The Magician's Assistant

26

Aderyn barged into the apartment and looked around. Rachael reluctantly followed her.

"He's gone. He must have made a run for it," Rachael said.

"Run for it? How can you be sure?"

"He said he didn't have anything else to do when we were here, and it looks like someone left in a hurry,"

"I think you're right,"

Aderyn sighed.

"I think we've found our burglar. Either that, or he has a hell of a lot of explaining to do," Rachael said.

"Isn't it possible he's just trying to avoid me?"

"Possible... but extremely unlikely," Gramps said from the doorway.

Gramps was sweaty and out of breath. He looked like he might collapse from exhaustion. He braced himself against the doorway as he tried to recover.

"How did you manage to get up here so fast? Those stairs could have been the end of me," Gramps said.

"I guess all that candy's catching up to you," Rachael teased.

"How can you say something so disrespectful to your elder?" Aderyn asked softly.

"It's not the candy. I just belong in an old folks home," Gramps replied.

Aderyn had a shocked look on her face.

"Where's Erika?" Rachael asked.

"She fell behind some distance back. I'm sure she'll catch up soon," Gramps answered.

"Let's hope so!" Rachael said, half jokingly.

"So, this is the apartment you searched?" Gramps said, his energy slowly returning.

Rachael nodded.

"We didn't find anything interesting last time,"

"Perhaps this time will be more productive. Does anything stick out in your mind?"

Rachael took a moment to reply.

"There was one thing that got my attention, but it didn't seem worth looking into,"

"Show us," Aderyn said.

Rachael walked over to the bedroom with the others in tow. She opened up the closet and pointed to the back wall, which was covered in cracks and holes.

"Something seemed off about these," she said.

Erika walked into the room. She looked tired and annoyed, but less exhausted than Gramps had. 

She said nothing as she silently fell in with the group.

"What do you mean? It's just poorly maintained," Aderyn said.

"Something about it just looks off to me," Rachael said.

"I suppose it does look a bit... fresh. Wouldn't you say?" Gramps said.

Rachael knelt down and pushed a pile of dirty clothes to the side. There was a very large hole by the floor. It was big enough for something as big as a cat to crawl into it.

"Not exactly your everyday mouse hole, is it?" Rachael said.

She dropped down to her hands and knees and looked into the hole.

"Could you please-"

Gramps offered Rachael a small ball of light before she could finish her sentence.

"Thanks,"

The hole seemed empty at first, but something was gleaming in the darkness. At first, Rachael assumed it was a pipe. She quickly realized her error, and reached for the object. Her fingers felt stone.

Her fingers found some sort of handle, and she pulled on it. The object moved towards her without much difficultly.

An ancient looking stone urn emerged from the darkness. It's gray surface was covered in simple carvings, and had a large chunk removed from it.

"Gramps, did our burglar ever steal anything like this?" Rachael asked.

"I do believe so, yes," Gramps answered.

"I guess he must have forgotten it,"

"We'll have to return this, won't we?" Aderyn said.

"Not exactly. I have an idea," Rachael said.

Everyone turned their attention to Rachael.

"Gramps, do you remember how you used those magic rock things to navigate back when we were at Woodridge?"

"Yes, but..." Gramps began.

"Wait. I believe I see what you have in mind,"

"What is it?" Erika asked.

"If he didn't mean to leave this behind, he might come back for it," Rachael explained.

"So you want to try and track it?" Aderyn asked.

Rachael nodded.

"Something tells me he's not coming back for that. I know I wouldn't risk getting caught over it," Erika said.

"Personally, I think attempt to capture him when he returns would be a better option. Assuming he does come back, of course," Aderyn said.

"He probably won't attempt to recover it if it's well guarded," Gramps said.

"That's what I think, too," Rachael said.

"Just leave some sort of security, so he doesn't see through the trap," Erika said.

"We can have one of the investigators set up nearby, and-"

"If I may," Aderyn said.

"What is it?" Rachael asked.

"I'd like to be the one guarding the apartment,"

"What? Why?"

"I was sent out to find him. I feel it's my responsibility to do everything I can to stop him,"

"That would be a bad idea," Erika said.

"If he sees you here, he's probably just going to skip town right there and then... Assuming he hasn't already," Rachael said.

"I'm aware. It's just that I-"

Aderyn's voice trailed off.

"That you what?"

"I... Forget it, you're right,"

There was a brief pause.

"We have a plan, then. We should set things in potion as soon as possible. Let's use an adhesive to keep the stone in place," Gramps said.

"Right," Rachael said.