The Hunter Mage

CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR

The hardest part about being here was leaving. Penn never made it easier each time even though she knew he had to leave. She always made a fuss and totally made him feel bad but he could hear the bell signaling dinner. If he was not in the infirmary soon enough, Penn's worry would be more than him going, he might not come back.

"Penn," he dragged. "I have to go, I promise to be back." He whined but he could tell she was not budging. She held on to his leg even tightly and Vernon knew if he didn't do something quick, he would be in big trouble.

He made eye contact with Dev, who immediately looked alarmed then Vernon looked at his sister, hoping that Vernon would follow his eyes. He looked back at Dev and he had an even more confused look on his face. He sighed wondering what was so difficult to decipher in the message he was sending.

He arched his head towards Penn while looking at Dev. He sighed again, Dev obviously wasn't getting the message. He had to find another means to send this message without Penn finding out it was his idea.

He stretched out his hand to Dev then opened and closed his palm. Thankfully, Dev got the message this time and strutted towards him. Vernon then leaned forward and whispered in his ears. "Please, take Penn forcefully into your arms so I can escape. Madame Rachel would ground me for life if she gets to the infirmary before me." He begged.

"Oooh, that's what you've been trying to say. Why didn't you just say that?" Dev muttered.

Vernon's first thought was to smack him because he knew precisely why he could dare say that out loud, Penn would never forgive him if she found out it was his idea. "You know why I couldn't, now would hurry up!" He whispered the last part, Dev would not make him blow his cover.

"Penn," Dev called. "You have to let Vernon go."

Vernon rolled his eyes, Dev was ruining the plan. He felt Penn's grip on him tighten, she could probably sense that something was about to go down with the way Dev was talking.

Dev bent and placed his hand on one of her shoulders, acting like he was about to have a conversation when he knew Vernon did not have the time for it. He was literally counting the seconds in his head. The bell had stopped ringing which was not a good sign.

However, it worked as Penn's hold on his eased up a bit and as if Dev was waiting for that, he immediately pulled her off Vernon and Vernon took off without a backward glance. He knew if he looked back he would feel horrible. He could hear her cries as he walked away.

He walked briskly without stopping and soon enough he arrived at Vivk's door, the last turn that would reveal the infirmary. For some reason instead of walking he stopped and peeked his head out the corner, he checked to see if the hallway leading to the infirmary was empty.

Vernon's eyes widened in fear, there was Madame Rachel strutting down the path, almost at the door. The panic that engulfed him was massive. She would open the door and see that the bed was empty. Vernon could only imagine the horrible things she would do to him.

He brought his head down as he thought of what he could possibly do to escape Madame Rachel's wrath even as he thought about it, he knew there was no other option than to get caught. He sighed, he would be grounded for years. Of course, he knew it wouldn't be years but he knew Madame Rachel would not let him off easy.

Suddenly, a hand landed on his shoulder and a voice said, "What are you doing out here, creeping around like a little thief?" Vernon felt Boy before he heard him and even though he knew exactly who it was, it didn't stop him from almost crying out in fright.

"Jeez! Boy, I felt my heart in my mouth. Can you be less creepy?" He mouthed, making sure he wasn't speaking too loud, Madame Rachel was not too far away, there was a chance she could hear him.

"I wasn't being creepy, you were." Countered Boy.

Almost immediately an idea popped into Vernon's head, he had seen Boy do it before, so he knew this was not a problem. "That aside," Vernon replied ignoring his words. "I will tell you why but for now can you do me a favor please?" Vernon clasped his palms together as he pleaded.

"Sure, as long as it is something I'm comfortable with." Vernon heard a slight hmmph at the end but didn't react, he badly needed Boy's help, if he had to beg, he had every intention of doing so.

Vernon peeked again, she was already at the door and was about to turn the knob. He immediately returned his attention to Boy, still clasping his palms he asked, "Could you make me invisible so I can sneak bad into the room without Madame Rachel knowing I left? Please, please, she is about to enter the room, she will find an empty bed and I am not supposed to leave the infirmary."

Boy did not say anything rather he just placed his on Vernon's shoulder and said, "let's go."

"Huh? Are you sure?" He asked in fright thinking of how embarrassing it would be if Madame Rachel could still see him and he just strutted beside her. He was certain she would smack him. He didn't feel any different and he sure didn't feel invisible.

"Don't you trust?" Boy asked.

"No," Vernon cried without hesitation then covered his lips as he realized he had said that pretty loud.

Boy chuckled, "Calm down she can't hear except I want her to. Let's go, you don't have much time. She has gone into the infirmary already."