The Children of When (Complete)

Chapter 12: Zolinda

Leah was nervous. She was so regretting planning the night-time rendezvous with Dub. It had sounded like a good idea that morning, when they'd discussed it in the full light of day, but since it had got dark, she wasn't so sure. What if they were caught? She didn't even know what the punishment was at Fey Academy for breaking the rules. She hadn't asked, because she hadn't planned on breaking any.

Belle sat on the floor, reading one of the handbooks by torchlight, looking so calm Leah envied her. Raff was under the window playing with his pocket-knife, no doubt lost in thoughts of excitement and adventure. She sighed and checked her watch. They both looked up at her and she nodded; it was five minutes before ten. Raff jumped up and offered to open the window, bragging about having experience at this sort of thing. Leah didn't doubt it for a minute.

"Are you guys sure you want to do this?" Leah asked, for the third time that night.

"Yes!" Belle and Raff said at the same time, rolling their eyes at each other. Leah laughed, feeling the tension ease. She was glad they were coming with her. She just felt guilty for dragging them into it.

Raff had the window open and was stepping out, his finger to his lips. Belle went next, and Leah took a deep breath and followed them through.

They huddled together outside the window, the dim light from the waning moon casting eerie shadows all around them. She could just make out the tree where Dub had been last night, and relief washed over her as she saw a shadow move. She hadn't really thought he wouldn't show up, had she?

"Follow me, and keep down," Raff whispered, and took off across the meadow towards the tree. Belle was right behind him, and Leah dashed after them, releasing the breath she'd been holding with a whoosh as she reached the tree.

"About time," Dub grumbled. "We haven't got all night you know!" He turned and moved off towards the forest at the end of the meadow.

"Shouldn't we be a little less obvious?" Leah asked Dub, as they walked upright across the meadow.

"Look back, and tell me what you see?" Dub replied, neither turning nor slowing down as he spoke. Leah turned around, surprised to discover the dim moonlight showed only the faintest outline of the school buildings.

"The place is in total darkness," Dub said. "I didn't even see you guys come out the window. Only knew you were coming from the noise you made running up to the tree."

"But we didn't even make any noise!" Raff blustered.

Dub chuckled. "Don't get your knickers in a knot young fella. I happen to have better hearing than most."

Leah had to stifle a laugh. Dub had known they were coming because he could hear her thoughts. Poor Raff, he'd obviously been quite offended by Dub's inference that they were noisy.

They reached the edge of the forest, and Leah's stomach began to churn. The ghostly looking trees radiated darkness, the dim moonlight unable to penetrate the thick foliage ahead. She pulled out her torch, feeling slightly better as three torch beams shone into the tangled growth ahead.

"Don't worry; Zolinda's house isn't far in. Stay close together; we don't want anyone getting lost."

Leah felt Raff's hand fumble for hers, and she grabbed it. She squeezed it tight in gratitude, and knew he would have Belle's with his other one. They followed Dub in silence for a few minutes, the trees gradually thinning out to reveal a dilapidated little house perched in a small clearing.

"Wait here," Dub said, as he walked to the door and knocked. The door opened, and he exchanged a few quick words with whoever was inside before waving them over.