On the Evil Scale: Keeper of La Tecla (The Key) Book Two

Needing to return to the study, I made sure that my mom would be in good hands during my absence, and knowing that both Thomas and Jonathan would be in her company, while Anthony escorted me back to the study, I felt at ease. Offering my condolences once more, I left but was surprised when Jonathan wanted to sit in on the meeting with Leonus.

“If that’s okay with you.” he asked softly.

“Of course it is.” I patted his back, “Come on…” I walked with him and Anthony back to the Jeep. Returning to the manor where Erik and Sarah sat outside in the private lounge waiting for my presence, I unlocked the door, allowing them inside then we waited for Leonus, who deliberately made us wait anxiously, “He’s late.” I complained, staring at the clock.

“Bloody drama Queen.” Erik groaned, “Always the last one to make a statement of some kind.”

Suddenly, a loud knock banged on the door.

“Who is it?!” I called out.

“Bloody Santa Claus.” a Scottish voice mocked in reply.

Erik stood, answering the door.

“Nah, you’re too ugly to be Santa, you’ll frighten the kids.”

“Piss off, pretty boy.” Leonus growled, pushing the young man aside as he entered the study, looking around.

“I’d rather be pretty, than ugly.” Erik mocked arrogantly.

“Leonus…Erik, don’t.” I warned, “Just don’t.”

“Did ye find anythin’ new?!” the Scotsman barked, sitting in one of the chairs, glaring at both Jonathan and Erik, “Surrounded by bloody magic fingers, and pets.” he heard the deep growls and roars from the wolf and dragon laying near the desk, “Wonderful.”

“Yes, the Guardians found one of Lucy’s boots and hair ribbons out by the ruins near the cliffs.” I ignored his comment, “But before we do begin, I’m waiting for Katrina, who agreed to help. Her and my mom have been trying to…”

“Wait, we’re supposed to sit here and wait for your mum to arrive?!” Leonus mocked bluntly, “And when would that be, the stone age?!”

“Coming from the man who acts like he’s come from the stone age.” I leered at him, beginning to steam but controlled my temper, “You hate me that’s fine, but don’t you dare…take it out on my mother!” I stood as tall as I could, even at my 5’2 height, then suddenly, a trash near the desk caught fire, “That could have been your a** or…your head.” I warned.

Squinting his eyes, he said nothing, then glanced at the trash can.

“As I was going to say before I was so rudely interrupted, is that my mom and the other Wiccans have been working on locating spells.” I looked around the room, “No offense to the Demons on the island, but I just thought they would want some in hand finding Lucy so I turned to them.”

“No complaint from me.” Jonathan muttered, “The more looking for her, the better.”

“I haven’t heard anything from the Guardians about it so…doesn’t bother me either.” Erik added, offering a friendly wink.

“Yes, well…” I looked away, “Katrina informed me that they might have found something useful, MIGHT have.” I continued firmly, as I deliberately aimed my words in Leonus’ direction.

“Patience is a virtue.” Anthony added, then stood, approaching the desk where Yzavela shifted through paperwork, “Hey…”

“Hi.” I laid the papers down, placing my hands on his chest, “Listen, I wanted to apologize for last night, just storming into your room.” I looked away shyly.

Lifting her chin, looking into her eyes, he grinned.

“You have nothing to apologize for, you know that. I’m here for you whenever you need me, hmm? Besides, the sleepovers are becoming a little more frequent lately so I don’t mind. Even if we don’t mate.” he ran his hands along her waist, giving her a soft tickle.

Laughing softly, trying not to draw too much attention, I leaned in, holding him close then quickly glanced around the room, noticing the tense setting of the gathering, even deep Lycynians growls and Demon groans could be heard among Zanzabarr’s heavy panting and Abraxas’ clicking purrs.

Erik sat, leaning his elbows on his knees, watching as Anthony and Yzavela stood by balcony doors, sharing moments of laughter and an occasional kiss. Looking away, he closed his eyes, feeling jealous over their relationship and free expression of their PDA which had been a problem for the young man in the first place, being one of the main reasons as to why he and his girlfriend Lilien ended things.

Hearing the growls and groans, I huffed, gently pulling away from Anthony’s embrace to bark at the Lycynian and Demons,

“For god sake, would you stop it?!” I shouted.

Suddenly, there was another knock on the door.

Nick appeared outside the study, holding onto Lady D, who had left the Saxon family to their privacy upon their plea, and Katrina. As the women looked around, it felt strange for them both as they took just a moment to catch their bearings.

“Are you all right?” Nick glanced between the women, walking them over to the chairs in the private lounge near the study.

“Yes, thank you sweetie.” Lady D smiled, “It’s just teleporting takes my breath away, and I have enough problems with that as it is.” she looked at the young man, offering a reassuring smile, “But I am fine.”

“And you Katrina, are you?” Nick looked at the Irishwoman.

“Yes.” she adjusted her blouse and belt, “Thank you, but I think you can leave us now. Your assistance is no longer needed.” she waved a hand in dismissal of the Wraith’s presence.

“No offense Katrina, but you’re not the Keeper, and I’ve been told to make sure that her mom…” Nick firmly revealed, gesturing at Lady D, “gets around with ease and without trouble, so I…am not going anywhere.” he sat, reaching for one of the magazines.

“Nick, it’s fine. Really.” Lady D urged, “Go back to work, hmm?”

“I am working.” Nick smiled, then began flipping through the pages.

Lady D shook her head, then glanced at Katrina who looked at the young man with such distaste for his supernatural race. Taking in a few deep breaths, she stood with Katrina, bouncing items they held in their arms, then approached the door, knocking softly.

“What is this, a god damn daycare?!” Yzavela’s voice shouted inside.

“Your daughter certainly has no fear to express her obscenities, does she?!” Katrina complained.

“No, she does not.” Lady D groaned, looking at the Wiccan, “And if I were you Katrina, I wouldn’t get on her bad side or she might just aim a few of those toward you and once she gets started, there’s not a thing that can stop her until she gets it off her chest.” she finished.

“Jes*s Chr*st, must I do everything around here myself?!” Yzavela’s voice shouted once more.

Lady D and Katrina sighed, hearing someone approach the door. As it swung open, they were greeted by the young woman who stood in her Aura before turning away.

“Hi.” I greeted bluntly, “Come in, please.” I turned, gesturing inside.

“Apologies for the delay.” Katrina looked around the room taking a brief glance at those present, “More Demons and Lycynians.”

“We’ve only been waiting for an hour, woman.” Leonus complained, leering at the two women, then glanced in Yzavela’s direction, taking notice of her piercing stare with her dark brown eyes that held a faint dancing flame.

“Magic takes time and patience, which is obviously something that you don’t have so I suggest you shut that thing on your face you call a mouth, and let us explain what we have found, yes? Man?!” Lady D barked her reply firmly, “Or should I say mutt?!” she then glanced in Anthony’s direction, “No offense.”

“None taken.” Anthony frowned, “I don’t think.” he muttered softly.

“I will take your silence as a reply, good.” Lady D nodded, then she turned to Katrina, “Shall we show them what we’ve found?”

“I wouldn’t be here for anything else.” Katrina groaned in complaint.

“Oh, this is cheerful.” Jonathan moaned, running his hands through his fiery red hair, letting out a heavy sigh.

“The others and I have performed various locating spells using just the small piece of sleeve and all any of us seemed to get back, are…” Lady D turned to Katrina, “ruins surrounded by thick forestry.”

“Unless those creatures can swim, Lucy is still here on the island, but where this is, we are not sure for none of us have explored the island in its entirety.” Katrina added.

“There are ruins on the island just past Ravenswood near the cliffs.” Anthony stepped forward, “Thomas and I briefly explored them…” he paused, “many years ago when a couple went missing hours just before the Boar-wolves. They didn’t believe the myths about them, so the next the morning when they didn’t return, we ventured toward the ruins with some of the Guardians and found nothing but a set of footprints of both mortal men and beast, with shredded clothing and camping gear stained with blood. The tracks after that, led toward the ruins but we didn’t venture any closer.”

“I remember that day.” Leonus stood, rubbing a hand across his red bushy, but trimmed beard, “It was a massacre from what I’ve heard.” he received a nod from the Italian, “Marxus didn’t do anything about it, he apparently had better things to do.” he leered toward Yzavela, “He had the habit of blaming their actions on the mortals, knowing they shouldn’t have been out that way, but at the same time, they got what they deserved because they were foolish enough to think it was only a myth.”

“I know I’m going to regret saying this, but Leonus is right.” I spoke.

“What?!” Erik mocked, “You can’t be serious?!”

“Believe me, I don’t like the idea any more than you do.” I argued.

“Neither do I.” Leonus groaned.

“It doesn’t matter, now we have a closer idea of where to look, now we just have to plan this wisely.” I announced, then glanced toward Jonathan who stood anxiously, “We’re steps closer to finding her.” I smiled, receiving one in reply, then continued, glancing toward my mom and Katrina, “Thank you, both of you. This really narrowed things down for all of us, tell the others that helped too, their work is much appreciated.” I walked over, hugging my mom, then offered Katrina a smile that wasn’t returned, “Let me walk you out.” I raised a hand, gesturing toward the door.

Before Lady D left, she turned to Leonus, leering at him with distaste.

“But be careful, all of you.” she added, glancing around the room, “I sense something very dark below the ruins, something that isn’t too accustomed to strangers and will kill anything, or anyone that comes too close. Be cautious.” she looked at her daughter.

“Thank you.” I whispered.

“Isn’t this bloody perfect, we’re getting safety tips from…” Leonus mocked, gesturing his hands toward the woman by the door, “her uh, Her-mommy Granger. What’s next, Mary f*cking Poppins?!” and as he stared at Yzavela who turned, standing next to her mother, he felt a lump in his throat, seeing the hatred in her dark eyes. Suddenly, as he glanced down at his hands, he felt them burning and blistering for just a moment, followed the stabbing pains that he kept to himself. Releasing a guttural growl, he rubbed his hands together before the burning sensation ran up his arms, chest and back.

“Mommy, Katrina…” I slowly turned away from the Lycynian, “we thank you again, both of you.” I offered my mom a hug and Katrina a respectful handshake that she didn’t accept, “Okay then.” I lowered my hand, watching as she turned, swiftly descending the curved stairs.

“You be careful.” Lady D offered her daughter another warning.

“I will.” I kissed her cheek quickly, before closing the door, “And thank you for the spell, I know you and the others really did all of the work, while Katrina took most of the credit.” I finished telepathically.

“Mm, yeah.” Lady D scoffed, then slipped out into the lounge, having the door close behind her.

Letting out a soft sigh, I turned, glancing around the room.

“All right, now we know where to start.” I clapped my hands in announcement.

Leonus, pushing aside his discomfort of the stabbing, burning pains, loudly barked, taking control of the situation, stating what actions would, or should be taken.

“That’s great, if my sister wasn’t at risk!” Jonathan argued, “So no, we’re not just going to stomp our way in there!” he mocked the man’s suggestion to do so.

“Jonathan’s right.” Anthony added, “We don’t know anything about these creatures so if we approach this carelessly, we can all lose our lives, or worse, Lucy’s as well.” he listened to Jonathan’s faint gasp, “Sorry.”

“You’re right.”

“Of course he is, of course you are!” Leonus leered at the Italian, “I don’t even know why you’re here, is it just to look and smell pretty?!” he mocked the man’s cologne and crisp clothes.

“Leonus, you are signing your own death warrant, you know that?!” I loudly barked, engulfing in my Aura brightly, “Wasn’t my warning to you moments ago enough for you, or would you like for me to blast a hole through you this time?” I squinted, “Hmm, because I am pretty god damn sure I can speak for everyone in this room when I say you won’t be missed, and that my actions would be justified.” I held out my arms, gathering orbs of fiery energy in my hands, “Or…” I grinned, “maybe I’ll just have Zanzabarr and Abraxas do it, they’re on a raw meat diet.”

Leonus, this strong and powerful alpha, fearing nothing or no one, in that moment, knew the young woman would keep her word and see her threat through. Glancing toward the wolf and dragon, he watched as they eerily approached.

“You win.” he growled, “Again.” he held his hands up in surrender.

“This isn’t about winning, or losing.” I lowered my hands, snuffing out the fiery orbs and controlling my Aura, “Just knowing what it is we can, and can’t do.” I adjusted my jacket, “Now, I know wolves dwell in dens…” I glanced toward Anthony, “no offense, again, but I am not so sure about boars and their living habits.”

“Hold that thought.” Erik announced, approaching the bookshelf to his left closest to the door. Retrieving a book about boars, just one of the many titles he organized, he flipped through the pages until he found information about boar’s nesting habits, “Damn, it doesn’t say much other than they sleep on their sides, blah-blah-blah, they seek out thick underbrush for security or root themselves into bushes, and during the hotter months, they lay in mud and seek deep shady areas.” he skimmed through the paragraphs, “Grass, twigs, leaves might be used to make their nesting spots.” he closed the book, then just had to finish with a dig, aiming his words toward Anthony and Leonus, “Only wolves in dens that smell like fleas and sh*t.”

“All right you know what?!” Anthony approached the young man, “I have had with your comments and digs, you don’t like me that’s fine, I don’t care but I won’t work alongside someone who can’t even be in the room with Lycynians without making an a** of himself.” he growled, clenching his fists, flashing his yellow wolf eyes. Leaning in, he finished telepathically, knowing the Demon could hear his words, “The more you open your mouth, the more of you lose your chances of being in Yzavela’s good graces and believe me, she’s growing tired of you and your arrogance, and I will not be responsible for what, or how she handles your friendship but I want you to know that she is mine, and you are going to have to live that, for jealousy is just not a kind look on someone that doesn’t know when to quit.” he warned.

“Anthony!” I affirmed, stepping forward, “Anthony, that’s enough!”

Leonus suddenly broke out into a loud laugh, mocking the tension.

“Anthony!” I gently pulled him back, then stood between the two men, “Erik!” I looked at him, “That’s enough, both of you! Now…” my hands pressed against their chests, pushing them apart, “we can’t do this now, and we won’t do this now, we have to find Lucy. She’s our priority, not your machismo…again!” I groaned in complaint, then I glanced at Leonus, “Think this is funny, do you?”

“Yes, yes I do.” the Scotsman’s laughter slowly ceased, “But if I may?”

“If you must.” I leered at him, then glanced between the Demon and Lycynian, “Sit down, please?!”

“Since the witches gave us a guide to follow, we should gather others that might want to join this little rescue mission, and supplies as well. We should scout the area first too, before another storms hits so we can get a general idea of the area.” Leonus suggested boldly.

“That’s not going to take too long, and the weather’s unpredictable.” Jonathan argued as he paced, “We should go now…”

“It’s the laws of any Hunter, to study the situation first before all of us just stomp our way in there, anyone knows that.” Leonus growled, “She and I…” he turned, waving his hand toward Yzavela, “have both agreed that I would bring my knowledge to the table so here is my offer.” his tone became arrogant, “Either those here without any, or all experience keep your mouths shut and let me do what I know best, or I walk away and find others that are willing to help, or worse, let you sister perish in those ruins to suffer a fate worse than death.”

The tension in the room brewed. Lycynians, Demons, a half-breed, dragon and hellhound. What a great, and lethal combination.

Even though I hated the man, Leonus was right, yet again and I had no choice but admit it.

“Jonathan, he’s right. Again.” I approached the Australian, placing a hand on his shoulder, then turned looking around the room, “How many of you know how to tack or hunt, especially in the snow?” but no one answered, “All right then.” I looked toward Leonus, “You’re given the time needed to gather other capable hands willing to help, and the supplies.”

“Finally, something we can agree on.” Leonus nodded quickly.

“All right.” Jonathan nodded in agreement, “But I just….can’t figure out how the Boar-wolves managed to snatch her earlier than dusk, they’ve never ventured out during the say. Not even during the storms that block out the sun.” he worried, hoping the creatures weren’t planning on becoming too bold as to evolve into day walking beasts.

“They’re not thinking creatures like Lycynians.” Leonus interrupted, “So I can’t imagine how they managed to do this is, other than it was an unfortunate lucky break for them.”

“Lycynians think? Shocker.” Anthony grumbled softly, then glanced at Yzavela, receiving a faint smirk in reply, “Sorry.” he grinned.

“Are you saying those things were lucky enough to grab my sister?!” Jonathan fretted with anger as he stepped toward the Scotsman, “I can’t believe you’d say that, f*ck you!”

“Everyone calm down!” Erik lectured loudly, “I’ve spoken to all of the Guardians that patrol the wall and RP&V, they’ve told me that they’ve seen something much larger than the Boar-wolves disappear deep into Ravenswood, so it could be that they’re led by something that’s more mortal in its way of thinking, having the advantage of…” he looked at Jonathan, “I’m sorry Jon, but having the advantage of carrying her off.” he paused, then his sincere tone turned arrogant, “Maybe an uglier version of you when you’re in your mutt form.” he leered back and forth between Leonus and Anthony, seeing that both men wanted to say something more, “A f*cking ancestor perhaps?”

“Oh my god, this is just one f*ck party isn’t it?” I complained to myself. “F*ck this, f*ck that…” I groaned, “F*CK!” then I shouted verbally, “God damn it, that’s enough!” I scolded, becoming irritated, “One more comment from you and I swear I will have you thrown into the cells, bound in chains, locking the door myself! And that goes for you too!” I leered at Leonus with no surprise, then glanced toward Erik, who stood silent, holding his head low, “Leonus unfortunately, is wrong. These creatures have been around longer than any of us, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they have learned to adapt to our ways, we all know things evolve, unlike some species.” I side eyed Leonus once more.

“So we’re to take orders from a girl who still calls her bloody mother MOMMY?! This is f*cking ridiculous, she knows NOTHING, just look at her! She’s a fire starting little she-b*tch, someone should grab a fire extinguisher and put her out before she burns the manor to the ground!” Leonus bellowed in interruption.

“It’s cultural for girls to call their mothers Ma-ma, or Mommy but I wouldn’t expect you to understand that!” Anthony growled deeply, “Coming from the man who probably wasn’t breast fed as a child, you must have suckled on a pig instead.”

“OH…MY…GOD…THAT’S ENOUGH!” I shouted, releasing a blast of my Aura that felt warm against the skin of those present, and expressing another blast, it felt warmer.

“Yzavela!” Anthony argued, standing with his back facing her in a slightly hunched position, keeping his face and hands away from the fiery energy, “Little Yza…”

“No!” I shouted, standing engulfed in the bright red outline, “I am getting sick and tired of this bullsh*t and all of the bickering, I can’t stand it anymore!” I paced, leaving footprints singed on the rugs and the floor, “We’re standing here, arguing like f*cking children in the god damn schoolyard and it’s going to stop! Leonus, get your a** out of here and gather the supplies, Jonathan, go home to be with your family, and Erik…just get out of my sight, and Thomas? You go home too, be with your wife and twins.” I leered at the three men in question, “And you, Anthony Giovanni…you and I are going to have a talk!” I huffed, “Now get out…all of you!” I gestured at the door. Stepping aside, I watched as Erik, Jonathan, Thomas and Leonus left, closing the door behind them, “You…” I turned to Anthony, “you hot-tempered Italian! I know you’re being the protective Lycynian male, but was it really necessary to attack Erik and Leonus like that?!”

“Yes, it was!” Anthony argued firmly, stepping toward her, “I wasn’t just standing up for you, I was standing up for myself because I too, am sick and tired of the comments and the way they look down at me!” he huffed, flashing his yellow eyes, “It’s been like this little Yza, long before you ever came here but now that you ARE here, you’ve changed a lot of lives, most for the better but some for the worse, and I don’t mean for that to sound negative but it’s true, you know it, I know it.”

“Great, so now I’m a problem. Good to know.” I nodded.

“That’s not what I said and you know it.” Anthony sighed, stepping toward her.

“No, but it sure sounded that way.” I turned, keeping my back facing him.

“Leonus unfortunately, and yes, Erik too, with their arrogance just add fuel to the fire and my darling…I don’t think you need anymore.” Anthony whispered softly, approaching her, slowly wrapping an arm around her waist while leaning in over her shoulder, “I’m sorry if I might have made things more difficult, but Leonus and Erik just rub me the wrong way, especially when they’re talking down to you, that I can’t stand. Especially since you are mine.”

“About that.” I turned, holding onto him, “Yours, really? You make it sound like I’m your property when you know that I belong to no one but myself.”

“I know that, and I respect that, but you are my mate and I will never apologize for standing up for you, never.” he looked into her dark eyes.

“And I appreciate that, truly I do.” I grinned, “Thank you, for being my knight in…” I bit my lip then teased, “well, I can’t say hospital scrubs anymore.”

“No….” he chuckled softly, “but will leather do?” he glanced down at himself.

“Oh yes…yes it will.” I leaned, holding onto him, “I j-just can’t…” I sighed heavily, “can’t believe this happened, another problem on the long list of problems that I have to mend, with Leonus being among the top hundred.”

“Shh…” he placed a finger to her lips, “if there’s anything I can do, without arguments and outbursts, I am here. Always.” he kissed her forehead, then pulled away looking into her eyes once more, “You know that.”

“Always.” I smiled, then leaned in, sharing a long kiss, “Oh, by the way, there’s something I want to show you.” I turned.

“Oh?” Anthony wondered.

Walking over to the bookshelf, pulling down on the book, I revealed the secret passageway.

“Wh-what’s that?” Anthony’s eyes grew wide in surprise.

“One of the secrets, that’s all I can say.” I answered, “I want you to stay right here, I’ll be right back.” I entered the passageway then as I peeked my head through the door, I whistled for both Zanzabarr and Abraxas, instructing them to guard the passage.

Craning his neck around, trying to look inside the passage, he backed away, hearing the wolf and dragon growl their warnings.

“All right, all right…” he held his hands up.

Making my way upstairs to the Room of Secrets, quickly opening the doors, I scampered across the room, retrieving the Lycynian book for I knew it was something that Anthony would want to read and I had great faith and trust in him, knowing he would keep the secrets of its pages and the room, to himself.

“Just a moment!’ Sarah called out, hearing someone softly knock on her door, “Hide in the bathroom, go….” she rushed him away from the bed. Watching the door close with the lights turned out, Sarah sighed softly, fixing her hair then opened the small peephole window, “Jonathan?”

“Hey.” he grinned, standing outside her door in the hall, “I was uh, wondering where you’ve been.”

“I’ve uh…” the young woman looked around nervously, “haven’t felt well this morning so I decided to stay to myself.”

“Are you okay?” Jonathan worried, “Can I come in?”

“No.” she spat the words bluntly, but unintentionally, “Sorry, I just don’t want you seeing me like this, I’m a mess. I mean, my hair isn’t brushed and my room’s a bit of a mess, maybe later though, yeah?”

“Sarah, please…” Jonathan inched closer, leaning against the door, “I need you, I just want to talk and hold you, that’s all.”

“Jonathan, I said no.” she barked, “Maybe later.”

Frowning, Jonathan nodded, backing away.

“Yeah, sure.” he complained, “Whatever.” he glanced down the hall, then turned, shuffling away from the door, disappearing as he made his way toward the end of the stairs, returning home to his parents.

Closing her eyes, feeling tears stinging them, Sarah closed the small peephole window then turned, watching as Nathan emerged from the bathroom, holding his shirt and trousers.

“That was too close.” she complained softly.

“Good thing that charm works then.” Nathan smirked, referring to a pendant he bought for her at Christmas that blocked the Telepathic intrusion from the Demons.

“Yeah, it’s bloody peachy.” she fiddled with it, then sat on her bed, “I feel bad now, I know he just wanted to talk. I mean, he’s lonely…” she looked at Nathan, who walked over, kneeling in front of her in only his short, black briefs.

“Do you want me to leave?” he slurred, lifting her chin. Watching as she shook her head, he grinned, “Do want me to continue where we left off before we were so rudely interrupted?” he received a nod.

Sarah bit her lip, knowing it was wrong, knowing it was unnatural. As she inched backwards along her bed, she watched as Nathan knelt on the ledge, beginning to stalk toward her, removing his briefs in the process. Once he hovered above her, she allowed him to untie her robe, quickly ripping it off her shoulders. Giggling loudly, feeling his hands pull her close against him, she then moaned deeply, feeling his body press against her roughly, but she liked it, digging her nails into the sheets before gripping his back.

Nathan growled, scratching her back, continuing the rough intimacy.

“Are you mine?!” he growled in Sarah’s ear then pinned her hands to the bed.

“Always.” Sarah whimpered, wanting more.

“Good girl.” Nathan rasped then forced himself on her once more in a way that she liked, and in a way that Jonathan had not.

Jonathan returned to his parents’ home, appearing by the door; his mother paced in the kitchen looking for something as she rattled the cups and plates or glasses, while his father sat near the fireplace, trying to contain a cough that tickled his throat. Closing his eyes, the pressure was beginning to weigh on his shoulders. Quietly making his way toward Lucy’s room, he stood in the doorway, looking around at all of her toys and bed that was just as she left it. Walking over, he sat on her bed, reaching for her favorite stuffed bunny, and holding it close, he cried deeply, and softly, trying to not disturb his parents but as he raised his gaze, he watched as shadows crept down the hall until Susan and Jonathan Sr stood in the doorway. Standing, he rushed toward them, holding them close, sharing the grief and worry.

“I can’t lose her…” Jonathan worried softly.

“We know, sweetheart…” Susan cried, “we know.”

“Why don’t you tell us about what happened in the meeting, hmm?” Jonathan Sr suggested, “What does the Keeper have planned?”

Jonathan sniffled, then turned, placing the bunny on the table then closed the door, shuffling down the hall, telling his parents about the tense meeting that resulted in a game plan.

“Now we wait.” Jonathan finished, “We’re going to find her.”

Susan whimpered, gripping her sons’ hands then glanced at a photo of Lucy nearby.