Chapter 17: Echoes of the Past
The morning sun seeped through the gaps in the shack's wooden walls, casting golden rays over the dust-covered interior. Adam awoke to the sound of Henry pacing outside, his boots crunching on the forest floor.
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Adam reached for his phone. "You there?"
"Like a rock," Adam muttered, groaning as he stretched. "What's the plan for today?"
Shaking his head with a small smile, Adam pocketed the phone and stepped outside. Henry stood near a makeshift fire pit, stirring a pot of something that smelled vaguely edible.
"Morning," Henry said without looking up.
"Morning. What's on the menu?" Adam asked, peering into the pot.
"Canned beans and some herbs I found nearby."
"Gourmet," Adam quipped, sitting on a log.
Henry gave a rare smirk. "It's not about the taste. It's about fuel. We've got work to do."
As they ate, Adam turned the glowing disc over in his hands, studying its intricate carvings.
"You think this thing really holds the key to everything?" he asked.
Henry shrugged. "It's important, that much is clear. But the question is, how do we use it without getting ourselves killed?"
Adam pulled out the phone eagerly. "And?"
Henry frowned. "Bend reality?"
Adam's grip on the disc tightened. "You're saying this thing might be... magic?"
Henry's expression darkened. "If that's true, no wonder people are after it. Something like this could change the world—or destroy it."
Adam shivered, the weight of the disc suddenly feeling much heavier. "So what do we do?"
Henry stood, brushing off his hands. "Then we need a map. And I know just where to get one."
They spent the next few hours hiking through the dense forest, their path winding between towering pines and thick underbrush. The air was crisp and cool, the scent of pine needles filling their lungs.
"So where are we headed?" Adam asked, struggling to keep up with Henry's brisk pace.
"An old friend of mine runs a pawnshop in town," Henry replied. "He's got a collection of rare maps. If anyone can point us in the right direction, it's him."
Henry hesitated, then nodded. "As much as anyone can be."
"That's reassuring," Adam muttered.
The town was a stark contrast to the serenity of the forest. Small and quiet, it felt like stepping back in time, with its cobblestone streets, vintage storefronts, and locals chatting on porches. Adam couldn't help but marvel at how different it was from the bustling cities he was used to.
"Stick close," Henry warned as they approached the pawnshop.
The bell above the door jingled as they entered, and a grizzled man behind the counter looked up from a newspaper. His eyes narrowed when he saw Henry.
"Well, well," the man drawled. "If it isn't the ghost himself. Thought you were dead, Henry."
"Not yet, Frank," Henry said, his tone even.
Frank's gaze shifted to Adam, then to the glowing disc in his hands. His eyes widened slightly. "And who's the kid?"
"Just someone trying to stay alive," Adam said, trying to sound braver than he felt.
Frank chuckled. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. So, what brings you to my humble establishment?"
"We need a map," Henry said. "Something old. Something that might match this." He gestured to the disc.
Frank's expression grew serious. "You're messing with dangerous stuff, Henry. You sure you want to go down this road?"
"Just show us what you've got," Henry said firmly.
With a resigned sigh, Frank disappeared into the back room.
Adam smirked, but the weight of the situation pressed on him. Whatever they were getting into, it was bigger than he'd imagined.
End of Chapter 17