Last time, when Olivier was forced to help Sam, he was thrown into the situation without any preparation. He felt completely overwhelmed. If the black cat didn't decide to provide him with at least a basic level of assistance, Olivier wouldn't have known what to do at all.
This time he was determined to do better. He wouldn't go in blindly. After committing Christine's information to memory Olivier turned to the bookshelf. Next to the book titled 'Kerv', providing common knowledge about Sam's world, a new book had appeared titled 'Henum'.
Olivier grabbed 'Henum' and turned it in his hand. The book was about the same size as 'Kerv'. Its cover was an unadorned yellow. There was nothing special about it. Olivier opened the first page and was granted a brief introduction. These kinds of books provided by the café offered knowledge about a world, roughly equalling the general knowledge an average young adult would have.
For now, Olivier didn't care for the world's history and such. It was important to understand Christine's situation. From the image he saw he already had a good guess. And indeed, as he found the relevant passage in the book, Olivier confirmed that Christine was in jail.
However, the information about jails in the book was only so much and he didn't understand Christine's precise situation yet. Had she committed a terrible crime? Was she already convicted? According to the book, other inmates could be dangerous, and there was also a chance of being sentenced to death. So, where did the danger come from? And if Christine turned out to be an unforgivable criminal, did he even want to save her? Furthermore, was it enough to eliminate the hunter or did he have to get her out of jail?
Olivier's mind was spinning with questions. He took a deep breath and calmed himself down. Having the book about Henum was a good start but he still had to understand more about the situation. It was time to enter the world.
Yet, there was still a small problem. The last time as Olivier went to save Sam, he appeared right next to the man. But Christine was in prison, surrounded by wardens. Olivier couldn't just plop up there. So what was he supposed to do? Wait until Christine was granted a chance to leave prison? But there would always be wardens with her, right?
Olivier stared at the thick book on the desk. Surely there had to be a solution. The old boss must have faced the same problem. Should he disguise himself? But his sudden appearance would still freak everyone out. Perhaps he can choose where to appear? Worth a try…
Approaching the book, Olivier pondered. He reached out with his hand, trying to communicate. He closed his eyes and focused his mind. Seconds passed.
"Mau!"
Olivier was startled, taking a step back in shock. The black cat had silently sneaked up on him, sitting on the desk.
"Stop looking down on me! If you don't provide information, I will figure it out myself.", snorted Olivier, clearly annoyed.
The black cat silently rolled her eyes. She reached out with her paw, revealing a fine claw dark as night. She hooked the claw onto the paper and turned a single site of the book.
Olivier involuntarily raised his brows. What was revealed on the new site was a map. It looked very much like a floor plan. Unfamiliar with this kind of map Olivier pondered for a while until he managed to orient himself. It was helpful that Christine's position was brightly marked.
"So it shows the prison and its surroundings…"
Olivier murmured while nodding to himself. This was of great help. He carefully studied the floor plan, committing it to memory. Fortunately, after the last big increase of his lifespan, not only his physical abilities improved but also his mental ones. Thus, he was able to memorize the floor plan although it might not be down to every last detail.
Now, with the floor plan in mind, Olivier could put his attention back on the issue. How to control where he appeared? Was it through the floor plan?
Olivier's pointed finger moved towards the book. But he stopped before touching it. What if he would be transported instantly? He first had to think it through.
After some contemplation Olivier decided on a suitable place. There was a secluded corner of the parking lot outside the prison. He shouldn't attract any attention arriving there. The decision was made. Olivier took a deep breath and placed his finger at the location. A small, black dot was made on the floor plan. But Olivier was still in the café.
At this moment a black light flashed. The black cat's claw graced Olivier's hand, drawing a drop of blood and flicking it onto the book. Instantly a familiar sensation overcame Olivier. The book shook wildly. A red light flashed, engulfing Olivier. The light receded and Olivier disappeared. Only the black cat remained behind, lying down on the desk for a nap.
The world spun around Olivier. When he managed to stabilize himself, he stood in a gap between two small, unadorned squarish buildings. Even with the floor plan Olivier wasn't quite sure what these buildings were for. They were marked with a lightning symbol. Perhaps it had something to do with magic? Did this world have magic?
Olivier was not quite clear yet. He had to quickly familiarize himself with this world. Eyes wandering to the book in his hand, Olivier couldn't help but grin. His idea worked. Tightly clutched in his hand was the book titled 'Hanum'. A book holding the common knowledge of the world he was in. Exactly what he needed.
However, looking at the book Olivier also noticed something else. He was still wearing his tailcoat. Surely, he couldn't go out there dressed like this, right? Olivier opened the book about Hanum and after some back and forth found information about clothes. The most basic outfit possible…
"White shirt, jeans, sneakers? Let's try."
Focusing on his tailcoat, the eyes of truth produced its information. Olivier willed it and from one moment to the next his outfit changed, as if he had never worn anything else. The small cost of 0,5 years of his life was almost negligible to the current Olivier. He could earn this back in a good day at the café.
"Now I shouldn't stand out in this world."
Finally, Olivier felt confident to leave this shadowy corner. He stepped out and found himself at a parking lot. A faint breeze ruffled Olivier's hair. Although it was only spring, the sun bearing down brought a sweltering heat. Olivier shielded his eyes with his hand, taking a few moments to get accustomed. Especially the dry air was somewhat irritating him.
After adjusting himself Olivier looked around. To his left was the prison, a massive, brutal structure with high fences, stone walls, and towers. Guards could be seen behind the gate some distance away, lazily conversing with each other, obviously not taking their job as seriously as one might expect.
In front was the parking lot, partly occupied by metal boxes. And to his right was a broad street neighbouring a field of slightly brown grass swaying in the wind. Beyond the field, not too far away, one could see a large town.
Olivier fell into contemplation. What was his goal here? Finding the hunter and destroying their anchor! The hunter's goal was to kill Christine. But Christine was in prison. Wasn't this making things incredibly difficult for the hunter? What was their plan?
Olivier was unable to figure it out right now. He needed more information. However, he didn't feel safe reading his book here, in front of a prison. It might make him appear suspicious. He should first enter the town. But how? Walking?
Thinking back to his experience in Sam's world, Kerv, Olivier recalled the carriages used there. And they even had something called a bus, which served as public transport. Did this exist in this world as well?
"Still have to look it up…"
Olivier opened his book and found the relevant information. Apparently, this place had some options of public transport. There were not only busses but also taxies. Cars which would drive you to your destination for some pay. Olivier looked up from his book, scanning the parking lot. So, these were the cars Benjamin had been talking about before…
Olivier felt he was improving his understanding off different worlds. Drawing parallels from what he already knew was highly useful. He continued reading and discovered something amazing. Apparently big cities had something called a subway. It sounded like a caravan of his home world, but much faster, safer and able to transport more people.
As he read, Olivier almost became engrossed. An image of this world formed in his mind. It had similarities to both Sam's and Benjamin's worlds. The level of technology seemed to be somewhere in between.
Suddenly Olivier noticed something. He looked away from his book and spotted a warden eyeing him.
"Time to go I guess…"