"Well, not right there either!" Alland said with his trademark grin. "But, before we come to Alyssa's place, we have to request access through the library."It was Eryk's turn to frown. "Requesting access through the library? I do not understand what you mean. Is she someone important in the library or something?""The business card Alyssa gave you is actually a book club membership card. And only some people can get that membership card. That means if it's your first time getting it, you must confirm your identity as the official owner of that membership card. And the confirmation process can only be done through the library.""Does that mean I have to ask your mom's permission first? She is, isn't she, the head of the librarian?"Alland shook his head vigorously. "Not! Even Mom doesn't know about this book club secret. But we have to see the Head of Archives, Mr. Lewis. He's in charge of the book club and members' special access.""Head of the Archives? Mister Lewis?""You should ha
"Is Mr. Lewis dead?"Alan's question echoed in the quiet library room. Eryk let go of Alland's embrace."Wait here. I'll check," Eryk said firmly.Eryk stepped to the side of Mr. Lewis' seat. The man's odd and lifeless facial expression looked like a mannequin's. Eryk could barely meet the man's eyes that were once full of kindness.Eryk checked Mr. Lewis's wrist to ensure there was no pulse. His skin was still warm and soft."He's dead, but it happened recently," Eryk said regretfully.Without Eryk noticing, Alland was already standing beside him. The boy's face was red, and tears were ready to burst from there."Why?" asked Alland, sobbing. "Mr. Lewis has never hurt anyone. He helps people. He was always kind to the whole club."Alland slumped beside Mr. Lewis. It was then that Eryk noticed Mr. Lewis's hand was tightly clenched, and inside, he could see something white."Control yourself, Alland. Look, there's something here!" said Eryk, pointing at Mr. Lewis' clenched fist. "He mus
"Aarrgh!"Alland screamed somewhere not far from where Eryk was standing. The boy was attacked by a giant spider.Eryk was about to approach the boy, but something hit his side, and he fell. Hot and sticky liquid sprayed on Eryk's face. The liquid dripped from above, and Eryk realized it was saliva from a giant spider's mouth.One of the spider's forelegs, which had black hair, held Eryk's arm. The weight of the spider's arms forced the air out of Eryk's lungs. The spider's pair of red eyes stared at Eryk with its clawed mouth closed. Then, the mouth opened slowly, only a few inches from Eryk's face.Eryk was sure the spider would soon sink its fangs into its tender flesh. He also felt the lizards rushing away as if terrified of the spider."If I were you, I wouldn't move," Black Widow said.Eryk turned away from the spider's legs with great difficulty and saw that Alland had also been pounced on.Black Widow stood not far from the spider, still pinching Eryk's chest. The woman snappe
"Eryk!" Allan shouted.The boy saw the direction Eryk was going and tried to catch up with him. The gunfire stopped as Alland caught up with Eryk along the corridor.They passed through several doors before arriving at a set of stairs that led down. Eryk jumped three steps at once, and Alland hurriedly followed him. At the bottom of the stairs, Eryk pushed open the men's room door. There is a head-high window above the sink."Eryk, stop!" Alland shouted. "The police are on our side!"Before opening the window, Eryk glanced at Alland."No, Alland. They are not on our side!" said Eryk.With extraordinary agility, Eryk climbed beside the sink. He opened the window lever but had trouble pushing it. He decided to kick the window open, and the lever broke."Eryk, we can explain what just happened to the police. They will believe us! Did you forget? My dad is the head of the prison," Alland said, trying to convince Eryk. He didn't climb with Eryk.Eryk was still busy and trying hard to open
"We go to my place and call Alyssa on Dad's cell.""Don't you have your own cell phone?" Eryk frowned. "Today's children are always facilitated by gadgets."Alland looked irritated. "But not with me! After all, this city's access and use of cell phones are severely restricted. Only certain people can own a cell phone, which must be registered. There isn't even internet access here.""Good grief! I almost forgot that this city is really complicated." Eryk grumbled.Eryk was lost in his own thoughts as they rushed to Alland's house. The tension from the chase had just died down. Eryk's feelings were burdened."You're not wrong, you know that!" muttered Alland. It was as if the boy could guess what Eryk was thinking.The two watched each other for any police presence as they hurriedly made their way down the deserted sidewalk. Black is seen waiting at the intersection. However, Eryk didn't see White there. Maybe she is angry.Black will croak twice if the path ahead is clear and once if
"Keep me locked up?" Eryk could hardly believe what the crow was saying. Out of curiosity, he pressed harder on the doorknob to confirm. Eryk's skin crawled. Exhausted and annoyed, Eryk looked back at Black. The crow raised its lungs to say, "What did I say?" Eryk put his ear to the door. The noise from the TV made it hard to hear outside sounds. "... for the good of all of us..." said Mr. Jarvis. The man's voice rose and fell, and only heard fragments. However, Alland's voice sounded louder. "But, Eryk has nothing to do with that! I swear!" Mrs. Jarvis cut in, "You're still a child, Alland. You don't understand what happened. When everything is clear, you will thank us." "Please, Dad, no!" "Just this once, Alland. Hear our verdict!" said Mr. Jarvis in a loud voice. "It has been decided. I'm calling detectives. We're going to have a police car brought here!" "Don't!" Alland shouted. "How can you?" Eryk began to understand the situation that was happening out there. Eryk's eye
"Calm down... don't overreact. I can understand. You haven't interacted with humans outside your lair for far too long." Eryk was getting annoyed. "You broke into my house without even permission!" The young man shouted loudly while threatening and pointing a dagger. "White, let me come here. And I've been watching you for a long time. Surely you remember me, right? My name is Barbro." "I don't care what your name is. Get out of here before I kill you!" The homeless man grinned. "Looks like you're getting better at killing people. Usually, you should just kill without needing any prior warning. I consider you a fine young man, Bird Control." "Stop calling me that! My name is Eryk." "Is it right?" Barbro smiled oddly. "But you talk to the birds, don't you? Not only your white owl but also the crows and other birds? Please, Bird Control... I mean, Eryk. We have much to discuss. You're… a summoner, I presume?" Eryk's face paled. He tried to breathe calmly. "So what if I could tal
"Dad?" Alland whispered softly while keeping himself from moving when Eryk threatened him with a dagger."Eryk, get down!" Mr. Jarvis once again called him from downstairs.Eryk felt his heartbreak. Time and time again, he felt cheated and betrayed by those he trusted."You directed your father here?""Not!" Alland said with conviction. His face looked pale. "No, I didn't do that!"Eryk hissed beside Alland. The boy was almost up to Eryk's chest, and he could easily see Alland's expression."I swear, Eryk. I didn't bring him here. He must have followed me secretly."While still threatening Alland with the dagger, Eryk peeked out of the nest. His heart sank at that time too. There were a lot of cops down there—at least three of them circling the tree with Mr. Jarvis."I saw that young man!" said one of the policemen, touching the gun at his waist."Don't use it!" said Mr. Jarvis fiercely. "We don't know what he was