The Newest Normal

Chapter Five- Morgan

Here are what the items are:

1.Secrets (they must be given up willingly.)

2.Something with the royal seal on it

3.A moonbeam

4.The official address book of Patrick Saint Mont

5.An invitation

I still don't like Cody, but that dislike has settled into a small ball inside my chest, waiting to be opened. For now, it almost seems like we're on the same page and working towards the same goal. I just hope that he isn't setting me up with some huge joke.

"This isn't a joke, you know that right?" I snap at him. We were hiding behind the bushes near the Emperor's palace with Cody's backpack, which had the bare necessities we would need in it. The Emperor's palace seemed reasonable to find the first object from, as something with the royal seal on it would be in the royal palace. Fortunately, when we arrived, the palace was hosting a party, and therefore, it would be easy to blend in with the crowd. The music is so loud that I could probably hear it from the bottom of the ocean, and the lights are so bright that they probably make the sun look like a mere dim. The gate was already opened, and with a knock to the head with Cody's hunting rifle, the guards fell unconscious. (Apparently, as a hunter's son, his father required him to know these kinds of skills).

"I would never stoop that low." He replies, sounding the slightest bit hurt. "Did you actually think I would lead you on a wild goose chase? No, if I wanted revenge, I would have been a whole lot more creative with it."

I snort at his response. "Good, because this is something I'm very passionate about."

He snorts back. "So let's go over the plan. The Emperor is probably in the ballroom, hosting his party. If he is in there, the crowded room will be perfect for camouflage purposes. Remember, the royal seal has two circles with a snake overlapping them. We can make some sort of signal for each other in case we get separated."

I hold up a hand. "Wait a minute here. You mean that we're not splitting up?"

He shakes his head. "That's dangerous. It's better to stay as a team together."

"No, we have to split up, it'll be faster like that. We'll cover more space."

He makes an exasperated sound, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. We'll do it your way. But we have to make a signal, to show the other person we need help or found the object already."

"How about a whistle?" I put two fingers in my mouth and demonstrate.

"I don't know how to whistle."

I raise my eyebrows. "Really? I thought that would be something a hunter's son would know how to do."

He stays silent and looks away. "Don't mention my dad." Obviously, this is a touchy subject for him. Fine.

"Ok, so would you like me to teach you or shall we find a new signal?"

"How about some bird sounds?" He demonstrates.

I stare in disbelief. "You can do that but not a simple whistle?"

He raised his eyebrows. "Ok, little Miss. Goody two shoes, you whistle, I'll do bird sounds."

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