Chapter 25
WILLOW
As the days roll by, the inn’s once-awkward atmosphere slowly begins to settle into a more manageable routine. I’m beginning to feel a semblance of normalcy—if one can call it that—amid the repairs and cleaning. Windy, Wallace, and Warrick work tirelessly, and I chip in whenever possible. Despite the ongoing tension between Wallace and myself, we managed to keep the inn in working order.
However, something feels off. The village remains unusually quiet, a heaviness in the air that I can’t quite place. I’ve noticed a pair of eyes lingering on us from time to time, but the figure has always melted into the shadows before I can get a closer look. I try to dismiss it as paranoia, but the feeling persists.
One evening, as I’m sorting through some old crates in the storage room, a noise from outside catches my attention. I peer through a small, grimy window and see a figure slipping away into the darkness. The silhouette is familiar—Aiden. The sight stirs a gnawing sense of unease in my gut.
Later that night, as we huddle around a flickering candle in the common room, I share my concerns with Windy, Wallace, and Warrick. “I’ve seen Aiden watching us for days now. He’s been lurking around the village, and I don’t like the look of it.”
Wallace raises an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. “Aiden? Isn’t he the one who pretended to be drunk to get thrown out of the inn? What’s he up to now?”
“I’m not sure,” I admit, my voice tinged with worry. “But his presence doesn’t sit right with me.”
Warrick glances towards the door, a frown on his face. “We should keep an eye out. If Aiden is up to something, we need to know.”
The following day, the tension in the inn increases as a commotion erupts in the village. Villagers gather around the square, their faces marked with concern and anger.
Aiden stands at the center, animatedly talking to a group of villagers who seem both anxious and accusing. I recognize the signs of a formal complaint—Aiden appears to be filing a report.
I approach the crowd cautiously, trying to catch snippets of the conversation. “ —missing for days now. No trace of them! I believe Willow is behind this.”
“What’s this about?” I demand, trying to keep my voice steady.
Aiden turns, a smug smile playing on his lips. “Ah, Willow. Just the person I wanted to see. I’m filing a missing persons report, and it seems you’re the prime suspect.”
I feel a rush of anger and confusion. “What are you talking about? I haven’t done anything wrong.”
Aiden’s gaze sharpens. “Several people from the village have gone missing over the past few days. The connection is obvious.”
“Is it?” I retort, trying to keep my composure. “Or are you just looking for a scapegoat and twisting things the way you want?”
Aiden’s smirk widens. “You can call it what you want. I’m just doing my duty as a concerned citizen. I’ve already spoken to the local constable. They’ll be investigating.”
I glance around at the villagers, their faces a mixture of suspicion and worry. “This is absurd. We’ve been working here, trying to help the inn and the village.”
Aiden shrugs, feigning innocence. “The evidence speaks for itself. The constable will determine the truth. In the meantime, I suggest you stay out of trouble.”
As Aiden strides away, I feel a wave of frustration and helplessness. I turn to Windy, Wallace, and Warrick, who have arrived to see what’s happening.
“Aiden’s filing a report,” I explain, my voice tight. “He’s accusing me of being responsible for the disappearances.”
Wallace’s eyes narrow. “That bastard. He’s just trying to cause more problems.”
Warrick’s expression is grim. “We need to prove Aiden’s claims are baseless. We can’t let him get away with this.”
Windy steps forward, determination in her eyes. “We need to find out where Aiden is getting his information. He must have some motive for targeting us.”
“I agree,” I say, feeling a renewed sense of purpose.
We decided to split up and investigate. Windy heads to the village square to gather information, Wallace and Warrick stay behind to keep an eye on the inn, and I set out to find Aiden. I want to confront him directly and understand his motivations.
As night falls, I track Aiden to a secluded spot on the edge of the village. He’s meeting with a shadowy figure, exchanging what looks like documents. I hide behind a nearby tree, straining to hear their conversation.
“The report is filed,” Aiden says, his voice low. “The villagers are riled up. The constable will start the investigation soon.”
The other figure nods, handing Aiden a small pouch. “Good. Keep stirring the pot. The more chaos you create, the better it will be for our plans.”
I narrow my eyes, realizing that Aiden is not acting alone.
I follow Aiden discreetly as he heads back to the inn. He’s more cautious now, frequently looking over his shoulder. I manage to stay hidden until he reaches his room disguised in a cloak so that nobody would recognize him.
I slip into the inn’s back entrance and make my way to Windy, Wallace, and Warrick, who are anxiously waiting.
“I’ve got news,” I say, my voice urgent. “Aiden is working with someone else. They’re planning to create more chaos.”
“What do you mean?” Windy asks, her expression tense.
“I overheard Aiden talking to someone,” I explained. “They’re paying him to stir up trouble. This isn’t just about us; there’s a bigger scheme at play.”
Wallace’s eyes flash with anger. “So, Aiden’s just a pawn in someone else’s game?”
“It looks that way,” I confirm. “We need to find out who’s exactly behind this and stop them before more damage is done.”