Page 31 of Dawn of Hope
No.
There has to be something I missed.
I can feel my tether of hope pulled tight and ready to snap at any moment.
Laying the books side by side, I flip both to the beginning of the stories. I scan the text of the first, looking for any hints or patterns in the writing, anything that can be turned into a code or cipher, but come up with nothing. I look more closely at the sketches, analyzing every detail, trying to find anything hidden or some elements that could point to directions or a map.
Nothing.
I flip through the pages almost a hundred times as I sit there analyzing every little detail, trying to findsomething.
That is it.
There is nothing here.
I fall back, my head hitting the wall behind me and let out a frustrated sigh. Pain shoots through my neck as I move, sore from hunching over for so long.
Wait a second.
An image flashes before my eyes, and I bolt upright. I grab the picture book and flip to the page with the crying boy. My heart pounds in my ears as I take in what I had missed before.
There.
Behind the crying boy walking through an old city is a tiny structure, a fountain, overflowing with water.
I draw the book closer, trying to make out more details.
It looks so familiar, almost like the one I had just stumbled upon earlier today. That one looked decrepit and broken, and this one looked beautiful and new. But the shape…
Could it be the same?
I looked at the rest of the sketch, but it looked nothing like Blackwood, mainly because of the lack of forest and fog. If this isn’t Blackwood, could it still be the same fountain? The rest of the pictures were so focused on telling the story. Why would the artist put something in the picture if it wasn’t important?
“If you didn’t want to work with me anymore, you just could have been honest.”
I slam the book shut and look up quickly. “Dane.” His name comes out breathier than I intended, and I quickly clear my throat and breathe through my nose, trying to slow my beating heart.
He quirks an eyebrow. “Were you expecting someone else?”
“No, I’m sorry. I guess I took a longer break than I wanted.”
For the first time since sitting down, I notice the window next to me is pitch black.
Fuck.
I need to get back to the castle.
“That’s alright. Are you ready to leave?”
“Yes.” I stand up quickly and leave the books on the seat. Dane’s eye catches on the stack, but he says nothing as I step in front of them, blocking his view. We collect our unused books from the table and head back to the castle just like the first night.
I force him to stop again, about a block away from the gate, as I pull my hood up and low over my face.
“I’m sorry for keeping you away from your sister late into the evening again. Hopefully she isn’t too upset with you.”
“It’s alright, she doesn’t mind.”
“So,” I start, glancing down at my hands clasped in front of me. Why do I feel nervous saying goodbye to him? We’re friends. Hopefully.