United (Magics AU - Part 1)

Chapter 23 - Linda

Linda winced at a wave of shock plowed straight into her brain as the boy teenaged boy that Shintaro was holding so protectively fell back into the guardian's arms. She managed to keep her expression neutral, despite the thoughts that were showering over her from the people around her. 

What just happened? Is he all right? This came from the queen, her green eyes wide and her mouth open in alarmed concern and confusion. 

Well, that's certainly not a good sign. Linda immediately recognized this as Amy, who was standing beside Linda, thoughtfully chewing on a piece of bread that she was holding in her hand. 

Oh no! Is he okay?! This overpowering shriek of a thought came from the princess, who always seemed to think everything louder than she needed to. Emily was standing a pace behind Ruby and peering at the boy with an open mouth as Shintaro held him up against his chest. 

Chase! Oh, I knew he shouldn't have been giving away his share of food to me! Linda had only heard this string of thoughts once, when she had been coming through the hallway with Shintaro. This one was the blond girl standing beside Shintaro - except now, she was in front of the guardian and peering down at the boy with an anxious expression. 

Linda tilted her head curiously, in spite of the loud shock that was pummeling through her head. She clenched her teeth, hopefully not noticeably, and slammed a blocking wall over her mind. It required quite some strength to do this, but she had almost perfected in and could hold it while people's thoughts were running free and loudly.  

Shintaro, who Linda couldn't hear even before, silently and hurriedly turned the limp boy sideways against his chest, and in a moment had swept the teenager smoothly into his arms. The guardian's face was a mix of panic and confusion and anger. 

The girl stepped back in order to keep from being kicked, but her anxious expression didn't change. Her blue eyes were wide and fearful as she gazed down at her unconscious companion. 

"What just happened?" Ruby asked frantically, her hands hovering in front of her as if she wanted to help in some way but didn't know how. 

"Answers later," Shintaro snapped shortly, turning his head away from his queen and marching down the hallway again. The girl immediately followed him, her hands clasped nervously in front of her and her hair bouncing behind her. 

Ruby hesitated for a moment, but a second later she was hurrying after him. Marcus and Emily, who had been nearest to him, went after her seconds later. Falte and Aaron, though the former king hurried on more slowly than the others, were trailing behind those two after a few seconds' hesitation. Gabriel and Rachel glanced at each other, then turned to follow as well. 

Linda crossed her arms and tilted her head at the leaving party, debating whether or not she wanted to follow. It was obvious that Shintaro had some sort of connection to these two teenagers, but who was Linda to pry about that? True, she wanted to know more about him since she had the vague feeling that she'd met him before, but it seemed rude to ask questions to someone she barely knew. 

Amy remained standing still as well, still frowning and chewing pensively on the now half-eaten piece of buttered bread. After a moment, she seemed to realize that Linda was still there and caught her friend's eyes.

"We gonna go after them?" the tracker asked with a shrug and a gesture toward the crowd that had rounded a corner.

Linda sighed, then shrugged her shoulders. "Might as well, since everyone else will be there already," she relented. 

"And we can find out why Shintaro seems so attached to them." Amy stuck the last piece of the bread into her mouth and started walking quickly down the hall, not even glancing back to see if Linda had followed.