Hunter

Chapter 24

         What was incredible with this city was that despite the fact it was underground, you could find pretty much everything there. On my way I had come accross a magic shop and I had bought everything in the herb section, at least as much as I could with what was left in my wallet. Then, I had headed for the neighbourhood of the gnome.

When I finally located his house, which was a perfect reflection of its owner (badly maintained and dilapidated), I entered cautiously. No light. A good point, maybe he was not home.

I explored the little house stealthily, cautiously keeping my hand on the purse in which I had put the herbs. Yet, I did not need them: Farax Ronchard was not here. I imagined him, savouring his victory against me, shouting everywhere he had found Arthur, getting drunk in bars around to celebrate. Nonetheless he did not know I was here, while Alexandre Édouard was not. Not yet. I was one step ahead and this damned gnome would eventually come home. The wizard would not be back before a day or two, according to the three guys of the inn, so I had time. So I settled down in the hall, on a wooden chair laying around. I hauled a sort of diform footstool and slid it under my feet and crossed my arms on my chest.

Now we wait.

**         On the second morning after Dad's disappearance, Bob had come home to take me, Agate and Ul to the agency, because they could not leave us alone any longer. Bob had not mentionned it, but Henri probably had went through thick and thin to make this happen. The search was in a dead end and I was sure he was real happy about it. He had said so himself, with my father out of the way, he could do whatever he wanted and discover the truth.

We arrived to the agency under a pouring rain. With a knot in my stomach and doing my best to hide it, I petted Ulysses one last time. His presence gave me courage. I pushed the door to the offices. Bob followed me with Agate in his arms. It took Bob a few minutes to gather all of my father's colleagues, those of his team, of course, but the others as well. In all, there were about thirty people.

"Well," he started, "As you all probably know already, Gustave has been missing for two days and the search is not going anywhere..."

While Bob was explaining the situation, I found Henri in the crowd, next to Gaspard. The rest of the faces were completely new to me.

"...That is why Arthur and his sister will stay here until the search finally gives a result.

Suddenly, Henri's eyes let go of Bob to lock on me. A mean smile stretched his lips.

"But Bob," he said raising his voice for everyone to hear. "I'm not against the idea they stayed here, but what if the search never gave anything? Who knows! Maybe that good old Gustave is already..." He stopped for half a second, the necessary time for his eyes to meet mine again. "...dead."

A wave of whispers rose in the room. Bob ended it when he spoke again.

"Don't be so pessimistic, you know Gustave."

"Sure I do, but what I mean is they can't stay here forever."

Here it was. He was going to turn the situation to his advantage and make it so he could have me twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. I felt like a mouse trapped inbetween the paws of a cat, the cat plays with its prey and then, once all of its strength is gone, only then, it eats it.

Henri opened his mouth. "If you want I can..."

"They can stay at my place!"

Silence fell in the room while a small figure elbowed its way through up to the front row.

"Sorry, sorry! Excuse-me!"

Finally, Sophie appeared next to Henri who tried his best to keep a neutral face, but I could feel him boil with anger.

"Are you sure?" Bob asked.

Sophie nodded. "Certain."

She looked at me and smiled and I let out a sigh of relief. Bob asked everyone to go back to work and the crowd dispersed in silence. Sophie came closer to me followed by Henri's furious eyes. His stare lingered on me, then, he articulated something in silence pointing his finger at me, threatening, before disappearing amongst the workers.

"It doesn't bother you, right?" Sophie asked laying her hands on my shoulders.

I shook my head, still feeling oppressed by Henri's look. Sophie must have felt my uneasiness for her smile disappeared for few seconds before it came back, no longer frank, but encouraging.

"Your father is okay, I'm sure of it."

With no warning, my eyes watered. I did my best to contain the tears. I glanced at Agate playing with in a corner of the room. Sophie gave me a look both tender and powerless before taking me into her arms. For a second, she reminded me of my mother. My tears started to run.

"It's going to be okay. It's going to be okay."

I held on to her as if she were a lifebelt. After all, that was what she was.