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
Calvin glanced at Lizzie, who was fighting to keep her eyes open, her eyelids drooping with exhaustion. "We need to take a break," he said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "If we don't rest, we're not going to make any progress. Our brains need a chance to reset."Lizzie yawned widely, covering her mouth with her hand. "You're right. I'll take a nap," she agreed, her voice barely above a whisper. She turned towards the bedroom, her steps slow and heavy. "Wake me up in a couple of hours?""Of course," Calvin replied with a reassuring smile. "I'll go get us some food in the meantime. How about Chinese from the place down the street?""Sounds perfect," Lizzie murmured, her voice fading as she headed to the bed. She collapsed onto the mattress, not even bothering to change her clothes, and within moments, she was fast asleep.Calvin grabbed his keys and slipped out the door, the cool evening air a welcome change from the intense focus and the stale indoor atmosphere of the past hou
Calvin and Lizzie sat in the living room, the warm glow of the lamp casting long shadows over the scattered remnants of their parents' lives. Journals with frayed edges, yellowing papers filled with intricate handwriting, and sketches that seemed almost magical were strewn across the floor and table. The air was thick with the scent of old paper and the weight of unanswered questions.Calvin rubbed his temples, feeling the pressure mounting. He sighed deeply and looked at his sister, his eyes reflecting a mix of determination and despair. "The only thing we can conclude right now," he began, his voice heavy with exhaustion, "is that our parents created the family heirloom amulet with years of research. It's as if they knew the war between Han Xin and Barrion would break out."Lizzie nodded, her eyes fixed on a detailed drawing of the amulet. The delicate lines and symbols seemed to pulse with hidden meaning, their complexity hinting at a depth of knowledge far beyond their understandi
Calvin collapsed onto his bed, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up to him. He barely had time to pull the blanket over himself before sleep overtook him, pulling him into a deep, yet turbulent slumber.The first scene in his dream was disorienting. He found himself standing on the edge of a tall building, the wind whipping around him with a ferocity that made him stagger. Below, the city lights of Ellstown twinkled like distant stars, but there was an eerie silence, a calm that felt unnatural. Suddenly, he felt a forceful shove on his back. He turned, but there was no one there. His heart raced as he lost his balance, teetering on the edge. He tried to scream, but no sound came out. As he fell, the ground rushed up to meet him, and just before impact, the scene shifted."Calvin, wake up!" a voice echoed in his mind, distant and haunting.Now he was standing in a dark, cold room. In the center of the room, on a pedestal, lay the family heirloom amulet. It was glowing with a p