Rescue!

Leonard turned the wooden box as instructed, and the entire room began to shift. The sound of hidden mechanisms grinding together echoed through the study. He noticed the bookshelves trembling, and in the corner of the adjacent shelf, a small section rotated inward, revealing a secret compartment. Slowly, the hidden panel slid aside, exposing a passageway behind the bookshelf.

"Interesting," Leonard muttered as he stepped forward to inspect the space. It wasn't just a compartment, it was an entrance. Beyond the secret panel lay a narrow passage descending into shadowy depths. He could hear faint noises echoing from within, barely audible over the silence of the room.

"We're going in," he said, glancing at Vivian. "David, stay here and guard the entrance. Shout if anything unusual happens."

David gave a slight nod, taking her position near the passage. Leonard led Vivian into the dark corridor, their footsteps muffled by the stone beneath them. The air was damp and cool, carrying the faint scent of decay. The passage spiraled downward, its steps worn smooth with time. Leonard estimated they had descended at least half a floor when they reached the bottom, a solid wooden door barred their way.

From the other side of the door came faint, rhythmic knocking. It was uneven, desperate, and sent chills racing up Vivian's spine. She clutched Leonard's arm instinctively.

Leonard examined the door. There was no visible way to open it, at least not without a key, but Leonard wasn't about to let that stop him.

"Step back from the door," he called out firmly, directing his voice to whoever or whatever; was on the other side. "I'm going to open it."

The knocking abruptly stopped, replaced by a tense silence.

Leonard raised his staff, its tip glowing faintly with the beginnings of a spell. For a moment, he cursed his limited arsenal. Without the more advanced magic that Angele's wand could have provided, he was stuck relying on the basics. Still, he could make it work.

"Acid Missile," he intoned. The spell fired, a sizzling projectile of corrosive energy striking the wooden door dead center. A loud hiss filled the air as thick white smoke billowed from the impact. The acid ate through the wood with alarming efficiency, leaving behind a jagged, blackened hole.

Leonard peered through the opening, his heart leaping when he saw the room beyond. It was small and sparsely furnished, the stone walls barren save for a single flickering torch. In the middle of the room stood a small, trembling figure.

"Ava," Leonard breathed, relief washing over him.

The little girl stood frozen, her arms crossed protectively over her chest. Her wide, tearful eyes locked onto Leonard through the opening. For a moment, she seemed unsure if he was real. She rubbed her eyes furiously, as if trying to dispel an illusion, but when her vision cleared, Leonard was still there.

"Brother!" Ava's voice cracked as the tears began to fall. She rushed forward as Leonard pushed open the damaged door, scooping her into his arms.

"It's okay now," he said softly, his tone steady. "Brother's here. I'll take you away from this place."

Ava clung to him with all her strength, burying her face in his chest. She was trembling, her small frame shaking with sobs. Leonard held her close, his hand gently patting her back.

When they emerged from the passage, Leonard couldn't help but notice David's… outfit. He had somehow discarded the tattered old curtain he'd been wearing and replaced it with a luxurious black and gold velvet drape, complete with two holes cut out for his eyes.

"New battle suit?" Leonard quipped, raising an eyebrow.

David tilted his head slightly, a silent acknowledgment of his observation.

"Fine," Leonard said with a shrug. "As long as it works."

They moved swiftly and quietly, exiting through a side path to avoid the manor's main halls. From a distance, they could hear the sounds of chaos; screams and shouts echoing from the direction of the banquet. Whatever trouble Dybala was stirring, it was spreading fast.

"Not my problem," Leonard muttered, adjusting Ava's position in his arms.

As they walked, Vivian's voice cut through the tense silence. "So… are you planning to take me away too?" she asked, her tone laced with both sarcasm and resignation.

Leonard glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "I'm sorry," he said dryly. "I haven't mastered the spell to erase memories yet."

Before Vivian could respond, the ground beneath her feet trembled. She let out a startled scream as the soil gave way, revealing the massive maw of an earthworm-like creature. The beast closed its mouthparts around Vivian and disappeared into the ground, leaving nothing but smooth earth behind.

Leonard sighed, adjusting his grip on Ava. "Convenient."

Ava, still clinging to him, blinked up at him with wide, curious eyes. "Have you been living in a place like this?" Leonard asked her gently, his voice softening as he carried her further away from the manor. The salty tang of sea air drifted toward them, mingling with the sound of waves crashing in the distance.

Ava nodded weakly, her voice barely above a whisper. "It was so dark, brother... so dark and cold."

Leonard tightened his hold on her, his jaw clenching as he glanced toward the horizon. "You're safe now," he said firmly. "No one will hurt you again."

As the cold sea wind brushed against his face, Leonard resolved to put as much distance as possible between them and the horrors of the Bolent family's twisted legacy.

----

"Ava, you're safe now" Leonard said softly, his voice filled with warmth and relief. The little girl buried her head into his chest, her muffled reply as soft as a whisper. "Yeah…"

Leonard's grip on her tightened protectively as they approached the modest home. The familiar creak of the wooden door greeted him as he pushed it open, stepping into the dimly lit room. "Mom, I brought Ava back," he called out, his voice steady yet tinged with emotion.

Angelina, frail but alert, looked up from her seat near the hearth. Her weary face brightened at the sight of her son, her surprise melting into joy as she noticed the small figure clutching Leonard's hand. "Leonard!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with relief. "You're home!" Her energy seemed to surge, her posture straightening as if her illness had momentarily vanished.

Leonard guided Ava forward gently. "Mom, I'm back," he said, his tone soft but resolute. Ava clung to his side, her wide eyes darting around the room.

Angelina reached out toward them, her voice quivering with worry. "Where have you been all this time? I thought…" She paused, her voice catching. "I thought something might have happened."

Leonard hesitated for a moment, then smiled faintly. "I had help. A kind person looked out for me," he said, his thoughts drifting to Angele. Though cold and distant to others, Angele had been more than generous to him. "But that's behind us now."

He glanced around the damp, modest home, his brow furrowing. "This place isn't good for you, Mom. It's too cold and damp. We need to move somewhere better for your health."

Angelina hesitated, her expression a mix of concern and practicality. "It's late, Leonard. Finding a new place will take time…"

Leonard nodded, understanding her worry. "Then we'll wait until morning," he assured her. "But we're moving, no matter what."

---

By the next day, Leonard had wasted no time. Through an agent, he secured a cozy three-story loft with a small garden in a safer neighborhood far from the harbor. The area was well-patrolled by security, and Leonard took care to avoid locations near the river, preferring stability over risk. The loft was bathed in sunlight, a stark contrast to their previous home, and offered the comfort his mother needed to recover.

With his family finally safe, Leonard turned his attention to another pressing matter: finding David's wife. Using his connections, Leonard contacted Golden Tooth, a known informant with extensive underground ties. Despite his efforts, however, there were no immediate leads.

David's unease was palpable. His tail twitched restlessly as he stood near Leonard, his golden eyes darting toward him anxiously. "Don't worry," Leonard said reassuringly, placing a hand on David's shoulder. "Golden Tooth has the right connections. As soon as there's news, he'll let us know."

David nodded, though the tension in his frame remained. "I trust you, Master," he said, his voice soft but sincere. "Thank you for keeping your promise."

Leonard smiled faintly. "I don't forget my promises," he said. Then, after a moment's thought, he asked, "Can you contact Serena? She might know something."

David tilted his head, his ears twitching slightly. "I don't know," he admitted. "When we neared Bangor Harbor, I couldn't sense her anymore. Serena's elusive. If she doesn't want to be found, it's impossible to track her; even if she were standing right in front of me."

Leonard nodded thoughtfully. He understood Serena's mysterious nature all too well. Even his own heightened senses couldn't always detect her presence unless she allowed it. Still, the possibility of Serena's help lingered in his mind.