London's School for Wanted Children, Caleb Baker [best books to read ever TXT] 📗

/> "Scarecrow was right, you do ask a lot of questions," she reached the top and threw down her arm to help Alfred up the rest of the way.
He took her arm, and she lifted him up, safely onto the balcony.
"They call me Foxe," she said as she turned around to see the layout, "now what?"
"I say, we go up to the top, to get a better view," Alfred said, looking back up to the skies.
"You'd make a good detective," Foxe said, taking the next ladder that would lead to the top in both of her hands again.
The rain fell even harder at the top of the building. Alfred expected it was because of the openness, no building stood above them to catch the falling water.
"So, what do we do now?" she asked as Alfred took a step closer to the edge.
"This rain. It makes everything impossible to see..."
"Yes, but with the headlights of the cars, it makes everything easier to see." said Foxe.
"Then with the headlights reflecting off the rain, it should make a glare, making a good enough cover," Alfred said intelligently.
"Hmmm..." her hand was on her chin, "perceptive."
"You say that sewer is our exit?" she nodded her head, Alfred continued, "will it take us to your headquarters?"
"Yes."
Alfred's eyes scanned her. Her hair was matted down to her face, much like his own, except hers was the color of chocolate, her eyes a striking green color.
"These buildings look close enough to jump to the other side," he said after a minute of silence.
"They do, but are you sure you want to do it? You don't have the proper training," Foxe said, walking to the edge next to him.
"Is there any other way?" he replied.
"I suppose not. You are a daring fellow," she said, now looking at him, "I'll go first, so I can catch you."
Almost as soon as she said it, she had done it. Everything seemed to slow down as he watched her, the raindrops falling slower, Foxe stuck in the middle, between two buildings. Finally, she touched the top of the other building, only about six yards in front of Alfred. Now, it seemed so far away, but she had done it so flawlessly. It was now, or never, he either jumped, or lived the rest of his life asking, "what if?"
"Will you catch me?" he nearly had to yell over the beeps of cars and the sound of rain fall.
"I promise!" she yelled back, "just do it! We're already late!"
He stepped away from the edge, some three yards away. He felt a running start could help his case. Then he began to think of what could happen to him, what if he only made it halfway, she wouldn't be able to catch him, and what if he slipped before the ledge, he'd be a goner. He just had to grit his teeth and do it, there was no going back from here.
He jumped. Time slowed once more, this time for him. He was locked in one position, his legs extended, and his arm extended also, so Foxe could catch him. He felt his stomach lurch at the sudden free fall. His foot touched the ledge, then slipped off as quickly as it touched, sending his body backwards. He kicked out as a last resort to catch himself, but to no avail. Foxe grabbed his outstretched leg, and in one sweeping motion his back hit hard against the wall of the building. He wanted to yell out of pain, but the cars below would hear him. Foxe's head popped out from behind the rain slicked ledge, a finger to her mouth.
"Shhhh..." she whispered as she slowly hoisted him to safety.
He sat down against the ledge to catch his breath, that was one of the scariest moments he had ever experienced, he was lucky to have had Foxe there to help him, he thought.
"Thank you," Alfred said between breaths.
"No problem, now come on... the sewer is just below," she said.
"Alright," Alfred said, reluctantly getting up and following her to the ladder on the side of structure.
Alfred braced himself for the horrid smell once the sewer lid came off. Foxe had lifted the cover and slipped inside, as agile as a cat. Alfred traced her inside, his reflexes not as good. The sewer had a green glow within it. Lamps were placed on the walls and were obviously used to light one's way, although Alfred still found it difficult to walk along the sewer corridor, as there was a sticky film on top of it.
"These suits are so slippery, I can barely walk in this," Alfred cried.
"I know, I'm still working out that minor detail," she however, had no problem walking.
They walked for another five minutes in complete silence, occasionally, a dripping noise echoed through the walls. Alfred kept pace with Foxe, she wasn't really going too fast, so it was fairly easy. They came across a giant doorway, much like the one they entered through when Alfred went to see Scarecrow. Foxe spun the valve, causing a horrendous creaking noise.
"Sorry, we hardly use this entrance," she said, wiping her brow after the business was done.
"It's no problem, but... what's on the other side," Alfred asked, his apprehension getting the better of him.
She opened the door, and the creaking and whining continued.
"Go see for yourself..."
The room was dark, much like the one he walked into on his first visit. It was like being blindfolded again. He heard footsteps behind him, they must have been Foxe's, he thought. In an instant he was dropped to his knees, they hit the floor with a thud. He let out a cry of pain, and just as soon as he did a gloved hand cupped around his mouth. Lights turned on all around him, he was back in, what looked like, the same room as before, the pillers all lined in far distances. Except this time, he was not surrounded by anyone, only a man stood in front of him; Scarecrow. Foxe was the person cupping his mouth, but when the lights turned on she ceased.
"Your late... I hope you found the place okay," Scarecrow said, "now, get up."
Alfred did as he was told.
"Are you ready, for your induction?" he asked.
"Yessir!" Alfred chanted.
"Good, you already passed the first test, that was getting here. The second test... kill Foxe..."
"What?!" Alfred was appalled at the command.
"I said, kill her."
Alfred whipped around to face Foxe, who merely stood with a stony expression, emotionless.
Alfred said quietly, "I won't kill her..."
"Why not?" Scarecrow asked.
"She saved my life, I won't kill her."
"Good," Scarecrow said abruptly, "that was the second test. We never kill our own."
Alfred looked up, Scarecrow was wearing an ominous smile.
"Test?" Alfred said slowly.
"Yes, and you passed! This is good, isn't it?"
"So we don't kill our own, but we're free to kill anyone else?" Alfred shouted.
"Not free, we are limited, to the mission. We only kill in dire need. Or if the mission requires it be so." said Scarecrow, walking forward to meet Alfred, "you have passed my tests..."
Alfred's head sank, he was having second thoughts, killing people wasn't what he signed up for.
"It's like I said the other day, my dear boy," Scarecrow began, gripping Alfred's shoulder, "we haven't commited a murder since the eighteen hundreds, I believe it was Queen Elizabeth."
This made him feel better, but the thought that Queen Elizabeth was assassinated confused him more.
"You mean, you guys killed the Queen?" he asked.
"Well, not particularly us, the former us... I will explain more once you are inducted, that is, if you accept my next test."
"What if I say no?" Alfred asked.
Scarecrow gave him a sympathetic look, then said, "Then we will erase your memory, you will have no recollection of this at all, but I highly recommend that you don't choose that path."
"Yes," Alfred said quickly, "yes, I accept!"
"Good... good..." Scarecrow's blind eyes linked with Alfred's, "but, we will talk tomorrow," he slapped him hard on the back, "you need rest, you have a big day ahead of you, we will talk then, I have some things that I need to... take care of."
Alfred nodded his agreement, and Scarecrow took his arm off of him.
"Now, Foxe will take you to your room, you will be sharing it with Deca and Illiad."
Foxe took him by the arm, and had begun to walk him out of the room.
"Have a good night, you too."
"Yessir," Foxe said automatically.
They walked through a tall threshold and soon after a small red door. She then led him down the same corridor that he and Deca walked down, the living quarters hallway. She reached the door to Alfred's new room and turned around in front of it, facing Alfred.
"You did good tonight," she said, holding out a hand.
"Thanks, you were not so bad yourself," he replied, smiling and taking her hand and shaking it.
She gave him a thoughtful look then grinned and said, "I look forward being out on the field again with you."
She walked away, but she didn't get very far before Alfred blurted, "when will I see you again?"
"Tomorrow, I expect," her smile had not faded, "and thanks for not killing me, not like you could."
It was an odd thing to say, an odd way to say thank you, but nonetheless Alfred nodded and opened the door to his new home.
Alfred awoke the next morning feeling homesick and overwhelmingly tired. Two faces were staring at him from their own beds, one with a look of curiosity, the other, indifference. The room itself had a cobble stone floor, and very meticulous hangings on the walls. Red drapes hung over each bed, all bearing the same symbol, curiosity seemed to flood Alfred, much like the light coming into the room from lit candles.
"How did you sleep?" a voice sounded throughout the room.
It was Deca's voice, Alfred remembered it from the last time he sat in this room.
"I didn't, what are these beds made out of?" Alfred responded with another question as he rubbed his back
"They're stone beds," Deca said.
"Stone? why?"
"Elder Inari says that they are good for our backs, they are supposed to make us stronger, or something... I don't know I never paid attention," Deca said getting up from his bed.
Alfred's gaze turned over to the other boy in the room, his jet black hair shining next to a candle on his dresser. He was reading a book, and was nonchalantly peeking over it to look at Alfred.
"I take it you are Iliad," Alfred said, making sure his voice was clear.
"I see you've deduced that much, good work, detective," Iliad's voice was sneering, and Alfred could see a smile curl from the side of the book.
"I've told you already," Alfred said tersely, "I'm no cop."
No answer, Deca's eyes were swaying from Iliad to Alfred.
"What do you have against me?" Alfred said, rising from the bed.
Iliad set down his book, and got up from his bed too.
"I've told you already," Iliad began, "your not