BAZ

                                    

                                          
I can't sleep. I want to, and I'm exhausted, but I can't sleep. I'm checking the preparations at the library tomorrow, since Quendon is "delivering" Simon in two days. I don't think he'll bring Simon. I want to sleep so badly, but I can't stop thinking about Snow. I don't know where he is, and I don't even know if he's alive. I'm still at Bunce's because I refuse to find a new house without Simon. Another note flies through the window. I snatch it up and read it. It's in different handwriting than Quendon's so I scan through it. Then I slide it under Bunce's door. She can deal with that one. I have to call Jason, so I do. He picks up on the second ring. "Now what?"
"Rachel just sent a note."
He takes a sharp breath. "And?"
"She says two important things. One, that her mental state isn't your fault and she's sorry. And two, Quendon's address. She wrote that we need to go there, but I don't know. What should we do?" I say. 
He responds, "Meet me at the library in the morning. We'll do a debriefing and then figure it out. Goodnight." 
I hang up and lay back down. I fall asleep uneasily. 
***
I wake up before the sun and slip out quietly. I got my car from my apartment yesterday, so I take it over to the library. Jason's standing outside, waiting for me. He's on the phone when I get out of the car.
Whatever Jason's hearing, it can't be good. 
He's crying. 
He hangs up the phone, pulls out a cigarette, and lights up. 
I slowly walk up the stairs. "Are you alright?" I say softly. 
Jason flicks ashes on the ground. "Does it look like I'm alright?"
"What happened?" 
"Rachel called me. She told me what happened to her. Quendon tested his spells on her. He used to have a big hospital used for magical spell cures and such, but as time went on, people slowly left his place. He wanted to be bigger, better. He tested on her, and it drove her mad. She says that's why he has an interest in you, but there's more. He thinks you're responsible for something, but he won't tell her. She said she'll be there tomorrow, with him. Rachel-" He breaks down into renewed sobs. "She said she wouldn't be sane. And that it won't be my fault if she does anything." Jason sits down on the stairs. 
I don't really know what to do, but I don't really have to think about it, because Alexa drives up alone, sees Jason, and immediately comes to comfort him. She nods at me look she knows something about me. I want to asks her what she knows, but I don't push it. I walk inside the library. Damian's transformed the place. The rows of books are gone, and the room really is magnificent without them. The domed ceiling is hidden by the outside walls, and without the books it's more striking. The hall in the back doesn't have a door; it's just divided from the main room by a wall. I run my hand along the stair rail leading to the basement. The library really is bigger than I thought. 
"Damian?" I call out. 
He peeks his head out from the hallway. "Baz! So good to see you. It's weird that he's giving us time to prepare for this, don't you think?"
"Damian, I need to talk to you. I don't think he is. His daughter, Rachel, sent me a message with his current address. I think we should go over there. I don't think Quendon's going to play fair."
Damian sighs. "You know how he works. Let's go. Tell that Bunce girl and her fiancée to go over there. And Jason and Alexa. We need everyone we can get."
"Penny's mom is on the Coven. Should I call them as backup?"
"No, no. That won't be necessary," Damian responds quickly. "I have it under control."
I nod and run out the door. 
Jason and Alexa are both sitting on the stairs together silently when I walk out. 
I clear my throat. "Guys, we're going to infiltrate Quendon's."
"Now? Really?" Alexa asks, annoyed.
"Yes, now," I snap. 
She sighs, exasperated, and gives me a meaningful glare, putting an arm around Jason, who's got his arms wrapped around his knees, which are pulled into his chest. 
"I'm okay. I promise," he mutters. Jason still looks miserable, but his eyes gleam with determination now. 
Alexa stand up and brushes dirt off of her jeans. She offers a hand to Jason and he takes it, pulling himself up. Alexa leads him to her car. I watch them for a second before heading to my own car. 
I drive. Normally, I'd look over at Snow and make sure he's okay. But this isn't 'normally'.
I can't shake the feeling that something awful is going to happen. Or that something awful already has happened.