The Second Hand of Time

CHAPTER TWENTY

ALL-NEWWEAPONS FOR CLIFFORD AND ME

Morningcame, and I woke up to the sound of Janus' alarm. Janus went upfirst and took a shower. I followed and borrowed some 'larger'uniform from Janus. Thankfully he had a lot of uniforms. The onlyproblem is that, he doesn't have any brown necktie. Well, nomatter. I'll get one when we arrive at school.

Bythe time Jamie called us for breakfast, we're ready. Jamie waswearing a high school uniform. She was scowling at my direction likeI'm a pest. She reminded me somehow of my bratty step-sister. Well,Jamie is better because she does chores unlike my—you know what?Ignore that. I'll stop sharing.

Anyway,the breakfast consisted of eggs and bacon. I drank about threeglasses of orange juice before I was full.

Laeliacame out of her room then. She ate slowly, like a girl should, butJamie was cussing around, telling Laelia we'll be late if she don'thurry.

Bythe time she finished eating, the driver was already revving theengine. We got in and off we went. This time, Laelia rode shotgun.Janus and I sat on the backseat.

Lastnight, I told Janus my secret: the Chronos Blade, the Shadow Walkmove, and the facts about soul-binding. Janus nodded like he had asuspicion about something like this before, which of course he did.He can heal without runes. The healing might not be as strong ashaving runes, but his skill is unique. If Dan knew about soul-bindingand soul-bound items, he'd probably try healing without his staff.I'm sure he'll make it because HE'S A GENIUS.

Anyway,I shared Robbie's secret to Janus. He trusted me with an alarmingsecret, so I'll trust him with secrets too. I told him that thePython's massacred Robbie's family, leaving him alone. I alsoshared how he got the scar on his face. I told Janus it was a symbolof defeat, made by Victor's son—Vladimir.

Wearrived at UPS ten minutes before my first period. The class went onas usual: my classmates acting like doofuses, pushing each other,throwing stuff all around as class went on.

Iwas shocked when Mr. Baraka said that we're going to the school'sunderground dungeon. He told us to clear the dungeon called the EvilManor,which is designed to look like a stronghold for monsters. Mr. Barakatold us to get ready, because it'll be a difficultdungeon to clear. At least, he didn't say, impossible.

Igot excited dragged Clifford to Jillian's Workshop. We knocked atthe door.

"Hello?"Clifford called.

"Nobody'sanswering." I observed. "Maybe she's out? Or maybe on herclass?"

"But,my sword is in here." Clifford mused. "I can't go to thedungeon weaponless."

"Youcan just borrow the standard issue, iron swords." I told him.

"But...I want to try the swords at the same time." He reasoned out.

Ileaned my back towards the door of the workshop when it swiveledopen, making me fall with my butt on the ground.

"It'sopen!" Clifford cried.

DoesJillian ever lock her workshop?

Wewalked to her table. We found her playing on her computer. She waswearing a headphone around her head. No wonder why no one wasanswering. Jillian was busy.

Isneaked on her back and scared the ghost out of her.

"Son-of-freaking-hotdog-egg-eater-trash—."She muttered, cursing. "What the—?"