Call Wolf

Chapter Fourteen

HigH

Maria stared out the window. The forest was dark, much too dark for her eyes to find any particular body to focus on. But they didn't need to. For the past hour she'd found something much more foreign to observe: herself.
Her reflection was vague and a bit distorted, only illuminated by the light in the car's ceiling. Her eyes, accentuated and beautiful, were framed by the creasing of her worried brows. Just barely grazing her cheek was an orange lock of hair that had tore free from the confinement of the pins. Her lips were red. And dark. She'd been told they matched her dress (as did the nail polish she'd begun scraping off the second she got in the car). Maria couldn't help but feel like a phony, like she'd be stopped before she even entered.
"You're nervous," Charles said, marking the end of a 30 minute-silence. He sat in the seat opposite her, hands on his thighs and a tie around his neck. He didn't give away a single thing.
"Yeah," Maria said, putting her hands on her thighs as well. "It feels like my heart is beating out my chest."
"That's impossible."
"Aren't you going to tell me to calm down? Relax?"
"No. We are about to attempt to threaten a village head into following our orders. It's a highly dangerous operation, performed by just the three of us. You should be alarmed."
Maria crossed her arms.
"Shouldn't Kripin be here?"
The small hatch left of Charles' head opened and Kripin's voice came flooding into the back: "Do you see anyone else wanting to drive, pyro? Maybe you want the whole pack to get involved."
"I get why you don't want to risk the pack!" she bit back. "But I don't get why you won't come along inside with us."
"He will," Charles said before closing the hatch. "But he will slink by unnoticed, keep an eye out. It's always good to have a card up your sleeve."

It wasn't long before the terrain changed. The elderly trees thinned and the paths became roads. A few cars appeared behind them, all heading in the same direction, while Maria tried her best to get a good look ahead.

The community surrounding Hillbury Manor was small and the people scarce. It was clear their entourage was one of the biggest happenings of the year; mothers stood in the doors of their modest homes, holding children pointing with wide eyes and slacked jaws as the cars rolled past. A few young men and women tried to chase after them, carrying baskets of fruits and pouches filled with coins. Their nakes toes sunk into the mudded road. It was clear they thought this a good oppurtunity to make a buck.
Maria turned to Charles who was already looking at her with an odd frown.
"The Hillburys have ruled the county for ages, I thought they collected a small percentage of the taxes from its inhabitants?"
"They do."
"Then shouldn't they be rich? These people are no better off than the ones from my own village."
Charles shook his head, fixed his already impeccable collar.
"Make no mistake, the Hillbury family hold incredible wealth and influence, but there is a reason they made it this far. They have had to be ruthless. And selfish. The people of the Hillbury village have no larger share of their fortune than you and I."
As if hearing them, one of the salesmen carrying baskets knocked on Maria's window. He nodded happily, keeping up with the vehicle, clearly wanting her to roll down her window.
She was relieved as he went on.
"I don't know if I like the Hillburys much."
"Good," Charles muttered, watching the salesman fall back. "It's a show of character."

Maria wasn't ready as the car door opened -- she was even less ready for the Hillbury Manor's overwhelming presence. Similar to Charles' den it overlooked the modest village but whilst Charles' home was warm and grounded, the manor was almost too much for Maria. Each pillar, each colored window, even the flowers planted outside, were the opposite of the community a little ways down.
Maria's mouth soured with the suspicion that that had been the point.
An arm snaked around hers, forced her to begin moving towards the giant doorway lined with suited men holding swords. Behind her more cars drove into the graveled courtyard and beautiful women and men all gravitated to the entrance like moths to a million-dollar flame.
"There are like eight thousand companies here."
"Forty-three actually."
"I'll stand out like a sore thumb."
Maria's heel snagged on the uneven ground and Charles discreetly leant her his balance.
"This is good. The more people there are, the less chance you'll get recognized. Remember, you won't be here for long."
The walk to the entrance felt like miles and once they made it inside, Maria's nerves only worsened. There were people everywhere, their luxurious selves filling the equally expensive ballroom. A drink was placed in her hand. She was about to give it back to the server when she noticed that most held on to one.
"See him?" Charles asked lowly, accepting a glass as well.
Maria scanned the colorful dresses and suits, tried to shut out the cheerful trumpets.
"No. No, I don't think so."
"Alright. Blend in. See if you can find him. I'll come to you soon enough."
Maria watched in horror as he reclaimed his arm.
"You're not coming with me?!"
She recieved a sharp look as a couple passed.
"I have important matters. Don't worry. Just keep your head down."
And with that, they parted.

It was three hours later that Kripin pulled aside Charles. He'd been speaking to the daughter of the mayor of a nearby city, acting as any nobleman would, and didn't even notice his second in command before he tugged on his suit. He looked as discreet and respectful as any butler would. Charles excused himself from the conversation with the rich folk and lowered his head as Kripin gave him a severe look.
"I can't find Maria," he whispered. "I lost her."
"You lost her," Charles repeated, keeping his voice restrained but his tone sharp.
"She just disappeared in the crowd. I've been looking for the past hour."
Charles noted the faint smell of sweat and Kripin's flushed cheeks to support his story. He raised his gaze, tried to find the unmistakeable red curls.
He immediately did. And they were rushing towards him.
"Charles!" Maria yelled. When that earned her looks she lowered her voice to a conspicous whisper and repeated, "Charles!"
He grabbed her as she almost tripped on the last step to him. He noted her bloodshot eyes.
"Maria," he said with a dangerous tone. "Are you drunk?"
"Good news," she slurred. "I found the kitchen staff's quarters! They have some delicious stuff there. Herbs and whatnot."
"Drugs."
Kripin and Charles shared a severe look.
"Don't be mad, I did what you said!"
Charles gripped her upper arms harder, earning a dazed grin. He looked ready to shake her senseless.
"I didn't tell you to get high."
"No, you told me to find Gooden. And I did. He's right," she turned around, closed one eye and pointed across the crowd with a finger wavering as if it weighed a hundred pounds, "there."
"This isn't good, boss. We can't leave her like this."
"But we can't face Gooden just one of us. It's too risky."
They both gave the high Maria disdained looks. Then eachother.
"We'll have to bring her."

A/n
Heyyyo
Please be proud of me that I finally finished this chapter with everything going on