RAINDROPS

Chapter 20

'I know you're a descendant from the great general Magnus. Tell me what you want with Ally and you can have your precious knife back.'

The tension in the air is so high it's almost visible. The man in front of me has his eyes focused on mine. It feels like he's looking into my soul. The dreadful feeling I got from looking at them before comes back stronger and almost overwhelms me. I want nothing more than to just turn around and walk away, but I can't do that. It's just something about this man's aura that makes me feel this way, weird as it sounds. I fight back, telling myself to stand my ground. 

I expect him to say something. However he stays quiet. Everything around us is quiet. After a few minutes more people come out. First a bulky guy in what looks like biker clothes, I can only really make out a leather jacket and some silver chains. From the other side now comes an older woman. She seems completely out of place, because she looks like a sweet grandma who wants nothing more than to bake you some cookies. 

The last person who comes out of the shadows is probably the eldest. He is quite big and has grey hair. It reflects some light, which is the only reason I can tell. Somehow I can also see his eyes, even though I would rather not. They're just as stone cold as the first guy. But they are also very different. They look like they've seen a lot.

He continues walking forward until he reaches the younger guy and puts his hand on his shoulder. They must have agreed on signs beforehand, since the younger guy moves away now as if they've done this same thing a hundred times before.

'You are right. It is a very precious knife, young man. Where did you find it?' he asks, his voice cold and deep. It matches his eyes, making the entire appearance even more terrifying. I can't imagine the look on my own face right now, but I'm not giving up.

'I found it in the grass where it landed after you hit my friend with it.' I say. I'm not a hundred percent sure he was the actual guy who did it, but I figure I should just talk confidentily. 

'Mmmmh... You found it huh?' he says it hesitantly as if thinking about something, as if he's trying to decide wether to believe me.

'Yes.' I say, just to answer his question. Even though it really sounded like a rethorical question. I kind of tend to do that sometimes. Most people think that it's really annoying, which I can honestly understand.

'What's your name?' he asks. Why does he want to know this? I barely know anything about them I'm not going to tell him that.

'What do you want with Ally?' I ask instead. Countering a question with another question is basic interogation technique. The man still looks like he's pondering on something.

'Nothing.' he says simply. He's trying to deny it. That doesn't make sense. I saw him attacking her. I'm literally a first account witness.

'That's not true. I saw you attacking her!' I'm starting to get more angry. I need an explanation and I want it now. I want to help Ally.

'Now, now. No need to go around accusing people.' He says, completely relaxed. His confused demeanor from before is now gone.

'I know about the origins of the knife. It is important to your family, is it not?' I ask. He looks at me, but is reluctant to answer. 'I know it's two hundred years old and was created by general Magnus. It was supposed to be a symbol of hope.'

'How did you find out about this?' he asks me.

'A high school library. I guess if you wanted to keep it a secret you didn't do a very good job.' 

'Let me finish. What you're saying is wrong. No one has ever been able to get the facts right, some people have come close, but not close enough.'

'Close enough to what?' I ask