Blood Moon Lake

Chapter 17

After we finished eating, we quickly cleaned our dishes and started the journey to Margaret's study. We wound our way through shelves until the library spat us out at our destination. Thankfully, it didn't take as long as finding the kitchen did.

Margret waved us in. "You're here, sit down."

The study had been cleared slightly, and the stacks of books and papers had been moved to make space for eight chairs.

"I know you haven't stayed long," she told us, "but you need to leave."

"Now?" Jack asked.

She shook her head. "No, tonight."

"Why at night?" I asked.

"Because that's the only time the loop intersects with the current timeline," she replied.

I blinked in confusion. "What?"

She sighed. "I thought you already knew this. Did those three tell you when they arrived here?"

"No," I replied.

She looked at the adults and raised her eyebrow in question.

"It was late at night, early morning," Chase said.

She nodded. "And when did you arrive?"

"At night," I answered.

"And in the morning everything was normal?" she prompted.

I nodded.

Margret sighed. "Are you getting it yet?"

"So you made a time loop to keep the people in here alive?" Anna asked, "And it can only be crossed into at night?"

Margret nodded. "Yes, at least one of you gets it."

"Why?" she asked.

"Because I figured you'd pass through since the demons attacked," Margret replied, "It was also a good place to set up base."

Anna nodded.

"So we have to leave at night because there's no other time," Jack said.

"Yes," Margret replied, "Now you're getting it."

"But why tonight?" I asked.

"Because I've been told to turn you loose," she answered, "Greer has a lower chance of being caught if they're under heavy surveillance."

I nodded. That makes sense. Staying in a moving library would constantly remind them to be careful; if we leave, they're more likely to slip up.

"Wait," Ella interrupted, "Are you just dumping us back in the woods with nothing?"

Margret shook her head. "Goodness no, what do you take me for, a Neanderthal? I'm giving you this." She picked up a familiar backpack from a chair and held it out. "This has all the supplies you need in it. Food, water, clothes, deodorant, and other things."

"Is that my backpack?" I asked.

Margret nodded. "Yes, I managed to nab it. I'll give it to you before you leave so you don't lose or forget it."

"What happens when we discover who Greer is?" Anna asked.

"Drop a note in the bag with the name and I'll apprehend them," Margaret said.

Anna tilted her head. "How will that work?"

"The bag is laced with magic, so it knows what you need and when to send me things," Margret explained.

"Nifty," Jack said, "I'm assuming it can't produce a car, can it?"

She shook her head. "Only small objects."