[Seven-Minute Semblance] GODSFORRENT & FIMBULWINTER

Chapter 19 - 372A High Street

Sender: JL Uresonderry
Receiver: snafu.fs_k.a. gomez.

Futhark. Send Edward Dace's contact details. Need urgent assistance.

Message not sent.

Edward Dace.

28. August.
Saturday, 3:00 pm.
#23 Tamarisk Street.
Lukas Residences.

SIR ARTHUR LOCKED THE DOOR BEHIND HIM. He led us to their home library, for temporary refuge. I bet he, too, didn't know where to go.

I was confused, shocked, flummoxed, scared, synonyms...

I didn't know what to do, I didn't know what to think. I wanted to hit a reboot button somewhere in my brain and wake up August 13, walk out of the library even before I could meet Futhark, Joyeuse, and Laevateinn.

Dave Casedale Drew, Luciano Lukas called me.

Dave Casedale Drew.

I repeated the name in my head over and over again, trying to make sense out of it. It didn't make any sense, but it did feel... something. I have been Edward Dace ever since I could remember, but I knew I was Dave Casedale Drew. It was like a distant memory.

Futhark made me sit down for a while, beside the shelves. We were both shaking, but Futhark seemed to be shaking for a different reason. I gazed at my shoes, and the sound of my heart pounding in my ears became the soundtrack of this suspense.

If Futhark wasn't there earlier...

I imagined introducing myself. I'm Dave Casedale Drew.

I chuckled hopelessly.

Who is this bastard Dave Casedale Drew even?

I am and forever will be Edward Dace.

Let's forget this Dave Casedale Drew.

Sir Arthur paced the room and checked the corridor outside every few minutes. When he gave up, he sat heavily on the chair across mine and glared at his phone.

I didn't realise that Futhark and I were staring at him until he spoke, without facing us, "I should apologise, Edward Dace."

"Dave," I said quietly, numb to my own actions. I knew I was talking, but somehow it felt surreal, like an out-of-body sensation. "My real name is Dave Casedale Drew."

Sir Arthur glanced at me and nodded weakly. "Of course... You're Dave. Father used to speak fondly of your feats."

"Are you trying to convince me that he's not a monster?" I accidentally raised my voice. I had to, or it'll crack and I'll...