The moon's light had slowly returned from the cover of silver clouds. I was able to see a bit clearer. The path to the smallest cave, or Cave Jr. as I liked to call it, was the hardest to spot, and my least favorite for multiple reasons. More stinging nettles grew out here than other areas, and well it was forbidden to all.
It wasn't well kept, and a long way from any student-accepted paths. The entire forest was off limits to students past midnight, this area was forbidden entirely. Too many mines had collapsed, and left the grounds unstable. A few holes already turned up in the four years I'd been there. The cave was a few feet ahead, and I could tell Coop was nervous.
Cave Jr.'s entrance was in essence, barely an opening. It was a crack in a stone wall, and looked more like a jagged puzzle piece than an entrance.
"Oakley, are you sure this is it?" He asked, patting the entrance and scratching his neck.
"Yeah, Coop. I'm sure. Just give it a good punch or something and you'll see. Whatever it is you demigods do." I ushered him, feigning my own punches at the wall.
Coop gave a hearty laugh, and tapped it a few times before backing up a few feet. I watched him in amusement, and he gave me a sly wink before his eyes flashed pink.
He ran at the wall with such speed, there was a pink glow misting about his form. When he smacked into the wall, the force alone caused the entrance to appear. Rocks, pebbles, and dust flew about the cave, smacking into its walls.
"Oakley, I can't fit in there." Coop murmured as he sized the entrance.
"I know, I'll be quick." My words seemed to unnerve him, because his eyes widened.
"You can't go in there, Oakley. It looks way too unstable."
I didn't bother to reply to him. My body emerged through the entrance like an acrobat would through the opening of a suitcase. My limbs one after the other, until my whole body was on the other side.
The cave itself wasn't horrible. It had more space than what the opening showed. There were few moss patches scattered about and my eyes landed on the death caps. There were three, and even though one would do for Agnetha, I'd want the other two, incase we'd need her again.
I carefully harvested the mushrooms, and conjured a small purse of leaves and vines to carry them. They were delicate, and Coop's pocket would destroy them for further use.
"Okay, Coop. I'm ready. Let's go." I said as I maneuvered my way out of the entrance.
When I dusted the fragmented stone from my shirt, I looked up to see Coop staring at me, eyes wide. My brows furrowed and I gave him a look of question.
"How are you even able to...My body can't even...Oakley, do you have bones?"
I couldn't contain my laughter at his words. I clenched my stomach and doubled over, falling to my knees.
"What's so funny?" He asked. I wiped my tears from my eyes and stood up again.
"Coop, it's not that small of an entrance. You're just a fucking giant." My laugh died down when he scoffed at me.
"No. But I won't argue with you right now. Let's just bribe the sea witch, and try not to die." His eyes softened with his words, and I smiled up at him.
"Let's find out who has access to Deadly Nightshade." I added, holding out my hand for him to take.
The thing about Agnetha, that most students needed to know, was that she liked mushrooms. All kinds, any kind that you could think of. Deadly, delicious, demonic, even the ones that did nothing.
Another thing about Agnetha: She was no longer allowed access to Professor Hawkins' death cap mushrooms. Why? That's something she still won't tell me. Pushing that subject, not on my to do list.
The library was a constant in my four years here, and she proved to be a great ally through some of the more difficult moments.
Hope bubbled in my chest as we climbed the concrete steps. Victorian double doors that led to my happy place.
We reached the top, and I motioned for Coop to follow me to the side door. His footsteps fell in sync with my own, and I crouched down, looking through the keyhole.
Agnetha was at her desk, and there was no sign of her leaving it any time soon. The moon was still out, and that meant the library was closed. She looked half asleep, and judging by the coffee in her hands, she may as well have a warning above her head. Slowly, I lifted my head to meet Coop's eyes.
"Coop, I mean this when I say it. Do not talk to Agnetha. Let me do the talking." I spoke the words slowly, enunciating each one.
I sucked in a large breath, and tapped on the side door three times. Softly enough so that it didn't echo, but loud enough to catch her attention. I peeked through the keyhole again, and saw that Agnetha was on her way over here.
I stood up straight and elbowed Coop as a warning. When the doorknob jingled, I felt Coop squeeze my hand.
The door flung open, and Agnetha's beady, gold eyes landed on me. When they slid over to Coop, an amused smirk formed on her face.
"Oakley, you've brought a new friend. What is it that you'd like, dear?" Her wrinkles flopped with the same speed as her lips, and I fought a grimace.
"Agnetha, I have a favor to ask of you. I bring a gift." My attempt to butter her up worked.
Her shimmering gold specks lightened, and she grasped my hand, bringing me into the library.
"A gift? For me? Oakley, dear, you bring this sorrowful place such joy." She bellowed. The halls of the library echoed some, and my ears twitched.
"Oh, yes. Agnetha. I have a specific mushroom for you." I teased, holding out my leaf bag.
When she attempted to grab at the bag, a ferocious look in her eye, I snatched it back into my chest.
"Agnetha, this is kind of serious. I need you to not talk to anyone about this, okay?" I warned, adding a playful glint to my eyes let her know I wasn't threatening her.
"Oh, okay. What is it that you need. I am assuming Valentino, here-"
"Coop"
My head snapped to Coop, and plastered a glare on my face. When he looked at me and back at Agnetha before his face drained of color.
"I am so sorry, Agnetha, I mean Miss-"
My elbow made contact with his ribs for the third time tonight, and Agnetha's eyes snapped to mine.
"I apologize for my friend here. He clearly doesn't know how to talk to beautiful women. Agnetha, please, we need your list of who does and does not have access to Deadly Nightshade on this campus. At the very least the list of those authorized to grow it." I begged, holding out the mushroom in my hand.
Agnetha eyed the treasure in front of her, seemingly haven forgotten the moment before. She reached one pale hand out to grab the death cap, and held her other out. She snapped her fingers, and two scrolls appeared, shimmers veiling the air around them.
"Here. Return them to me by midnight this coming day. Headmaster Vancejoy is meeting with me in the morning to discuss them. She wishes to revise it." Agnetha professed, a warning in her eyes. I took them from her graciously and backed myself towards the door.
"Thank you, Agnetha. Thank you." Coop's voice echoed with gratitude.
"Please, leave."
At her brevity, I knew that meant she was over our interaction. I tugged Coop toward me, and he almost lost his footing.
"Bye, Agnetha."
"Coop, hush."
My hand flew over Coop's mouth, and I shut the door behind us before Agnetha could change her mind.