Chapter 4 The Re-Reveal

I had almost been killed; I could have died. All that I know is lost, no help to Toby. How could I have been so reckless?' These are the thoughts that are going around my head as we walk to Vendel's place in hopes of being able to tell him what we found.

It had been so similar to last time. The goblins, tubby tracker, going to the museum and finding the bridge. However, unlike last time, Bular had been there, and we had barely escaped with our lives, with me having to fight Nomura by myself without any weapon, while Toby had focused on Bular. This near-death experience has made me realise I have to tell someone about what happened in the old timeline just in case something happened to me. I couldn't tell Toby yet; he was still adjusting to himself being the Trollhunter, and Blinky had to focus on training him. Aaarrrgghh would just tell Blinky, so those three were out of the question. I could tell Vendel, but he would be unlikely to believe me. Claire didn't even know about this whole magical world yet, so I can't confide in her. Douxie would be a good option, but I haven't seen him since traveling back in time. The bookshop has been closed and when I asked about him at the café where he worked, they said he had taken leave to do something. So, no help there. The only two other options I could possibly think of is my mother and Strickler. I didn't want to drag mum into all this yet, so it's going to have to be Strickler. I must organise a time to talk to him soon; hopefully he is close enough to mum to change sides.

The only good thing that happened from the whole Museum incident was that I got a few good pictures of the bridge. That means I can at least prove to the others that we saw the bridge.

I am dragged out of my thoughts as Toby yanks me into Vendel's and we see him standing there. Toby starts talking rapidly about what happened as I look around. Blinky and Aaarrrgghh are already here, apparently wanting to talk to Vendel about something already. I give them a small wave. I haven't really talked to Aaarrrgghh at all in this timeline and I have only really talked to Blinky about the books I read and about asking for more. Avoiding training with Toby in favour of training with Draal, really leaves very little time to interact with the other two trolls.

I was tugged out of my thoughts again by the sound of my name. "Show them Jimbo, show them the picture of the bridge you got!"

I pulled out my phone, turning it on to show the best photo I got, and turned it around to show the three trolls. "It's the Killahead bridge, isn't it? I read about it. I think we also saw a changeling, I read about those to."

I watch as Blinky leans in to get a better look at the picture. "The Killahead bridge! But how?" He stumbles back, "it would take years to collect all of the stones. Decades even, you would need an army of changelings!"

"Blinkous calm down, there must be a logical explanation. I will have to see the bridge for absolute proof, though this picture is quite clear. But though it looks like the Bridge, it could be a fake." I drift out of the conversation as they plan on what to do next. I already know that the bridge won't be there when we return, but I know better than to say anything. Them seeing the Bridge has to happen for them to feel safe enough to leave it there.

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The hunt for the changelings had gone as unsuccessfully as last time. I had to make sure Toby avoided Strickler, and that no one else at school was a changeling. I didn't participate in the hunt for a changeling for my muscle hurt from yesterday and I want to save my energy for tonight with Strickler (though Toby didn't need to know that last bit).

"Jim, are you sure you don't want to have a go with the horseshoe, I have been using it all day?" Toby asks, "we haven't tried Steve yet, do you want to throw it at him or should I?"

At that moment, the boy in question stepped right into our line of sight. "You feel free to Tobes, I don't think I could even lift it, let alone throw it in any real way." With that said, I watch as Toby tosses it at Steve; it hits in right in the head. We quickly run around a corner and out of sight before he realises it was us. After a bit of looking around, he leaves, and Toby goes to pick up the horseshoe. "Ok I think that is almost everyone at school." Toby says when we arrive at the lockers to pack our bags for the end of the day.

Just then Mr Strickler walks out, and Toby pulls out the horseshoe to throw at him. I grab his hand and in a harsh whisper, I say "Come on, you really think he is one?"

"I'm not sure Jimbo, but we must leave no stone unturned." He has a good point, but I have to keep arguing to avoid Toby finding out Strickler's true identity.

"He's supposed to be having dinner with me and mum tonight, how about you place the horseshoe in my bag, and I will use it on him later? I don't want you to upset anyone who grades our final exams."

"Jimbo, I trust you," he says as he places the horseshoe in my open bag. I close it just as Strickler comes up to us.

"Hello Mr S.", Toby says nonchalantly. Completely ignoring him, Strickler sets his gaze upon me.

"Young Atlas, I look forward to the meal you will prepare for this evening's arrangements."

"I look forward to sharing it with you. I think tonight I might try to spice things up." I smile. 'Not just with the food but also with the conversation.' I think. Tonight, mum has an impromptu shift so she can't make it to dinner until later. Plenty of time for us to have our conversation or for us to get tired of fighting each other. Strickler didn't need to know this though. "See you at 6 then." I left with Toby behind me; I need to have plenty of time to get ready for I want to make some Troll dishes from the cookbook I borrowed from Blinky to give him at the end of the night as a peace offering no matter how we ended things.

Toby leaves me soon after, heading to a dentist's appointment which would go late into the afternoon, long after the sun has fully set. As I'm hoping not for a repeat of last time, so I give him some advice of keeping the amulet in his pocket but out of sight and convince Blinky and Aaarrrgghh to watch him with the argument of them wanting to see dental hygiene in practice.