Chapter 33: The Journey.

AARON. What would I tell those geezers? I stroked my chin. 'Time is running out. The orb can only last for a few minutes." Luna warned. Shit. What would I say? I took a deep breath, a silent exhale, collecting my thoughts. 'Okay, I'm ready." 'Good day elders, esteemed high chiefs, and every other staff who might be listening. I am Aaron Blackwood, the one who has been chosen to lead the Silvermoon pack. As the heir of my father, I understand that it is my duty to lead, but I would have to refuse my obligation. I have a life here, and I am not willing to give it up so easily." Maybe I shouldn't have added the last sentence, but who gives a fuck? Luna stared at me, betraying no emotion. 'I'm done." I told her, backing away. She nodded, and began to speak in an unknown language. The orb glowed even brighter, the purple light spreading through the trees. 'Orbittum matem….destinatum." The orb shot off in a tiny comet, disappearing into the distance. A heavy weight rested in my chest, as if I could already tell the outcome of my refusal. We walked back to the house, surrounded by heavy silence. I feel like I just stepped on the tiger's tail. CALEB. The drive to Henley was filled with apprehension. Why did Uncle Kelly choose me of all people to go on this wild goose chase? I really have better things to do than this. Refusal wasn't an option, so I gotta swallow my pride and fucking do it. I just hoped it would be easier. I said I'd come back here when I was ready to win Helena back, but to be honest, I don't think I'd ever be ready. She was obviously still pissed at me. And that…man, whoever he was, stood in my way. Fucking hell, I'd show him. I drove through an underbrush, and my car swerved. Fuck. I tried accelerating, but my tires only sank further into the mud. I tried reverse, but it remains fixed. At this rate, my entire car would be in the mud in minutes. I groan in frustration, turning off the engine. I get down and survey the situation. The underbrush is thick, and my tires are stuck fast. I run my hands through my hair. I try to push the car, but even brute strength isn't enough for mud. Fucking mud. I should've paid more attention when I saw the slight veer off the road. This is so not the time. I try to look at the sky. The clouds are gathering again, and it will start pouring soon. I decide to look around for branches, rocks, anything to give me traction, but there's nothing around. I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere, with no phone signal to call for help. Okay, let's try something. I try to rock the car back and forth, to see if it would loosen the tires. It doesn't even budge. I try to dig around the tires with my hands, but even that is proving futile. I lose my footing and fall face first into the mud, but I catch myself with my hands. I winced as mud slides between my fingers. I'm starting to feel like I'd be here forever. It's 12pm. I still had time to get out. But how? I spot a large log a few feet away from the car, and I pull it back, just close enough to the tires. Maybe it'd help provide traction. I get back in the car and start to reverse slowly, but the log just spins in the slippery mud. I get down, kicking the tires in frustration. Time and time again, I tried different tactics, but each attempt seems more futile than the last. I'm drenched in my own sweat, and my muscles are aching from the effort. Effort wasted, that is. I'm about to give up, totally. Maybe I'd die here, stuck in mud. It'd be funny as hell. Images of different people flash through my head, and I'm trying to think if there's anyone who'd have advice on this. Marcus… Knowing that guy has paid off more than it was supposed to. I remember an old trick he used to talk about whenever he got stuck in mud. I raced to my boot, searching for some old rope or twine. If I could just… Yes! I found a long measure of rope, and I calculated the distance from my car to the biggest tree around. Yep, that should work. I tie one end of the room to the tree trunk, and the other end to my bumper. I get in the car and slowly reverse, the rope pulling taut as it tried to dislodge my tires from the mud. It takes several attempts, but my car finally breaks free from the underbrush's grip. I heave a sigh of relief, finally back on solid ground. Alright, let's try again. I got back into the road, determination burning through my veins. I turned on the radio, allowing soft music sqeep into my veins and transport me into a world of my own thoughts. A huge neon 'Welcome To Henley" boards shone as I sped past and into the town. I'd be here for three months, just long enough to find the scroll and leave. Maybe I'd even get another shot with Helena. I drove past the dim town landscape. It was around 5pm now, and the weather was gloomy. As if it always rained in Henley. I called my assistant, Jessica. 'Yes sir? How's it going? Have you arrived?" I could hear her fingers tapping on the keyboard. Always working. 'Yes, I have. Send the directions of the house." 'Alright sir. On it." I rented a temporary apartment in Henley, on the north side. It was closer to the library, and it would help me keep tabs on whatever goes on there. After my research, I found out that the old library had been abandoned for years. Helena had never mentioned it, so it was probably out of service to the public when she was old enough. Within seconds, Jessica sent the address and I typed it into the GPS system. Henley was beautiful, I'd give it that. The last time I was here I didn't pay much attention to the intricate designs on some of the supermarket walls, the little children who pedaled their bikes in the evenings, or the tall street lights that cast a golden hue over the pedestrians as they returned from their jobs. A work of art. The north part of the town was more….subtle. There were more grasslands, and it gave it this natural, untouched feel. After a small streetlight, I noticed the old building that was the library. Old was probably an understatement. The outside was casted with red brick stones, which now had a dark brown shade because of the accumulated mould. The entrances looked tightly sealed, each long and straight window with a strange barricade. This place was deserted. I swallowed a huge lump in my throat, my muscles tensing from the uneasiness I felt. I hurriedly drove past. My house was located just a few blocks away from the library, and now I wished it was a tad farther. I drove into the yard, taking a moment to lean back and exhale. This was no ordinary mission. Why did I think it'd be easy? I waltzed into my house, feeling an immediate sense of comfort. Way better than that creepy library. It was painted with repeating patterns of white and black, and I loved it. The walls were adorned with paintings, some vague, others actual scenery. The bedroom was probably my favorite. King size bed, shut out window blinds, and enough space to do my early morning yoga. Good job, Jessica. After taking a nice hot shower and having my dinner, I set to work. There were a few residents on the Northside, and at least they came out at night. The streets weren't as deserted as I had imagined earlier. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. I grabbed a torch, some rope, a knife, my phone, water and a few snacks to keep myself busy. I'd go and see the perimeter of the library tonight, and plan my infiltration later on. I tossed the items into the bag and lifted it, filled with indignation. The cool evening breeze gently fanned my face, and I leaned into the comfort. I walked lazily on the sidewalk, trying to fight back the voice in my head that told me to run with each step. As I got closer to the library, I noticed the gates were open, not locked as I thought. Weird. I pushed past, my torch illuminating the compound. There were grasses everywhere, and a few animals roamed around, startled by my presence. Keep going. I got to the steps. The huge wooden doors that sealed off the library were locked, and I cursed underneath my breath. I tried trailing out back, to see if there was another entrance. Why did they leave this place like this for so long? I turned towards the left side of the building, examining it's features. Mold, mold, broken bricks, mold.. Broken bricks?