Charlie's grip tightened around my mouth as footsteps echoed closer—heavy, deliberate, hungry.
The strangers were climbing the stairs.
We couldn't hide much longer.
Charlie leaned close, whispering against my ear, "Young Master… when I say run, run. Quietly."
My heart pounded so loudly I feared they would hear it.
We were pressed flat against the wall, swallowed by shadows, as the intruders approached the storeroom door.
"Check that room," one of them growled.
Keys jingled.
Boots thudded.
They were seconds away.
Charlie's hand slid from my mouth to my wrist.
"Now," he breathed.
He pulled me down the corridor, silent as a ghost.
We ran—not toward the stairs, but toward the far end of the hallway where tall windows lined the mansion's outer wall.
Wind rattled the glass as if warning us.
"Charlie—what are you—"
"No time!"
He shoved the nearest window open with his elbow.
Cold night air rushed in.
Below us—far below—the lake shimmered darkly under the moonlight.
"We're jumping," Charlie said.
My breath snapped. "Wh-What!? It's too high!"
"They'll kill you if we stay. Hold the book tight."
His eyes flicked to my chest.
Instinctively, I stuffed the book inside my shirt, pressing it firmly against my heart.
The window behind us burst open—
A shout echoed:
"There! They're escaping!"
Charlie didn't hesitate.
He grabbed my arm—
"Jump!"
We leapt.
The world spun—wind slashing across my face, the lake rushing up to swallow us.
Then—
Splash!
The icy water punched the breath from my lungs. Darkness swallowed my vision. My limbs flailed wildly as the cold dragged me down like iron chains.
The book shifted inside my shirt, but I clutched it desperately.
I kicked upward—
Toward air.
Toward life.
Finally, I burst through the surface, coughing and gasping.
"YOUNG MASTER!"
Charlie's voice carried across the water.
Through my blurred vision, I saw him already near the opposite shore, waving urgently—standing at the base of a vast forest whose tall trees loomed like silent giants.
I started swimming—
Or trying to.
Every stroke burned.
The lake water was so cold it felt like knives against my skin.
But I pushed forward.
For Father.
For Mother.
For my brothers.
For answers.
At last, with the last of my strength, I reached the shore.
Charlie grabbed my arm and pulled me onto the grass.
I collapsed on my knees, shivering uncontrollably.
Beyond us, the green deadly forest stretched endlessly, its massive trees twisting into the darkness like tangled claws. Strange sounds echoed faintly within—low growls, rustling leaves, the whisper of unseen creatures.
This place…
felt alive.
And dangerous.
"We can't stay soaked," Charlie muttered, scanning the surroundings. "You'll freeze."
Before I could respond, he lifted his hand—
And snapped his fingers.
A soft pop echoed.
A spark ignited.
Flames bloomed from nothing.
A small fire roared to life before us, crackling brightly and illuminating the forest edge.
My body froze—not from cold, but shock.
My eyes widened.
My mouth slowly opened.
"Ch-Charlie…" I whispered, voice trembling.
"Is that… is that magic?"
Charlie didn't answer immediately.
He stared into the flames, shadows flickering across his wet face, his expression unreadable.
Finally, he exhaled a long, weary breath.
"Yes, Young Master," he said quietly.
"There is much you do not know."