“Get up and put your hands in the air,” a voice boomed.
We were surrounded by cops and a few of them bore a striking resemblance to Mills. Standing up was easier said than done. Mills was shaking from exhaustion, but he finally managed to get off his knees. His hands, though, cradled Argyle rather than waving in the air. Chaz helped me to stand, but we used our hands to support each other.
A clean shaven older gentlemen walked around the police and stood before us. By the look on Mills’ face, I guessed it was his grandfather. I honestly shouldn’t have been surprised to see Father Time without a beard and in a crisp business suit. The World only had pictures of the people of the Realm created mostly from imagination.
“Return the Finder to the World,” Father Time said after he studied us for a few moments. “Follow protocol. Treat the boy, but keep him in custody. Take the Ghost of Lost back for extraction immediately. We’ll have to do it quickly.”
“But that will kill him,” Mills protested. “Even if he had all twenty-four hours.”
“It’s all right,” Chaz said quietly. “Don’t get yourself into any more trouble.”
“Does anyone care to ask me what I think?” I demanded.
“Silence!” Father Time yelled.
“No!” I shouted back. “You shut up! Are you seriously just going to act like Chaz’s life is nothing? You’re not even going to try to consider other options? I’m a freaking Finder. I’ll find another option even if it kills me.”
“Amy, no,” Chaz said as he held me tight.
“Chaz,” Mills chuckled. “She totally intimidated a boggart. Don’t underestimate your girlfriend’s determination.”
Chaz’s cheeks turned frosted and he looked like he was about to protest the girlfriend comment. He didn’t, though. Chaz pulled me closer and smiled. “I’d rather you didn’t die, if anyone cares what I think.”
“Finder,” Father Time said sharply. “The situation is beyond control. Christmas Day is nearly upon us.”
“It’s not like you actually have to celebrate Christmas on December the 25th,” I told him. “My family never does. We always wait until my dad is able to be home. Sometimes that’s not until New Year’s. Seriously, it’s not like it’s the day that makes Christmas Christmas.”
Father Time sighed and waved to the cops. “Take them.”
“You’re not even going to try to listen, Grandfather,” Mills accused as cops took Argyle from him. “Well, go ahead and jail me because I don’t regret making Chaz and I would do it again.”
“You created the Ghost of Lost?” Father Time said quietly, angrily.
“Yes,” Mills said with determination. “It was either that or let those thieves take the rest of the year.”
“Will you two stop getting yourselves into more trouble for my sake?” Chaz pleaded as the cops separated us.
I looked away from the cop I was trying to kick and said with Mills, “No.”
“Chaz,” I said. “If our situations were reversed, would you sit there quietly?”
“No,” he grinned.
“Lord Time? A word please,” someone behind Father Time said.
I couldn’t see the person at all, but everyone waited as Father Time had a conversation with his mysterious guest. I thought I heard one of the cops mutter the word ‘star’ in awe. The conversation probably only took five minutes, but it seemed like fifty as our fates hung in the balance. If these were thieves, I’d fight back more; but these were cops and Father Time.
Finally, the old patriarch of the Timewight clan sighed and turned back around. “If you two truly feel so strongly about this situation, then you have one more option. Millenium Season Timewight, you and the Finder can be the ones in charge of the extraction. Your fates will be decided after that.”
Mills and I looked at each other and then at Chaz. “Agreed.”
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