What Lurks in the Cellar

chapter 12

Will

i woke again feeling as if i had jumped off a two story house window. i groaned, i didn't know how long i had lay on the floor, but i knew the others were probably feeling worse. i sat up and looked around noticing that it was only me and Adolf.  Adolf was leaning his back against a tree looking out into the distance. i could see that we were still wearing our normal clothes and i knew where we were. the familiar trees, the small stream where my head had just barely missed, it was so familiar. i was home, back in Scotland. i could feel the fresh sent of pine and clean air on my face. Adolf looked at me.

"It seems it is only us two." he said.

"Chris and Austin didn't come through?" i asked.

"i am not sure." Adolf said.

i had always gotten along with Adolf, we hardly ever spoke. half because most of the time i couldn't understand him because of his heavy accent and secondly i had nothing to talk to him about. he was stronger than me, built to endure much and half of me wanted to know his story, the other half told me it was dangerous to venture there. 

Adolf stood and helped me up.

"Which way?" he asked.

i turned to face the small hidden path in the dirt. i pointed it out and Adolf nodded. he started walking and i soon stopped him. 

"What?"

"our clothes, we can't go in like this." I replied.

Adolf nodded. we went to opposite way and i found myself hidden behind a clothes store. we slipped in from the back and i quickly payed for our clothes. it was good to be back in comfortable clothes. Adolf starred quizzically at his tunic before following me out and back down the path. as we came into view a giant valley stood with a grey stone castle at the bottom. i smiled. i was finally home. 

i led the way down the path to the front gates. we slipped in and walked up the front steps, servants who hadn't seen me in months starred at me shocked. i smiled and nodded, Adolf stayed close behind me. we walked in and i could hear laughter, and much of it.

i stopped peering into the sitting room. sure enough Fiora danced around the room pulling a not so happy Gavin around. my father laughed hard and heavy and clapped his hands and stomped his feet. Jonathan was dancing around with Sophie who didn't know what was going on but followed along. another servant was jollily playing the flute, giving off a beautiful dancing tune. when the song ended Fiora was the only one facing the door. she was laughing hard, she stopped when she noticed me. i gave her a grin and stepped out of the shadows clapping my hands loudly. Adolf followed my step and grinned at Fiora. 

her hands flew to her mouth and she ran to Adolf throwing her arms around him. my other family turned and saw me. my younger Gavin beamed and ran to me, almost jumping me. my father came over practically crying and my older brother grinned as he came over. Sophie stepped back and bowed her head. out of the corner of my eye i could see Adolf holding Fiora a little too close for me comforts and at that moment i wanted to push him off. 

she let him go and hugged me next. my brothers grinned at me as if they knew a secret that i didn't. i sighed and smelled the soft sent of wild flower from her golden hair. i pulled apart from our embrace.

"How dare you leave us like that!" i scolded her.

a flicker of playfulness stayed in her eyes and she sent me a glare.

"you betray me." she snapped back, stepping back and folded her arms and putting her head up in defiance. 

"You looked too scared so i helped." i replied mimicking her actions.