The Hourglass

Chapter VI.

Once I was inside the garden shed, the captor revealed its face from the mask it was wearing and my eyes widened with surprise. Aurelio?!

Aurelio: I am not welcomed here. Restraining you was unpleasant but necessary; I could not chance you alerting others. I'll let you go now, but you must promise not to scream. If you do, it will result in whoever comes in your aid being hurt.

I nodded my head and Aurelio released his grip on me.

Jasmin: Why are you here?

Aurelio: I'm trying to find out what happened to my father and my brother. I was a child when they disappeared. They were builders; part of the crew hired to construct this god damn mansion.

Jasmin: What makes you think that they'd still be here? It sounds unlikely.

Aurelio: One day they went to work here and never returned. They may not still be here, but someone here may know what happened to them.

Jasmin: Didn't you investigate at the time?

Aurelio: I tried. I..I have some hazy recollection of coming here and asking after them, only to be turned away by the butler, Arthur. Since then, it is strange. I found myself unable to even consider returning here again- or that someone here may be responsible for..for whatever has happened to them.

Jasmin: Until recently? What changed?

Aurelio: I purchased a spell from Amelie Phélès.  At first, I thought the spell had failed. Only since then, I found myself with this vague memory of having come here. I still find myself unable to enter the mansion- the garden is as far as I have ventured.

Jasmin: Could you just be afraid of what you'll find?

Aurelio: Perhaps, but this feels different; like something is holding me back.

Jasmin: Would it be guilt- that you couldn't save them back then?

Aurelio: Maybe a little, but I don't think that's mainly it. I was only a child then. No- I think what's holding me back is magical in nature. That is why I need you.

Jasmin: What do you want me to do?

Aurelio: I want you to speak with Amelie Phélès. Ask whether she cast a ward to stop me from entering the mansion.

Jasmin: And if she did?

Aurelio: Ask her to remove it, or find a way to remove it yourself if she refuses. I beg of you to help me with this. I must know the truth!

Jasmin: What will you do when the ward is removed?

Aurelio: At first, only investigate. I'll enter in the mansion with discretion and verify whether someone there is guilty for their disappearance. 

Jasmin: And if they are, you'll kill them?

Aurelio: After my father and brother disappeared, my mother had to sacrifice everything to obtain money for our living. She turned to prostitution- until she was killed by one of her gentlemen callers. Whoever was responsible for their disappearance,  I also hold culpable for her death and for what befell me afterwards.

Jasmin: I understand.

Aurelio: So, will you help me with this?

Something about Aurelio frightened me. I don't know why but I feel my instinct tells me so. Still, doesn't he deserve to know the truth? Isn't helping him the right thing to do? 

Jasmin: I'll think about it.

Just then, the shed was opened and it was Kurtis. Aurelio struck before Kurtis could get a good look at him, rendered the poor gardener unconscious.