Shadow Beings

26. Back to the Lands

A smile tugged on my face as I made my way towards the headquarters' main hall. Not looking where I was going, I bumped into Evelyn and she caught my hand as my steps fumbled.

"Woah Aud, care to invite me to your dreamland?"

"Shush," I mumbled. "Where are you going?"

"Nowhere, just walking around. Was planning to check the super speed initiates, maybe I could be of some help to them or something."

"How's Clay?"

I was sure to ask in a soft tone, though I still caught Evelyn by surprise. Her expression turned grim and that generally vibrant energy quietened, her words coming with a hesitation I had rarely seen from her.

Incredibly rarely. 

"He... should be okay. He's in the hospital right now and Conrad is with him. They need some time alone, together. Clay hasn't woken up yet, but I'm sure he'll come to soon."

I rested my arm gently on Evelyn's shoulder and she smiled weakly. It wasn't normal for her to feel down but for the first time, exhaustion was written all over her face. Her hair was tied messily without its usual charm and her eyes were losing their infinite glow.

She looked up to Clay as a child and also cared a great deal about Conrad. They've always been good friends, and though they're the complete opposite of each other, both of them would abandon their own needs to worry for each other. 

Perhaps this time they both shared the concern for themselves, too, arguably one more than the other.

"Anyway, Aud, where are you headed?" She dusted non-existent dust off her shirt and wore her carefree grin once again.

"Going to the main hall. Jay should be there, and we should return the keys as fast as possible."

"Of course! There's no way I'd forget that. I have no interest of being stuck between the worlds. Can we go now?"

"You need to check your impulsive nature, young lady," Jay's deep voice came behind Evelyn. His aura emanated an immediate wave of cool that settled the tensing air around us, though a spark remained. "It's going to get you into trouble."

"It already did," Evelyn whispered.

"It also got us the key," I argued.

"What are you two mumbling about?"

Evelyn grinned and said, "You, my leader, are in for a long story."

"Okay then, let's have a seat then," Jay paused before continuing, "And do not call me your leader. It makes me feel old."

"You're 48," Evelyn pointed.

"That's not old," Jay argued.

"Yes it is."

"No, it isn't."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Ye-"

"That's enough, you pair of rambling kids," I scolded. "Yes, no, yes, no. Don't worry, Jay. You and Evelyn are not more than three."

"What's the fuss about?" Holly walked in our direction with a soft smile and a slightly raised eyebrow, her aura as soft as ever.

"Just a small debate if 48 is old or not. Calling him our leader makes him feel old."

"Why are leaders supposed to be o-"

"Alright, end of discussion," I announced. "Who is going to come with me to return the keys to the lands now?"