I've gotten some reviews asking how long Will has been an apprentice in this story. This is Will's first year as an apprentice. Enjoy! (And review, of course)
After Will had given Tug another apple and ridden him a few more times, he returned to Halt's home. When he arrived, he was surprised to see Alyss and the others still here.
"They're staying for lunch, dinner, and they'll also be staying the night," Halt explained. He looked very relieved compared to what he had looked like earlier.
Will nodded. He looked at Alyss at the other end of the room. She and George, Horace, and Jenny seemed to be enjoying themselves. Then, she looked at him. She smiled and gestured for Will to join them. Will shook his head. He didn't want to talk to Alyss now. Alyss frowned. Then she walked over to Will, her hands on her hips.
"Will, what's wrong? Come on, we haven't talked since forever." she said.
"Not now. I've got Ranger work to do," Will said, emphasizing on "Ranger".
Alyss stared at Will. "Come with me," she said, grabbing Will's hand.
"I can't—" Will started, but Alyss cut him off.
"Come with me," she said, and finally managed to drag Will across the room.
As they passed Horace, Jenny, and George laughing and talking at the table, Horace looked up.
"Hey, Will. Good to see you again, Ranger." he said, smiling at Will.
Will grinned. "Good to see you, too. So—I was wondering —do you know what Halt is planning? With that box and everything? He wouldn't tell me so I hoped you guys would." Will looked hopefully at each of his friends.
Alyss opened her mouth, perhaps to say "Come on," but Horace interrupted. "I'm sorry, Will, but Halt told us not to tell you. It's a secret. You'll know soon enough, though."
Will nodded, to show that he understood. But deep inside, he was furious. Why wasn't anyone telling him what was going on?
Alyss finally dragged Will away from the table, and out the back door. They stopped at the edge of the forest. Will looked up into the sky. It was already starting to get dark.
"Why are we talking here?" Will said, slightly uncomfortable.
Alyss sighed. "Obviously because no one will hear us." she replied.
Will nodded. Obviously, he thought to himself. "So…um, what did you want to tell me?" he incredulously.
Alyss sighed and sat on the stone wall that was surrounding the edge of the forest. She hugged her knees. Will, feeling it was polite to match gesture, sat on the stone wall also and hugged his knees. Alyss stared at Will like he was crazy. Will felt very uncomfortable. This is awkward, he thought. Finally Alyss spoke.
"Right—well, Halt told me not to tell you this, but—" she stopped.
"What is it?"
"It's nothing. So…what was I saying? Oh, yes, so Halt made it loud and clear that I shouldn't tell you this, but seeing you so miserable makes me uncomfortable." she said.
Will's spirits lightened up. At least someone notices, he thought. He nodded, indicating for Alyss to continue. He was eager to know what she was going to say. Was she possibly about to tell him what Halt was planning? I almost seemed too good to be true.
Alyss continued, "Don't tell Halt I told you this—he's going to go bonkers—but, Will…what he's been planning all along, what you've been wanting to know…" she started, but before she could finish, Halt walked out the back door.
"Alyss, Will, lunch is ready." he said, but his smile faded. "Were you two talking? Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt." He paused for a moment, and then his eyes narrowed like a hawk's. "You didn't—Alyss, did you—did you tell Will about…" he faltered.
Alyss shook her head in guilt. "I was about to…" she started. She was growing red.
"I told you not to!" Halt hissed.
"I had to, it was so uncomfortable seeing Will so miserable, I couldn't stand it any longer!" she cried.
Though Halt's face was burning with anger, he spoke in a calmer voice. "It's fine, Alyss. At least you didn't actually tell Will. Now come on, you two. Time for lunch. Chop, chop." Then he walked back into his house, shaking his head all the way.
Will glared at Halt's back. Did he have to interrupt, and not just any time, now? "Just my luck," Will grumbled.
Alyss looked apologetically at Will. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I tried." Then she hopped off the stone wall and headed toward Halt's home.
Will stayed on the wall after Alyss had fully disappeared. He was thinking—thinking about how much Alyss had risked telling Will about what Halt had been planning. "What a brave girl," he said. Then he, too, hopped off the stone wall.
At lunch, Will was abnormally quiet. That was because in his mind, he was forming a plan. Tonight, after everyone was asleep, he would sneak into Halt's office and open the box. It was the best way to find out what Halt was planning. The only problem was getting into Halt's office unnoticed. Will hoped that none of his friends were going to sleep in the office.
But he couldn't wait any longer to find out what Halt was planning. He just had to know tonight.
Original paragraph:
At lunch, Will was abnormally quiet. That was because in his mind, he was forming a plan. Tonight, after everyone was asleep, he would sneak into Halt's office and open the box. It was the best way to find out what Halt was planning. The only problem was getting into Halt's office unnoticed. Will hoped that Halt hadn't installed a security camera in there. And he hoped that none of his friends were going to sleep in the office.
Revised paragraph:
At lunch, Will was abnormally quiet. That was because in his mind, he was forming a plan. Tonight, after everyone was asleep, he would sneak into Halt's office and open the box. It was the best way to find out what Halt was planning. The only problem was getting into Halt's office unnoticed. Will hoped that none of his friends were going to sleep in the office.
Since I got so many reviews telling me that there were not any security cameras back then, I decided to delete that part. So, there you are. Thanks for noticing. :)