Where's Jim? (Trollhunters)

Clues

The canal was dark when Claire and Toby arrived. Claire quickly used the keystone, opening the door to the underground city. Blinky was still in the library, several stone maps of Arcadia Oaks strewn around the room. Claire and Toby ran over, much like earlier that afternoon.

"Blinky, do the trolls have a way of locating the amulet?" Claire asked.

"Why, of course, Claire. How else would we have discovered Master Jim was the new Trollhunter? Why?"

"This is perfect! Blinky, how can we find it? And more importantly, does it constantly update?" Toby asked excitedly, bouncing up and down on his toes.

"Yes, it would have to in order for it to be useful. We have a map that is enchanted to reveal the amulet's whereabouts. Why do you-- but of course! The amulet is bonded to Jim! Wherever he is, that is where the amulet will be as well! How did we not see this? How did I not think about that before now?!" Blinky ran to a large book hidden on one of the shelves, pulling it out and opening it to the middle. A perfect map of Arcadia Oaks sat on the pages, a bright glowing dot sitting in the middle.

"Yes! Here it is! Master Jim's whereabouts!"

Toby looked over the edge of the book. "Hey, wait a minute. That's the museum!"

"But how would they keep people from finding him?" Claire tapped her foot.

"He could be in the part that's under construction. The middle of the museum!"

Blinky hummed, scratching his chin. "That is very plausible. But the question still remains: why? What purpose do they have for taking Master Jim?"

"It has to be the amulet. They want something to do with the amulet. Toby, when we get above ground, call that detective again. Tell them we thought we heard Strickland saying something about going to the museum tonight."

"But what if Strickland is there? What if he hurts Jim?"

"We have to take that chance and hope the police can do their job correctly. We're getting Jim back tonight."

--

Jim is starting to get really sick of being knocked out. He comes back to reality just as slowly as last time, but this time he's sweating bullets. It's like he's been put directly under the sun, sitting and melting like a popsicle on a hot summer's day. There's been more bindings added too, this time with a rope sitting tightly around both his chest and stomach. His captors are really making sure he can't go anywhere. His body is still rebellious to his commands, legs and arms refusing to budge more than an inch.

The footsteps returned once more, this time just a single pair. They don't quite sound the same, though. There's no clicking of claws this time.

Jim isn't given much time to think about it before a hand strikes his cheek again, clearing some of the fog in his brain. He groans, desperately trying to think and find a way out. Surely there's some sort of escape path for him.

"Wake up, mister Lake. We mustn't waste any more of the night, and you still have a question to answer." That voice is...familiar, but Jim's brain is still scrambled, so he can't place it. Where has he heard it before?

"Leave me alone."

"Now why would I do that? You have a bridge to unlock, and only one chance to answer correctly before I send a message forward to my changeling to attack. You've had plenty of time to think about it."

"I've been unconscious. I haven't been able to think."

"Will you cooperate or not?" The hand of the green creature returned yet again, this time grabbing Jim's chin harshly.

"Never. I'm not letting you kill everyone I love for a stupid bridge."

The creature growled, its body immediately beginning to morph into something more human. More familiar. Jim's eyes widened as he realized just why that voice was so familiar.

Standing in front of him was Mr. Strickler!

"Do not make me do something you'll regret, boy. You know they will trust me. Open the bridge, and I can ensure they are unharmed."

"By getting them killed? Surely even you must know something will ignore your orders and go after them. No. It's hurt or dead in those scenarios, and I won't let them be killed."

Strickler growled, taking Jim's head and slamming it into the stone column he was bound to. The boy passed out almost immediately, going slack once more. "If you need a reason, this will be to keep you from escaping. If not, then consider it enjoyment." Strickler huffed to nobody as he walked off, fixing his coat. The message would be passed along.