“Good luck, Jack.” George said. “And don’t tell him, but make sure that old crack-pot is safe. Wouldn’t be the same without him.”
“I will, George, if I can.” We shook hands as old friends who know they might not meet again, and George left for the bar room. Brook and I pushed the door into the kitchen. Vera was there, and had tied a blanket parcel of supplies for us.
“All I could do on short notice.” She said as she handed it to me. “Some bread dried meat, and a bone for Bess.” She gestured affectionately to the dog, who seemed to be the only one enjoying herself.
“You have our thanks, Vera. Truly.” I told her and she gave me a fretful smile.
With that I unsheathed my knife and headed to the door to the yard behind the inn, followed by Brook and Bess. It took us a moment for our eyes to adjust to the gloom. It was a starless night, a thick bank of cloud having rolled in with the evening. That suited me fine. I knew this area well enough to find my way in the dark, and counted on whoever had come to the inn looking for Brook not being so well acquainted. Silent as foxes we made our way around the building. I decided we would make for the hermit across country, avoiding the path that led most of the way there. It would add an hour to the journey, but I still hoped to get there before dawn. That way we would have the cover of darkness the whole distance.
After checking the coast was clear, the three of us dashed across the yard and towards a line of trees on the brow of hill that overlooked the inn. Once under the eaves I allowed myself a moment to stop and glance back, and was relieved to see no pursuit, nor any commotion at the inn. Hoping our luck would hold, we pressed on into the woods.
We hiked all the rest of the night through knotted woods and rolling hills, keeping to cover as much as we could. We talked little, but I could not help but ask Brook about the dream we had been sharing before we had been roused.
“Pieces are coming back to me.” He said. “It’s as if these memories are shut inside of me somewhere, and are beginning to leak out.” He took my hand. “I’m not sure I could face them without you, Jack.” I squeezed his hand back.
“Whatever it takes, Brook. We are in this together.”
Fear stalked us that night, but there was no other sign of pursuit, and as the sky was greying we felt the slip of rounded stones under our boots as we stepped onto the beach and approached the house. The window was dully lit, so I went to that first. Squinting through the glass I saw Asprey lying motionless his work bench, a scattering of papers under is head. I nodded to Brook who pulled the handle for the bell, and I was relieved to see Asprey stir at the sound. I knocked on the window, prompting him to look and his sleepiness turned to alert recognition. Hurrying to the door he let us in, concern on his face.
“My boys, I didn’t expect you back quite so soon. Is anything the matter?” I waited until the door was closed before answering.
“There’s trouble.”