|Mianite| The Missing Woman

[Chapter 14] Photographs

[Alva's Perspective]

"Oh," Tom exclaimed as he walked through the door. I was setting the bowls of pasta on the table. "You made dinner."

"Yes, well I've been feeling much better after that rest, so I figured I might as well." I said, turning to face him.

"Well that was thoughtful of you."

We sat down and made small talk as we ate, both pretending the conversation between him and Jordan only moments ago hadn't happened. As far as I knew he wasn't aware that I had seen it, and I felt guilty for intruding on their personal matters, so I didn't bring it up.

"I think I'm going to go back to Declan's library," I said when I had finished eating. I stood up and reached for my coat. Tom's eyes widened.

"A-are you sure?" He asked hesitantly. "I don't think it's very safe down there..."

He clearly didn't want me to go, but I couldn't stand to wait around here all night with nothing to do.

"I'll be fine," I assured him. "I'll have Declan come down with me, I have some questions for him anyways."

Tom looked away, clearly not wanting me to go. "Alright. I guess so long as he doesn't leave you alone..." I hugged him and walked towards the door.

"I'll see you in the morning then. And don't worry; I'll be fine." I walked out the door before he could change his mind. Not that he had any real authority over me, I just couldn't stand to go knowing he didn't think it was safe enough.

I took off and decided to fly over land as much as possible so that I would have somewhere to land safely should the mysterious thunderstorms return.

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When I arrived at Declan's I was surprised to see him outside, tending to a small vegetable garden near the church, rather than inside getting ready for bed.

"Good evening Declan," I said as I landed next to him. He jumped in surprise, knocking into the watering can he had been using, causing it to teeter slightly before steadying itself again. I held in a small laugh at the display. "Sorry."

"Oh, hi Alva!" He stood and brushed the dirt from his knees. "What brings you around here at such a late hour? From what I heard happened at Tucker's earlier I thought you'd still be asleep."

"Well I was, but I woke up just before sunset feeling wide awake." I replied smiling at him. "I feel so much better now, especially because I have some of my memories back."

"Oh," he said and picked up his watering can. "That's good."

"I decided to come back over to your library to see if looking at some of my family's photos might bring back some more memories." We began to walk towards the church. "Why are you awake at this hour? You don't seem like the type to take naps during the day."

"No, I..." He sighed. After a while he said, "when the rebellions started around here and the taint came back..." Declan struggled to find the right words and sighed again. "Mianite forsook this town, and me along with it. I was unable to keep everyone centered under his church and he cursed me. One of the side effects of the curse is days on end of insomnia. So far this round I haven't been able to sleep for three days."

"Oh my." I said, not quite sure of how to react. "I'm sorry."

He sighed. "Don't worry about it."

We walked into his bedroom and I saw that not only had he not moved the dresser back into its original spot, but that there was now a door covering the entrance of the passage. Declan pulled out a large ring of keys and, settling on the newest looking of the bunch, unlocked the new door.