Pearlescent Feather

Chapter 2 - RWD Revealed

It was Monday already. Monday. Monday. Right.

Hugo dreaded what was to come as he unlocked his cell-phone, re-checking the number he'd been given. It was a moblie number - 07 - and he thought that it couldn't possibly be the right one. Something as large as The Realm Watching Devision (RWD) couldn't possibly recieve calls on a mobile, could it?

He slowly pressed each of the required numbers on his screen, lifting the cell up to his ear carefully, as if he expected something to jump out at any minute. After about thirty seconds, someone answered in a dreary, depressing manner;

"Who is this, and what do you want?" The voice said in a monotone fashion, clearly annoyed. Hugo didn't recognise the voice.

"I..I'm Hugo Davies? I'm looking for Mr Gareth Hound."

He heard the person on the other line shuffle awkwardly in their seat for a second, before they replied, their voice having suddenly changed drastically. He could tell it was still the same person.

"Oh, Mr Davies! It's me, I'm Mr Hound, right right - Sorry, I haven't had my coffee yet, and y'know, Monday mornings-" It was two in the afternoon, "So, have you made a decision?"

The shorter took a deep breath, and spoke quietly through the phone. "Alright, I'll do it. But if this is a scam, I'm sending you and your associates to court."

He could practically hear the joy on the other end of the line. "Brilliant! Shall I come get you?"

"What?"

"Well, if you're gonna start work here, you're going to need to know the way."

"Can't you just send me the location? I know you're on mobile."

Hound didn't respond to that, but Hugo could tell that he couldn't for some reason. Instead, the jangling of keys were heard from the other line.

"I'll be over in about half an hour then."

At that, the blonde hung up.

Hugo lowered the phone from his ear, shaking his head in contemplation. That just might have been the worst decision he'd ever made. He thought to himself, as he put the phone away in his pocket, staring out the window again. He suddenly realised that his situation was identical to the Thursday he'd met Hound - a grey, dreary day, raining, lounge light on, stood infront of the window. He placed his hands on the radiator for added deja-vu.

Slowly, he walked back to the kitchen and flicked the kettle on, grabbing a mug from the cupboard and a tea bag from the pot. He was about to grab a spoon for the sugar when a knock came at the door. Again.

"Half an hour my ass!" Hugo shouted, slamming the spoon down as he spun on his heel, storming towards the door. He flung it open angrily, ready to moan.

But rather than being greeted by Mr Hound, it was instead Rebecca, his best friend. Hugo stopped suddenly, and sighed. Rebecca laughed.

"Woah, matey, cool off. I don't know who ya thought I was, but it's just me."

The raven-haired girl placed a hand on her hip. "Care to take a walk?"

"Em... Sure?" Hugo said, checking his watch. He did have half an hour...
"Were do you wanna go?"

Twenty minutes later, the two were halfway through a local graveyard, tredding quietly through the thin layers of snow, and Hugo was staring quietly out at two specific graves sadly.

"We don't have to go over there, you know." Rebecca said suddenly, the Scottish girl awaking the other from his trance. The two looked at each other quickly, sharing a knowing glance.