Elevate

A Housebreak

CODY MILLER’S POV

The fluffy breeze brushed itself on me as I moved on the coarse, furrowed road. The pine trees went bigger as I progressed deeper in this place, barely letting me see the distance. Those knotty, untrimmed weeds surrounded the sides of the path, itching to go in the middle of the road, but I presumed that someone is making a maintenance. I could no longer hear those chatters from those who’re living in the forest. All that was around me was the ticking of the crickets and the rushing sound coming from the fresh rivulet. Excitement had clasped itself around when I perceived a part of it. The swishing sound now became much clearer as those damped, dark pebbles had filled the place.

It was refreshing to see it with my own eyes. I immediately moved near to watch its water was crystal clear. I bent my knees and touched the stream with my bare hands. Its coldness made shivers. I chuckled.

From the different side, there was a small path which I thought it was leading back to the neighborhood itself or maybe it’s taking to somewhere else. I gradually took Quinten’s pad inside my bag and opened it on the page that I have flipped the other day around. Scanning his notes, I read that he had mentioned something like this – a spring. Since then that Guilbert had mentioned about it, it didn’t go off the hook from me.

Quinten had taken down notes before about it and it was written that it has something hidden beneath its surface near a large rock. There were no illustrations, but it was more into descriptions. I don’t know where he got this information, but I think that this will lead us to something.

I inspected the place and made sure that no one is around. When I was satisfied with my own presence, I started to remove my clothes and placed them beside with my back. Stretching my arms upwards, I took a long inhale and in an instant I dove in the spring and swam deeper. Luckily, the water is clean and clear that I could somehow see what’s in it. I began to search the side of it. I tried to reach the bottom, but it was deeper than I thought.

I swam up and took a breath again and went back. Moving to the right, I saw a large rock dipping half itself in the spring. It was different from the others because of its color. I touched it and my feet had also stood on the leveled surface and I could feel the green moss engulfing it together with its slimy texture. I glanced beneath it, hoping to find something but there was nothing. I moved to my right and carefully examined it using my hands, but all I could touch was the moss.

I was losing hope that time and decided to go up, but then something had shimmered on the surface where I stood. I tried to narrow my sight on it, but I couldn’t see it clearly. I moved up and took some air and went back to grab it. I thought it was a diamond, but when I grabbed it, I saw a pendant. I immediately resurfaced and exhaled. I brushed my fingers on my hair to rinse the water and to keep them still, pointing to my back. I narrowed my sight to it on my palm and saw a silver necklace with a circle pendant. I raised it a bit, examining its features as the ray of light touched.

It can be opened. I slowly pulled its side and the pendant unlocked, letting me see a piece of paper, flipped into a compact. Somehow, it wasn’t damped. Maybe because of its strong clasp of the pendant. The paper has been preserved. I don’t really know if this is the thing that Quinten wanted me to find, since it was his last note and he hasn’t finished it. Someway, it was left hanging – questions to be filled.

I decided to trust my instincts, since it’s the best thing for me to do. I carefully opened the paper and the first thing I saw was a sketch of the Long Range Fountain. To its right was something like a route or a direction. I just don’t know where to start this. And the last picture that was on the paper, on its left side was a hollow heart shape, held by a pair of hands on a woman’s chest. She was closing her eyes and there was a tear falling on her right eye, yet she was smiling. In her back were two flowers, making them as her own wings.

A sudden shot suddenly hastened from the distance, making me jolt on my spot. I looked everywhere to find but the only thing that caught my view was a wild boar in the other side of the spring, taking a sip of the water. It didn’t recognize my presence and it became calm. I stared at it, slumping myself on the ground. It’s not that bad to take silence and peace in this moment. I just needed it. Things, even though we don’t see them all to be, have now become befall into impairment.

Yet, shame still bounded by those who have done things has value. So much things have happened lately; Loshiana had been anxious since the time we left the base to go here in the forest. Perhaps, the certainty of having her to meet Penelope, who used to help her back then, gave her the guilt of what happened. It’s what the past could do to her, either she’ll move or continue to do live under guilt. Perhaps, she’s doing both, but we’re certain that she’s doing her best to be better and that’s what we’re proud of. Vixen, on the other hand, was torn by her own strength. Until now, she couldn’t handle it properly and it would be just luck when she does.

Carmilla is currently on her own quest and somehow she wanted to know the truth which regards Mr. Everdeen. It would be surely chaos if what she’s expecting will turn into someway more different. Miguel, well, I couldn’t tell anything from him. He’s silent since then and just rather talk if he has something to say. Hmm…Guilbert, now, is really trying to do his best in leading the team and somehow build his own’s personality.

I let time pass by. I put the paper back inside the pendant and laid it inside my bag. I should let the others know about this thing and maybe they could help me with that thing. The sky was clear blue. A flock of birds roamed around, seeking for possible food. Freedom was seen on them. I thought we could completely have that thing when we took down the system, but it was just a beginning of a new chapter. The consequences and the result of such doings are what we’re facing right now.

I stayed there and decided to read continuously some parts of Quinten’s note, hoping to find some leads regarding the child. I could sense back then that Penelope has connection to do with the kid. And, I thought that's what Guilbert had said to her triggered her the most as if my accusations were right – her own child. Flipping those pages from his notes, I stopped when I saw the map of the sewers that Quinten had drawn. In the leftmost corner, I just saw that his drawing was cut and something was missing. He draw a small x in a certain place and it was the only part he had crossed on that sheet.

My fingers traveled on it. Then, I realized that neither I nor they have visited it. I started to wonder what it’s, and I should get Miguel with me if I try to have a check. I was consumed by the time and enjoyed myself in reading the letters, that I didn’t discern that it was already dark. I bit my lip when I recalled what Guilbert had told me. I sighed and slowly closed the jotter and placed it back in my pouch. I stood on my feet and tapped my buttocks, letting the dust fall.

Exhaling, I stretched out my arms upwards. I should get back to Ian’s house just like what I promised them. I departed again on my track and let my pace gets fast. I needed to hurry up since Guilbert doesn’t want any of us to get late. He’s strict enough to make me have a quiver when he talks about getting me punishments in the sewers. The place might not be petrifying during the day, but at night it can wobble those knees. Something sinister just engulfed it, even if we couldn’t understand why.

It took me ten minutes to finally see Ian’s house. The guards have left and probably they were eating their dinner with their respective families. But just before I could step myself near it, there was a loud bracing sound that had come from Ian’s residence, then emanated a sparking fire from one of its corners. My heart began to pound so hard. I rushed to the house and I could hear every step I make, tapping the ground. I saw Loshiana and Miguel cried out for help. The neighboring houses have already sensed the menace and panic from them and called the others to help.

Ian and Guilbert came out, following them with their worried faces. Ian called out the guards and they began to scatter around, finding someone. Guilbert had narrowed his sight and I was able to catch his radar. I held my bag tight and went to them. I saw Aunt Liech crying desperately while Uncle William and Miguel went out to get some water to stop the fire which’s slowly consuming the house.

“What’s happening?” I asked them.

“Hannah and Macky are missing.” Loshiana promptly said.

I looked everywhere and tried to find them, but the people have spread. Everything is in chaos.

“Let’s split up. I’ll go in this direction.” I pointed to the back of the house.

“Okay. Let’s be here after thirty minutes. And if you ever find the children, just blow the whistle so we could hear you.” Guilbert said. “I’ll take the right side with Aunt Liech. The two of you, you go to the left.” He added and instructed the two.

After some seconds, Miguel and Ian joined in and told us that they would search at the front. Somehow, he secured that the Cell will be fortified still.

“Okay, let’s hurry up.” Guilbert uttered and we promptly moved to each direction.

Leaving the house without any clue, I couldn’t think of any other things but the kids. I bit my lip as I paced towards the murky, insubstantial part of the forest. The wind became stouter as I gripped tight my whistle that was hanging on my neck. I have a bad feeling about this.

The harsh, spiky weeds have brushed themselves on my arms and legs. I was scratching myself deliberately. All I want to do is to find the kids. I was so focused on the path, even though I didn’t know which way I have to go. I could hear those cries and panic in their voices. But then, there was a loud horn coming from my right. I heard Ian from the bullhorn, announcing that anyone who could find the Miller’s children shall be rewarded with two buckets filled with goods.

And in a splash of time, I could hear those steps in several locations, telling that they have followed the man’s request. Two buckets were quite good to be offered, and it was clearly seen that the man could easily give in to find someone who’s part of his place. The man doesn’t leave his subordinates alone. It was getting darker as the night resided. I exhaled deeply and progressed to my course. Someway, when I was near the end, where an atrocious, knees-trembling cliff was lying, it didn’t take me long to recognize a moment from the right side.

I dashed towards it and in that moment, I saw them. I saw Hannah and Macky unconscious as they were carried on the back by a man with broad shoulders. His heavy, steel-toe boots were thickly masked with sludge. He was standing still at the edge of the cliff, as if he was waiting for something. I couldn't see his face because he was wearing his raven hooded jacket. I slowly trod towards them, barely making a sound. I hid myself behind a pine tree and carefully analyzed the place.

We were the only ones here. I glanced over the whistle which I am holding right now. I was torn between the option of blowing it or saving the children first. I closed my eyes and snatched an extended breathing. Then, my eyes steadily glinted and I started to shift those pebbles and dust from the side. I don’t want to harm the children. I just needed to have them back at all cost. Dashing towards them and the man was able to recognize my presence. He eyed over my direction and in a brisk, I was able to see those onyx eyes glowing in the dark.

No, it can’t be.

A grin was slowly curved on his lips when he saw the tremor in my own vision. No. He’s dead.

With shaking hand, I decided to blow the whistle, now that I discovered who it’s that I am dealing with right now. The sound resonated in the place up to where the others are. The whistle was made by the old man himself and gave it to us for a reserve. I couldn’t believe on what I’m seeing right now, hoping that it was just my imagination playing with me as I scrambled towards them. I threw dust in his setting, making sure that it'll hit his eyes, but he was able to dodge it. His grin grew wider when he perceived the madness crippling in my shadows. I ran near to them and just before I could throw the trunks, he suddenly jumped off the cliff together with the children.

I couldn’t reckon of anything else. I was holding my own air as I felt the chilling emotion clasping me behind my back. I threw myself in his path, reaching out my hand to them. Every step was heavy as I have seen them falling apart in that precipice. I felt my tears deliberately falling through my cheeks.

No, please don’t.

I heard some steps coming from my tail and I saw the others. They just appeared. I heard them fled in my angle when they also saw the kids were falling together with the man. Guilbert yelled their names as they made their biggest leaps on the surface. I wished I could turn back time. When I reached the end of the cliff, I watched them descend. And in a split instant, before the others could reach in my spot, a spark ignited in the middle of the air, leaving an access in another location. Together with the person, the kids went on it and they were swiftly pulled in the way and disappeared right through my gape.

I was left dumbfounded as I gawped down. Guilbert held me tight by the shoulder as he watched the abyss. The others have joined us too. I could see how terrified they’re. Uncle William shook me hard and yelled at me.

“Where are they?! Where! T-Tell me…” His voice cracked and his tears rapidly fell on his face. Uncle slumped on the ground as his knees trembled in anguish.

Aunt Liech was staring straight at the cliff. Coldness embraced her as she couldn’t think straight. She was silently crying beside Loshiana.

“T-they…didn’t fall to the bottom…” I said.

Everyone suddenly looked at me with a dubious expression, thinking that I was joking around. Then, came their whimpers that they couldn’t contain anymore.

What have I done?