The Way Back Home's
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“I think it's natural. You said that this city is closest to Eden’s Lodge. Besides, where else can we go? My car's in the parking lot. We are also unlikely to walk through the storm and wolf pack around the inn.”
“No wolves in Eden’s Lodge front,” Christo said. “I mean, Eden’s Lodge where you stay. We used to call it the front while the part in this magic world the back.”
“I heard the news that the TV crew that tried to cover Octorino got caught in a storm and met a pack of wolves so they decided to come back. I think the Eden’s Lodge review on the internet will not be good.” Farrell scolded.
“I never watch TV and don't care about any news on the internet. But, the wolf is only in the back of Eden’s Lodge aka the magic world as it met us yesterday.”
“Maybe you never drive around on the front.”
“Indeed. Gizmo did it for me with Bailey and Barney. They never reported any wolves nearby. Not a single witch customer Eden’s Lodge has also told about the existence of wolves.” Seeing Farrell frowning, Christo continued. “Indeed you yourself saw a wolf while driving to Eden’s Lodge?”
Farrell just shook his head. “I've only heard howls.” He also decided to remain silent and did not continue the wolf problem on the front of Eden’s Lodge.
Christo leads down the bridge and out of town as quickly as possible. While on the edge of the snowy field, Christo called out to the owl. “Gizmo!” he said slowly to the gray sky. It was approaching the afternoon and a thick cloud was already hanging.
Before long, the white owl showed its form. He flew across the treetops and then alighted on the branches above them.
“Now what?” ask Farrell. “Are we going to make it giant and go back to Eden’s Lodge riding Gizmo? Isn't that too suspicious? Or... could it be that we wrote a letter to Remy asking for his help? Even if I'm not sure if Remy wants to help.” Farrell remembers Christo saying yesterday that he was carrying a paper that could write itself. On the other hand, Farrell also remembered how nervous Remy was. Maybe he was so scared of Denise.
“You know, I almost thought you could mind reading magic.” Christo threw a smile at him.
“That means?”
“That's exactly like my mind. I'll write a letter to Remy.” Christo took out a small paper roll. The shape is similar to paper roll for bon machine. He pulled the tip and started dictating, “Get me a sample of Denise's potion. Farrell safe.” Miraculously, every utterance of Christo appeared on the paper as if a pen had written it there. The letters seem ancient but beautiful to look at.
“Can you inquire about Milo and Libby?”
Christo turned his head for a while then continued, “How are Milo and Libby?” After the message was written, Christo tore the paper and rolled it as sideways as possible. He called out the name of Gizmo again and the bird perched on his hand. The paper is inserted in a tube and tied to the foot of Gizmo. Christo carried the small tube and rope everywhere because he often used his pet as a messenger.
“Do you think this will work?” farrell Whisper.
“Harus.” Christo looked at the gray sky. One by one the snow began to fall. “Go and bring me good news!” the door snapped his hand.
Farrell looked up into the sky. His eyes looked at where the bird was going. He continued to stare at her closely until Gizmo vanished behind the trees. Only then did Farrell sigh slowly. He pulled himself up to the tree and sat down below it. A few snowflakes managed to break through the leaves above and fell onto his shoulder. But, Farrell flinching. Physical and psychic fatigue helps him to ignore all cold.
Farrell shook his head. “I just need to sit for a while.”
Christo sat down next to Farrell. “We haven't had lunch, if I remember.”
Let alone hunger, Farrell no longer even feels cold now. His mind drifted to various places. Eden’s Lodge, prison, Bliss and Tea Room, Hendrick's shop, even home. “I owe you. I didn't bring any money and—”
“Don't talk about money now. You will look like your uncle who only thinks about money and money and money. You're different, Farrell.”
Farrell looked up. The gray sky was covered in tree leaves above. He could see the bottom of the tree branch close to him. Brownness below with green on the second layer and clean white on the top layer. “Why do you think Remy will help us? Does he also care about Eden’s Lodge like you?”
“Yes, let's just say so. Remy, William, and I agreed that the mind influence potion — mannequin potion, I mean — is a shitty herb. We don't know how to help you but at least we agree on one thing. So, just trust me, Remy will help us.”
“He looks cowardly. Nope. He seems a nervous person easily.”
“He once made the customers food poisoning. Wrong food ingredients. Exchanging between poisonous and non-toxic fungi. He was almost fired because of it. I think your aunt had a wrong hand. He ordered the groceries at that time.”
“Can I guess how it goes? You defended him until he wasn't fired?” Farrell guess.
Christo did not answer. Farrell could only smile. He blinked his eyes and sleepiness began to come. Farrell didn't let himself fall asleep. He should have stayed on guard until Gizmo came back. However, struggling with drowsiness without the help of chatter with Christo is quite heavy, very heavy even. After a grueling few minutes of struggle, Farrell gave up her anxiety and fell asleep. Just briefly. Farrell was sure he hadn't slept more than fifteen minutes.
Farrell flinched as a snowflake the size of a fist landed on his shoulder. His eyes blinked quickly, expelling drowsiness. He looked up and found Gizmo there. Christo stood next to him, unbinding another clear tube from the bird's feet.
“So soon he's back,” Farrell murmured.
“Jim and Joe looking for you. Careful. Milo and Libby, along with Denise, are still under the influence of the herb. I'm sorry.” Christo read Remy a short message and handed Farrell the paper so he could read it himself.
“We have to be fast,” said Farrell.
“This is what we need.” Now Christo handed Farrell a clear tube. The tube contains magenta powder with glitter similar to glitter. “Now just leave it to Hendrick and hope he's as good as Bliss.” says
Farrell was speechless with the mannequin potion in his grasp. At that moment, the same question came back to his mind. If it's true that Remy mixes it in all the food and he drinks the potion, why doesn't he just go along with Denise?
