Academy of Legends

Chapter 11: Belle (Instructions)

Things have certainly not been going our way. First Henry's disappearance, now Snow ... what can be done? Are they both dead, or being held prisoner somewhere? My mind cannot comprehend the thought that my two best friends are dead. All day I struggled with the thought, and even that night, I stared at the ceiling, completely lost in thought.

Then I got up and hurried out of the room. Panic seemed to threaten me at every turn. Snow couldn't die. Henry couldn't die. I wouldn't let them die! But what could I do? It seemed that everywhere I went, people just died. Harold, Hermes ... I shuddered.

Wandering the halls, I ended up in the study room, empty at this time of night—more early morning than late night. I just didn't know what to do, and slowly, lowered myself into one of the chairs beside the numerous tables. Unable to do anything else, the tears just started flowing down my cheeks.

"Erm ... sorry." The voice made me jerk my head up. Standing before me was the awkward, red-haired figure of Will Scarlet—Professor Hood's nephew. His cheeks flamed the same color as his hair. "Did I ... I didn't mean to disturb you."

Idly, I shrugged, motioning to the seat across from me. "You may as well sit down."

The younger boy consented, his long arms splayed over the table as he leaned on it in a most ungentlemanly way. "I didn't come to socialize," he admitted. "I saw you leave your room and I followed you."

"Followed me? Why?"

"B-because of this." Slowly, Will reached into the pocket of his pajama shirt and handed me a letter. "Read it, and you'll know why I had to see you in private."

Slowly, still looking at him a tad bit suspiciously, I read the letter silently. Will watched me the entire time, his face tight and anxious. I tried not to look at him, deciding it would only make me feel more worried. However, what was on the paper accomplished that without even looking at Will. Written on it was:

To Belle and Will:

Your friends live, though for how long depends entirely on the two of you. You must convince Robin Hood to go to the desk at the library tomorrow night, when one day becomes the next. Otherwise, Snow and Henry will join Harold Charming. And I'm sure nobody here wants that, do you?

Sincerely,

Me.

Bewildered, I looked up at Will. "Who sent this?"

"I assume, the killer," Will admitted. "Don't you know what this means?"

Slowly, I shook my head. Maybe I understood and just didn't want to. Will laid his head in his hands, his voice muffled by his palms. "The killer wants our help to lay a trap for Robin."

]A\_^[@UH H3|P