Chapter 13—The Search

Once they were inside the barn, Jesse said, "I think we should start with the cellar. My dream was in a root cellar, so I see that as a major clue. What do you think?" He looked at the others. They barely nodded. Fear was beginning to freeze their wits.

"We can see the bulkhead doors from here, and we just have to run." Then Jesse noticed that one door was wide open. "Hey, weren't those closed before?"

"Oui, they were definitely closed," Aimée said, rubbing her arms. "Sacré bleu, things are strange in the grove; first the gate opened by itself and now the bulkhead door."

"Maman says not to swear," Juliette reminded her twin. Aimée shrugged.

"Mmm..." Jesse muttered. "It's like someone is helping us. Maybe they want us to find the crystals. But then why take them in the first place?"

"Or it's a trap," Juliette said.

"Non. I think it's the angel who is helping." Aimée looked up.

"W-we have the p-poison, oui?" Daniel asked.

"We do, in my pack," Jesse said, feeling around to once again locate the bottle. When his fingers found it, he gave the pocket a pat and then pulled out a flashlight.

"Why do we wait?" Daniel asked, holding up his arms. "Allons-y."

Meanwhile inside the stone house, Madame called to her daughter, who was still watching from the front window. "Zana, do you have Le Nez?"

"Oui, Maman; he's right here with me." She bent over to rub his ears and nuzzle his face. Le Nez stood up and went on a licking frenzy, covering Zana with kisses.

Back at the barn, the twins lined up behind Jesse and leaned forward, ready to sprint. Daniel slipped to the rear, muttering incoherently. He wanted to get this over with.

Jesse nodded to indicate he was ready, but before moving glanced around the grove one last time. Then he bolted across the open expanse to the bulkhead door. He scurried down the cement steps but stopped short to flick on his flashlight. The stench of something rotten hit him and he began to cough, just like in his dream. The others followed right behind, slipping quickly down the steps.

Still coughing, Jesse stepped into the cellar and shined his light around. He was amazed to find that the room looked like it had in his dream, with barrels and splintered crates in tall, crooked piles. Something was rotting inside those crates. He put his hand over his nose and mouth.

Despite their talk about a plan, the foursome had no idea what to do next. Aimée pinched her nose shut and spun around. "You were right," she said. "This place smells sick." Juliette stood pale and mute and Daniel gripped his mother's locket.

Together they trod into the moldy, dark room, cautious as the flashlight revealed their surroundings. Then the bulkhead door slammed shut and everyone jumped.

"Whoa!" Jesse said, snapping his head back toward the steps that were now pitch black.

"Maybe the wind blew it shut," Aimée suggested.

"No way," Juliette said. "It was her—the witch; I know it was."

"What do we do n-now?" Daniel asked. "Do we search inside every rotten barrel and crate for the crystals?"

"I am not sticking my hands inside those crates." Juliette joined her hands in a fist so tight it would have been difficult to even force open.

"Not very appealing, I admit," Jesse said. "I'll walk around with the flashlight to see if there's a more obvious hiding place somewhere. You guys stay put."

He aimed the flashlight at every inch of the cellar and found nothing—no other containers, no cupboards, no cabinets. He did find a hanging light bulb in the middle of the room and pulled on the chain.

"That's b-better," Daniel said, following right on his heels. Then he pointed up. "Look...stairs." Just then they heard barking from above.

"Le Nez," Juliette squealed. "We have to save him. Madame will put a curse on him—maybe kill him."

"He's in the house?" Jesse asked, stating the obvious. "How did he get up there?"

"We have to save him," Juliette said, and raced up the stairs.

"Wait," Daniel said, pulling on her arm.

"Let me go!" she cried, shaking him loose. "He's up there with the witch."

"Hold on," Jesse said. "He doesn't sound mad. It's his happy bark—isn't it?" He looked at Aimée for confirmation.

"Oui. You're right. It sounds like he's playing with someone. I can hear his little feet. We should search the house," Jesse suggested. "It doesn't seem like the crystals are down here anyway. And it makes more sense that they would be hidden where Madame could keep a close eye on them. We have no choice but to go up and ask for them back. We found them, which makes them ours. Or your grand-père's at the very least." Jesse looked at Daniel. "They're definitely not hers. I'll go first. Daniel, you protect the rear."

Jesse pulled the poison out of his pack, ready to use it if necessary, and with the flashlight in his left hand and the bottle in his right, began to climb.