The Beginning of the End

The Beginning of the End 15

Patrick was drawn out of his meditation by the sounds of sirens blaring as the police cars flew past his house, he knew immediately that the dark one has been hard at work. He stood and allowed his mind to settle on the upcoming task then looked over to the sword, it was glowing brighter and now hovering nearly six inches off the surface of the cloth, the time was growing closer, soon he would be required to always wear the armor of his father. He glanced over in the corner where he had moved it to earlier that day and like the sword its glow was brighter as well. ‘I will need to check the graveyards soon,’ he thought to himself as he started down the stairs, ‘but first I should go see what is going on.’ He pulled on his jacket and stepped out the front door into the morning light.

He stood on his porch and noticed that he was not the only one, his neighbors were coming out in robes and jackets as well trying to see what all the early commotion was about. No one saw anything so they began to filter back into their houses a few at a time, Patrick on the other hand started down his steps. With his keen hearing he knew the sirens were headed toward the school, so he started in that direction. He knew the dark one would be around, lurking in the shadows of the surrounding trees most likely, it was still too early for the battle, but he knew that Ailwi had to see the effect of his trap. As he walked along, he looked around wondering what other surprises were set and ready to spring on the unknowing population.

He looked deep into the woods as he approached the school, not seeing the dark one, but seeing a lot of ravens. He knew that Oden had heard his prayer but was unsure if he would send the assistance Patrick needed or not. A single raven looked at him through one blood red eye before taking flight and disappearing over the top of the trees, ‘Fly well and safe, my friend,’ he thought as he watched the bird vanish, ‘May Oden guide you and keep you safe.’ He walked into the parking lot and joined the growing crowd of people; the tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife. The gathered crowd was mummering as people talked to their friends that had gathered and Patrick had to tune their nervous voices out so he could try to hear what was going on inside, but it was a futile effort. The volume of the crowd was just enough to interfere with him, so he would have to wait like everyone else. He watched as Detective Aspin’s car pulled into the parking lot lights flashing, but no siren. She quickly got out of her car and rushed into the school. Off to the side leaning against one of the squad cars he saw Chuck and he didn’t look like he was having a good morning. Patrick began to slowly make his way over to the man.

“Morning, Chuck,” Patrick said as he walked up to the man, “Seams like the day is going to start off with a little excitement.” Chuck looked at him as if not recognizing him, then his eyes cleared, “Oh, morning Mr. Katz. Uh what brings you out so early?” Patrick just looked from him to the growing crowd then back, “Well I’m not the only one out this early.” Chuck looked at the crowd as if he had not noticed it before that minute, “Oh, he said, must be because of the lab. I already called the cops; are they hear yet?” Patrick realized that the man was still in shock over what ever it was he saw in the school that morning, apparently in the lab. Patrick began scanning the school looking for any tell tell signs of what may have happened, he was positive that Ailwi was behind whatever it was, so he had to examine the area on two different levels.

Aspin walked out of the building shaking her head, “What the hell is going on around here,” she said to no one in particular as she scanned the crowd of onlookers, “What the hell is he doing here.” She walked down the stairs and toward Chuck and Katz, “Chuck,” she said as she walked up to the pair, “You can go ahead and go home for new, if we need to talk to you anymore, we will call you, ok? I will Tommy take you home.” She waved Tommy over and they helped Chuck into the car, and she watched as they pulled away. She turned to Katz, “Now exactly why am I not surprised to see you here, Katz? You are involved in all of this somehow; I just haven’t figured out how yet.” Patrick stood there looking at her, but not listening, there was something in the woods watching them and he was positive that it was not Ailwi. Aspin began to snap her fingers in front of his face, “Are you even listening to me, Katz? We could always do this back at the police station,” she said obviously annoyed with him. Patrick just continued looking at her, “Detective, with all due respect, you have no reason to suspect me for anything, there for you have no legal right to take me anywhere. Now if you will excuse me there is something I have to do,” she watched as he turned and walked away, annoyed that he was right and curious as to why he was walking towards the woods. She thought about sending Marry or one of the officers to follow him but knew that would be harassment. As he said, there was no legitimate reason to suspect him of anything.

She watched as he vanished into the shadows of the woods then turned and headed back towards the school, she tried to get a few of the people to go home as they stopped her trying to find out what had happened, none of them listened. She started up the stairs and noticed that the Chief’s car had just pulled into the parking lot, ‘Well s**t,’ she thought, ‘this is just what she needed.’ She pretended not to see him and walked into the building, letting everyone know that the Chief had just arrived, and she needed some answers quick, because he was going to want to know something, and she didn’t have anything for him.