my dad.

The game consists of sneak attacks from any direction, sideways, behind, in front, up high, and down below, hence the name, 'Up High, Down Below'.

The purpose of the game is to attack each other without warning from any and everywhere that you can think of to catch them off guard. You win by successfully pinning your opponent to the ground or having them tap out. And the beauty of the game is that you can attack at any time of the day, wherever they are, as long as it doesn't interfere with serious things, like school for me and potion and herbal remedy making for Amber.