2 - Into The Castle

“More coffee, sir?” asked the server, with a shy smile, holding a fresh pot in hand.

Asher looked in his white mug, discovering with his brown, chocolate eyes that it was empty and then turned to the girl. “No, I should probably get going. Just the bill, please.”

She nodded, a little disappointment showing on her face. The bill was brought to him quickly along with the server’s phone number. Asher took no notice of the number and just laid out the money on the table, getting up to leave.

Outside, the fresh, autumn wind blew through his dark, shoulder-length hair. Uneven strands covered his face as they flew with the whirling air. He could feel the cold, seeping into his thin coat as he walked the pavement sidewalk. The weather wasn’t bad, just that it was a little bit windy. The sun was still out and trees were dancing around the colorful leaves that surrounded them. Asher could hear voices nearby, thrill and intensity in the tone of the words spoken as he came around the bend.

“The castle!”

“We must go and see!”

“We could solve the mystery and be heroes!”

“The Europeans have gotten lazy with their forces!”

“We’re not afraid!”

Dumb. Stupid. Careless. Those were Asher’s thoughts responding to the strangers’ words. And especially, ignorant. Asher new immediately what would happen if they went to their planned destination; More missing people; More news articles; And more frightened citizens of England.

The thought of warning them came and passed. He realized the enthusiasm and determination in the expressions of their faces and just walked away. Nothing he could do or say would change their mind.

Asher ignored most of his impulses. He never liked the idea of jumping to his emotions’ needs and feeding on it as if it were his only choice in life. He’d give in to small desires but that was it. Staying up late for another few hours to finish a good book, indulging in a second cup of coffee from the café, things that did no harm. Although the obsession that was starting to form and even steadily growing, was not such a healthy thing to acquire or develop.

The walk back to his house was short and uneventful. But then again, he never took much notice of anything when he didn’t want to, and at the moment, nothing could take his interest more than the mystery that haunted his thoughts.


The morning air filled his lungs as he opened the windowsill from his bedroom. White curtains were pulled back and sunlight shone through, illuminating the dim room.

Asher poked his head out, taking in another deep breath of fresh air. It smelled sweet and of cinnamon. The neighbors were probably baking again. Cinnamon buns? Apple pie? Maybe gingerbread? He tried to guess what it was, just for the fun of it. He smiled, running his tongue over his lips. “Happy birthday Asher,” he said to himself.

He was eighteen now and could feel the potential of this age. “What should I do today?”