Elevate

Taking Rest

I watched over the kids, soundlessly snoozing over the bed. They appeared to be tranquil now as they dealt with their own dreams. I slowly skimmed my fingers through their hair and tugged the white sheets up to their chests. I left the panel slightly opened to let the cold climate enter the space, stroking its composure through the flimsy curtains. The moon was shining luminously.

It’s already one in the morning when we came back inside the base. Everyone was exhausted. We made sure that no one would be able to pass the base except those who’re already inside. Uncle William had put something on top of our door. It was something like a ritual he got from that old lady in the forest. Somehow, he had said that it's effective. A sluggish knock was heard from my door and it flung open, revealing a troubled face of Loshiana.

Her fuzzy red dress, tattered on its ends had scrubbed the frigid floor and her hair was drifted down her chest. She just washed her skin and she shoved inside deliberately, not to arouse the children. She slightly discerned them and narrowed straight back to me.

“Do you have time to talk?”

I bobbed to her and tapped the side of the bed for her to hunch beside me. Slowly, she darted and settled. She was clasping her clothes, tugging the sides and waited for my acknowledgment.

“What do you want to tell me, Losh?” I spoke calmly. The light on the ceiling reflected on her stare as she shifted to face me. She perceived that something's bizarre and she placed her hand on Hannah’s lap.

“Have you noticed something strange with Macky when we headed home?” She asked in a whisper.

I contemplated him nap so tight beside his sibling. His face isn’t bothered anymore. I shook at her. “No, not at all. Is there something we need to worry about?”

“I think we need to consult for help from Miguel. The child is wholly exhausted, yet we still don’t know what happened to them both and why they’re in that sacred place.” She uttered. “Did Guilbert tell you any plans about those remains?”

“No. I think he’s still planning if he’s going to take it or just leave it there.” She added.

When we learned that the story was true; that her bones were there lying beneath the Long Range Fountain, we didn’t bother to lay a point on it. Some have believed that there was a curse on it and it was a concecrated place that no one persuaded to visit. Maybe because it was also neglected.

“I think it’s better to have Miguel checked on him too. The boy seemed not in his condition to think well. I wondered why the hunter decided to leave the children in that location…” I whispered to her.

“If we’re going to put it simply, then maybe it’s because he’s not thinking that we won’t have the clue to go in such area, or maybe he’s into more elusive than we thought.” She retorted.

A knock was delivered from the outside. It was Carmilla. She gave us a smile and pronounced, “Can I come in?”

“Sure.” I timidly atoned.

She trifly hauled, bringing with her the pendant that Cody had taken from the stream. She's being nosy this time and crouched on the pillow.

“Why did you bring that one?” She asked her.

She opened the pendant and took the piece of sheet. It was the map. “Do you ever marvel how Quinten knew about this?”

I shook my head. “No. It’s still a mystery to us why he got an input about it.”

Knowing Quinten, he’s much audacious just like her. He’s more of a wallflower and got a badass personality, but he’s a caring person. He admired to stroll around certain areas that no one would dare to see. He’s determined to search.

If we’re going to reminisce his own life, it's fun- Kinzel have caught him again before in a wild street fight together with those who’re just the same age as him near the market. He was her relative. She agreed to offer him a task which would cost him a fortune and would not be needing his fist the most. They needed to secure his safety and told him their agenda for the city and somehow, they were able to convince Quinten to join them. He was the first ever member to be recruited! Then, came Carmilla, Miguel, Cody and I. Practically, Quinten knew everything that was going in the group. He's a witness to all, up until into his last breath. Since then, Quinten wrote all his ventures and the things he learned on that brown compiled sheets.

Carmilla pulled something from her pants and set it on her lap. It was a handkerchief.

“Quinten gave this to me when I was still in the Care Orphanage. I wasn’t able to give it back to him. And now that I remembered about this thing, something caught my attention recently.” She said and slowly unfolded it.

We saw a capitalized letter f on its right corner, embroidered into red. “What’s that?” I asked her.

“When Dad let me study his notes in the library, where most of it were the books from the old committee, I was hooked in one of those and someway I was able to see this image on one of the pages. It was a symbol from the Three Founders. It was said that anyone who got this symbol was given a key to the passage. There was no sign about the door, but it was written there that it was a way to a new place. So, I thought that…” She clasped the pendant. “Quinten got one of those keys, that’s why he knew that it was in that spring. Because...he just hid it there.”

“Maybe it was true that he got one, but he didn’t mention anything about it to us, even to the siblings.” Loshiana uttered.

“He got some reasons for that for sure. But, let’s just think of it as the good one. Quinten was a very secretive among all of us and we understood that. But, the fact that he left his notes which will talk like most of all about him to us, then, it’s obvious that he didn’t turn his back to the group.” I spoke.

“You’re right. But I can’t find a way why the necklace that he had got was in that place. How did he get outside the city when the gates or might as well the Old Mill were closed?”

“When I helped Mr. William, he told me that the Informant had led him in a secret passage which will lead to the Forest. It was the path he used when Penelope had closed the Mill; locked and killed those who’re able to get inside. I assumed that Quinten was also using that place to pass side by side and just silently went to the spring for personal matters. Ian hasn’t mentioned anything about Quinten’s presence in his place too. So, maybe he’s moving in the shadows.” Carmilla added.

Now, it was getting clear to us on why Quinten was relatively busy when he got his quality time for himself. That man was really into something since before. Carmilla stood from her spot and extended her arms upward. She strode to the window and scanned the exterior.

“What’s his plan right now?” She asked, referring to Guilbert.

“We’re going back to the forest. What about you?”

She rubbed her chin. “I’m going back to our house. Dad needed some updates about what’s happening with my quest. So I needed to report to him at least. And probably he’s monitoring me too.” Carmilla tittered.

“If you need any help, we're here for you.” Loshiana persuaded her.

“Thank you.” She slowly threw the necklace to me and I was able to catch it. “Just give it to Cody for me. Tell him, thank you.” She breathed over the clarity and enjoyed the night, closing her eyes. “I think I needed to go now.”

“At this time? But it’s still dark.” I commented.

“I know. That’s why it’s better. You see, when something is vile, it doesn’t come out during the day where it would be visible for us. Remember that our foes move when it’s vague. Somehow, these opaque streets have more agendas than the daytime.” She scoffed.

Carmilla was right. When we're planning something, it’s better to live under the shadows to avoid getting a counter. She suddenly hopped outside the window and landed on the ground. We promptly progressed to it and saw her tapping her knees to fall dust. She wore her cape, and waved her hand to goodbye. “I’ll be back here!” She mumbled.

“Take care.” I said fast.

She ventured down the bare avenue as we watched Carmilla disappear from the distance, that’s when we decided to close the panel. We slumped our backs on the wall, looking at the children.

“Will they be alright?” I asked her.

“Yes. Let’s take some rest for now.” She suggested and took a bore.

She wiped her eyes and gently pressed my head to relax. “Let’s have them check up tomorrow, okay?”

I nodded at her. “Goodnight, Losh.”

“Goodnight.”