Two days following the incident, Timothee's demeanor morphed into an aura of unwavering authority. He dispatched multiple Guards to accompany Sawyer and Asher to his training grounds. A smile crept upon my lips as I marveled at the profound transformation Timothee had undergone due to a seemingly insignificant event.
"So, how's the report coming along?" I casually set my cup down as I caught Timothee reaching for his phone in his pants pocket.
I observed a sudden change in his demeanor - a brief pause before he spoke. "Officer Drake invited the hunters to the police station. Surprisingly, he opted for fines rather than imprisonment."
Disappointment washed over me, a heavy weight settling in my chest. "Dang... I was kinda expecting a tougher penalty."
"I do hope so, Barby. The key is, we're aware The Hunter is constantly stirring up trouble for us. Remember, I won't stay silent." Determination seeped through Timothee's words as he declared.
"By the way, do you know if my mom is still alive?" When the words escaped my lips, a flicker of sorrow fleetingly shadowed Timothee's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Barby. We still have no news about your mom," he replied gently, He casually rested his phone on the table.
A wave of despair engulfed me, yet I clenched my fists, resolved not to be swallowed by it. Silence enveloped us for a moment, the weight of his words pressing down like a physical force.
In the dim light of the office, Timothee's expression was difficult to decipher, but the set of his jaw spoke volumes about his commitment.
"But we haven't stopped looking," he added, breaking the silence. "Every resource at our disposal is being used to find her. We're not giving up, Barby. Not now, not ever."
"I understand," I murmured, trying to compose myself.
Timothee reached across the table and squeezed my hand reassuringly.
"We will find her, Barby. I promise you that," he said with unwavering conviction.
His words offered me a glimmer of hope, and I nodded, silently thanking him for his support.
With a deep breath, I straightened in my seat and met Timothee's gaze.
"Let's focus on preparing for whatever The Hunter throws at us next," I asserted, resolved to channel my emotions into action.
Timothee's eyes sparkled with a mixture of resolve and anticipation. "Absolutely, Barby. We've strengthened our defenses and I've also been coordinating with allies for additional support. The Hunter won't see what's coming."
I leaned forward, curiosity piqued. "Allies? Who are we talking about here?"
Timothee paused, a sly grin forming on his face. "Let's just say, we've got contacts in places even The Hunter wouldn't suspect. We're building a network, a coalition of sorts."
Feeling a surge of excitement, I clapped my hands together. "That sounds intriguing. How can I help?"
He glanced at me, his eyes reflecting a seriousness I had grown accustomed to. "We need you to be our eyes and ears. Your instincts are sharp, Barby. If you notice anything--anything out of the ordinary--you alert us immediately. Also, our booster."
Nodding, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. "You can count on me, Timothee. We're in this together."
"Together," he repeated, offering me a firm nod. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to finalize our plans. Stay safe, Barby. We're closer than ever to finding her, I can feel it."
I chuckled and gulped down my tea before strolling through the mini bar. I peered at the city, my thoughts wandering to my mother.
As much as I wanted to believe Timothee's words of reassurance, a nagging doubt lingered in the back of my mind. What if we never find her? What if she's gone forever?
Shaking off those negative thoughts, I reminded myself that giving up wasn't an option. With Timothee by my side, and the support of our allies, we would find her. We had to.
I took another deep breath and made a silent vow to never give up hope for my mother's return. The Hunter may have taken her from us, but we would not rest until she was back home where she belonged. Our determination would be our strength, and together, we would overcome any obstacle. And as long as Timothee remained by my side, I knew that anything was possible. Together, we were unstoppable.
As the days passed by, our preparations intensified and our defenses were fortified. The Hunter's attempts to disrupt our progress only fueled us further.
Timothee suddenly asked me to go to an abandoned forest where there were many wild animals. I couldn't stop thinking but I felt a sense of familiarity in this forest.
As we ventured deeper into the heart of the forest, the trees seemed to whisper secrets from a time long forgotten. Suddenly, from the shadow of an ancient oak, emerged a figure no taller than a child but with the weathered face of an old man.
"I've been expecting you," he said in a voice that seemed to echo the rustle of leaves.
Timothee, usually unshakeable, took a step back, his eyes wide with surprise.
The figure stepped forward, the light filtering through the trees casting a kaleidoscope of shadows on his face.
"You may call me Alistair," he continued, with a slight bow. "This forest is not simply a place of abandonment, but a realm of lost souls and ancient magic."
Timothee and I exchanged puzzled looks, unsure of whether to flee or stay. Sensing our hesitation, Alistair smiled, a gesture that seemed to soften his old, weathered features.
"Fear not, for you are here for a reason. The forest itself has chosen you to unveil its deepest mysteries," he said, beckoning us to follow him deeper into the woods.
Drawn by a mixture of fear and intrigue, we followed, stepping into a world that straddled the thin line between reality and myth.
"I know why you're here," the dwarf continued, his gaze piercing through me as if he could read my deepest thoughts. "You seek Fae Aurora, the lost guardian of this forest."
"How do you know about Fae Aurora?" I asked, disbelief mixing with an inexplicable trust in the strange being before us, because he mentioned my mother's name.
"Because," he paused, a mysterious smile playing on his lips, "I am the only one who can lead you to her. But be warned, the path is fraught with dangers known to none but me."
"But--"
"Enough," Timothee whispered, tugging at Barby's sleeve. "I deliberately brought you here because of the map found by Dave at your father's house before he was killed by Taylor."
I stumbled, my hand instinctively reaching to cover my mouth as Timothee retrieved the weathered map. As I accepted it, a flood of emotions welled up within me, a chaotic blend of excitement and fear intertwining in my heart, leaving me unable to articulate the overwhelming sensations in that moment.
This is the first time I will meet Mom. I'm so scared. Will Mom acknowledge me as her child? Will she be happy to see me?