With a crack, Roy's somewhat bedraggled figure appeared out of thin air in the clearing before his home, carrying several large bundles.
Roy had been a little distracted when he Apparated earlier. This time, he landed face-first, and the bundles he had just packed scattered all over the ground again. But Roy had no time to care about that now. He scrambled to his feet, ignoring the pain from his fall, and staggered toward the little wooden house before him.
"Mia—Mia—!!"
Roy shouted as he ran, as though hoping someone would answer him.
But Roy's calls received no response. On this sunny afternoon, the exquisite farmhouse before him was so quiet it was almost terrifying. Other than the cicadas chirping in the air, there was not the slightest sound from inside the house.
"Damn it—"
Roy took the steps two at a time. Just as he pulled out his Key, he suddenly noticed a letter nailed deeply into the heavy oak door with a knife.
Roy yanked the steel dagger embedded deep in the wood from the door, removed the letter pinned beneath it, and held it in his hand. His eyes widened as he read the threatening letter written in red ink, fear and anger filling his face.
"We know where you and that little girl are hiding. This is a warning. Return what belongs to us as soon as possible, or this will never end..."
Bang—
The annoying cicadas fell silent abruptly. Roy crumpled the threatening letter into a ball and, in his rage, punched the thick oak door, leaving a noticeable mark on it.
"Good. Very good..."
Roy was so furious he was nearly losing his mind. They actually dared to threaten him with Mia's safety. Did they not know who had earned the title of the