Chapter Eleven Page Nine, Mary and Dani, The Warehouse on North Street

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“You are being watched by the party opposite those who captured him,” the Mother said, “This party will know if you find him, and will likely act on such knowledge to attempt a rescue. If you find your father while he is in captivity, it will be the last time you see him.”

“What am I supposed to do then?” Mary asked.

“Would you rather see him one final time?” The Mother asked, “Or be content in the knowledge that he is alive?”

Mary could not think of an answer.

“I may be able to offer our assistance to you, to rescue your father in such a way that he does not die due to our actions,” the Mother said, “But only after you have secured the Candle Crown. Until then, a shopkeeper in Downtown, Aland, may be your first clue, should you attempt to rescue your father on your own.”

“Thank you,” Mary said.

This elicited laughter, and the terrible impression that a thousand fingers were poking around in her head, etching designs both alien and strange. They were digging, Mary thought, why hadn’t she noticed it yet? They’d been in there the entire time! She hated it. It was the worst thing to feel in the world. She shut her eyes.

Dani’s hand was at her shoulder next, “Mary,” she said, “They’re gone.”

Mary opened her eyes. The room was brighter. It was the evening light, though. “Oh,” she said.

“What did they do?” Dani asked, “When they removed the blinds all I could see was, like, you getting fetal.”

Mary uncurled and sat up. She brought her knees to her chin, “I don’t know.” Her voice carried all the power of a rusted battery, “I don’t know what I expected them to say.”

“About your father?” Dani asked.

The door on the side of the warehouse shook, and then swung open. Will entered. He was holding an iron sword in his right hand. Some Latin words were engraved on the side; no one in the room could really see them clear enough to read or understand them. He was wearing a white and red pea coat and military boots. “Ok,” he said, “I’m here.” He looked startled to see Mary.

“A little late,” Dani said, “You were right, by the way. I guess you were a hero yesterday.”

His face twisted a little. His insides did too, but that was significantly less visible.

“Thanks though,” Dani said, “They were expecting us to be here.”

“Oh,” Will said, “Shit.”

“You played right into their hands, dude,” Dani said, “But I guess I can’t blame you. They just gave me a mission. They gave Mary a mission too and then freaked her out about her dad.”

“Her dad?” Will asked.

“He’s been captured,” Mary said, “The Mother told me that he’s being held in a basement somewhere.”

“Well,” Will said, “Where? Do you have any leads? Did they give you any hints?” He sheathed the sword, “We should probably start looking tonight, before it gets too late.”

Mary shook her head.

“In the hero mood?” Dani asked. “It seems you are suddenly filled with inspiration and, like, giving a shit about things. That’s pretty cool. But nope. Mary doesn’t know a single thing.”

“If I go looking for him, he will die,” Mary said, “The Mother said so.”

“You keep saying ‘The Mother’ like I know what you’re talking about,” Will said, “Who is it?”

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