Author's Note: Looking back on this chapter… I feel like I made it out of obligation due to the lack of exciting things, but you know what, that's fine. I have to slog through things I don't like to reach the stuff I want to do, so why not.

And if you enjoy this chapter for whatever reason, well then, don't let my opinion spoil it.

I'll just say it.

I hate Ahlberg.

I normally don't hold that much malice to a single person, but he was the exception. I can't stand him. He gives big speeches about "protecting our beloved city," when all he really is doing is just making things worse for everyone involved.

That's why Hilda, Frida, David, and I went to the library yesterday.

The library was a place that I would go to when I wanted some peace. I don't really read that much (unless it was picture books), but the library is always so quiet and peaceful, that I can just sit back and relax.

This time though, we were trying to look up Ahlberg family secrets, as it was the only way to legally take Ahlberg down a peg.

Only problem… he didn't have any.

When looking into his family history, he didn't seem to have any real secrets. All that was said was, "Oh, they were so heroic, saving the world from evil trolls," or, "They were some of the most historic people of all time."

Nothing about any flaws, wrong-doings, or anything like that.

After what felt like an hour of looking into it, David was the first to speak.

"Oh… this is pointless," he cried, "Let's face it, Ahlberg has nothing to hide. He's just a flipping jerk."

"Come on," Frida said, "Just one book… one book. I never thought I'd be tired of reading."

"Oh, this is so frustrating," Hilda said, as she threw a book to the ground.

"Please keep it down. This is a library after all."

We then looked to see the librarian, Kaisa, looking at us.

"Sorry, Miss," Frida said, "We're just trying to find some secrets."

"Well, if it's a secret you need, you may want to read the book next to the blue haired girl," Kaisa responded.

Hilda looked to her right, and saw a book titled "Secrets Underneath Trollberg."

"Just make sure you return it in at most 30 years," Kaisa replied, "And leave the restocking to me."

"Who would keep a book for 30 years," Hilda asked.

"You'll be surprised," Kaisa said, seemingly a bit nervous, before leaving.

We looked at the book, and as we did, we read an interesting specimen.

The Rat King.

A living embodiment of all the rats in the sewers, that knows every secret in the city, but at a cost. The cost was not said on the page, but it did pique our interest.

"I heard of this guy," Hilda said, "But I just thought he was a myth."

"This guy knows every secret in Trollberg," Frida said, "That's perfect. We can go to him for help."

"I don't know guys," David said, "A being made out of a million rats. Sounds a bit scary."

"I know," Hilda said, "Doesn't it sound amazing."

We looked at Hilda at that comment. I guess she never figured out the meaning of the word scary.

"Come on guys," Hilda replied, "We can probably bust Ahlberg with his help. Come on guys."

I thought about it with the other two. As scary as this person sounded, he sounded like the easiest way to get our answer. We all nodded in agreement.

"Okay, we'll do it," Frida said.

"Just a quick question, where do we find the Rat King," David asked.

David's answer would soon be answered, as we found ourselves following Hilda to the sewers of Trollberg.

"Is it too late to ask if we can turn around right now," David asked.

"Come on David," Frida said, "It's too late to turn back now."

"Besides, what can be so scary about the sewers," Hilda asked.

"Well, there's the fact that it's incredibly dark… and damp, and covered with rats," David said timidly.

"Okay, we get it," Frida replied, "You're scared of everything."

"Come on, that Rat King won't be waiting for us any longer," Hilda said, as we went into the sewers.

We turned on our flashlights, as the light from the sun disappeared behind us. There was barely any light, as we only brought enough lights for the four of us. As things started to get really eerie, we heard something coming towards us.

"Is that the Rat King," David asked.

But as it grew closer, it sounded more like water splashing.

"Worse, rushing water," Frida said.

"RUN," Hilda yelled, but it was already too late.

But it was too late, as rushing water suddenly engulfed the sewers. We held our breath, as quickly, the water overwhelmed us, as we fell into the sewers. We all held our breath tight, as we were thrown around the sewage pipes.

Eventually, we ended up in an open area of the sewer. After everyone gasped for air, Frida spoke up first.

"Is everyone okay," She asked.

"I'm okay," Hilda said.

"Me too," David replied.

"Me three," I responded.

We all stood up. As we did, we heard a rumbling noise coming from one of the pipes.

"Who dares trespass in our home," A voice, or rather, a thousand of them, boomed.

Just then, the biggest population of rats came at us. It swirled all around, like a wave, and then formed into a giant clump. Me, David, and Frida shuddered as he approached.

"Uhh, you don't happen to be the rat king, right," David said nervously.

"I am, young child," the Rat King replied, echoing through the dense walls, "And you are?"

"Uhh, we just wanted to ask something," Hilda said, "We need to ask you for a secret."

"OOOHHH," the Rat King replied, "Why didn't you say so! Of course, what secrets do you need me to find?"

"We need to find a secret about Erik Ahlberg," Hilda said.

"Hmmm, interesting pick," the Rat King said, "Not the first who tried that. What kind of secret?"

"Anything, criminal things he's done, things that were made, anything to take down his reputation," Hilda said.

"Uh huh, okay," the Rat King said, "BUT, it comes at a cost."

"What kind of cost," Hilda asked, fearlessly.

"See, normally, I don't really ask for much," the Rat King replied, "Just a secret from one of you. But this is a subject that I haven't touched on in quite some time, and may need some more payment."

"What kind," Hilda asked.

"Nothing much, just a cod sandwich, from the Salty Maiden, as I look into any secrets about your little friend, and a secret," the Rat King said.

"Deal," Hilda said, before turning to us, "Anyone got a secret they want to share?"

She looked at the three of us. Honestly, I did have some secrets, and all I am not really willing to talk about, not here, and not back there. So I nodded my head. David and Frida seemed to have the same thought process as me, with both slowly backing off.

"Ok then," Hilda said, as she headed towards the Rat King, gestured to him, and whispered in his…their… whatever it is, ears.

"Oh, that's an interesting secret," the Rat King said, as I couldn't help but notice Hilda frowned at it. Like… she was ashamed of it.

"Now, we'll look into the secret, but remember, cod sandwich, or we have no deal," the Rat King said.

"Okay," Hilda said,as the Rat King then left.

We then found our way out of the sewers.

"So, where's the Salty Maiden," Hilda asked.

"It's all the way on the other side of town," Frida said, "It will take all day to get there."

"All day," Hilda said, a bit worried.

I was a bit worried too. My dad put me on a curfew since the vittra tunnels, and I'm not allowed out after the sun sets. It was already 3:35, meaning there'd be no way to get there without catching a ride.

"We could always get there on our bikes," David said.

I noticed Hilda looked a bit nervous at that remark.

"Hey, wait, maybe we can try and find a shortcut," Hilda said, "Anyone have a map?"

I grabbed one I had in my pocket. I used to get lost in the city, so my dad gave me it, just in case.

"So, we're over here," Frida said, "And the Salty Maiden is over there. Meaning the shortest way to get there is through the allies in the back of town. If we follow that route, we may be there before night falls."

"Sounds good to me," Hilda said, "Come on, let's go."

We then ran through the alleyways, as I wanted to ask Hilda something. I was curious to figure out the secret she had. She seemed…ashamed of it when saying it to the Rat King.

We ran right past her house, as I built up the courage to ask. Whatever Hilda was hiding, there was a chance it was hurting her inside. I felt like

I pulled her between the houses.

"Louise, what are you doing," Hilda asked.

"I just want to ask something," Louise said, "But what exactly was it that you said to the Rat King? It seemed to hurt you."

"It's nothing," Hilda replied, as I saw the hurt in her eyes.

"Are you sure," I asked.

"Yes," Hilda said quickly.

I now know something was up. Maybe it was some pass trauma, or a stupid fear, but I felt like there was something bottling up inside her.

"Hey, it's okay," I replied, "Just tell me. We're friends."

Hilda just sighed.

"I… I told them… I was scared… of wolves," Hilda replied.

"What," I replied, shocked by the revelation.

"Shhh, not too loud," Hilda said, trying to hide the secret from David and Frida, "But yeah… It was a long time ago… and I mean, a really long time ago. But… I ended up meeting this red wolf during one of my adventures. Back then, I thought adventuring was fun, but… that was the closest I came to death in my life so far. It was kind of exhilarating, but… It also made me fearful. Mum was able to find me before the wolf could get me, but after that… I don't know, thinking about a wolf coming towards me… it's terrifying."

I then saw her almost burst out into tears. She was trying to fight it, but it was obvious that she seemed… upset at this information. So, I did the one thing I knew what to do.

I hugged her tightly.

It was the first time I really got close to anyone at that point, outside of my dad. It felt… awkward to say the least. But Hilda seemed to appreciate it, hugging me back.

"Promise me that you'll keep it a secret from David and Frida… I… I just don't want to feel that vulnerable again," Hilda asked me.

I nodded.

"It will be our secret," I replied.

"Hey, HILDA, LOUISE," Frida yelled, as she found our position.

"There you are," Frida said, "What are you doing here?"

"Nothing, just, thought we saw something," I quickly said (what it was my first secret ever).

"Well, come on, the Salty Maiden is just around the corner," Frida said, as we ran to the Salty Maiden.

We eventually went back on track, and grabbed a cod sandwich (where it was… I'd rather not say… hmm!), and headed to one of the vents, hoping the Rat King was still there.

"Rat King," Hilda whispered.

Suddenly, multiple glowing eyes showed up in the vents.

"What is it," they asked, "Oh, it's you."

"Yep, and we got your cod sandwich," Hilda said, as she threw the sandwich down to the rats in the sewers below.

"Yum, give me, hey, give it to me, just wait, ahh," The Rat King said, "Delicious."

(Does he even know where we… hrrgh… never mind)

"Now that that's done, do you know anything secretish about Ahlberg," Hilda asked.

"Well, you gave us such delicious secrets and food… but unfortunately, I have nothing to give it back," they replied, "Your man, the one you want to bust… he can cover his tracks good… and now, I can't find anything regarding anything you can use to, as you say, bust him."

"So this was just a waste of time," David whined, "We travelled halfway through the city, and you can't even provide us with what we're looking for."

"There might be one thing," the Rat King said, "Underneath your feet holds one of Trollbergs biggest secrets. Make sure "they" don't disturb her."

"Who," Firda asked.

"Unfortunately, a being that has been here longer than I have," the Rat King replied, "But… if the stories of this creature are to be believed, she won't be afraid to lay waste to everything you love should she be disturbed."

"Well, that's eerie," David said.

"And cryptic," Frida said, "Come on, we're wasting time. I say we've had enough of doing these guy's bidding."

Frida, Hilda, and David left, and just as I was about to, just out of the others' hearing, the Rat King spoke to me.

"Psst, little girl," the Rat King said.

I looked back.

"Are you talking to me," I asked.

"Yes, silent one," the Rat King said, "Just wanted to let you know something that might be useful about your nightmares. When you need to find more answers, look in between."

I was confused. What exactly was he talking about that for me?

Every other thought I had disappeared. I was confused about this one thing.

What was the Rat King talking about?

How did he know about my nightmares?

I have a lot of questions, and as for now, they're unanswered. So tomorrow, I think I'm going to have to do a little research on my own.

Author's Note: Ok, I feel like this is better, only for the ending I had. I will bring up most of the things here that I had here. But for now, I think I'll have to leave it at this.

I hoped you enjoy this. See you next time.