Magic Weaver

Chapter Thirteen(v2)

Chapter Thirteen

A sinking sensation settled in the pit of Cedric’s stomach, afraid he’d never see Lance again. As Jack rode through the forest, Cedric sat, his brain numb. Occasional houses sparked the countryside, and eventually the wild grass became trimmed and sowed. Barbed wire lined one side of the road, warning travelers where farmers' land began. The other side of the road was still forest, its darkness deep and lovely. A town made its way into view in front of them, to Cedric's relief.

They snuck into the town, with wider streets made of dirt, lacking the crowds that were so common in the streets in Avalon. Cedric thought it was nice not to be bustled along by the swarms of people. In the center of the town stood a massive tower, with a white face and two black sticks. It looked like a clock, but it was enormous.

They silently snuck into the town, everything still and silent, Cedric and Jack bringing chaos in their wake. The darkness seemed even darker than usual, a pitch black cloth, that wrapped around Cedric, squeezing and squeezing like a python.

“Do you know where we’re going?” Cedric whispered to Jack.

Jack froze for a mere second, then continued with a nod. Cedric chewed on the inside of his cheek, his nerves tearing him apart. These last few days had been a lot for him to take, and his sanity was nearing its end. He needed sleep, a good-night’s sleep without worry.

Jack jumped off the horse abruptly. Were they here? Cedric followed, noting with pleasure his ankle had almost healed completely. Jack knocked on the door, hesitantly at first, then slowly gaining in volume. They waited for the door to open, and Cedric suddenly became apprehensive, remembering Clyde was still chasing after them.

The door opened, and before Cedric could dash to safety. He noticed Jack staring at the man in front of them with the oddest expression Cedric had never seen before. The man in front of him shared all of Jack's traits, from his black hair, slight frame, and long fingers. The only difference, aside from the obvious older age, was James's eyes. Jack's were an incredibly pale, dull blue, while James's eyes leaked all trace of color. Glasses slid down James's nose, and James hastened to push them back up.  

James's pale eyes took in the sight of the two boys, and his sight rested on Jack. "Jack." He croaked, smiling. "My little brother. How you've grown." James leaned forward, and shuffled Jack's hair. "I can't believe it."  

Jack had tears in his eyes, and wrapped his arms around James in a hug. "I barely remember you." He told James. "I was too young. But looking at you, the memories are coming back, like they never left. I missed you."  

"I missed you too." James replied. "I should have taken you with me, but you were so young. I didn't know if you'd want the same thing as I did, if you would also want to explore the world."  

"I was too young." Jack agreed. "But I'm here now."  

Only now did James acknowledge Cedric. "You must be Cedric." He stuck out his hand awkwardly, and James shook it. They came into the house, James and Jack talked for a little while, and Cedric observed his surroundings. They stood in the hallway of a bookshop, which Cedric guessed was the one James owned. The wood floors led to a white wooden door at the end of the hallway, but to the left and right were two rooms, bookcases lining the walls, overfilled with books. A chair, table and lamp in the corner of the right room, and a counter was in the corner of the left room, for purchasing books.  

James invited Jack and Cedric to go up to his apartment, and they walked through the door at the end of the hallway, up stairs, through another door, and found themselves in an James's apartment. It was neat, tidy, with the same cherry wood floors as the book shop. The décor was somewhat similar as well. James and Jack settled on a couch, and Cedric took a chair near them, taking off the cloak.