Chapter 10- Boothe Diaries
As far as Henry was aware August still had a room in Granny's BnB. He relayed his message to David over the walkie talkie.
'Excellent Henry, I need to pass you onto Mary Margaret for a moment she has a message for you too.' His voice crackled over the line.
'Well done Henry for getting so far in so little time!' said Mary Margaret after a brief pause. 'Just to let you know that after August there are only two clues left the last which will lead you to the surprise so you are very close indeed. However, take your time as I need to set up the surprise and with you doing this so quickly, well, I haven't had as much time as I thought. Also I don't want to sway your judgement but I would save your last help for the next clue and the way this will go is when you receive it you will tell David whose help you would like and then that person will join you until the surprise ok?' Her voice disappeared leaving an ever the more curious Henry thinking of what the surprise was. He hadn't really thought about it up until now. His mind had focused on each clue as it came and as he had so much fun he hadn't thought about the end.
Henry rapped his knuckles on August's door and he heard the shuffling of someone inside before August answered the door.
'Ahh I was wondering when I would be seeing you Henry Mills.' He winked with a scratch of his beard. 'Come on in.' he gestured into his room which at the moment seemed to be a complete and utter mess. His typewriter was nestled amongst the quilts of his bed and scrunched paper balls were strewn across the floor. An embarrassed August tried to make up for it by kicking a few out of the way and dribbled a few around other things such as rolled up packages of dirty socks. 'Sorry about the mess. I was going to clean up but then…I'm lying I wasn't going to clean up at all really. When I'm in my writer phase I don't care much for everything else.' He chuckled and swiped a clean spot on the bed for Henry to sit on.
'Are we going to do this the easy way or the hard way August?' Henry joked knowing August had a similar humour as himself.
'The hard way is always more fun, well I think so anyway.'
'Really? Oh c'mon August there's not many clues left so can't you just hand it over we have a cup a hot chocolate and then I'll help you clean you're room.'
'You drive a hard bargain Henry but I think we have a deal.'
'Brilliant. So where's the clue then?' August checked the pockets of his jeans and his jacket and then patted over his clothes like a policeman would do at the airport. He stretched to reach a dusty shelf and felt around but then frowned when he had no luck.
'It is here somewhere.' He reassured lifting up the pillows on the bed. 'Maybe if we start cleaning now then we'll find the clue along the way…hopefully.' He stripped the dirty pillow cases and threw them expertly into the washing basket by his door. Henry buzzed around doing the same to the socks which he was glad didn't reek like David's. Next Henry collected up all the paper scrunches that piled in his arms. He went to go pick up the last one when the entire pile fell with it. August burst out laughing and Henry joined in with him.
'I'm going to open the window August it smells kind of funny in here.' Henry remarked and August sheepishly pulled a mouldy pizza box from under the bed.
'I actually don't know how long that has been there. Is that bad?' he asked.
'Not even my room gets this bad. Doesn't anyone say anything to you when you have friends round?'
'That's it, I don't have many friends here. I grew up here so most of the people in Storybrooke don't even know who I am. Although the librarian is always lovely and your mother obviously.'
'Is that right?' Henry teased and August blushed again busying himself by packing up his typewriter. 'Wait what've you been writing?' he pointed to the piece of paper still clutched in the typewriter.
'Oh that? That's what I was writing this morning, haven't looked at it since.' He pulled it out and it dinged in response. 'That would explain it.' He said.
'Explain what?' asked Henry.
'I wrote where I put the clue just in case I forgot. Says here. Don't forget you put the clue under the hat. I really have a terrible memory.' He walked over to the dresser that was the only neat thing in the room. It had a small felt red hat that looked worn. August stroked it lovingly then lifted it and plucked the clue from underneath. 'There you go. Good work. The room is unrecognisable.' Henry thanked him and August poured him lemonade from his miniature fridge. Henry gulped the whole glass and swiped his hand across his face completely refreshed. He opened the clue and read it aloud.
'Grab your armour, sword and shield. Slay the monster and the clue you shall wield.' Henry looked up and August laughed at the horrified look on his face.
'There comes a time when the young prince must charge off to battle.' He said.
'Yes but not for a Scavenger Hunt! Maybe to save a princess or something but a clue? Do you think it's a real monster?' he asked worried at the lengths his Grandmother would go.
'I'm not too sure Henry. I can honestly say I don't know.' He shrugged.
'Then I know who has to be my last help then…' Henry thought aloud. August locked up his room and walked with Henry outside.
'Right I better get off then. Good luck slaying the monster.' August said and mounted his motorbike putting the helmet over his head.
'Where are you going?'
'Uh, no where…See you Henry.' He sped off down the road and then Henry held his button over the walkie talkie ready to call in the cavalry.
'Hey, I've decided who my last help is going to be. Its…'