UnMasked

CHAPTER 1:2 Meeting

Lydia took Wick's hand, feeling his cool, waxy skin against her own. With the umbrella open above them, they stepped outside into a strange mist that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. As they walked, a sense of unease crept over her. The streets that had been so lively earlier now felt eerily quiet, as if the town itself was holding its breath.

"Where is everyone?" Lydia whispered, gripping the book she had found tightly to her chest.

"At this hour, they tend to the church whenever the mist rolls in," Wick replied, his voice low and almost distant. "It's like a tradition to cover the tower during the mist to prevent imposters from entering homes."

Lydia swallowed hard but nodded. She glanced down at the book in her hands. The keyhole on the cover glinted in the dim light, the smudged ink of her middle and last names still bothering her.

"Do you think this book... do you think it really holds my memories?" she asked quietly.

Wick glanced at her, his golden eyes briefly softening. "Perhaps. But you won't know for sure until you find a way to open it."

They continued walking in silence, the mist swirling around them like a living thing. Soon, they reached the gates outside the town, leading into the forest, which exuded an almost horrific aura.

"We're almost there," Wick said, giving a nod to the girl who followed close beside him. They stopped by a simple treehouse, and he turned to Lydia. "Johan must be inside. If I'm not wrong, he'll be expecting you."

Lydia felt a shiver run down her spine. "How are you not sure?"

Wick shook his head. "Maybe the last time I checked, he announced he was looking for you. This is something you have to do on your own." He handed her the umbrella and took a step back. "Don't worry; I'll be right here. Just... be careful. And remember, not everything in there is as it seems."

Lydia stared at the ladder hanging from the house for a long moment before gathering her courage and slowly climbing it. One by one, she ascended the swaying steps. With a deep breath, she stepped inside. Her footsteps were soft against the wooden floor as she made her way into the dark. The air felt thick with something she couldn't quite name-something oppressive and heavy that weighed down on her chest. She clutched the book tighter, her fingers brushing over the worn leather cover as she walked.

After looking around, she called out, "Hello? Is anyone here?" Only silence answered. She continued, "Ah... Mister Johan?" Again, no response. Lydia hesitated, her hand hovering over the book on her lap. Her heart pounded in her chest, and for a moment, she considered turning back. But then she thought of Silver, of Elize, and the strange, confusing events that had led her to this place. She needed answers.

With a shaky breath, she gave a frightened yelp as an unknown voice suddenly echoed in the room.

"Lydia??"

Lights flickered on, illuminating a surprisingly well-lit space compared to the rest of the building. Small bookshelves lined the walls, filled with dusty tomes and strange artifacts. A small wooden desk sat in the center of the room, and behind it was a boy around her age who looked up as she entered. He had pale skin and messy, short, pitch-black hair that obscured his left eye, while the other was a dark blue. He wore a ragged old sweater and shorts, paired with black leather boots and gloves. The boy seemed surprised by her presence and nervously walked around to her. "Lydia," he said, his voice low and anxious. "Why- I mean, what are you doing here?"

Lydia swallowed hard, forcing herself to step forward. "You... you know who I am?"

The boy nodded, his eyes wandering around the room as if he were lost in thought. "Of course. I mean, well, I guess you don't know this, but..." He hesitated, his eyes finally gathering the courage to meet hers. "My name is Charon... we used to... well, never mind."