The Heir Of Ice And Dusk

Where I learn about my enemy's past

Daniel Johnston's words reminded me of Evelyn Barnes. I was used to people making me feel guilty about things I hadn't done. I was feeling responsible for Alice already. I should have looked for her for a longer time, I shouldn't have gone to bed.

"Don't beat yourself up," Edgar said. He always tried to cheer me up. He couldn't even understand how many different things I was feeling. I had never exactly told him the extent of what I went through in my childhood.

"Yeah," I commented sarcastically. "I have just been blamed of an homicide that hasn't even happened, yet, and I'm looking for a baby who's been held hostage, hoping to find him still alive. But yeah, I shouldn't beat myself up."

"Do you think the baby is already dead?" Edgar asked me. He looked very worried.

"I hope not," I said. 

We followed the instructions Thomas Johnston had given us, until we found an abandoned shelter. It was outside of the centre of the underground city.

"Thomas Johnston is even crazier than I would have guessed. A truly evil person," Edgar commented. "With no regrets at all. Almost makes you wonder if there's something going on."

"Do you think there's some sort of magic messing with him...?" I asked.

Edgar shrugged. "Who knows," he commented. "Something's definitely wrong with him."

"Some people are just born wicked," I replied.

"Yeah, well, I'd rather not think about it that way."

Edgar found the light switch, and light invaded the little shelter. A baby was there, in a cradle. His hair were the shades of pale yellow, gold and a cold light brown. His eyes, though almost closed, were heavy lidded and his pupils were light blue. He was an incredibly cute baby. I could not believe someone could have been so evil to kidnap him.

"Now," I said decisively. "Let's get the baby out of here."

I sighed. "I just wish I knew a way to help Alice too."

Edgar smacked his forehead, as if he just had an idea. "I know a way to make sure she's alive!"

"Well, what is it?" I asked. I shuddered at the thought of Alice not being alive --- but, perhaps, it was better to know the truth.

"An Emphatic String," he said.

I had already heard about the Emphatic String. Agnes and Raegan shared one.

"It works this way," he explained. "You must perform this spell on two people, to connect them. But if one person is missing, you can use one of their objects."

"Who's going to connect to Alice?" I asked. What I didn't say was that if no one felt up to the task, I could do it.

Instead, Edgar replied, "We'll see."

I took the boy in my arms. I looked at his golden hair. He was so sweet, so innocent.

"I wish I knew his name," I said, almost absent-mindedly.

While we were walking towards the city centre, I told Edgar, "I read he was staying with a nurse, an Enlightener, until someone adopted him. I don't think she will be happy to see us --- two infamous Enchanters walking into their house with the baby in their arms."

"She's going to be happy we brought the baby back," Edgar said. "Even though the fact that no one's adopted him yet really bothers me. I almost wish we could... you know..."

There was a moment where I thought he was gesturing at the two of us and the baby. I even felt the tip of my ears go red. But, of course, I must have been mistaken.