The Afterlife Academy Saga

Chapter 22

22

Deeper and deeper, I pushed into the woods, following forgotten trails and straying onto untamed paths. I did everything I wouldn’t usually do in a forest, out of fear of getting lost. But lost was exactly what I needed to be.

Big leaves cast strange, eerie shadows on me that were even making Hyde growl.

“I know, it’s a little creepy.” I gave him a little pat on the head, reassuring him while gaining some reassurance from him. It was good to have him by my side, especially after how long I hadn’t seen him.

Pickles pushed her head out of the blazer and sniffed loudly. “Hff.”

“Hello, you.” I rearranged my coat so she could get a better view. Maybe I shouldn’t have brought her along, but I couldn’t stand the idea of locking her back up in a cage that was far too small for her now.

Seeing how she had doubled in size helped explain why Ryoko made a point of cleaning so much as she did. Too much dust and this bunny ate everything she could get her paws on.

“Silly bunny. You’re so heavy,” I teased, earning a grumpy glare. “You’re right, that wasn’t nice of me. It’s not your fault that there was so much dust.”

“Hffff.”

“You didn’t have to eat it all though.”

Pickles flashed her spikes, but not aggressive enough to really hurt me. Just a fair warning.

“Alright, alright. I’ll stop the teasing. I don’t mind the extra weight. You’re just extra cute now.” I turned around before Hyde could get jealous and gave him a scratch under his chin. “You’re extra cute too, don’t you worry.”

Having two pets was exhausting already. It would be good when Ryoko was back and she could take care of the bunny again. But for that to happen… I needed to find Var.

The leaf on my hip glowed and I honed in on the sensation. I could tell it was trying to lead me somewhere, but it just felt like I was walking in circles.

But then… The Forest of Illusions was a little like the Veil. I needed to navigate it with my mind and that had been going round and round too, cycling through various thoughts and ideas.

If I was going to find Var, I needed to focus and think about him.

His dark cloak, the stubbled beard, the way he moved through the shadows. The wooden hut surrounded by old trees, the black cauldron with the inedible stew, the threatening eyes of Lick.

The Keeper’s mark burned hotter and I followed it blindly, wherever it wanted me to go. I couldn’t get lost if that was where I wanted to go.

I just needed to keep thinking about Var and visualising as much as I could.

The little rusted buttons on his jacket, the darkness in his eyes when he chased me, the urgency in his voice.

Hotter and hotter, the leaf singed into my skin. It was quickly becoming painful, but I took that as a good sign. I was getting closer, I just had to.

“Grrrr.” Hyde suddenly growled and charged ahead, darting through plants and bushes.

“Hyde!” I chased after my dusk, the burning mark intensifying. Blindly, I swatted branches and leaves out of my face, until I broke through the wall of trees and ended on an open patch with a little hut.

Dread and relief waged a war in my heart from the sight of Var’s home. Maybe I shouldn’t have come here… Not after what he did to me last time. But then… What choice did I have?

Hesitantly, I stepped forward. I could still turn back, I could still flee. But my friends would pay for my cowardice.

No, I couldn’t go back. I had to see this through, no matter the outcome. If the Academy wouldn’t help, then I had to risk it all to get them out. That was what they’d done to save me from Ryuga.

With a deep breath, I crossed through the small front garden. The beds were sprouting and it was hard to believe that a man as angry as Var had the patience to care for vegetables.

“Hyde, heel,” I whispered, finding solace in his presence. “Ready?”

“Grrr…”

“I know… I feel that way too.”

I hovered my closed hand in front of the door, hesitant to knock. If I did, there was no turning back and I’d have to face the consequences of my choice, whichever way they’d play out.

This could be the last thing I did.

I took a deep breath. If that was my fate, then so be it.

Decisively, I brought my fist down. For Ryoko. For my friends.

Knock knock.