The Los Angeles Lighthouse | ✔

Chapter 26: The Golden Boy

POSSESSIONS are used to keep a rich man happy.

     But I'm glad the only thing I own is a pair of mismatched socks, the ring of my finger, and a fraying hoodie. It makes it easier to pack up.

     "Hey... kid, can I come in?"

     I set down the pillow dutifully used to muffle my screams and open the door. Brooks stands on the other side, her coiled hair sitting ruffled upon her head, the folds of her bronze jacket wrinkled and more scarfed than usual. She smiles.

"How are you feeling, Marks?"

I almost laugh outright. I feel like a steaming pile of faex. Not a shred of sleep has come my way since failing the exam, my clothes are unwashed and uncared for, I've selfishly barred myself in my dorm room and spoken to no one but the mirror.

And yet I have no right to complain. I only lost the promise of becoming a Warden. Brooks lost everything she's built for the past twenty or so years.

"I'm sorry," she says. "I'm sorry that I failed you as a teacher and a leader."

My mouth dries, surprise draining it of its ability to for words. Tongue just flopping around in my mouth as a fish flops out of water. She continues regardless:

"Warden Damas is taking over as Dux de Lumine. He'll make a strong leader." There's a flicker of doubt flashing behind her eyes. It's gone in a moment. "He's already elected Warden Leopold as his second."

     "Brooks—please stop acting like everything's fine," I plead, grabbing her elbow. It's the first time I've said anything save for an apology to Quin the moment he woke up. "Damas is fueled by nothing but ambition. He'll to grind this Lighthouse into dust if it's gets him where he wants to be."

     "Then to dust the Lighthouse will return." She peels my fingers from her arm, and forces me to meet her eyes. "Marks, we need to let go. It's not our problem anymore."

     "But—"

     Brooks brings a finger over her lips, quieting me. She reaches inside her jacket, pulling out a brown, leather bounded notebook, thrusting it in my hands.

     "The Guide to Somnium and the Wardens of the Los Angeles Lighthouse by Wren Brooks. Started it when I first became Dux De Lumine—every person in the Lighthouse has there own page, there's even some maps in there of Somnium," she laughs softly. "I intended to hold on to this, but it'll be no use to me now. Take it."

     I run my fingers along the cover. The notebook is vaguely familiar, it's frayed binding and worn down pages. I remember it—it's the same notebook that was tucked upon Brook's desk during the goblin intrusion.

Brooks reaches for the door as I flip it open. Her shoulders fall, taking in the room for most likely the final time.

"I have to attend the Caping Ceremony—up by the Lantern Room. It's a courtesy even if I'm no longer a... Warden," the words begrudgingly rip themselves from her throat. "All the Juniors are getting their capes today, to officially be recognized as Wardens. I expect it would be too painful for you to watch."

She's right. It would. Which is why I have plans to cut my losses and return to Downtown as fast as the speed limit will allow me.

     "See you around, kid." Brooks shoves the handle forward, enveloping the room with a flood of outside light.

     The room retreats into dimly lit darkness as the door slams shut.

     I flip open the notebook. All written in a lovely ink script, scrabbles and tidbits of how the Lighthouse function to how each Warden's name is pronounced so—as the asterisk on the first page indicates—Brooks doesn't forget one of her colleagues names. There's such care and love for the Lighthouse crafted into each letter. She truly does adore this place—or at least, she did.