Chapter 18

The first Monday in July, Cole finally left the Ninjago City Playhouse, Megan taking care of everything with the owner of the theatre and Professor Linger. The sweltering heat is just unbearable and Cole knew it wouldn't be any better in Chitow City. He wasn't supposed to return here until September to begin a new year of college. Megan would've loved to come with him, but she needed to remain back in Ninjago City since she was actually taking summer classes at Ninjago City University. Wished she told him that from the start. It turns out she's studying to become an actress.

His destination is Spaintown, north of Chitow City and Carol's hometown. Even though she couldn't come along, Megan left the address to where her family lives and he would be given more information from that point on.

When he arrived in Chitow City, he departed off the train, where he was confronted by three men only a few years older than him. Cole was a little nervous and will admit that he was frightened by these guys, even though they didn't all look so tough.

One was emo looking, his bangs close to covering his blue eyes. The guy in the middle wore glasses over the same colored eyes, his hair combed neatly and perfectly flat atop his head. The third guy's hair curled in various places, even though it wasn't long. He also shared the same blue eyes as the other two.

But they all had one thing in common: they sported the same purple highlight.

That's when it dawned on Cole these must be Carol's older brothers. He remembered their names are Stephen, Gregory and Joseph, but he couldn't recall which brother is which.

The emo brother looked down at him. "Good to meet you, amigo. Glad you could make it. The name's Stephen." He shook hands with Cole, introducing him to the other two. "The guy with the glasses is Gregory and the one with the curls is Joseph. I'm sure Carol's told you about us."

Cole nodded, shaking hands with the other two. "She has. It's a pleasure meeting you all."

"We've been expecting you," Gregory said, "I'm sure Megan's told you about our father. Just letting you know, he isn't dead. All will be explained when we get to our place. Follow us."

The three brothers led Cole to their pick-up truck. It's an old, worn out vehicle, but Joseph said it's been in the family since their father was old enough to drive. They rode in silence until they arrived at a beautiful large house with animals roaming behind the fence. The farm and land were huge.

They went inside the house, Cole spotting Carol's aunt Rose sitting next to a middle-aged man. This must be Carol's father, the man that supposedly died when Carol was twelve. But here he was sitting in the living room. Now he was making his way up to Cole, shaking hands with him.

"Hola, Cole," he said, "My name is Victor, Carol's father. I'm sure Megan's told you about me. I apologize for what Carol told you before with her saying I was dead and all. She was forced to lie by her mother." He gave a sigh of relief. "It's a blessing that woman is gone. She was such a pain in the culo."

Rose gasped. "Victor, watch your language around him."

"Hermana, he probably doesn't even know what it means," Victor told her, "Besides, he's a grown adult. I'm sure he's heard curse words before."

Cole cleared his throat. "Sorry, I'm not fluent in Spanish, but can you explain more of what's going on? I'm just as anxious to get Carol back as the rest of you here are."

Victor nodded. "Yes, of course. I know how strong your feelings are for my daughter. Allow me to explain. I actually left and returned here to the farm shortly after Rachel and I divorced. She didn't want anything to do with the magic business and had no plans of Carol learning any of it, either. She told me she wanted at least one of her children to be normal. It was already too late for the boys since they already knew magic, but Carol hadn't begun training yet. So Rachel filed for divorce, the entire process was settled and Carol was told to tell others that I was dead."

Cole shook his head. "Sounds to me like Carol's been controlled as a puppet since living with her mom. But why was her aunt living with them?"

"To protect Carol and to help her control the magic within her," Rose said, "Regardless of whether or not her mother wanted her to know magic, Carol was destined to learn, know, understand and control it. Otherwise, it would control her. I fear that may be the reason why she left."

Cole nodded. "Well, I'm glad to finally be learning the truth. But out of both parents Carol's had in her life, she has a stronger bond with you, Mr. Dominez. She's told me a lot of things in her letters how the two of you always have fun together. Do stuff together. Teaching her so much more than what her mother's taught her. If anything at all. I apologize for speaking bad about your ex-wife."

Victor chuckled. "I'm just glad you and I agree on one thing. Rachel is a bruja malvada."

Cole gave a bewildered look, but before he could ask, Stephen answered.

"It means she's an evil witch."

Victor nodded. "Indeed. I would've loved nothing more than to have taken Carol into my custody and cut off any visitation rights her mother doesn't deserve to have. But Rachel fought in court over the custody battle. Carol had no choice in the matter. She was still too young to make decisions for herself. If only I had fought harder. If only there was something else I could've done. Then none of this would've happened."

"None of this is your fault, Mr. Dominez," Cole said, "Do you think maybe you could tell me exactly what Carol was doing and exactly how she was acting before she left? That might help me figure out what to do for her once I find her."

Victor sighed. "I can't exactly explain her behavior except it was just strange the few months before she just up and left home. The only evidence she left were journals and papers filled with drawings and small landmarks. After studying through them, I realized it was a puzzle. Not just any puzzle. They were pieces of a map. So I drew one up and it directs exactly to where she went. Unfortunately, it's a place no Warlock of Light can go. My sister cannot enter through the woods after an incident that happened years ago. That is why we sent Megan out to find you to have you come to us. To help find Carol and bring her home."

"Isn't Megan a Witch of Light?"

Rose nodded. "She is, but she refuses to enter the woods. None of us know why. That's why we were searching for you."

"Is this something you really want me to do?" Coke asked, "I'm not a Warlock of Light, but is this something you guys want me to do? I'm just making sure."

Victor stood up. "Cole, I'll admit I don't know you well, but Carol does and she seems to trust you. The rest of us can trust you to bring her home. If you do, I promise to repay you with anything you need. I'll do anything to have my daughter back."

Cole couldn't hesitate. He wanted Carol home safe with her family and he wanted her safe in his arms again.

"Just give me what I need to find her and I'll be on my way. I promise to bring her back."

After gathering the supplies and information offered to him, Cole sent himself on his way to find the girl that holds a special place in his heart.

Of course he couldn't say no to this journey. It was important.

This is a journey that he must go on.

A journey to reunite with the woman he loves.

Translations from Spanish to English:

•Amigo: Friend

•Hola: Hello

•Culo: Ass

•Hermana: Sister

•Bruja malvada: Evil witch

WELL, COLE IS NOW ON THE SEARCH FOR CAROL. WILL HE FIND HER? CAN HE BRING HER HOME IF HE FINDS HER?

FIND OUT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER.