The Witch's Son

Chapter 24: Five Days

Five days
Eight hours
Fifty-five minutes
Thirty seconds

That's how long I have until I stand at the altar beside Naomi.

Five days
Eight hours
Fifty-six minutes
Ten seconds

That's how much longer I have left to make a plan.

I haven't seen Ava for about three days now and it is killing me. Thankfully only figuratively not literally. The world won't be able to handle losing someone as handsome as me.

Training, as well as my mam preparing me for the wedding, wipes me out every day. By the time I get home, I barely make it to my bed before passing out. And when I wake up it is morning. Last night I actually fell asleep standing, my mam had to wake me up and help me walk to bed.

But today I have the day off and so does Ava according to the letters we exchanged the night before last.

I smiled as I held the wrinkly paper reading it over and over again. The thought of seeing Ava after these torturous days without her brings me back to life.

Leaning back against my backboard I sighed trying to figure out how Ava and I will spend the day.

" Tobias I'm going to the temple to finalize the wedding plans!" My mam yelled from downstairs.

Her voice dampening my mood.

As you can imagine we haven't been on the best terms lately on account of her forcing me into a marriage I definitely don't want.

" Tobias!" She called again.

" Still here, sadly!" I yelled back.

Halin 'chuckled' as my answer.

Her heavy footsteps pounded against the creaky floor soon followed by the door slamming shut. The windows shook from the impact of the door for a few seconds before settling down again.

" What are we going to do today master?" Halin asked his feathers ruffling as he walked across my desk.

" I am taking Ava on a date." I smiled. The brightness of my smile could surely light up the darkest pit in hell.

" What am I supposed to do then?"

" Come with I guess." I shrugged.

" I think I'll stay here."

" Are you sure?"

" Yeah, sitting with you and Ava is kinda making me feel like a third wheel."

" How do you know that phrase?" I chucked.

" I've picked up a few things."

" Alright, I have to go. Enjoy having the house to yourself. Don't have any parties while I'm gone."

With a smile on my face, I hopped out of bed and hurried out of the house.

The chill in the air has grown considerably worse as the days tick by. It hurt my lungs as I breathed. My breath steamed up the air as I exhaled. I pull my thick fur coat tight against myself, enclosing me in its warmth. The trees are now completely bare ready for snow that should start falling soon.

As I near the village I kept as far into the trees as I could. Ducking as someone walked past me. Trying my best not to make a sound.

A few people that walked past did look my way when a twig snapped or I accidentally breathed a little too loud. But thanks to the darkness of the shadows and the remaining bright orange and red leaves of the grand bush I stayed unseen.