The bagel dropped from my hand as I stared blankly to right in front of me.
'Something is wrong, but what is it?'
It was like I suddenly got brain fog.
I feel like I should ignore it...
There is no point in trying to think deeper into it, I am just probably tired I should just--
[Is that truly your thoughts?]
'Yes, it is and I should... I should...'
I fell into a deep silence.
Time passed by and people came and went, and by the time I came back to my senses my food was already cold.
This happened the last time also, someone or something is causing me to subconsciously push these important thoughts to the back and ignore them.
The question is who and how.
Besides this, I also realised that there was a serious time discrepancy from when I met Headmaster Silas to the time I left his office.
What exactly could have happened between that time?
But one thing is for sure, Silas Hargreaves is definitely involved.
I stood up from my seat and left the bakery, no longer having the appetite to finish my food.
'I need to talk to Headmaster Silas... but how? I don't know where he lives nor can I find him at the university anymore.'
But what happens if I do find him? On the off chance that he is the cause of this discrepancy wouldn't I just fall into his grasp once again if I meet him?
It was not safe to meet him alone.
The best case is if I could talk to him at a social event... Yes that's it!
'Graham's funeral!'
I remembered what my mother said to me this morning, next Wednesday Headmaster Silas would be holding a public funeral open for anyone. That provides the perfect opportunity for me to meet him.
'Since he is the host, he is almost guaranteed to show up.'
It is decided, I will wait until Wednesday to question Silas in public. That is the safest and most optimal option.
After reaching a conclusion, I pushed this matter aside and thought about what to say to Victor when I meet him.
I was still feeling slightly guilty since he protected me from that wraith even though he did not know me.
'Oh right a gift. I should get him a gift!'
I searched the surrounding area for any suitable gift and I decided to get him a silver inlaid cane.
'Since he is hurt, this cane could help provide him support when he moves around.'
Though the cane was a little pricey at one gold coin and four silver coins, it was worth it to repay the savior of my life.
After purchasing the cane I happily made my way to Moulin Street where the bar was located.
***
In an alley, two hooded figures stood next to one another, eyeing a terraced house with a small lawn filled with flowers.
"Are you sure about this? Even though this is a middle class residence area this is still considered slightly upper class. What if they have guards?"
"Do not worry, I have already checked the house many times and the only people living here is a single mother and her son who often goes out early in the morning and comes home late in the evening."
"But still, what if their neighbour sees us? And what about the mother?"
"Well in the worst case we will just kill the old lady and burn down the house after looting it! Don't worry so much, this is the best target we had in months so let's make the best of it!"
The taller one of the hooded figures patted the other on their back before taking out a small revolver.
"Stop wasting time and let's go before the son returns."
And so, the two hooded figures slowly and carefully made their way towards the house ready to kill if needed.
***
Moulin Street
"Click"
I turned the handle to the door and opened it before taking a step inside.
By now it was already past lunchtime and the bar wasn't too crowded besides the odd few who waste away drunken in the middle of the day.
As the door closed behind me, I walked toward the bartender and sat down in front of him.
'Now that I think about it how do I contact Bram and the rest?'
Realising that I was missing that crucial piece of information, I just stared blankly at the random bartender in front of me unsure of what to do.
"Uh, sir would you like a drink or something?"
"Oh yes, maybe a..."
I quickly looked at the sign behind the bartender and ordered the drink that looked the cheapest and best tasting one.
"A glass of chilled whiskey."
"That will be four copper."
I reached into my wallet and took out four small copper coins, placing them on the table. Soon in front of me was a small glass of whiskey with a large ice cube in the middle.
'But really though what do I do?'
While thinking, I held the cup in my hands gently swirling it.
"You seem troubled, are you perhaps looking for someone?"
The bartender, seeing my fidgetiness, asked me.
"Ah yes I am indeed. I am looking for a Mr. Victor, he is with a group called the Bravehearts. I heard that they were located here but I do not know how to contact them."
"Oh? You're in luck then. Though Victor is not here currently, a member of his group is."
He then walked out from behind the counter and gestured for me to follow him. He led me to a back room, from which I could hear a familiar annoying voice shouting from within.
"Though he usually helps out serving customers, since it is no longer peak hour he and the other staff are playing games in the break room. Since you're an acquaintance of the Bravehearts, feel free to go in and have a chat with him."
I thanked the bartender with a smile before opening the door to the break room.
As soon as the door swung open, I saw Litch dressed in a well-made suit playing billiards with two other men.
"Hey who dares rudely come in without knocking---Its you!"
He too recognised me the instant I walked in.
"Yes, it is me Amon. Sorry for the intrusion but, could you bring me to Victor Litch?"
"What, why should I?"
'Hah. This brat is already trying to get on my nerves.'
I looked at his smug face as he spread his arms apart.
"If you don't I will head to Mr. Carrow's office and tell Emily that you--"
In an instant he placed his hand over my mouth shutting me up.
"Ok ok I will take you to him! Sorry guys but I have to leave our game first due to an unforeseen pest."
The last few words of his sentence clearly laced with malice.
He then brought me out back before taking out a rusty key from his pocket.
"Here you know how to use it right? Just place it in mid air then turn it and enter the building, Victor is resting on the second floor. Just remember when you are done talking to him return from the same place you came from and then give the key back to me."
With that Litch turned back around and left without a second thought.
'Tsk, how unprofessional.'
Inwardly, I criticised Litch while using the key to open the door of light to the mirror world. I once again stepped into the magical white light and soon found myself in an abandoned town with a small bar in front of me.
Step by step I made my way into the bar, then upstairs to the second floor.
There were about four rooms, but the doors to three of them were wide open. It was slightly off-putting in fact due to the quiet atmosphere.
Now, standing in front of the only closed door, I knocked on it a few times.
"Mr. Victor are you in there? This is Amon Civik I am here to pay you a visit."
From the other side, I heard his polite voice once more asking me to come in.
I gently opened the door and stepped inside.
On the bed, I saw Victor whose arms were completely wrapped up in bandages.
"Mr. Civik you didn't have to visit me."
"No, no. This is basic courtesy to visit the person who saved my life. And please, do call me Amon."
I felt a small pain in my heart the moment I saw him all wrapped up like a mummy, but he surprisingly seemed quite energetic, a complete opposite to what I thought he would be.
With the cane in hand, I placed it next to his bed which made him have a slightly confused expression.
"Amon what is this?"
"A small gift to the one that risked his life for me."
He seemed like he wanted to refuse it, but I cut him off and insisted he accept it.
"Please take it Mr. Victor. It would help alleviate some of the guilt in my heart if you were to accept this gift."
At my words, he seemed to ponder a little before eventually accepting it.
'What a kind man, if only Litch was half as polite as he was...'
It was good to see Victor relatively well but there was still so much to talk about.
I took a chair and sat next to him.
'What should I talk about first?'