(I'll continue to repeat this as many times as necessary. Make sure you play the theme present in this chapter and tell me what you think of it.)
It was a long moment of silence for Maritza and the person she'd pursued. Pretty soon she breaks the silence and speaks.
Maritza: "I can believe this. Why would you of all people own a cursed object like
It was her friend Delroy who was the one taking away the device from the scene. Many questions were going on in her mind. But before she could process anymore, her friend speaks.
Delroy: "Don't worry, I am not an evil maniac going about planting disastrous devices out there to cause destruction."
He proceeded to walk towards his friend, while remaining calm and composed. he didn't want to scare her off and make her spend the rest of her night thinking that he was a traitor out to seek disaster onto the town and his friends.
Delroy: "And I am not a follower of some crazy gang either. Just hear me out for a second."
He takes another step, but Maritza doesn't try to flee. She wanted answers and she was going to get some.
Maritza: "What was all that back there? Why and how did any of this happen?"
Delroy: "You were baited Mari. You were tricked into activating a trap for an enemy."
Maritza: "But what are you doing with this broken device?"
Delroy:"Oh you wont have to worry about this ever again. I'm actually going to bury this thing and let the rust deal with it. Maybe in a couple of years it will turn into an artifact."
The hooded boy then motions for Maritza to follow him. As the two were walking down the Forest, the conversation continues.
Delroy: "You see, if the device gets broken, very disastrous consequences will happen. Even if you tinker with the pieces you need to be very cautious, since that too could cause natural disasters. I guess Aaron never explained that part to you."
Maritza: "Wait, you've met Aaron Peterson before?"
Delroy: "Well, it was actual Norman Darby who'd introduced us to each other. Back then, we would gather and share information about the weather detectors and find out who was making them."
Maritza: "Do you actually have any idea where he is? I mean Nicky and we have been..."
Delroy: "Do you really think I would know this information when we all have been looking him? The last time I saw Aaron was the day before he and Nicky pulled that crazy prank on the Tillman store. After he got in trouble with Mr. Peterson, it was all over."
Maritza: "Oh."
Delroy: "I mean I would try to visit him, just to see what he was up to, but Mr. Peterson literally gave me the creeps and I had other responsibilities to focus on."
The information that Aaron and shared some details with each other really surprised her. But she wasn't going to be finished just yet.
Maritza: "So you said you were going to bury that?"
Delroy: "Yep, bury. I can't risk having anyone else be put through the same thing you went through."
As Delroy was digging the hole, Maritza had another question for him.
Maritza: "So all those ravens attacking the people. All of that was the Forest Protectors' work?"
Delroy: "That right there wasn't the work of Forest Protectors or the Guest Mari. You see, whenever they pull this stunt, the ravens would be unharmed, but what happened back there was very different. The ravens were not ok. They were sick and injured. The Sound was tormenting and abusing them, causing them to get killed off and put in danger."
Maritza: "And for a person to abuse those animals like that, means that he has to be very evil."
Delroy: "Bingo!"
As Delroy motions Maritza to follow him. Turns out his been busy building up pathways only he would know in this forest, since one of his trails takes them to the Golden Apple Park. When they arrive he has more to say to her.
Delroy: "Well after that little fiasco you've seen right there, I hope it will teach you the level of power you're dealing with and the disaster it'll bring. Besides, in most cases these devices are deliberately planted in some places to create disaster. And sometimes the person who breaks that device by accident could suffer a horrible fate."
Maritza: "Then there's a possibility that whoever planted that broken device will also experience a similar fate the people faced."
Delroy: "Wrong pal. Wrong. You see, the person who sent this busted up piece is most likely safe from its consequences since there is a big chance that he also has several working ones protecting him from the disaster the whole town went through."
Maritza: "How come?"
Delroy: "Well, there's a high chance that the dude had two or more of those devices which are in perfect condition protecting him from those consequences and we don't really know the type of rules there are for these things. But I do know that the scales had already tipped in his favor this day."
But as Delroy was searching the place for something important he quizzes his friend on another thing.
Delroy: "You are familiar with Mr. Peterson's mom and dad right?"
Robert and Adelle Peterson were two brilliant meteorologist who had changed the history in Raven Brooks. Their research however did brought bad blood towards the Forest Protectors, and before their demise, they had discovered the horrible secret of Raven Brooks which involved the Mayor's family. Maritza nods to Delroy's answer. In fact, Delroy wasn't the only one exposed to the Peterson's family secrets. Before she was ever friends with Nicky Roth, she was very close friend with Aaron and Mya Peterson. They even introduced her, along with her brother Enzo and her other friend Trinity to what they were able to know, not only that, one time the brother and sister showed them the tunnels which connected to their house to an underground system around Raven Brooks. There was a crazy theory that when Mayor Tavish's family cut the funding to Roger and Adelle Peterson's research, the two made and used these tunnels to go to the Golden Apple Factory, which was own by the Tavish Clan and started an Arson, putting the place in ruin.
Delroy: "You also know that the two learned about the crazy secrets of the Forest Protector too right?"
Maritza: "Yes, but what exactly does any of this have to do?"
Delroy: "When they discovered one of these devices, they managed to take it apart and bury the pieces. Only it was a different model and as a result, we know that they are now deceased."
Maritza was shocked cold by what was said. It was bad enough that the consequences were serious, but this was too much for her to handle. The fact that the risks were life threatening made her clutch onto the device Norman gave to her. Delroy then noticed what Maritza was doing and realized that she own another one.
Delroy: "There are many other devices and it's good to see that yours is still in good condition. Just like mine."
Delroy pulls out his own weather detector that was in perfect condition which gets Maritza surprised and a little jealous on how clean it looks.
Maritza: "So all those times you decided to leave you were keeping the scales balanced."
Delroy: "Well how else were you, Nicky, and the rest of your friends were able to evade and escape Mr. Peterson in the most convoluted of ways hmm?"
The two chuckle at that remark.
Maritza: "We could've used your luck back then when we were trying to expose the other Forest Proctors identities back then. And Mayor Tavish is still in control since he also still has his own weather detector, from what Mya was able to tell me before she disappeared. A pity we can break into his place a take away his device, then there will be no more luck for him."
Delroy: "The dude may seem small to some, but he can be a speedy man as he chases someone. Still curious as to how he has the stamina for that."
Maritza: "it would've also been nice if you were there to stop disaster of Lucy Yi."
Delroy: "That I'm afraid would still end terrible. You see Aaron shared something very important about an encounter with Gordon Cleave, he learned that the Golden Apple disaster was meant for Mya. Even if I had tried to stop Lucy's demise, Mya or some other person would've suffered the same disaster, if not worse..."
The two get interrupted but the sound of footsteps away from them. They knew the Golden Apple Amusement Park was very active in this time of night. And it wasn't just the security guards who'd visit here.
Maritza (whispering): "Who do you think is there?"
Delroy (whispering): "I hope it isn't a Forest Protector. If so then I may have to reshape the trails."
At her disappointment, Maritza realized she forgot to bring her baseball back. However, Delroy opens up his backpack and brought out a crowbar while he had a shovel.
Maritza (whispering): "Boy, do I owe you one."
Delroy (whispering): "When the person pops out of there we hit and dash to the gates."
As the two were in a defensive stance, ready to attack, they were very surprised to see a familiar face appear right in front of them.
Maritza: "I don't believe it."
It was Beatrix in the flesh. There she stood right in front of Maritza and Delroy, alive and well. Yes, she was a little bruised up in some areas, but the important thing was that she was alright.
Beatrix: "There you are. I was worried about you."
Maritza: "Aunt Beatrix...is it you? I thought...how did you know I was here."
Beatrix: "Trinity told me she saw you ran into the woods so I had to find you. I'm so glad you arrived at the park. Even though I wouldn't call it the safest place in Raven Brooks. And I'm also glad Delroy is around."
Maritza runs to her aunt and hugs her tightly. She was beyond grateful to see her alive.
Beatrix: "Easy Mari. I'm still bruised from that accident."
Delroy: "It's a good thing you're okay and all, but shouldn't you be getting some rest?"
Beatrix: "Hey I'm a tough cookie and besides, it's my night off and I wouldn't be to comfortable know that my favorite niece wasn't around."
Delroy: "Huh, guess all those stories Ike shared were real."
Beatrix guides the two safely back to her van and they enjoy a safe ride. She knew it was a long day for one of them and decides to see if everything was alright. But she suddenly wonders what Maritza and Delroy were doing in the woods and what exactly were they dealing with.
Beatrix: "So Maritza, what exactly were you and Delroy doing back there in the forest and the park?"
Delroy looked a bit stand offish, but Maritza fills her in on the scoop much to Delroy's surprise. The dude was ready to lash out at her for sharing important information so carelessly like if they were ever alone agin, but the fellow was in for a surprise when she tells Beatrix to show him a special weather detector she had found the other night ago.
Delroy: "She has..."
Maritza: "yes, and she also knows Norman Darby too."
Delroy: "Huh, well this changes things up. (Hopefully for the best.)"
Meanwhile at the town, people were still discussing what had happened with all the chaos, while others were doing what they can to fix and patch up the rubble. Some people were even coming up with crazy if not stupid theories on those current events.
Mr. Blake: "It was the dog. He learned how to shoot with his paws.
Mr. Pierce: "You giblet head! This isn't the time to joke around! And beside there were ravens attacking the townsfolk.
Joy: "How on earth did any of this even happened. In fact how is this even possible?"
Lu: "Since the day I arrived in Raven Brooks I've never seen such activity like this before."
As everyone was still discussing this, Miguel had a lot on his mind. The chaos in this town and what his daughter faced brought back memories of the Golden Apple disaster. Before he could say more, he saw Maritza, with Beatrix and Delroy nearby. He and his son Enzo rushes towards the daughter and gives a group hug. The whole day was a crazy one for the family, but things were going to get better.
Maritza (POV): "Wait a sec, if this accident is like the one at the Golden Apple Amusement Park, then that means...oh no..."