Finally, I'm Back. I've got a laptop now so updates will be nearly every weekend depending on how I'm feeling. I still don't have internet at my house though. Sadly.

So here's a recap since it's been oh so long: Charlie found Edgar and Matilda up in the Da Vinci Tower after they'd been there for three years. He makes a promise to get them back to Badlock since they find it as the only place they'd ever been able to call home. He finds out soon after that his aunts are still around or that they'd returned at some point to the city. He gets injured, not to mention grounded in the process. Unfazed, Charlie continues his search for the painting of Badlock, starting with his aunts' houses. He finds it in Venetia's after sneaking out of the house using the Mirror of Amoret. His parents find him missing and he's grounded even longer with the mirror being taken away. During the week the Bookshop and his house are both broken into, obviously the result of someone searching for the painting.

Disclaimer: I don't own Charlie Bone.

Chapter 10:

By Friday the painting had been moved around to Lysander's house. From what they'd heard, his mother hadn't been very happy about it at all. It was locked in the basement of the Sage house where she wouldn't be able to hear the howling winds. Mrs. Sage would be delighted to hear that the painting would be moved in the morning if all went well. Or even if it didn't. Either way, Charlie would find some way to get to the bookshop, even if he had to sneak out.

"Good luck," Fidelio murmured when the bus pulled up to Diamond Corner. Charlie knew that he would need it when it came to his parents. Their trust in him had been deteriorating over the past few weeks, something that depressed him whenever he thought about it. He nodded to Fidelio and then to Gabriel and Dagbert in the seat behind them before following Billy off the bus.

"Well… I think I'll just head on up to my room," Billy said when they reached the door. Charlie grabbed his shoulder as he reached for the doorknob and pulled the younger boy back.

"Come on, Billy. I'm not doing this alone."

Billy stared up at him with a serious and thoughtful expression. Charlie waited expectantly and nervously. It would probably look even more suspicious if he had to drag a struggling Billy into the kitchen where he knew they would be. And he would have to resort to that if Billy didn't agree because there was no way he would confront his parents and Maisie without someone with him. Then Billy nodded slowly. "Fine."

"Good." Charlie let go of Billy's shoulder and let him open the door. They walked into the kitchen where the rest of the family was sipping tea. He was actually a little disappointed to find that his father had gotten home early. If he hadn't then Charlie would have had more time to figure out what he was going to say. He took a seat next to Billy and Maisie after the greetings and sipped at his tea. "Nothing was taken then?"

"No. Not a thing," his father answered. He looked angry. "I only wish I could have caught the little punk who did it."

Charlie frowned, wondering whether or not his uncle had told his father his theories about Tiplin or Eric. "Have you talked to Uncle P?"

"Yes. And I know what he thinks and it's a sound explanation. It just lacks any real proof that we can take to the authorities."

"Like they would do anything," Billy said bitterly. "They don't get caught up in our affairs. Speak one word of the endowed and they turn their heads."

Charlie glanced at Billy and nodded in agreement. "They're cowards. That's why we need to do this by ourselves. You know that Dad."

Lyell sighed tiredly. He drained his cup and set it back on the table a little more roughly than was needed. "You're right of course. But there's not much even we can do."

Charlie looked at his hands, wondering how he was supposed to bring up his mission. Maybe just outright as for it back? Not as subtle as he would have liked, but there wasn't much else he could think of. "Dad, I need to ask you for something."

Lyell gave him a suspicious look, as did his mother and Maisie. Charlie shifted uncomfortably. "Go on."

"Well… you know about want happened with Edgar and Matilda. Partly anyway, you didn't exactly let me tell you the entire story. But the point is, I'm taking them into Badlock. Tomorrow." Charlie said this with conviction, in a way that told them all we wasn't going to back down, even if they told him no. He would sneak out if he had to. "I want this done as soon as possible, and so do they. Matilda and Edgar I mean. They don't belong here; they want to go back to their home. I can do that, but I need the mirror." Charlie waiting for an answer. His mother was shaking her head already, but his father was looking thoughtful.

"Alright. You can have the mirror."

"Lyell!" both Amy and Maisie cried in outrage.

Lyell stood and began to pace. "I will speak to Paton tomorrow. I take it this is going to take place at the bookshop as usual."

"Thanks Dad." Charlie whispered.

…..

That night Charlie tried to fall asleep while listening to the sound of his parents shouting at each other. He wanted to cover his ears, but instead he just listened.

"There's nothing we can do about it Amy! This is his duty!"

"He's fifteen for God's sake! It isn't his job!"

"You don't understand, Amy. You don't understand what it's like to be endowed."

"Oh, and you do?"

"I grew up with them! You didn't! You think you know the extent of their powers but you don't! Charlie's not a child anymore, he's shown that more than once these past few weeks! And even if I didn't give him permission do you think he would listen? He's stubborn. He showed you that years ago at the age of ten! He believed that I wasn't dead!"

Charlie flinched and rolled onto his side. He took out his cellphone and dialed Olivia's number. The shouting had suddenly stopped, but he could still hear them arguing in hushed tones. He waiting for Olivia to pick up, hoping that she was still awake. It was going for one, so she usually was.

"Hello?" She sounded tired.

"Hey. I didn't wake you up, did I?" Charlie whispered.

"No, you're fine. Why'd you call though?"

Charlie shrugged, then realized that she couldn't see him. "I don't know."

There was a pause in which Charlie heard some shuffling while Olivia fidgeted. He heard her parents in the background too and guessed they'd all been together when he called. "Are you nervous about tomorrow?"

"Nervous enough to make me feel sick. I never wanted to go back there, Liv."

Olivia sighed. "I know Charlie. Maybe we can convince them to stay here."

"I've been trying. But they just won't have it! I don't understand why!" Charlie stopped, realizing he'd raised his voice in his distress. He waited, listening for the sound of footsteps on the stairs. Just the same sound of the argument going on downstairs. Charlie groaned and rolled over onto his left side and switched the phone to his other ear. "You got in touch with everyone, right?"

"Yes. They all know."

"Thanks, Liv."

"Anytime. You really should get some sleep though. Long day tomorrow, and I know how much using the mirror wears you out."

"You're just trying to get rid of me," Charlie said, trying to sound hurt.

"Exactly."

They both laughed, Charlie doing his best to make as little noise as possible and Olivia making no secret about it. Charlie smiled. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow. Or today."

"Ok. See you then. Night Charlie."

"Night Liv."

….

Charlie woke up at seven o clock on the dot. He dragged himself out of bed and into the bathroom. He stared into the mirror to find that he was shaking. Four hours until Badlock. Charlie shook his head and got ready for his shower. Maybe that would help to calm his nerves. It didn't work. A half an hour later Charlie went back to his room, still trembling. He hadn't known that Badlock had this much of an effect on him. Obviously he'd never wanted to step foot in that dark place again, but this was more.

"What time are you leaving?"

Charlie looked over at his father who was standing in his doorway. From the expression on Lyell's face, Charlie knew that he could see him shaking. "Well, I want to get there by eleven, so I'll go and get Edgar and Matilda around ten." He nodded toward the mirror to show that that would be his transportation.

Lyell came into the room and sat down on Charlie's computer chair. He spun around twice with a thoughtful expression. "Don't go alone. When you travel into the painting I mean. I know you'll have those two with you, but bring someone else. Lysander would be best if you ask me."

Charlie nodded. "I had that planned. But I wouldn't want any of them to go there. It would scar them."

"Like it has you?" his dad asked. "Look at you Charlie! You haven't stopped shaking once since I walked in here, and you want to go back!"

"Last night you told mom that it was my duty," Charlie said bitterly. Lyell's eyes widened slightly. "Yeah, I heard it. Wasn't exactly hard to be honest. And you were right, it is my duty as an endowed to give help to those who need it! Don't be trying to get me to back out of this now, because I'll tell you right now, I'm pretty damn close!"

Shaking his head sadly Lyell murmured, "I wouldn't try to stop you. But be careful Charlie. I've only ever heard stories of the place, but I know that it's not a place for any soul with even the smallest amount of light. How two children grew up there, I will never know. Just… don't do anything rash. Think, Charlie."

…

Charlie, Matilda, and Edgar appeared in the back room of the bookshop a few hours later, stumbling and nearly falling. Everyone did the first time, but Charlie faltered in his steps more out of exhaustion. It took more energy to travel with more people. A lot more. He sat heavily down on the couch between Fidelio and Olivia.

"Are you alright?" Billy asked worriedly. His red eyes were wider than normal.

"Fine. Takes a lot out of me to do that."

"You're shaking," Emma observed.

Charlie nodded. He fell onto his side, lying over Olivia's legs and using her purse as a pillow. Yes, he was still shaking uncontrollably, enough that Olivia could feel it. She gave him a concerned look, but Charlie didn't meet her eyes. "Where is everyone else?" he asked.

"They should be here soon," Fidelio answered. "Paton and Julia are out in the shop sorting through books. I think they're just trying to keep themselves occupied."

He nodded again and looked at Edgar and Matilda standing awkwardly off to the side. "You two can sit down anywhere you know. You don't have to stand. I need to rest for a while before we go anyway."

"Are you sure you're alright?" Olivia asked, rubbing his back.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

"Well it's hard when you're acting like this!" Olivia shot at him. Charlie rolled his eyes before shutting them and Olivia glared at him, leaning back into the soft cushions. "I'm going with you."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No." Charlie opened his eyes and glared around the room, hearing the snickers.

"Yes."

"No."

"No."

"Finally, we agree."

"Dammit!"

Charlie laughed and looked up at Olivia. "I'm too smart for that old trick to work on me."

Olivia crossed her arms. "It's worked on you before. More than once I might add."

"Exactly, so don't you think it's about time I learned from my mistakes?"

"If you two are quite done," a new voice interrupted. The others had arrived and were standing in the doorway, watching with amusement. It was Dagbert who'd spoken. Charlie could see his eyes darting in the direction of where the painting was propped up against the wall, covered by the same bloody sheet that hid it the weekend before. He could see the unease in his eyes, just as he saw it in everyone else's, and felt it in himself.

Charlie stood, trying again to regain control and stop shaking. It didn't work, but he continued walking toward the painting. He stared at the sheet as a light wind blew around him. Not Tancred. It was as though Badlock was inviting him in. He looked over his shoulder at Edgar and Matilda. "Last chance you two. Do you really want to go there. You can stay here, you know. Where you can have friends and you won't be sent off to marry someone you don't know." He looked pointedly at Matilda.

"We don't belong in this world," Edgar responded, just as Charlie knew he would. He grimaced and nodded.

"Right. Are you two ready then?" Charlie asked, vaguely aware of his uncle now standing in the doorway. He looked over at Lysander, standing close to Lauren. Meeting the old boy's eyes, he saw understanding. "You sure?"

"Been thinking it over for a while," Lysander said. "I was going to offer anyway."

"Thanks, Sander. Let's go before I back out at the last second." Charlie ripped away the sheet and motioned for his three new traveling companions to come closer. Two hands on his left shoulder and one more on his right. He stared intently at the dark landscape and the room began to slip away. A shiver ran down his spine and wind howled in his ears. He really hated this place. "Everyone alright!" he shouted, looking around at them. The darkness that surrounded them and the wind that blew debris through the air made it hard to see much farther than a few feet.

"Yeah, and I see what you hated bout this place!" Lysander shouted.

"This is only the beginning," Charlie mumbled.

"Isn't there supposed to be a castle?" Lysander asked.

"Let your eyes adjust and look to the north," Edgar said.

Charlie already knew where the castle was and waited for Lysander to find it. The question now was, how were they supposed to get to it? He wasn't going to let Matilda and Edgar go alone, he knew enough about the creatures of Badlock that it wasn't a good idea to let that happen. Charlie looked out to the north and stared at the turrets of the Enchanter's Palace outlined against the dark green sky.

"How do we get there?" Lysander questioned. "We have to get away from the wind!"

"Not to mention the pits," Charlie added.

Edgar and Matilda looked at each other thoughtfully. It occurred to Charlie that they probably only knew about as much as he did. He doubted that they'd ever been outside the castle and couldn't even imagine why they would want to in the first place. Finally, Edgar spoke. "The tunnels. There's a system of tunnels that run underground, but you can only access them from the guard towers."

The guard towers. Well that had to be the worst idea Charlie had ever heard, but it was also the best idea any of them would be able to come up with. He chewed his bottom lip. "If we do that though, we'll definitely be seen within moments. But if we try to walk across open ground our chances are even worse."

"We can't just walk straight into a guard tower either!" Lysander pointed out.

"Boy's not as dumb as he looks."

Charlie whipped around that the familiar, gravelly voice, terror gripping his heart. They'd been so intent on one another none of them had even seen let alone heard the approaching creature. "Oddthumb."

….

Well. New chpter up. Happy really late Christmas.

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