A frantic knocking resounded from the door, startling Charity. Andrew got up to answer it after assuring that Charity was alright. Leah burst through the doorway and ran to Charity, practically knocking Andrew over in the process. Charity’s confused expression changed instantly the moment she saw Leah.

  Andrew observed the two from a distance, frowning a bit as Charity began weeping once again. Leah pulled Charity into an embrace, comforting her friend as sobs shook her body. Despite Leah’s coldness toward him even now, Andrew was impressed with the care and attentiveness she showed Charity. In the short time Leah had been there, she had redressed the bandage on Charity’s hand, made both Charity and Peter a plate of food, and had Charity smiling more than Andrew had seen her do since receiving the news.

  “It’s almost curfew,” Leah stated. “Do you want to stay here tonight, Charity?”

  Charity nodded. Andrew's shoulders relaxed slightly. She might be unconvinced, but he knew the truth. An Elite had been watching her, and he could only hope the Elite didn’t realize Charity had noticed. If it did, Charity, and possibly even Leah, may have less time than he initially thought.

  Thankfully, staying at the high chairman’s house would offer some protection, at least for now. However, Andrew knew the safety they had tonight wouldn’t last long and that they could be living on borrowed time. He needed to prepare, to find a way to save them before it was too late, and he would utilize the safety of tonight to prevent the danger and uncertainty of tomorrow.

  “I should probably get going,” Andrew stated.

  “You’re leaving already?” Charity asked.

  “What, did you want me to stay the night, too?” Andrew smirked.

  Charity’s ears began to burn. “Well, no, I, y-you…”

  Andrew laughed, interrupting her stammering. “I can come back tomorrow if you want me to. I’ll take you to dinner if you still want it.”

  “I’ll think about it,” Charity replied playfully, a hint of excitement flickered in her still red eyes. It seemed that even in her darkest moments, Charity’s adventurous light could not be diminished.

  Leah rolled her eyes and made a gagging motion while pointing to her mouth. Andrew wasn’t sure whether that meant she was warming up to him or if she despised him even more.

  “I hope you get some rest tonight, Charity,” he said sincerely. Charity replied with a soft, sad smile, and Andrew left without another word.

  The sun was barely setting when Andrew drove away from the Charity’s house, and now the moon was high in the black sky. After a few hours of travel, parked his car in a crowded lot approximately a mile away from the dense forest he now had to traverse. Leaves crinkled loudly beneath his feet as he moved them around, carefully covering his tracks. The flashlight he held flickered occasionally, reminding Andrew he forgot to check its batteries before he left.

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  A groan rumbled through his chest as he smacked his hand against the flashlight in an attempt to steady the beam. It seemed to work temporarily, but the bulb began flickering once more just as Andrew reached an abandoned mine hewn into the mountain’s dense rock. He looked around once more, ensuring he had no unwanted attention, and then entered the old, decrepit place.

  Because mining had always been an integral part of Caladun since King Abaddon came to power, abandoned mines were a common sight, and most casual hikers or passersby paid as much attention to these sites as they did the many trees that peppered the mountain’s terrain.

  However, Andrew knew this was no ordinary mine. It was instead the entrance to his home. He glided over the dilapidated frames with ease and ventured deep within the treacherous cavern. Long after the moonlight was far behind him, his flashlight died, leaving Andrew alone in a pit of absolute darkness.

  Andrew groaned loudly, annoyed at the inconvenience his lack of preparation caused.

  “Hey, man, if you can hear me, I could use your help. I messed up,” Andrew called out, his voice echoing in the darkness. When silence was the only response, Andrew grumbled before reaching out his hands to awkwardly feel around, hoping to reach a solid wall he could use to navigate deeper down the cavern.

  “I know you can hear me, Tsur. I know you’re close by. Can you help me out, please?” Andrew shouted again, his frustration reverberating off the wall.

  “Found you!” He shouted, grabbing hold of a jagged rock jutting out of the wall.

  Suddenly, the ground trampled, and the wall began to move as though the cavern itself had come to life. Andrew stepped back as the sound of grinding stones filled the old mine shaft, covering his ears until the deafening noise ended. Once the ground was still and the mine shaft silent, Andrew grinned at a glowing pair of green eyes high above him. They were the only light illuminating the otherwise pitch black area.

  “Tsur! How’ve you been, buddy?” Andrew greeted the stone giant, craning his neck to meet Tsur’s disapproving gaze.

  A gravely groan echoed from above, but the giant made no indication that he was pleased to see Andrew.

  “Okay, listen,” Andrew began, “I know I said I’d make sure my flashlight worked before I left, but I forgot. I promise it’s the last time.”

  Without responding, the giant pushed a small, glowing rock into Andrew’s hand. A warm, golden hue illuminated the area, fully revealing Tsur’s immense form. Too large to stand upright, he was stooped over, his rough, jagged body overtaking nearly the entire cave. Every movement sent gravely echoes throughout the darkness and shook the ground beneath Andrew’s feet.

  “Thanks, man,” Andrew said, rubbing the back of his head. “I promise I won’t forget again.”

  “Humans,” Tsur grumbled in a deep tone that shook the rocky foundations of the old mine. “What is the use of your puny heads if they do not remember things?”

  “All the more reason why we need our big golem to protect us, right?” Andrew joked.

  “Hmm,” Tsur grumbled. “I have guarded this entrance for many years, and you are the one who forgets the most.”

  “Oh come on, Tsur. I can’t be that bad,” Andrew tried defending himself.

  “You can,” Tsur argued.

  “Alright, big man. I’m sorry. I’ll start packing backup batteries from now on,” Andrew said.

  “I do not believe you,” Tsur responded before shifting his weight just enough to reveal a gaping chasm that seemed to stretch on forever.

  “Thanks, man,” Andrew replied, walking through the opening.

  “You are welcome, Andrew,” Tsur said before stepping back into place and effectively sealing Andrew into the dark passageway.

  Andrew shook his head and grumbled, “Immortals.”