Hidden

Lia and Frankie huddled in the corner while the men set to work. She glanced at Eldric who had his jaws clenched. She felt conflicted when she realized that she was comfortable because of Eldric.

She glanced around. Everything was in disarray. But by the looks of it, it would take them quite a while before they could find where the mayor hid the bottles. From what she remembered, the mayor had hidden it behind a bookshelf. There were a couple of shelves in the room. Lia studied the one closest to her, that one was not inspected by the guards yet. From her angle, she could see a lemon cypress plant on the other side of the shelf. It was the only plant in the room.

She peered over Eldric's shoulder and met the mayor's eyes. He glared at her and snarled. The others seemed to have not noticed his moves. Lia hiccuped and stepped backward, eyes wide with fear.

Eldric noticed her movements. "What is it?"

Lia's eyes shifted between him and the mayor. The official sneered. "The witch is probably feeling guilty."

She flinched at his glare.

"Tim, take them back to their rooms."

The second-in-command took a step towards Lia, and she shook her head in fear. "Don't come near me!" Another step back. She was almost there.

"It's fine. He won't be able to harm you anymore. Come with me and I'll take you back."

"No," Lia's voice trembled. When her back hit the wall, she closed her eyes in relief but squeezed it shut as if in fear. "No."

"Lia, don't be afraid. It's going to be-- huh? What is this?"

Lia cracked her eye open to check before speaking, "W-what?"

Tim smiled at her and put his hand on her shoulder, his eyes focused on something behind her. "Not you. The wall you are leaning on." Then over his shoulder, he shouted, "Eldric, come over here! You should check this out."

Lia jumped to the side as the two men crowded on the shelf. She just hoped she led them to the right place.

Eldric and Tim pushed the shelf, revealing a cabinet door behind it. "I wonder what this is." Eldric broke the door, and there it was, in full glory, all the bottles of drinks. He picked one and swished it in front of the mayor. "Are you still going to deny it?"

The mayor's legs gave out as he slumped on the floor like a wilted plant. But Eldric was relentless. He leaned closer, "Where is he?

"I don't know what you are talking about." The mayor buried his head under his arms. "I'm dead. I'm so dead if I tell you."

"Where is he?!" Eldric tried once more, but the mayor only replied with shrieks and cries.

Tim went over to Lia and Frankie, blocking the view of Eldric's interrogation. "This will go on for a while so why don't you go back to your rooms first. We'll send you real food this time." Before they could react, they were ushered out of the room as the interrogation continued inside.