Eternal Echoes ✔

Chapter 32: Caught-and-cooked

As they finished eating, Thomas pulled out a couple of papers he had scavenged from the archive the day before. "Based on these, strange disappearances have been happening all over the centuries," he said, pointing to the papers. "The peculiar thing is that one man was always seen around the victims before they happened."

Michael leaned in, examining the papers. "Like they're kidnapped by a time traveler?"

Thomas looked at Micheal, his brow furrowed and his head tilted.

"Don't look at me like that!" Michael defended himself. "Look at where we are. If it happened to us, he might have been able to do the same thing."

Thomas sighed, shaking his head slightly. "I know, it's just..." Thomas paused, trying to find the right wording. "hard to wrap my head around it."

Rachel, who had been listening quietly, interjected. "If it's true, he might know more than us."

Daniel nodded, his curiosity piqued despite his fatigue. "If we can find him, we might get some answers."

Olivia, her heightened senses sharp, added, "We have to be careful. If he's responsible for these disappearances, he's dangerous."

Emily, still seated next to Daniel, spoke up. "Do you think the same person is also at work in our time?."

Michael looked at her, sadness and compassion in his eyes. "He might be."

Emily shivered and Daniel put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Rachel glanced at the group, determination shining in her eyes. "We need to gather more information about this man. If he's been around for centuries, there must be records or clues about who he is and what he's doing."

Thomas nodded, folding the papers and putting them back in the backpack. "Agreed. We should start by visiting the places mentioned in these reports. Maybe we can find something that will lead us to him."

Daniel nodded pulling out the book he took from the library. "This book has all the details of the city's underground tunnels and secret passages. We could use them to get around the city undetected."

Rachel took the book from Daniel, flipping through its pages. "This could be incredibly useful. We should plan our route and move as soon as possible."

Thomas shook his head. "No, leaving now would be stupid, Emily and Daniel still need rest."

"What? No, don't mind me, I'm fine." Emily protested weakly.

"For God's sake, Emily, you look as pale as a fucking ghost!" Michael's frustration was born purely of concern. "Excuse my language—I didn't mean to curse," he added, the realization of his outburst dawning on him. "You're scaring me, okay? I don't want to lose anyone else."

At Michael's outburst, Olivia jumped, her heightened senses amplifying the sudden rise in tension. Her sightless eyes widened in alarm as she instinctively grabbed the stool she was sitting on, the closest weapon she could use in moments of danger.

Thomas looked at the group, his expression softening. "We'll stay put for now, rest up, and plan everything perfectly. This man has been around for centuries; a few more hours or days won't make a difference."

Emily sighed, leaning back against Daniel. "Alright, I get it. I'll rest."

Daniel gave her a reassuring smile, his hand gently covering hers. "Besides, I could use more time to practice my ghost impersonation... Boo!"

Emily rolled her eyes but smiled, the tension easing a bit. "You're impossible, you know that?"

Daniel grinned, his eyes twinkling. "And yet, you stick up with me."