Raven's Watch: Secrets Of The Blud Diary

Chapter Four: The Aftermath

A few days had passed since the encounter with the mimic in Humblefield. Nathan's broken arm and other wounds had been treated at New Hope Hospital in Goldbridge, but the bruises and aches were still settling in. Now, as he traveled back to Raven Watch headquarters in the coastal city of Sanctuary, he found himself alone with his thoughts and a welcome quiet.

Nathan yawned, pulling his glasses up to rub the tiredness from his eyes. Three hours had slipped by since the express train left Goldbridge for Sanctuary, leaving only twenty minutes until it arrived at Goldencove Station. Another inspector was set to meet him there, though he hadn’t been briefed on why. Nathan wasn’t one to mind surprises; in fact, he welcomed them. They were often the only thing that kept his days from bleeding together.

He glanced at the newspaper on his lap, trying to catch up on the state of the world. A few pages highlighted the usual political squabbles, bold headlines warning of technological “threats to society.” The rest felt like filler, and he quickly lost interest. Instead, he opened an old book he’d been carrying around, Ancient Runes and Glyphs, and became so absorbed in its worn pages that the three-hour journey seemed to pass in moments.

“In fifteen minutes, we will be arriving at Goldencove Station,” a voice crackled from the cabin speaker, cutting through the steady rhythm of the train wheels against the tracks. “All passengers disembarking, please ensure you have all belongings in order. Thank you for choosing Ironbound Express.”

Nathan closed the book and leaned back, his gaze drifting to the window as the landscape blurred by. The ache in his body was a reminder of everything he’d endured in Humblefield, but a sense of anticipation had started to build within him. He’d left the incident with more questions than answers—questions he hoped someone back at headquarters could finally help solve.

He let out a long breath, feeling the train’s rhythmic motion almost lull him, then sat up, stretching until his joints gave a few satisfying pops. His left arm throbbed in its cast, and the memory of that day flitted through his mind in fragments—the store, the mimic, and the chaos that had erupted. It felt surreal, like a feverish nightmare he’d somehow managed to wake from.

Nathan shook off the thoughts and leaned down to retrieve his weathered brown briefcase from the compartment beneath the window. As he lifted it, a slip of parchment fluttered out, twisting through the air before coming to rest under the glass-topped table.

“What do we have here?” he murmured, reaching out to retrieve it.

The parchment was worn, its edges frayed, and on one side was a faintly inscribed number: “17.” He turned it over in his hands, puzzled, but nothing else gave away its significance. Shrugging, he tucked it into his coat pocket.

A few minutes later, the sound of screeching wheels filled the cabin, and the train began its gradual halt. They’d arrived at Goldencove Station.

Like the other passengers eager to escape the dull confines of their cabins, Nathan reached for the door to the train’s corridor. He lifted his briefcase with his one good hand and stepped out, the door closing softly behind him.

A wave of cool air drifted down the corridor, refreshing against the warmth inside. He glanced both ways, taking in the polished brown walls and the white fluorescents casting a muted glow over the cream-colored carpet beneath his feet. Around him, passengers shuffled towards the nearest exits, murmuring to each other or balancing bags against their shoulders. The soft hum of their voices mingled with the metallic clinks of luggage and the faint chime signaling the train’s complete stop.

“Pardon me!” A sudden jolt from behind sent Nathan lunging forward, barely managing to keep his balance. Regaining his composure, he turned to see the culprit—a figure with an oddly large, floppy blue hat, looking slightly dazed from the impact.

“Are you alright?” he asked, instinctively pulling his briefcase closer, his mind flicking to the pickpockets that thrived on the chaos of crowded stations.

“I’m so sorry! I should’ve watched where I was going,” the stranger replied, hurriedly tucking a handful of brown hair behind one ear. As she looked up, Nathan finally took in her features—a young woman, her sea-blue eyes wide and apologetic.

“Raven’s Watch!” she gasped, her gaze fixed on the golden lettering on his briefcase. Nathan, caught off guard, shifted the case behind him, his mind racing. How could she recognize it? Raven’s Watch wasn’t a name the public was supposed to know.

“I’m sorry, but… who are you?” he asked, studying her closely. Was she part of the organization? Too young to be an inspector, he thought, and far too casual in demeanor for a recruit. Yet somehow, she seemed to know more than she should.

“Oh, right! My manners,” the girl said, giving her head a light knock, causing her oversized hat to wobble precariously. “Jenny,” she announced brightly, extending her hand with an earnest smile.

Nathan hesitated, eyes darting to her hand, weighing his options. Her smile didn’t waver, and after a beat, he decided it would be impolite to ignore the gesture. With a cautious nod, he took her hand, noting the contrast between her carefree warmth and his own guarded demeanor.

“Nathan,” he said, grasping her small hand. “Nathan Sky.”

Her pale lips stretched into a delighted grin, and her sea-blue eyes sparkled with recognition. “The Nathan Sky?! The inspector who took down a mimic all by himself?!”

Nathan’s pulse quickened, the sudden shift filling his mouth with a bitter taste. He glanced around the corridor, heart thudding as he checked to see if any other passengers had overheard. Thankfully, most were too absorbed in gathering their luggage to pay them any attention.

“Keep your voice down,” he whispered, pressing a finger to his lips. “Can we… continue this conversation outside the train?”

Jenny’s head bobbed enthusiastically, her bright smile unwavering, as if they were already the best of friends.

A faint hiss signaled the train’s doors opening, and the swarm of passengers surged forward, sweeping Nathan into their midst. He glanced back now and then, making sure Jenny was still behind him, her small figure doing its best to keep up through the throng.

Finally stepping out onto the station’s cool concrete platform, Nathan took in the surroundings. Rows of metal beams arched high overhead, supporting a weathered canopy, and the smell of damp stone and oil hung in the crisp air. Amid the bustling crowd, a tall man in a white trench coat caught his attention, standing out with a relaxed wave and a familiar, easygoing smile.

“It’s been a while, Nathan,” the man greeted, offering his hand.

“Likewise, Chief Inspector Ford,” Nathan replied, clasping it firmly.

Ford’s gaze drifted to the cast on Nathan’s arm. “Humblefield must’ve been rough on you.”

Nathan chuckled, shrugging it off. “Just a scrape. I’ll manage.”

Ford nodded, his attention shifting to Jenny, who had gone from effusive to withdrawn, nearly hiding behind Nathan.

“I see you’ve met one of our newest recruits,” Ford said, gesturing to her with a faint smile. Jenny blushed and edged further back, her once-bright expression nowhere to be found.

“New recruit?” Nathan raised an eyebrow, glancing over his shoulder. “I wasn’t aware Raven’s Watch had begun recruiting the underaged.”

Ford cleared his throat, looking a bit uneasy. “Jenny’s… a special case. Part of a new program. She’s what they call gifted.”

Nathan’s eyes widened. Gifted recruits were typically the elite—those whose abilities defied explanation.

Ford gave a small nod. “And, not to spoil the broth too soon, but the Seat intends for her to train under your guidance during your off hours.”

Nathan glanced at Jenny, who still watched him with a mixture of awe and trepidation. “So, she’s my responsibility now?”

Ford’s eyes glinted with a touch of humor. “In a way. Consider it… an interesting twist to your day job.”

As the station’s speakers crackled with a new announcement, Nathan took one last look at the sea of passengers around them, a curious spark forming in his mind. Whatever Jenny’s story was, he had a feeling his days were about to get more interesting.