Jeff's Inner Wolf
861 Words
Chapter 10: Jeff's Inner Wolf
The King's world was turned upside down as he left the arena. He had just ordered the execution of Jeff's grandfather, a man he didn't even know. The weight of his decision hung heavy on his shoulders. He called for the head guard to join him in his chambers.
"Did I make the right decision?" the King asked, seeking reassurance.
The head guard's expression remained stoic. "Your Highness, we both know that man was a liar. He's just trying to get under your skin."
The King nodded, trying to convince himself, but his heart wasn't at rest. Memories of the battle many years ago flooded his mind. He had taken Jeff's parents alive and hidden them somewhere in the palace. Were they still breathing?
"Go check on Jeff's parents," the King ordered, dismissing the guard.
As he waited for the guard's return, the King's thoughts turned to Jeff. What if the old man was right? Was Jeff really a sorcerer like his father? The King had grown fond of Jeff and had plans to adopt him.
The palace was eerily silent, with Terry still unconscious and Michael absent. The King decided to visit Terry, but on his way, he encountered Anderson.
"We're to, Your Highness?" Anderson said, his voice laced with venom. "Should I refer to you as Your Highness or a murderer, the one who caused the death of my mother?"
The King tried to ignore him, his concern for Terry's well-being taking priority. "You're so obsessed with me that you don't even care about your own servant. He was the one who helped you find Zorek. That box would have been lost forever, yet you shook hands with your uncle and imprisoned him."
Anderson's gaze faltered, and for a moment, the King saw a glimmer of doubt. Had he been using Jeff all along? The King's smile was short-lived, as Anderson's words struck a chord. Maybe it wasn't too late for his son to find redemption.
Anderson walked away, determined to visit Jeff. The King watched him go, a sense of hope rising. Perhaps things could be mended between them.
However, when Anderson reached the cell, he was met with an empty room. The guards were frozen, and Jeff's shirt lay torn on the floor. Anderson's panic set in as he realized Jeff was gone.
A strange man revealed himself, watching Anderson's fear with a smile. "Uncle!" Anderson exclaimed, rushing to his uncle's room.
"Jeff's gone missing," Anderson said, his words tumbling out in a rush. "The guards are frozen, and his shirt is torn. Something must have happened to him."
His uncle's expression remained calm, almost indifferent. "Relax, he might have broken out of prison. These things happen. Why are you worried? He's just a servant."
Anderson's worry turned to alarm. "Then how do you explain the frozen guards and his torn shirt? I've wronged him a lot. I need to go find him."
His uncle's grip on his elbow tightened. "You're worth more than ten thousand servants."
Anderson shook him off. "Jeff is not my servant; he's my friend."
As Anderson walked away, his uncle's face remained impassive. Was he losing control over Anderson? Jeff must never be found, then.
Meanwhile, the King approached a young lady who was taking care of Terry. "Who are you?" he asked, unfamiliar with her.
"I'm his girlfriend," she replied with a smile.
The King's eyes widened in surprise. "Terry never mentioned having a girlfriend."
Perhaps it was time to reconnect with his son. The King's thoughts were interrupted by a maid. "Your Highness!"
The lady in Terry's room edged closer to the door, curious about the conversation.
"I went to serve breakfast to Prince Michael, but he wasn't in," the maid said. "Same as yesterday."
The King's expression turned grave as he rushed to Michael's room. His eyes scanned the empty space, and he saw that Michael's belongings were gone.
"There's no need to worry," the King reassured the servant. "He'll be back within a week. He does this all the time. Just this time, he didn't tell anyone."
In a forest, Jeff found himself chased by a wild animal. He had been caught up in a trance after trying to stop Aria's storm. Opening his eyes, he saw the creature closing in.
"Help me!" Jeff shouted, running for his life.
The old man sat peacefully on a tree branch, watching Jeff. "Have you been here all this time?" Jeff asked, feeling frustrated.
The old man nodded. "First of all, I'm not an animal. Secondly, why would I interfere in your personal quest?"
"What quest are you talking about?" Jeff asked, desperate for answers.
The old man descended. "That is for you to figure out. Find a way to be one with the creature, or you will be destroyed."
Jeff ran off, determined to survive. The old man's words echoed in his mind as he sat on the grass, trying to meditate. "How do I get out of here? How did I even get here?"
As he meditated, Jeff's senses began to heighten. He felt the creature's presence, and a strange connection sparked within him.
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