The Way Back Home's
Future Plan
With Milo, Farrell returned to their inn. When they got there, the sun had not yet risen. The dark sky lowered the snow slowly in silence. Street lights emit a dim yellow light. Eden’s Lodge looks comfortable in such a cold state.
Farrell guided Milo towards the front door. He didn't really expect to come unnoticed. Given how Eden’s Lodge had magic complete with a mirror that could function as a surveillance camera, it seemed that it was just empty hope. Near the stairs leading to the front door, Farrell could see Denise's former attack. There was a blackened part as if it burned out.
When he entered, he was greeted by a large living room. The interior is exactly the same. The difference there was just a few guests who were nagging on the sofa. From their conversation, Farrell is sure to hear them complaining about the absence of dinner. Just like Remy had thought before. Uncle can't do anything about it.
“Wah, whew. Look who's coming!” Another welcome came from a big man with a mustache. Joe came up from behind the hallway. While relaxing, he smiled a big smile. “Looks like you brought what Denise.” wants
“Where is he?” Farrell asked out loud, hiding his doubts and agility.
“He must be sleeping. But I'm sure he'll wake up right away if he hears you coming.”
“Where is my mother and Christo?”
“In one of the rooms. Maybe.”
“I want to see them.”
“It will depend Denise. Follow me, boy!” Joe chuckles. “I warned you in advance, do not dare to mess around if you want your mother intact.”
Farrell did not react. Milo. “Review if you dare touch it!”
Joe squinted his eyes. “Oh, looks like you have guts too. Whereas before you were just like a duck child without a mother.” Joe turned around casually. He knew Milo wouldn't act weird.
They walked down the aisle to Eden’s Lodge in the North. Farrell recognized him from the hanging clues at the crossroads of the hallway. He remembered Christo saying this part was no longer used. No wonder that thick dust covered the floor, spiderwebs adorned the corner, also smelled of damp smell. Many of the hallways were left pitch-black. They only entered into the illuminated passageways.
Farrell knew that Milo was observing around the same as he was. In his mind, Farrell was not only memorizing their route, he was also observing if there was another escape route. He is quite sure, he will not pass the same path, if really get a chance to escape with mom and Christo. Now, he's worried about Milo. Hopefully they can act compact later.
Joe stopped at one crossroad. Turning his head to one bright hallway, he said, “Wait there! I'll call Denise.”
Neither Farrell nor Milo protested. They entered the hallway, continued walking until they arrived at a room quite spacious. The twin doors are wide open. This room contains a long table complete with a glass shelf behind it, a row of desk chairs, as well as an obsolete piano. Maybe this place was a bar or something. On one side, there was also a row of tall windows that were covered in curtains.
Milo opened the curtain, trying to look down. “Clean,” he said not excited.
Farrell had no intention of sitting on a dusty chair. He went around checking. Other than the two moving paintings and the bar fittings in the locked cupboard, there was no other interesting thing.
“Denise.” Milo whispered again.
Farrell turned. Denise came in without an uncle and aunt. Joe went behind her, his hand holding mom's arm. Jim was behind him again with Christo. Every now and then, he had to push Christo forward. Christo's face was bruised, the tip of his lips bleeding. He looks pale. So did mom. She looks paler than usual.
Denise's eyes widened to see the green map in Farrell's hands. “Certificate Eden’s Lodge—”
“Free my mom and Christo first!” sahut Farrell's. “Give also the antidote.”
Denise gave a faint smile. “Sure, Farrell dear.” He took out a clear glass bottle cork-clogged. Inside it contained a thick blue liquid with sparkling spots.
Denise stepped leisurely while her two men held hostages in a corner of the room. “Where is the certificate, Farrell?”
Farrell flinching. “What is your goal after getting Eden’s Lodge?”
“Develop it, of course. Starting from changing the name of the inn then rebuilding this North part. Albert doesn't care at all about this inn. Instead, I care.” Denise paused a few steps ahead of Farrell. His eyes looked at Farrell's. Milo kept his distance from the two.
“You only care about magic portal door,” reply Farrell.
“Accurate once. Without that door, this inn is just like any other inn.” Denise laughed this time. “You have a gift that you cannot use. Very unfortunate.”
“Is that why you spread wolves in the normal world? So that no ordinary human comes close to the inn?”
“Oh, it wasn't me, dear Farrell. It was Olivia. One of the customers of lodging.”
“Twin sister Emily?”
“True. Emily is a stupid twin! I wonder why your uncle hires incompetent people.”
“What do you mean?”
“Emily was completely unaware that Olivia was still alive and even used her identity to roam around in the inn. His colleagues too! No one knew they were two different people. I'll replace all the employees here with more decent ones.”
Farrell glanced at Christo. The man turned his face away, as if wanting to avoid Farrell's gaze. Farrell returned his gaze to Denise. “You teamed up with a looter.”
“He's just a customer who likes to bring artifacts from the underworld to the upper world. I don't care if he's a looter or not. For me, he's a regular customer with a high investment value. He is willing to pay dearly.”
“Olivia keep not many people close to Eden’s Lodge. Does that not matter to you? He reduced visitors.”
“Visitors of the witch are more promising. Sometimes we have to give up something to get bigger. The compensation money from Olivia is much greater than all the rooms in Eden’s Lodge the top filled with guests.”
“You can go to jail for protecting criminals like Olivia.”
“You're reporting me for magic abuse, Farrell. Don't think I don't know about it. I have the best lawyers. You won't be able to bring me down on any charges. Besides, Albert and Melanie are on my side. Who's gonna believe you? Basic pick up!”
“Jaga talk!” Milo screaming. “Farrell is much better than uncle!”
Farrell never thought Milo would defend him.
Denise agreed. “True, Milo darling. Your brother is better than your uncle. Unfortunately, you are also no better than your uncle. You indulged all my will easily under the influence of the mannequin potion. You looked so silly back then.”
Milo gritted his teeth. “You'll regret ever doing it!”
“Terden! Now, Farrell, where's the certificate?”
