The Night Runners (PREVIEW)

Chapter Three: A Tale of Two Worlds

February 10th

House of Midnight, Location Unknown

5:16 AM

Tayo had only been searching for five minutes when he found him leaning on one of the stone pillars. Though it was early morning, the sky above the House of Midnight remained speckled with stars, which was apt, considering the name of the House. Tobenna was looking up at the sky, an odd expression on his face. He turned as Tayo approached and stared at him contemplatively.

"You found me," he said.

"You didn't go very far." Tayo stood by him and also stared at the sky. "What are you doing out here?"

"Thinking. Wondering." The Mmanwu closed his eyes for a moment. "Don't you sometimes feel... I don't know... used?"

Tayo frowned. "How?"

"Look at me for example. I've known since the moment I was old enough to, that I was destined to die and become an ancestor spirit. Don't get me wrong, it's been great. I've got cool powers for one and I never would have met you guys otherwise. I just... Sometimes it seems like we've never had a moment of free will in our lives. That we're just going to keeping walking a set path that someone else made for us."

Tayo hesitated, not knowing what to say. He had never seen Tobenna so... down and he was momentarily thrown by it. Tobenna had always been the one of the group that took charge. He was the one that consoled and boosted morale. Never Tayo.

"Have I ever told you how the House of Peace found me?" Tayo asked, then went on when his friend shook his head.

"The priests back home told me that the gods themselves brought me to the House. They had found me abandoned on the road, and something about me moved them to pity and they chose to save me. They could have left me to die, but they didn't and I became their first Vessel. All of my life I've been trying to repair that kindness by helping others."

Tayo fixed Tobenna with a look. "We may not have had normal childhoods and experiences, but think of the number of people we've saved, the good we've done. Had you a choice, would you honestly give that up?"

Tobenna stared at the Babalawo. "No," he said finally. "I suppose I wouldn't. But you have to admit that I have a point about our not being free."

Tayo considered this. "Yes, but it's not forever. Soon we'll be free to pursue whatever paths we want."

The Mmanwu grinned. "But what could ever top this? Hunting monsters and fighting evil."

"Indeed."

The two teens were still smiling when Ivie descended upon them.

"There you are. Five's been kicking up a storm looking for you two. It's debriefing time."

Tobenna shot Ivie a surprised look as they began to head inside.

"Since when are you an early riser?"

Ivie's face curdled. "You have Madam Grumpy to thank for that. Imagine. Waking someone up by five o'clock. Tufia."

The boys laughed and told her it was good practice to which Ivie scowled. Comptroller Five, thankfully, was nowhere in sight when they made it to others. Arinze smiled at them, rubbing at eyes crusted with sleep, but Aisha barely acknowledged their existence. The Jinn gave them a short nod, which was more a jerk of the head really, then marched into the hallway. Tayo frowned at this.

"What's her problem?" Ivie asked.

"Don't know. I think she's pissed she got reprimanded along with us juvenile delinquents." Arinze's eyes fell on Ivie and his grin widened. "Good morning beautiful."