Chapter 26 - The First Move

 "Are you making breakfast?" Erin asked, walking into the kitchen, enjoying the smell of waffles.
"A big batch too! There are so many of us it's wonderful!" Arlie continued to mix the batter, a smile of contentment as she tasted it before pouring it the waffle oven.

 "These are great, Arlie" Teddy said taking a huge fork full into his mouth. It was the first full meal they had together, and the first full meal they had in a long time.
"Thank you, I enjoyed  too if I do say so myself" Arlie said, looking down at her empty plate.
"Yes they look just fantastic " A skeptic Arya said under her breath. She always seemed to be the downer on everyone.

Erin went out to her usual spot after breakfast. She grabbed the news paper anxiously... there was something she wanted to read. 

She didn't need to open the newspaper, as what she was looking for was on the first page, headline news.

 She finished reading, a smile across her face. Part one, complete.

"So you've read the news?  " Harrison smiled, opening his arms.
"Yes!" Erin exclaimed.
"Now we don't have to hide anymore" Harrison pointed out. "Great thinking on your part"
Erin playfully punched him, he grabbed her arm and swung it back around him into a bigger embrace.
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"Now you look like an Ulaysian!" Arlie clapped happily at what she had done to Erin. 

"I don't know," Erin said feeling a little troublesome. "It feels weird"

"Oh you're lucky, I could have went all out on you. I kept it simple for your sake" Arlie said, winking.

"Well thanks, Arlie" Erin was about to walk out the room when Arlie grabbed her arm.

"Be safe" She said, for the first time Erin heard a tone of seriousness in her voice.

"What are you - "

Arlie cut her off. "I know what you're going to do. And I also know what Vlad is going to do. I see things in my mind, Erin. I picture him at the gates of some old castle. There's somewhere to start, now go before any sees you."

Erin was bewildered. Arlie's talents came in great uses but they also had their downside - she knew what EVERYONE was up to, and she saw bits and pieces of what their actions were.

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 "It's so nice to be out again" Arlie smiled as she traced the wooden table with her hand. "I hated running and hiding. It's no fun."
"I can't imagine." Brian said looking around. They were in a small cafe type thing where tables jammed the inside They were the only ones there.
Arlie nodded. "I hope you like it here... I mean... well you guys don't have to go back to Sunset Valley once this is all over."
Brian looked over at her as she went  on hurriedly after seeing the expression on his face. "W-what I mean is it's really nice here and, and.. we have good hotdogs." Arlie looked back down at the table.
"No," he laughed, "I know what you mean." He smiled at her as she blushed, her eyes could have been burning a hole into the table. "I don't see why we would leave."
She looked back up and for the first time for both of them it felt like everyone was actually normal.

 It wasn't hard sneaking out of the house. Everyone seemed to be preoccupied with something or out in the town enjoying having their freedom once again.

 And the castle Arlie talked about? It wasn't hard to find at all. All Erin had to do was look for the creepiest and oldest building in town and sure enough, this was it. But being the oldest and creepiest had to come with disadvantages. Most likely old enchantments send trespassers home.
It's worth a shot she thought.

 She ran her hand over the old door, feeling for anything unusual. She concentrated as she grazed her hand against its rock structure. She didn't know she was doing it but soon enough she was murmuring some language out loud.

 That seemed to do the trick. She looked cautiously in front of her. It seemed peaceful enough. Birds dancing around the fountain as it gave them fresh water to drink, butterflies hazily flying around near flowers. But Erin knew looks could be deceiving, and she wasn't going to let her guard down.

 The front door was locked. On closer look she realized that she couldn't personally break the enchantment, but she needed a special stone for the lock that would.

She continued on, noticing the suns which seemed to be setting.

 Of course, every maze needs a garden. She laughed out loud, her mind set. Let the games begin.

 I'm not sure where this is going to lead me, she thought as she got to the center of the maze. But I don't even know what I'm looking for.
It was true. The only thing that she was going off was the fact the Vlad had been here. Or at least tried to get in. She wasn't going to put it past her and she had a gut feeling that something was on the inside.

 She went in, and came out. It seemed like nothing even happened. Nothing was even in there. She was disappointed. I need to stop wasting time..  she thought I'll just go home and return tomorrow. 

 The likeliness seemed impossible, and it seemed to Erin that she would be spending the night..

 She was unprepared and scared. I should have put more thought in this... I shouldn't have came alone.
Her mind race as she scavenged for food.
That's when she noticed the secret door.

 And it was worth the try..

 She descended flight upon flights of stairs.

 Learning quickly, she dissembled traps,  her mind becoming stronger as she figured out ancient enchantments and how to use them against other ones.

 She broke rocks, her arms becoming jello as she hammered against their will screaming out in pain of sore muscles.

 But her work paid off as she found the first key.

 Lights burst from the two rocks as they sealed together their enchantments, opening a back door.

 Her stomach groweled as she looked at the kitchen.  She remembered the food she had harvested and the setting suns so she pushed on, not wanting to waste any time.

 She moved on, she stepped down the stairs into a cool basement. A weird smell filled her nose as she reached the final step.

This must be some kind of prison . She thought, noting the door.
She couldn't help feeling sorry for whoever had to sleep in here. The bed reminded her of how tired she was.

There was no point in denying that she would not make it back before the sun finally set. "Let the game being" she yawned.
She rolled over and went to sleep.