Chapter 28: I'll Do It.

CALEB. A mission? Why was he asking me of all people? 'And to what worth do I hold for such an important event sir?" I sat on the couch just opposite him, facing his silhouette. He wore a gray suit and trousers, with a white crisp shirt and black hat. His hair was slicked back, with a faint streak of silver, and his eyes were as cold as the room we were in. He commanded respect and fear in equal measures. 'You are the first fruit of my brother. From when you were a child I knew you would have great potential. I have been watching you, and your endeavors. You are now very successful my boy, but that inner tiger in you is still roaring to be let loose." He said, smacking his lips. 'I am grateful to be looked upon by you with such ability. What would you like me to do for you, Uncle?" I said, not daring to look at his eyes. The scar was still there, a long slash across his left eye. One shar look from that eye and I trembled. Uncle Kelly was probably the only one who could make me think twice before talking. His gaze pierced into me, and I could feel his eyes on the back of my head. I looked around the living room to distract myself from the tension. It was a monochromatic display of gray and black, with a dim silver lamp elevating the dim glow of the room. The walls were covered with paintings, all in the same shade of gray, or black. Why was Uncle Kelly so obsessed with one color? The floor was polished ebony, and it seemed to swallow the sounds coming from outside the house. The room was designed to intimidate, and it did so effortlessly. I stiffened in my seat. Missions from Uncle Kelly were neither easy nor simple to understand. He stood up and walked towards the window, his silhouette a sharp contrast to the gloomy overcast outside. He sucked in a deep breath and said, 'I want you to retrieve a scroll for me. It's of great importance." I swallowed, probably for the tenth time. Of course, a scroll. Not business files, or an old enemy of his, a fucking scroll. It sounded like something out of an old adventure novel. I'm dead. 'Where is this scroll?" I said, trying to hide the unease in my voice. His lips curled up into what I thought was a smile, but it didn't lighten up the mood. Instead, it made it darker. 'My sources tell me it's in Henley. An old library up north. It's called ‘The Scroll of Vengeance.' Retrieve it for me, and I have a handsome reward for you." He said, his voice a smooth and measured tone that made my stomach churn. The mission seemed simple enough, but the place….Henley. I hadn't planned on going back there until I was ready. But now…. I couldn't question him, he had his reasons for wanting an old scroll. Uncle Kelly was as mysterious as he was intimidating, and questioning him would be signing off my own death note. I bowed, getting up to leave. He was never one for too much talk. I was only halfway to the door when his voice boomed in my ears, with a hint of warning, and unwavering trust, 'Caleb, you have three months. Do not fail me." Translation: Get the scroll or I'll destroy you. I glanced back at him. 'I won't." I said, although I wasn't even sure of that myself. He nodded, and stood up to leave. This wasn't gonna be as easy as I earlier imagined. I drove back to the office, my mind racing with possibilities. Three months was a long time, and I knew he wouldn't care to elaborate on why I needed such a long period. I sighed, climbing up the elevator. 'Welcome back Mr Caleb." My assistant, Jessica spoke the moment I walked past her office. I paused, turning to her. There was a pleasant glint in her eyes. 'Do you need anything sir?" She asked when I remained rooted in my position. 'We'll talk about the most later. Are there any urgencies?" She flicked her gaze to her desk, opening a few files. 'Well, yes. When you left the investors from the Harbor Front Plaza called. They're getting restless, and they need assurance. Also, the planning committee wants to hold a meeting for the rezoning of the Southside development." She said, all in one breath. I stared at her, the weight of responsibility dawning on my shoulders. 'Set up a meeting for the investors tomorrow morning. We'll discuss the terms of agreement then. And push the meeting with the committee to the afternoon. I need to clear my head." Jessica nodded, and swiftly got to work. Her efficiency always made me feel better about work. Hm. 'Will do sir, anything else?" She questioned, not taking her eyes off her laptop. 'Yes actually, do some research on ancient scrolls, particularly ones with strange markings and symbols. If you can find any relevant information, let me know." She shot her eyebrows up in surprise, but didn't question me further. 'Alright sir. I'll do that right away." I plopped down on my chair in my office. I pondered on my dad. He too had always feared Uncle Kelly, never ever standing up to his excess demands or his cold nature. It baffled me at times. That fear was passed down to us, and we always jittered whenever he was around. I sighed, thinking of the impending chaos the next three months was going to harbor. HELENA. Old books, tall high shelves, unending knowledge. The old library was mysterious as it was fascinating. That place had uncovered my passion for reading. It was my favorite place in Henley, but it also held an aura that made me shudder with dread. I had some weird encounters there, encounters I would never forget no matter how hard I tried. Something told me that's where the scroll was, because the marked point on the map was way too close to it for comfort. Luna's gaze was intense, her blue eyes piercing through the dim light in her room. She looked so certain, so resolute, and me? I felt like a leaf caught in a storm, caught in the deafening winds of destiny I couldn't understand. 'The Scroll of Vengeance," she began, her voice bouncing off the wooden walls. So silky, yet with a cutting edge 'is an artifact as old as time. It holds great power, one that hasn't been seen in centuries. It has the ability to give right to wrongs, to give justice where none is found. It is said to contain the essence of the ancient avengers, spirits who seek retribution for those wronged." I swallowed with effort. This was a lot…."Why do you need it, Luna?" I couldn't help but ask. Something that powerful in her hands…. Her eyes shifted, emotions flickering between desperation, hurt and anger. There was determination among the trio, but it was faint, hidden. 'I need it to avenge my family. They were murdered…in cold fucking blood. Those who killed them now sit in power, their iniquities forgotten. The only way to gain justice is through the power of the scroll." I sucked in a sharp breath, the weight of her words settling in my shoulders. She was alone. Just like me. 'Why do you need me to get it? I'm not a hero, Luna." She moved closer to me, her presence both comforting and intimidating. 'Helena, you have a unique connection with the past, and places others cannot fathom of reaching. I need you because the scroll is hidden in a place only you can find." My heart sank. I knew what she was going to say, but the thought of it made my skin crawl. 'Where is it?" I asked for the sake of clarity. Her eyes softened, her blue eyes shining a brighter shade. She placed her palm on mine and said, 'It's in the old library Helena, the one you know so well." I pulled my hand away, the realization flooding me with a force that took my breath away. 'W-why? I- I don't want to go there." I shook my head violently. 'You have to, Helena. You're the only one who can help me. You know it's hidden corners, it's rooms, and you can navigate its secrets." The old library had been abandoned for years, and the last time I remembered they were moving it to a new site. I don't think anyone has visited the library since. If going there meant helping Luna's family get their vengeance, if it meant stopping those monsters who caused so much pain, then I had no choice. I shut my eyes, trying to blink back the tears. 'Alright." I said, my voice trembling but certain, 'I'll do it." Luna smiled, and exhaled in relief and gratitude. 'Thank you, Helena. Together we'll make things right." I stared into her determined eyes, knowing that things were going to be very different from now on. The journey ahead wouldn't be rosy, as it was filled with memories I wish could remain buried, but maybe it would also bring the light I so desperately needed.