When the lid opened, Calvin and Lizzie were shocked to find another, smaller chest inside, and it was locked. Lizzie floated back to the ground, the green light fading from her body until she was just Lizzie again."Is there no key?" Lizzie asked, her voice tinged with frustration and worry.Calvin began searching the room frantically, rifling through the old boxes and forgotten items. "There has to be a key somewhere," he muttered, his hands shaking slightly with urgency. He lifted up old books, peered behind dusty furniture, and searched every nook and cranny, but the key remained elusive.As he continued his search, a noise from outside reached their ears—a series of footsteps growing steadily closer. Calvin froze, his eyes widening in alarm. "Lizzie," he whispered, "I think those are Han Xin soldiers. They might have seen the light from your amulet and are coming back to check."Lizzie's face paled as she glanced around the room. "What do we do? We can't get caught here."Calvin t
Calvin and Lizzie moved cautiously through the rubble-strewn streets, each step taken with care to avoid making any noise that might attract attention. The two-hour window given by the convoy leader was rapidly dwindling, and they knew they had to hurry. Bacca, the capital of Barrion, was a strategic location and the Han Xin soldiers were bound to tighten their grip on the city, conducting daily sweeps to secure resources. Rumors of a hidden mine, the source of Barrion's wealth, made the city a constant target."We have to hurry, Lizzie," Calvin whispered urgently to his sister. "We can't be left behind by the convoy."Lizzie nodded, her eyes wide with determination and fear. They quickened their pace, the weight of the smaller chest they carried slowing them down only slightly. However, their progress came to a sudden halt when they spotted a patrol of Han Xin soldiers ahead. Without hesitation, they ducked into a nearly destroyed old house, pressing themselves against the crumbling
Lindsay and the convoy group had gathered at the rendezvous point, anxiously watching the horizon. The air was thick with tension, and every minute felt like an eternity. They knew the risk of waiting too long in such a vulnerable spot.“Calvin and Lizzie aren’t back yet,” Lindsay muttered, her voice tinged with worry as she scanned the distance for any sign of her friends.One of the convoy members, a grizzled man named Marcus, shook his head. “We have to leave now, Lindsay. The drones are already in the air, and staying here puts us all at risk.”Lindsay bit her lip, torn between loyalty and practicality. “Just a few more minutes. They’ll make it,” she insisted, her eyes darting around nervously.Another member, a young woman named Elena, glanced nervously at the sky. “Lindsay, the drones are getting closer. We can’t afford to be here when they start their sweep.”Lindsay clenched her fists, her frustration growing. She couldn’t bear the thought of leaving Calvin and Lizzie behind,
Calvin hid the small chest beneath his coat, feeling its weight press against him as he rejoined the convoy. The group was busy gathering and sorting the supplies they had scavenged from Bacca: medicines, bandages, and a few cans of food. The air was thick with the tension of their recent narrow escape, and everyone worked quickly to prepare for their next move.Calvin and Lizzie exchanged worried glances. They had nearly caused the convoy to leave without them, and now they stood empty-handed amidst the others' successful scavenging efforts. Lindsay approached them, her expression stern but tempered with a hint of understanding.“You did well yesterday, Calvin,” Lindsay said, her voice firm. “That’s the only reason you’re getting a pass this time. But listen carefully—there won’t be a next time. If either of you are late again, you’ll be left behind.”Calvin nodded, swallowing hard. “We understand, Lindsay. We’re sorry for the delay. It won’t happen again.”Lizzie looked down, clutch
The next morning, Calvin and Lizzie woke up early, eager to fulfill their duties. The camp was already bustling with activity as they joined the others in assisting the sick and injured. Calvin administered first aid to a man with a severe leg wound while Lizzie distributed food and water to those in need. They worked tirelessly, their thoughts occasionally drifting back to the discoveries they had made the previous night.By midday, the sun was high in the sky, and the heat was becoming oppressive. Calvin wiped the sweat from his brow and approached Lizzie, who was tending to a child with a fever. "Lizzie, can we talk for a moment?" he asked, his voice low.Lizzie looked up, concern etched on her face. "Sure, what's on your mind?"Calvin glanced around to ensure no one was listening. "We need to go back to Hudden. There are too many questions left unanswered, and we need to find Mom's diary. Plus, I have to recover my amulet before the week's up. If I don't, my reputation as a healer
Calvin and Lizzie finally arrived at the airport, the bustling atmosphere a stark contrast to the tense environment they had just left. They hurried to the ticket counter, purchasing the earliest flight back to Hudden. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, and for a brief moment, Calvin allowed himself to relax.As they made their way to the waiting area, Calvin's eyes scanned the crowd. Suddenly, his gaze fixed on a group of individuals dressed differently from the other travelers. They wore dark uniforms, their demeanor authoritative and their eyes sharp. Calvin's gut churned with a sense of impending danger."Lizzie," he whispered urgently, nudging her arm. "Cover your face with your hoodie and pretend to be asleep."Lizzie glanced at him, her eyes wide with confusion and fear. "What's wrong?""Just do it," Calvin insisted, pulling his own hoodie over his head and leaning back in his seat, feigning sleep.Lizzie followed suit, her heart pounding in her chest. She closed her eyes,
Calvin and Lizzie sighed in relief as the plane ascended, leaving the ground and their pursuers far behind. The horizon stretched out before them, guiding them back to Hudden. The soft hum of the engines was a comforting backdrop to the tension that had gripped them for the past few days.Calvin looked over at Lizzie, attempting a reassuring smile. "Everything will be alright," he said softly, though his own heart was still heavy with unease. The anxiety of their narrow escape and the mysterious pursuit weighed on him.Lizzie nodded, though her eyes remained clouded with worry. "I hope you're right," she whispered, leaning back in her seat. The exhaustion in her voice was palpable, a reflection of the harrowing ordeal they had just endured.Calvin, too, felt a knot of anxiety in his stomach. The presence of the Han Xin soldiers at the airport and the photograph of them fleeing from the drone lingered in his mind. They have the picture from the drone, clearly, they are from the Han Xin
Calvin and Lizzie hailed a taxi, their nerves frayed but their spirits slightly lifted by the prospect of finally being back in Hudden. The cab ride was a quiet one, with both of them lost in their thoughts, the city passing by in a blur of motion and color. The taxi pulled up in front of their house, and they both exhaled a sigh of relief.The house stood there, seemingly unchanged, a beacon of familiarity amidst the chaos they had endured. Calvin and Lizzie quickly gathered their things and hurried up the front steps. Calvin fumbled with his keys, his fingers trembling slightly from a mix of exhaustion and anxiety.Once inside, Calvin locked the door behind them with a decisive click. The sound of the lock engaging was oddly reassuring, a small barrier against the uncertainties outside. The interior of the house felt like a time capsule, untouched since their hurried departure. The furniture was covered with dust sheets, the air still and quiet. For a moment, they both simply stood