Mel stumbled out of the room as fast as she could, with Rei following close behind. She needed a way of slowing him down otherwise, she wouldn't be able to leave.
"Grandpa—" The man stopped, and his face softened.
"It's been some time since you've called me grandpa."
"I want to help you. Please give me this responsibility."
"Help me?" the man laughed. "I'm the one helping you! You have no idea what that woman is capable of."
"You've never helped me. I'm just your prisoner here."
"If you leave, I'll kill all your precious monsters."
"No! Disorient, confuse the mind, increase gravity. I call on the desert for help. Hold this spell until I return."
Rei staggered to the ground as magic drained from Mel, quickly depleting it to half of its former volume.
"Mel! What do you think this will do?"
"Mute, mighty desert, hold my spell." Mel felt woozy as more magic drained from her, and she fell to the ground.
The old man opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
"I promise to bring the boy here, Grandpa. I need you to trust me." Mel started down the hallway, and Rei crashed into the walls and onto the floor. From the corner of her eye, Mel noticed a door creak open.
"Mel?" The small boy rubbed his eyes. Shivers ran up the girl's spine as loud footsteps from behind her quickened.
Mel turned slowly. Her grandfather raised his fist, aiming at the young boy. Gold and red eyes shifted between the two, and the girl's heart stopped.
Suddenly, the old man fell to the floor and Mel hurriedly scooped the young boy into her arms and ran. Hanging on for dear life, the boy grabbed Mel's clothing, his head bobbing up and down as he peeked over the girl's shoulder.
"Watch out!" he yelled.
Mel ducked down, and air blew past the top of her head. A statue crashed inches from Mel's face, and she hastily turned right, entering the upper level of the ballroom. Tables were scattered throughout in a disorderly manner. Mel weaved her way around the broken chairs and sideways tables.
The kid slapped Mel's back vigorously. "He's throwing a table!"
"Slapping me doesn't help." Mel spun around and leapt to the side just as the table hurtled mere inches from her face. Wood splintered and flew in different directions as the object crashed against the floor. Some shards of wood hit her arm, and she bit her lower lip.
"That looks like it hurts."
"You're not helping."
"I think I helped a little."
Rei picked up another table. He stumbled around for a second before that too came flying towards Mel and the boy.
"Lift, Throw." Mel spoke, another table lifted and flew across the room colliding midair with the other as both splintered into pieces. "Barrier." A thin layer of air surrounded her and the boy, keeping them safe.
Rei lumbered back and forth, narrowly avoiding the splintered shards.
"What, you couldn't throw more than one table?"
"Levitation magic isn't as easy as you think." Mel leaped over rows of chairs. The balcony railing stood right before her and she looked down, swaying unsteadily as she eyed the distant floor.
"Don't tell me you're afraid of heights?"
Grabbing the railing with her one free hand, she vaulted over the side. The floor came fast and hard as she landed, and a loud crack sounded. "Sh**." Mel limped across the ballroom. "We should be okay now."
"Think again." Bang! Bang! Bang! The ceiling below the balcony started to give way.
"Why is he so persistent?" Mel limped to the courtyard doors and the roof came down just as she swung them open. Dust filled the giant room, and an angry man swatted at it. The doors closed and Mel dragged herself around the old, worn-out castle.
"Almost there, Mel."
"Stop talking to yourself and put me down." The kid wriggled in Mel's arms. "He isn't following us anymore, and you're hurt."
"Better to be safe." Mel pushed open the doors to the entrance. She covered her red eye as she navigated through the old castle. Possible futures split in front of her, and she carefully weaved around whichever ones Rei appeared in.
Finally, she made it to the wine cellar. Mel set the boy on the ground. "It's about time."
"You know, Bobby, you could stand to be a little nicer to me. I saved you, after all."
"I don't want to."
"Maybe I should talk with your parents, then?"
"Go ahead, I'll tell them about a certain curse word you used while carrying me."
"You little brat." Mel pulled a wine bottle out and a latch clicked, opening a secret door. The boy walked through. Then he pulled his eyelid down and stuck his tongue out at the girl.
Mel closed the door behind her.