You Cannot Put a Fire Out // Sebastian Sallow [Book Three]

Chapter Fourteen: Welcome to the Monkey House

Who knew that baring his soul to Anne would be so cathartic? A heavy load had lifted from Sebastian's shoulders, even if only partially. He still had a long road ahead of him to unburden himself entirely.

Anne absorbed Sebastian's revelations with wide eyes and an increasingly clenched jaw. Sebastian sensed her astonishment at how all the pieces of Damien's theory seemed to be falling into place. He speculated that she was upset and angry on Damien's behalf, and perhaps even felt a bit sorry for Sebastian too, though he knew she'd never admit it.

As Sebastian rustled up some breakfast for himself, Anne headed to work to secure the day off. She insisted on it. If Anne was successful, they were to head to Hogsmeade immediately to prepare Sebastian and Damien's home for Damien and Rosie's arrival. Anne was adamant that this gesture would show Damien that Sebastian was committed to taking Rosie in, even if only temporarily.

Although Sebastian felt the urge to protest, chomping at the bit to visit the first address on the list, he conceded that Anne might be right. There was also still plenty of time. Damien had to settle his recently deceased father's affairs, as well as pack Rosie's belongings, all while grappling with Sebastian's sudden departure and its implications. He tried not to think about that last part. He wasn't successful.

Sebastian didn't argue. Anne possessed a stubborn streak as formidable as his own, and her many years of marriage to Ominis had likely made her wiser just through sheer proximity. She was also a mother-two times over-and if Sebastian was going to be a father figure, even if only for a short period of time, he may as well not upset her. He'd rather have the option to ask her for advice, if need be.

That's how Sebastian found himself once again seated on Anne and Ominis's sofa, next to Anne, recounting everything once more, but this time to Ominis. Leigh and Albert were presumably at primary school, it being Friday and all.

As Sebastian related everything that had happened, Ominis betrayed very little emotion, as if he were processing everything before reacting. When Sebastian finished, he simply nodded and said, "We'll offer any assistance we can."

Leave it to Ominis to remain steady-minded. When Ominis wasn't angry with Sebastian, he had always been calmer than Anne, more measured. Sebastian very much appreciated that at this moment. In fact, he nearly laughed from relief, until he was interrupted by a loud knock on Anne and Ominis's front door.

Anne sprang to her feet, and Ominis tilted his head up, listening intently. Before Anne reached the door, Ominis called out, "It's Sirona."

As usual, Ominis was correct.

***

Ominis's shop had been broken into once again, and this go-round, the damage was worse than before.

Firstly, his shop assistant, a congenial old woman who insisted that everyone call her by her first name, had been Petrified. She was fine, if not a bit flustered, and she had been able to partially describe the masked intruder. While the figure's face was concealed, she could tell it was a man: tall and lithe. He wore a hood which cloaked his features, so everything else, including his hair and eye color was impossible to discern. It wasn't much, but it was a start at least.

The burglar had also been more thorough: turning out the cash register, tossing open drawers, opening storage crates, causing generalized chaos, and what have you.

Standing beside Sirona at the front of the shop, Sebastian surveyed the aftermath. Sirona clicked her tongue disapprovingly, murmuring about how unexpected and unsettling it all was. She likened the drama of it all to the troll attack twenty-five years ago, a memory that made Sebastian shift uncomfortably on his feet.