Twisted-Wonderland: Our Precious Treasure (Part 2)

(88) TMotDS: Suitable Collateral!

Just like how he promised, Trey stayed in Jonah's room. There wasn't anything they could do besides waiting for the team to come back. Trey leaned against the wall beside the window, looking to the side at the other boy who was sitting on the window sill, looking worriedly at the direction to the Hall of Mirror.

"They'll be fine," Trey said, making Jonah glanced at him with a slight surprise. "We're basically repeating Riddle's plan back during the magishift, right?"

He hummed, the back of his head pressing the stone behind him. "I'm basically betting this on RNG," he muttered. "He won't be happy. I know Cater is good back then, but he's going in so close right now."

"Cater is a great actor. He wouldn't let his disguise slip. Even I sometimes have trouble figuring out his mask." Jonah turned toward, eyebrow raised as if he was waiting for a continuation. But Trey sighed, pushing his glasses up his nose. Maybe one day he could finally crack that mask. "Though, you didn't exactly explain to Riddle that Cater's in disguise."

"It's better if Senior Riddle didn't know," Jonah answered. "If he didn't look panic or disappointed, Azul might be suspicious."

"So, you're lying to make this plan work?"

"I didn't lie technically." Jonah bit his lip and turned his head toward the Hall of Mirrors again. "Just hiding some things."

Trey frowned at this. "You know you'll only keep hiding even bigger if you keep this up."

Jonah glanced at him as his bangs created a shadow around his eye, giving it some sort of dangerous glint. "Is there anything else to hide though?" he asked in a low voice.

Trey didn't back down. His glasses flash dangerously as well. "Maybe start by telling us what are you planning to give up."

Trey noticed Jonah's hand curled up, gripping his pants as his brow slightly furrowed as if he was getting defensive. However, before they could continue even further, there was a knock at the door. Both boys looked at the door but Trey was the one making move to open it. He smiled as a greeting to the rest of the team.

"Yo~ We're back." Cater waved his hand. Hearing the voice, Jonah jumped from the window and walked toward them, smiling at them.

"Did you get it?" he asked.

"Yep." Cater winked. "All we need to do is to make the terms of the agreement and we'll be off."

Riddle frowned as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. "There's one thing though."

"Eh? Really?" Cater looked down at his prefect confusedly. "Did I miss a step?"

Riddle shook his head. "Not you." Riddle turned his head toward Jonah. "I'm talking about the collateral."

Glancing toward Jonah, Trey noticed the way the boy's fingers were rubbing each other anxiously as Riddle continued. "You don't have anything left. I doubt you have anything valuable in your possession."

Jonah sighed as he tucked some hair behind his ear. "I'll... Think about it." He glanced toward Cater again. "Did he mention when should we meet?"

"Tomorrow night," Cater said. "He also said that he'll deliver the 'official invitation' tomorrow."

"So, the counter curse won't work around that time." Jonah tapped his chin. "But maybe it would be better since we're trying to hide it."

"But Azul did mention when he cursed you that you're not allowed to step in Octavinelle unless he says so," Jack said, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "If both of you need to make a contract, surely he can lift the curse just a bit."