章 13: What is Newt looking for?
David sat in a chair, a book propped up in front of his face, giving the appearance of being engrossed in study. But anyone watching closely would have realized his act—his eyes weren't scanning the words at all. Instead, they darted toward Tina, who was tidying up the observation hall across the room.
Once Tina finished her work and climbed the stairs out of sight, David sprang to his feet. Moving as quietly as possible, he tiptoed to the front door, his hand reaching for the knob.
Just as his fingers brushed the handle, a chorus of meows erupted behind him.
David froze, dread sinking into his stomach.
"David!" Tina's sharp voice rang out.
David turned around, his face a mix of guilt and panic. "I wasn't sneaking out! I just thought the doorknob looked dirty and wanted to clean it up," he stammered. To prove his innocence, he yanked up his sleeve and began furiously polishing the knob.
Tina crossed her arms, clearly unconvinced but not pressing further. "I'll take care of it later. You can go to the study and focus on your reading."
With a sheepish nod, David slouched off toward the study. As he passed Millie and Moeller, the family's two cats, he shot them a sour look. Traitors. If it weren't for their tattling, he'd have been outside by now.
But the cats, lounging contentedly on the carpet, ignored his glare. They only cared about pleasing Tina, the undisputed boss of the household.
In the study, David flopped onto a chair. He tried to concentrate on his book but couldn't shake the gnawing curiosity about Newt's secretive outings. What was his grandfather searching for in the forest? The question had been tormenting him for weeks.
---
Time passed, and by mid-February, the heavy snows had given way to brighter, warmer days. Most of the snow on the ground had melted, leaving a soggy, muddy mess behind. For David, who had been cooped up indoors for months, the improving weather felt like a glimmer of hope.
After breakfast one sunny morning, David decided to try his luck again.
"Grandpa," he said tentatively, sitting next to Newt at the dining table, "can I go with you to the forest today?"
Newt hesitated, but before he could respond, Tina entered the room with her wand levitating a stack of plates. "Take him with you, Newt," she said firmly. "David's been stuck inside for too long. And let's face it—you haven't found whatever you're looking for after all this time. It might be gone, or maybe you've made a mistake."
Newt sighed, scratching his chin. "Fine," he said at last, turning to David. "But you know the rules. You have to listen to me, stay close, and don't touch or wander off."
David nodded enthusiastically. He wasn't about to repeat the mistake he'd made last time—a near-death encounter with a camouflaged snake that had disguised its tail as a colorful bird. If not for Newt's quick reflexes, David might not have lived to tell the tale.
---
After lunch, Newt and David donned their outdoor gear. With a flick of his wand, Newt grabbed David's arm and muttered, "Apparition."
The next moment, David felt the familiar, uncomfortable sensation of being squeezed through a tight tube. When they reappeared, they were standing on the massive root of an ancient tree, its branches towering high above them.
The air in the forest was damp and cold. Melting snow dripped from the trees, and the ground beneath them was slick with mud. A drop of icy water slipped down the back of David's neck, jolting him fully awake from the lingering dizziness of their travel.
Newt handed him a raincoat from his ever-reliable bag. "Still not used to Apparition?" he asked, looking amused.
David grumbled, pulling on the raincoat. "I'm a kid! Of course, I'm not used to it yet."
Newt chuckled, his attention already shifting to their surroundings. Dropping to the ground, he began sniffing the soil and examining the nearby vegetation.
"Did you find something, Grandpa?" David asked eagerly.
"Maybe," Newt replied, beckoning David to follow him.
---
The trek through the forest was slow and treacherous. The muddy ground made every step a careful balancing act. David slipped more than once, only managing to stay upright by clutching at branches and roots.
Newt, on the other hand, moved with practiced ease, pausing occasionally to examine footprints, scratches on tree bark, or scattered feathers.
Finally, they came to a stop beneath a massive tree. Its high branches cradled a large, abandoned nest. At the base of the tree, Newt crouched down and picked up a cluster of dark green feathers.
"These are Bo bird feathers," Newt explained, holding one up for David to see. Some feathers were still vibrant and glossy, while others were caked in mud and decay.
David's eyes widened. "Are they nearby?"
Newt shook his head. "No. Judging by the state of these feathers, the birds left this area four or five days ago."
David frowned. "Then why are we here?"
"To find out why they were here in the first place," Newt replied, his tone calm but determined.
David watched as his grandfather returned to scanning the ground for more clues, a look of focused curiosity on his face. Whatever Newt was searching for, it wasn't just about the Bo birds. It was something bigger, and David was determined to figure out what it was.
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