Anderil

VI*

 Footsteps pounded against the cement as the members of the Breaken Tide raced through the street. Eldwin winced with every step. His bleeding had stopped, but the pain continued to pulse. They traveled through the street; everything was quiet. All the houses were dark, and only the lamp posts illuminated their way. As they traveled, Eldwin noticed a house coming into view with light pink siding, white pillars decorating the outside, and a blue roof adding to its oddity.

White flower boxes stood underneath all the windows. Eldwin skidded to a stop and stared at the landmark. The Ole McKenny house was the home of an old Victorian barrister who had robbed the town blind many years ago. Although he was never convicted, he lost everything except his wealth and his house, which was owned by a great-great-granddaughter who, in his opinion, turned it into a living dollhouse.

The Breaken Tide arrived at the black iron fence with white marble holding it down into the ground. Yard lights littered about gave the yard a mystical glow. It was enough to see where one was going but still gave the yard an ethereal feeling. They arrived at the iron fence and stared at the baby blue door that matched the shutters around each curved window pane. Eldwin shuttered. He couldn't understand how anyone would like such a house. All the lights in the house were dark. He glanced at Terrence, who had a smirk plastered on his face.

"There it is. The Ole McKenny Place. Rumor has it, there is a pedestal in one of the upper levels that holds the Amulet of Azeal." He glanced at everyone, searching their faces. Eldwin stared at the door and sucked in a deep breath before turning his attention back to the older boy. Kirk raised his hand and gazed at Terrence as well. Eldwin took a step back as the action caught him off.

"How do you propose we get in?"

"I was thinking of a small two-man job." Terrence returned his gaze and narrowed his eyes. Eldwin watched as Kirk glanced back at the door. Perhaps he was deeply thinking about the situation.

"Who ya sending?"

"You and your pet here." Terrence guffawed.

Eldwin opened his mouth to shout but once again was stopped by Kirk. "Of course, you would give me the new guy."

"I've been here as long as you have." Eldwin spat.

Kirk and Terrence looked at them. Kirk began chuckling as he crossed his arms. "You may be my senior, but how long have you been a member? All Terrence cares about is skill." Eldwin swallowed as a knife appeared once more in his hand. "Tell me, how many throats have you slit?"

Eldwin reached up and placed his hand over his fresh wound. He swallowed hard as the other boys returned to their conversation. He took a step back as the world swam around him. Random words hit his brain ever so often.

"How would you expect us to get in?"

"You could be dumb and use the front door or one of the many back doors."

"If she was sitting in her bedroom or bathroom or one of 5 porches, we'll be seen."

"That's your problem. Just get the loot and whatever else you can grab naturally." Terrence chuckled. Eldwin sucked in a deep breath, trying to still his brain. He could start running, but they all knew where he lived, and that wouldn't solve anything; it just put his mother in danger. Images of his mother sitting on the couch with his teacher made his skin crawl.

"Looks like we have no other choice." Eldwin reached up and grabbed the bar. He pulled his full weight to the arrow tips on top and fell to the other side. He glanced back at the others. Terrence smirked as Kirk chuckled and followed his lead. Eldwin stood on a yellow porch and glanced around, brushing dust off his shirt. The exhilaration of hitting the ground made his head throb.