Convergence

Chapter 20

Following Allafair and the others, Gregory staggered into the shade of the woods, his arm held over his eyes to block the piercing rays of light which poured over them. "Where in bloody Britain are we?" he asked, squinting at his surroundings. Allfair did not answer, only continued forward on the uneven forest floor. He dared not look back for fear of being caught. He knew that Crockett's security was laughable, but he did not trust that he could not be captured again.

"Is anyone going to answer me, or am I being ignored?" Gregory pressed further, jogging to keep up with Allafair's pace.

"Melline?" Allafair said, finding her at his heels. "Any idea where we are?"

Melline huffed as she looked about the trees. They were not grown close together, giving the woods a very spacious look. "We traveled through Manchester and headed north...could be Leeds?" Melline replied. "Wait...I know these woods..." She came to a slow walk, turning around and around as she tried to place where she had seen the trees. "There's a path, a hiking trail! Come on!" She rushed forward, tearing through the forest.

Before long, they came upon the hiking trail of which Melline had spoken. They hurried along the path until it left them on the side of a country road. "Where are we to go now?" Eloise asked, peering down the road hopefully.

"We should head into town and find a bus stop. I do not intend to go any further on foot," Gregory said flatly.

Elwynn nodded his consent of the idea. "I agree with Ackroyd for once," he said.

"You know, you've always been my second favorite," Gregory told Elwynn happily, resting his elbow atop Elwynn's shoulder. Elwynn rolled his eyes.

"But what's our plan??" Annabelle asked. "We can't go ride a bus without a destination!"

"We'll go to the only place I know is safe," Allafair said. "My home."

"Isn't that the first place Crockett will expect us to be?" Eloise asked.

"He doesn't know where I reside. No one does," Allafair explained.

Gregory clapped his hands. "Sounds like a plan to me. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to find a bus," he said, starting off down the road.

"Gregory, Leeds is this way," Melline said, pointing in the opposite direction of which he had gone. Upon hearing this, he turned on his heel and led them into town.

*****

"Would you say that you live in the middle of nowhere?" Gregory asked Allafair, trudging along behind him as they walked down a dirt road leaving Manchester. The bus would not take them to the location where they were headed, so they hopped off at the closest bus stop and began walking.

"Not in the middle of nowhere, Gregory. More like....on the outskirts of nowhere," Allafair replied. He was eager to return home. His pace remained quick and occasionally he might be caught skipping, though no one could tell since it had grown very dark. He closed his eyes as the cool, night air brushed his face softly. He thought of the beer and pickles that awaited him and did not bother himself with the thought of expiration dates.

Eventually, they came upon the two-story house in which he lived. He clambered upon the roof to retrieve the extra key, which he jammed between the roof shingles, then waved his companions inside quickly. Allafair flicked the switch that sat beside the door jam, and light filled the entryway. He led them into the kitchen, where he proceeded to turn on another light. He rifled through his refrigerator for something to serve his guests and managed to find some foods—including pickles—that had not expired, along with some sodas and beers.