Uncover (2)

The moon was hung up in the sky illuminating the world beneath.

Amaya was deep in sleep wandering the dreamland with a small smile on her face, Suddenly a gust of cold wind emerged from her window causing her to turn to look for her blanket which was moved away due to constant twisting and turning on the bed, As she was already at the edge of the bed when she turned to search for the blanket she fell from her bed.

*Thud*

"eak?!"

Amaya who was deep in sleep suddenly jolted awake from her sleep after hitting the ground. She frantically moved her head and scanned the room checking if someone was in her room. She heaved a sigh when she found no one in her room then her eyes moved towards the window from which the cold wind was entering the room.

She stood up from the ground and walked towards the window and closed it.

"I forgot to close the window again.. hah.."

"Ugh.. it hurts" Amaya said while rubbing her head

She walked towards her bed and climbed it, seemingly getting ready to go back to sleep. As soon as her head hit the pillow her room's window started to pulsate with a verdigris glow.. Which caused Amaya's face to suddenly drop in a frown. She stood up from her bed and started walking towards the runic carving and touched it.. Suddenly her eyes started tremble which came to a still after few moments

"He wants to meet? What for?" Amaya spoke out loud in a confused tone

"Hah… what he wants now" Amaya walked towards her bed and took a seat wondering about his sudden order to meet him…

While Amaya was deep in thought nearby a hooded figure couldn't hide his excitement after hearing her words, The hooded figure soon disappeared like he was never there in first place

After going inside a nearby alley he took out his smartphone and dialled a number which was soon picked up

"Hello" Came a gentle yet authoritative voice

"Young master"

"What is it?"

"The midnighter contacted Amaya via the claw of night"

"Did you find out what he said to her?"

"He asked her to meet him"

"Hmm… Tail her and try to find out information about the midnighter"

"As you say, Young master"

"Also.. try to not get too close, he might have a sensory sub skill"

"Okay!"

The hooded figure shut off his smartphone and went back to keep an eye on Amaya.

Anna had a solemn look on her face as she was wondering about where did Veylor came from, She had asked butler Jack to ask around about him and he had confirmed that there was no cat similar to Veylor in nearby area

"Vey, where did you come from hmm?" Anna said while holding Veylor by his armpits as same eye level as her's

"Mew!.. Myu!.." Veylor tilted his head like he was looking at an idiot

"Hah.. Of course you wouldn't know" Anna said after heaving a sigh

"Well you'll be my pet from now on" Anna said as she hugged Vey

"Meow!" Veylor replied seemingly agreeing to her words

*Growl* *Growl*

Veylor's stomach started growling causing Anna to stand up from her chair and start walking towards the door

"Hoh you sound hungry, Vey"

"Myu!"

"What do you want to eat?"

"What about veggies?"

After hearing Anna, Veylor started shaking his head with a

"Mew!!"

Seeing that Anna started to chuckle out loud

"What about meat then?"

Veylor's eyes started shining when he heard the divine word "meat" and started nodding frantically with

"Myu!.. Myu!.."

"Haha" Seeing him act like that over some meat Anna started to laugh out loud

"Yes, yes Vey is going to eat meat" Anna said while slowly shaking her head

She left her room at the far left end of the second floor, the soft click of the door fading behind her. The long hallway stretched ahead, lined with tall windows and framed paintings in gilded edges. Her steps were steady as she passed the grand staircase at the centre of the house, its dark oak banister gleaming under the soft glow of chandelier light. She descended gracefully, the faint echo of her footsteps filling the vast foyer. Below, the dining room awaited — a space of quiet grandeur, where crystal and polished wood gleamed in the late afternoon sun.

"Miss Anna!!" The nearby servants bowed towards Anna while Anna simply nodded to acknowledge their greetings

"Uncle Andy" Anna called out to her butler

"Yes, Miss Anna" Andy replied as he moved towards Anna

"Can you get the chefs to prepare some meat for Vey" Said Anna

"As you say, Miss Anna" Andy bowed his head and started walking towards the kitchen..

As soon as Andy left Anna walked towards the dining table, her heels tapping softly against the polished floor. The dark oak surface gleamed beneath the chandelier's glow, its reflection sharp and flawless. Cream velvet chairs stood neatly around it, their curved backs like quiet sentinels waiting for the evening to begin. The space radiated quiet luxury, untouched yet full of presence. She soon placed her hand on a chair and moved it out a bit so she can take a seat, She placed Vey on a chair near her, as she waited for Andy to return

Soon Andy returned with a plate which was covered by a silver cloche, Andy placed the plate on a short table placed beforehand for Veylor to eat at, as Andy removed the silver cloche a faint aroma of freshly cooked meat lingered in the air, warm and rich, As soon as Veylor gazed at the freshly prepared meat his mouth started watering and he leaped towards his meal.

Seeing Veylor a small smile adorned the face of Anna which soon flattered as Veylor finished the meal within seconds and looked back at her with tearful eyes

"Myu..!" Cried Veylor seemingly not full even after gulping down a full meal worth of meat

Anna seeing his tearful eyes couldn't help but call out to Andy

"Uncle Andy!"

"Miss Anna" Andy walked forward and replied to Anna

"Please, get few more similar meals for Vey" Said Anna, As soon as Andy heard that his smile flattered and he looked at Veylor with a raised eyebrow

"He already finished all of it?" Andy couldn't help but question his eyes

"Yes" Anna replied with a small chuckle

"Ah.. Let me get more meals then" Andy said as he walked towards the kitchen while still staring at Veylor

Soon more meals were given to Veylor as he ate till he was full and went to dreamland, Maybe eating more within his dreams

Seeing that, Anna walked up to him and picked him up in her arms, gently cradling him as she started walking towards her room. The room was cozy and inviting, with a double bed placed neatly in the centre. A study table sat by the window, stacked with books aligned perfectly on a shelf above it. A spacious wardrobe stood along one wall, offering plenty of storage. The attached bathroom and washroom added to the comfort, making the space feel complete and private

As she lay down Veylor on the bed she remembered her talk with the her two best friends about Zora's mother, She left the room slowly closing the door making sure not to wake up the beast sleeping on her bed

Anna started walking, her heels tapping softly against the polished floor as she made her way towards the garden, As soon as she reached the garden she took out her smartphone and dialled a call to Zora

*Brr* *Brr* Her phone rang for few minutes before it stopped, Anna furrowed her brows when Zora didn't pick up her call, She called again

After waiting for few moments the call was picked up, As soon as Zora picked up the call Anna got ready to scold her for not picking her phone but soon she stopped midway

"...Hello?" Came a weak and meekly voice, Hearing that Anna's face turned into a frown

"Hello? Zora? Everything alright?" Anna asked her voice tinged with concern

"Anna..! sob!" Zora replied while sobbing

Anna's anxiety reached a new level when she heard Zora crying

"What happened, Zora?" Anna asked her voice dripping with concern and anxiety

"Uwah.. i-i fell while running uwah.." said Zora while sobbing

As soon as Anna heard her words she started blinking her eyes like she couldn't believe what she had heard

"You fell?" Anna asked to make sure that he heard her right

"Yea… ooph"

Anna clenched and unclenched her right fist few times and took a deep breath and thought to herself

'It's fine, she must be on edge due to her mother's health… i shouldn't say anything mean'

"I hope you fall again! You psycho" Anna said in a gentle calm voice

"You meanie!!" Zora replied with a sharp voice

"How's your mom?"

"Huh? Oh… Mom's fine, she just fell from the ladder while taking something out from our old apartment.. She still can't move though"

"Henna and I wanted to meet and check up on your mother, is that fine with you?"

"Sure thing… but its not possible till day after tomorrow, We're moving Mom home tomorrow morning"

"Oh.. Sure then Henna and I are coming to meet you and your mom day after tomorrow"

"Sure.. i have to go now, mom is calling me"

"sure , see ya soon"

"See ya, Anna"

After hanging up, Anna immediately called Henna and informed her about meeting Zora and her mom the day after tomorrow. It was already night time when she hung up her call with Henna, After a few moments she walked inside the mansion and took the stairs to her room

A hooded figure was descending stairs with silent and stealthy steps seemingly following someone before him Amaya could be seen getting ready to leave through the main door, As soon as Amaya left the two-storey, unextraordinary house, she pulled her coat tighter around her and started walking towards the dark alley. The narrow passage seemed to stretch endlessly, its cracked walls towering on either side. Flickering street lights buzzed faintly above, casting shaky, uneven pools of light onto the damp ground. With every step, the sound of her boots echoed off the walls, growing softer as she disappeared into the shadows as the hooded figure followed behind her. After a few twists and turns, The faint neon glow of a pub sign came into view. Its buzzing letters and muffled music spilling from within promised a refuge — or trouble — waiting inside.

Amaya turned to look around making sure that no one was following her. She walked inside the pub with a calm and composed look making sure not to look suspicious.

The hooded figure stopped in front of the pub and read its name in his mind.

'The Rusty Lantern' Making sure not to get caught by the midnighter he went ahead of the pub and entered the dark alley in front of the pub.

The Rusty Lantern's interior was dim and worn, lit by flickering amber lights that cast soft shadows on the brick walls. A long, scratched wooden bar stretched across one side, lined with dusty bottles and old stools. Scattered tables filled the room, some crowded with murmuring patrons, others left empty. In the corner, a small stage sat quiet, its forgotten instruments hinting at past music and lost nights.

Amaya stood at the entrance of the pub and scanned throughout the room looking for the person she came to meet and soon her eyes fell on a lean male of short black and few white hairs, a diagonal scar was etched on right of his ocean like blue eyes. She started walking towards that person and when she was 5 meters away from him he called out

"Amaya.." His tone, sweet and charming like bells during a quiet spring morning.

Hearing him call out her name a small smile adorned her face "Uncle Vincent!"

"Let's talk outside" Vincent said as he grabbed his black furred scarf from nearby chair and left the pub while Amaya followed behind her

As he was about to leave the doors opened and a guy with scars all over his face bumped into Vincent, Vincent's smile faded and he got ready to punish the fool in front of him but when he moved to punish the perpetrator he saw him bowing down while keep mumbling

"I am sorry... I am sorry…" he looked like he was on verge of tears

"I-it's Alright" Vincent stuttered seeing him act like that and left the pub

As soon as Vincent left the pub the scarred guy moved towards the men washroom, Right after the scarred guy entered the washroom his face, seemingly ready to break into tears blossomed a wide grin as he started chuckling to himself

"hehehehe"