The three days that Samuel needed flew by faster than I expected. I was constantly doing something, whether it be packing, helping Samuel out, or exploring. Occasionally, my mind would drift back to the people I had left behind: Astrid, Gram, Wren, Kalina, Caspian, Theo, Talia, Luka… I hoped that they were alright. I felt bad leaving them behind. Do they hate me for what I did? I hope not. I don't want to lose my friends. I sighed. It was a little late for regret.
During this time, Oliver and Samuel would have private conversations, not bothering to tell me anything. I had no idea what they talked about, but I was sure it was about things I wasn't supposed to know. Naturally, that made me all the more curious. So, one day, I spied on them.
I listened from the door, allowing me to barely overhear their conversation. I sat silently, my breathing slowing down and my heart thumping. I strained my ears to hear.
"So, you know where the prison is located?" Samuel asked in his gruff voice.
"Yes," Oliver answered. "I know the rough coordinates for where it should be right now."
Samuel paused. "Good, but remember, you need to keep your side of the deal."
"Of course, what partners would we be?"
"Yes, by the way, how is your side of life going with your father's… business?"
This time Oliver hesitated. "It could be better," he said quietly.
"Hm," Samuel hummed. "How is the search going?"
"Father thinks we are getting close."
"Oliver, cut it out! Don't give me your stupid half-answers!" Samuel growled.
Oliver was silent. "I think we are looking in the wrong places. Really, to me, the place we should be looking at is so obvious, but Father hasn't been there in ages."
"Oh, do you mean Earth?" Silence. I assumed Oliver nodded because he continued on.
"The best way to hide something is to hide it in plain sight."
Again, silence. "So, who is the girl?" Samuel asked. "You managed to dodge it the first time, but not now. So, spill. You never get involved in anything."
A pause and the rustling of clothes could be heard. "She is just interesting I guess. I mean, when I found her, she…was flying a ship that belonged to the Association. Those are hard to obtain. She didn't seem particularly skilled in combat, and she really seemed…lost. Like she's never been exposed to the real world."
"So, she's sheltered, and I don't care about the Association. Still, what's that got to do with you?"
"She said she was looking for someone named 'Cythraul', and she-"
"What? That doesn't make sense! Your father hasn't used that name in ages, and the only people that ever really called him that were…" Samuel stopped. "Wait, you mean…"
"She's from Earth? Yeah, that's exactly what I mean."
Samuel let out a string of curses. "Oliver, what have you done? The one time you involve yourself!"
"I know-"
"If your father finds out…"
"I know!"
"If your brothers find out, no, if RYDER finds out…well, you're screwed."
"I KNOW!" Oliver stopped, then lowered his voice. "I know, okay? You don't need to remind me."
"Wait, so why are we heading to the prison?"
"If you had let me finish…" Oliver sighed. "Anyways, she is also looking for the most recent prisoner that Ryder caught."
"Oh, that one? They finally got her? I don't remember what exactly the report said..."
I backed away stunned. Too much information was just thrust into my face, and I was having a hard time absorbing it all. I stumbled back and hurried back. When I was far enough, I sat down, breathing heavily. Immediately, I started thinking.
So, Oliver's father was Cythraul, and they knew about Lily? And, Oliver knew and still helped me? What intrigued me even more was that Oliver was related to Ryder, the very same person who attacked Astrid in the dungeon, and tried to kill me at Chognaput. It had been awhile since I had heard that name, and it only brought back bad memories.
I took a shaky breath letting everything sink in. A couple more pieces of this complicated puzzle fit into place. It made sense how Oliver seemed to know things that most wouldn't, or how he knew so much about the prison, and about Lily. But, what still didn't make sense was why he was helping me. And what does "finally" mean? Have they always been looking for Lily?
I have to be more cautious from here out. They still don't know exactly who I am, but the fact that they know I'm from Earth could be bad. I can't trust them, especially Oliver. I don't know if he has ulterior motives.
'At least you have some sense.'
I jumped. 'What do you want, Crystal?'
'Oh, I just wanted to remind you about the remnants inside that jewel.'
'What remnants?'
'Oh, right…you don't know. Well, they are remnants of memories. Here, let me show you them.'
Suddenly, an explosion of color filled my vision. Pictures flashed through my mind: someone smiling, tracks in the snow, smoke rising in the distance. I could also hear things and smell them: the twinkling of wind chimes, laughter of kids, the smell of blood and smoke. It was like I was there.
'That's because you were.'
"Crystal!"
I looked up, distracted. My mind didn't have time to comprehend. Oliver waved to me. "Hey! Samuel said to finish loading the ship! We leave tomorrow!"
"Okay!" I called back, slowly getting up. I felt like I could barely stand, yet eventually I was moving, down the halls, towards the ship. Everything was a haze. I was spaced out as I loaded the last boxes into the ship. What Crystal told me had completely turned my world upside down, and I hadn't even got used to my new normal yet. It seemed I was a part of something so much bigger than I could understand, and I had no one to guide me. Well, maybe not for long if I could get Lily back. I sighed as I made my way to my temporary bed.